Every year, RESOLVE’s National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) creates space for honest conversations about fertility, family-building, and the many paths people take to grow their families. If you’re an intended parent (IP) at the beginning of your journey, or considering surrogacy, this week can feel both validating and overwhelming.
What Is NIAW, and Why Does It Matter?
National Infertility Awareness Week is about visibility, education, and advocacy. It highlights how common infertility is and pushes for better access to care, support, and understanding.
For intended parents, NIAW is a reminder that:
- You are not alone in this process
- There is no “one right way” to build a family
- Your path, whether it includes surrogacy, IVF, or other options, is valid
Where Surrogacy Fits Into the Conversation
Surrogacy is often part of the conversation during NIAW because it represents one of the many ways people grow their families when carrying a pregnancy isn’t possible or safe.
For intended parents, surrogacy may come into the picture after:
- Multiple unsuccessful fertility treatments
- Medical conditions that make pregnancy high-risk or not possible
- Being a same-sex male couple or a single parent pursuing parenthood
It’s not typically a “first step”; it’s a thoughtful, intentional decision that comes with emotional, logistical, and financial considerations.
Understanding the Role of a Surrogate
A gestational carrier (surrogate) is someone who carries a pregnancy for intended parents, using an embryo created through IVF.
What’s important to understand:
- The surrogate is not biologically related to the baby (in gestational surrogacy)
- She is supported medically, emotionally, and legally throughout the process
- This is a collaborative journey built on trust, communication, and boundaries
Surrogates are not just part of the process; they are partners in it.
What Intended Parents Should Focus on Early On
If you’re just starting to explore surrogacy, NIAW is a great time to focus on education and clarity rather than rushing into decisions.
A few foundational steps:
- Learn the basics of IVF and surrogacy timelines
- Understand the financial commitment and planning involved
- Research agencies, clinics, and legal requirements
- Think about what kind of relationship you hope to have with your surrogate
It’s okay if you don’t have all the answers yet, this stage is about building a strong foundation.
The Emotional Side of the Journey
Infertility and surrogacy can bring a mix of emotions; grief, hope, anxiety, and excitement, all at once. NIAW often brings those feelings to the surface.
For intended parents, it’s important to:
- Give yourself space to process what this path means for you
- Seek support (professionally or within community spaces)
- Avoid comparing your journey to others
There is no timeline you need to match.
Including and Supporting Surrogates During NIAW
While NIAW often centers intended parents, it’s also a time to recognize the role of surrogates.
Surrogates may:
- Feel deeply connected to the purpose of helping build families
- Navigate their own emotional and physical experiences during a journey
- Appreciate acknowledgment and respect for their role
A strong surrogacy journey happens when everyone feels seen and supported, not just one side.
Advocacy and Awareness: Small Actions Matter
NIAW isn’t just about personal reflection, it’s also about change.
You can participate by:
- Sharing your story (if and when you’re ready)
- Supporting organizations that advocate for fertility access
- Encouraging open, respectful conversations about infertility and surrogacy
Even small actions help reduce stigma and increase understanding.
Want to Learn More About NIAW?
If you’re looking for a deeper conversation around National Infertility Awareness Week and what it really means for intended parents and surrogates, we’ve got you covered.
Our podcast, Surrogacy Unwrapped, features an episode dedicated to NIAW, breaking down the realities of infertility, sharing insights from within the surrogacy space, and offering a more personal look at how this week impacts the community.
It’s a great next step if you want to move beyond the basics and hear the real conversations happening behind the scenes.
Final Thoughts
If NIAW finds you at the beginning of your surrogacy journey, take it as an invitation, not a deadline.
- An invitation to learn.
- To ask questions.
- To explore what family-building looks like for you.
Surrogacy is not a simple path, but it is a meaningful and possible one, and you don’t have to navigate it alone. Your agency is here to guide you through every step of the journey, especially the hard ones.