My Journey Through Surrogacy: From Canada to Argentina

Surrogacy is one of those experiences you never fully understand until you’re in it. It’s not just a process—it’s an emotional rollercoaster with twists, turns, and unexpected challenges. My journey has taken me across multiple countries: from Australia to Thailand, back to Australia, then to Canada, once more to Australia, and finally to Argentina. Through it all, I’ve learned firsthand the importance of ethical surrogacy, strong surrogacy agency support, and a supportive community. 

I’m Andy, an Australian actor, voice-over artist, and writer. Now, I also work with GS Consulting, helping others navigate the surrogacy process to become parents like me. I’m the proud father of two amazing kids—Orlando, born in Canada in 2017, and Frida, born in Argentina in 2023. Both were born through gestational surrogacy, though the paths to meeting them were very different.

The Road to Parenthood as a Same-Sex Couple

Back in 2012, I was in a long-term relationship, and we dreamed of becoming  same-sex dads. Surrogacy in Australia was challenging. We connected with local surrogates and made promising connections, but things didn’t work out for one reason or another. So, we looked abroad.

Our first stop was Thailand, but that journey quickly became a disaster. The country was in political turmoil, agencies weren’t always ethical, and coupled with the closure of international surrogacy programs we could make real progress. Our clinic was even shut down by the military immediately after an unsuccessful embryo transfer to a surrogate.

We pivoted back to Australia, where my sister donated eggs, and my then-partner’s sperm was used for fertilization. We found a wonderful friend who agreed to be our surrogate. Everything seemed perfect—until she had a very early miscarriage. Unfortunately, my sister couldn’t donate again, and our surrogate wasn’t emotionally prepared to continue the journey.

Next, we turned to Canada, where altruistic surrogacy was legal and, at the time, relatively accessible. We matched with an incredible surrogate, a mother of four who had already carried surrogate twins. We found an egg donor through a Canadian agency, fertilized half the eggs with my sperm and half with my partner’s, and proceeded with our first embryo transfer. It worked on the first attempt.

In May 2017, Orlando was born in Ontario. The process had its ups and downs— legal paperwork, agreements, and the emotional highs and lows of any pregnancy—but overall, it was a great experience. Our surrogate became like family, and years later, we remain close friends.

Becoming a Single Dad Through Surrogacy

Fast forward a few years. Life had changed—my partner and I had separated, but I still wanted Orlando to have a sibling. I initially considered local surrogacy in Australia, but after years of searching for potential surrogates without success, I thought all hope was lost. Then, I met a wonderful woman through a Facebook forum. We connected quickly and became close with her family and children. I transferred my last remaining embryo from Canada to Australia, and she became pregnant. We were ecstatic—until she suffered a traumatic miscarriage. Though we initially planned to try again, she ultimately decided she couldn’t endure another emotional loss. We remain great friends.

Realizing that time wasn’t on my side—I was now in my 40s—I needed a process that wouldn’t take years. That’s when surrogacy in Argentina appeared on my radar.

I connected with a few agencies and chose GS Consulting, which helps international parents navigate surrogacy in Argentina, surrogacy in Georgia,  and surrogacy in Colombia and Mexico. After a consultation, I felt Argentina was the right fit. Its surrogacy laws were favorable for international parents.

In mid-2022, I traveled to Buenos Aires to do sperm collection and meet with doctors, embryologists, egg donor coordinators, and local coordinators. I selected an egg donor, completed medical tests, and began the IVF process. The first round resulted in 18 mature eggs, all of which were fertilized. Of those, 12 made it to day five, and eight viable embryos remained after PGT-A testing. I was incredibly lucky.

I met my surrogate—a warm and humorous woman who was also a single parent. We bonded instantly, despite not speaking the same language (thank you, Google Translate!). The transfer worked on the first try. Frida was due in August 2023.

The Challenges of Surrogacy in Argentina

Frida, however, had other plans—she arrived four weeks early. I was in Australia renovating my flat when I got the call. Here’s a tip: don’t renovate your home near a due date when your child is being born in another country! It was chaos. After a frantic dash to the airport and a 36-hour journey, I finally arrived in Buenos Aires to meet my newborn daughter. It was surreal—she was tiny but strong, and in that moment, I knew my family was complete.

The next few months were wonderful. A friend visited, my sister stayed for a while, and I met other new parents. I even met my partner when Frida was four weeks old. My mum brought Orlando to Argentina for a month, and watching him bond with Frida was magical. He initially struggled with not being the center of attention, but he quickly adapted.

We planned to return to Australia together, but we hit a snag with Frida’s Australian citizenship by descent. The process, which we thought would take two months, was delayed significantly. As the first Australian parent to go through surrogacy in Argentina, my case was under extra scrutiny, extending my stay by another four weeks. It was difficult being away from Orlando, but we made it work. Eventually, I returned home, and soon after, my partner moved to Australia. We only spent about eight weeks apart in total, which was manageable.

For future parents, Argentina’s birth certificate process saw temporary changes in 2024. Initially, intended parents were listed on birth certificates. However, a transitional period in mid-2024 required listing both the surrogate and biological father, necessitating later legal amendments. This caused delays, but by late 2024, the system had been streamlined, and parents left the country without issues. Despite these challenges, I believe Argentina remains one of the best destinations for international surrogacy.

Lessons from Two Surrogacy Journeys

• Ethical agencies matter: whether considering surrogacy in Georgia, Surrogacy in Colombia, or Mexico, working with a reputable agency is crucial.
• Costs vary significantly: Surrogacy in Argentina was far more affordable than in the U.S. or Canada.
• Egg donation is common; In Argentina, you select an egg donor after medical and genetic screening. Processes differ in other countries.
• Expect the unexpected: Babies arrive on their schedule, and legal processes can be unpredictable.
• When starting a surrogacy journey, it’s important to understand that your surrogate is part of your story: Some agencies discourage forming relationships with surrogates, which I see as a red flag. These women bring our children into the world and deserve respect, care, and an ongoing connection if both parties agree.

Final Thoughts

I never imagined writing about surrogacy in Argentina, Canada, and everything in between. Parenthood is messy, unpredictable, and filled with love. Surrogacy was the right path for me.

If you’re considering surrogacy, do your research. Choose agencies that prioritize ethics, and ensure your surrogate is well-supported medically, psychologically, and financially. Most importantly, trust the process—it might not go as planned, but in the end, you’ll have the family you’ve always dreamed of.

Frida is now walking, talking, and taking over my life (in the best way possible), and Orlando is the best big brother I could have hoped for. It’s been a wild ride, but I wouldn’t change a thing!

Parent Intake Coordinator  Andy Leonard