Loading...
Clinton News Record, 2016-04-27, Page 1212 News Record • Wednesday, April 27, 2016 Exeter mom creates Canadian Surrogacy C Lynda Hillman-Rapley Postmedia Network She loves being a mom, there is no denying that, but Angela Peeters a 36 years old mom from Exeter wants everyone to be able to feel that undeniable bond of being a mom. This two- time surrogate mom has now created Cana- dian Surrogacy Community offering other options for parents. Peeters has four children under the age of eight. Madelyn is the oldest, then twins Emily and Carter and then Cole. Being a mom has fulfilledher in ways she could never imagine. And that is probably reason one as to why she decided to be a surrogate. After delivering two boys for a couple in London, Angela and her business part- ner Ross Jutras-Minetthave cre- ated their own surrogacy company. Peeter's surrogate story began with a conversa- tion with a stranger who happened to be pregnant. From there and after a long heart to heart with her then husband, the journey of a lifetime began. "Once we decided we were done having our own family, I began researching surrogacy. While searching online agencies, I stumbled onto the SCO website and joined the Facebook group for surrogates and Intended Parents (IPs). There I found a couple who had already endured years of ups and downs in an attempt to find a donor, and a surrogate. Once I began talking with them, I knew they were the pair I was going to help. We had instant chemistry and a friendship quickly grew. I was pregnant a short six To [earn the difference a Libro Coach makes in real life, follow a real fam Meet the Harveys on Facebook Libro Owners Chris, Marianna and Katrina The best way to experience the difference a Libro Coach makes in your life is to try it. The next best way is to follow someone else. So we asked a nice young couple - the Harveys of London - to let you follow their experience on Libro's Facebook page. Action, drama, a cliff-hanger - we've got it all. Thankfully, the Harveys and their Libro Coach have it all under control. See how they do it; experience the real difference. lig Follow the Harveys and their Libro Coach on Facebook as their life changes over the next few months; hint - when is Katrina expecting? Or visit libro.ca for the whole coaching story. Libro CREDIT UNION prosper here. saving • borrowing • investing • sharing ommu months later with their son. By the end of the first phase of this journey, this couple would have two sons- thanks to Peeters. The easy part was the bond with this London cou- ple and Peeter's children. She said they sat down with her kids and asked them if "Mommy could grow a baby for them." She said the kids "were more than willing to share me'She said she always kept my kids in the loop. "They rubbed my belly and talked to the baby and when it was time for the baby to be born, they wel- comed him into the world and also waved him goodbye as he went home with his parents" Peeters has an educa- tion in Journalism, Psychol- ogy, and English. She has been an education assistant for many years. "It has been my dream for a long time to start my own surrogacy con- sulting firm to help ease and guide both surrogates and Intended Parents through the overwhelming world of having a baby through third party reproduction. "As a two-time surrogate, I know the joys first-hand that surrogacy can bring. There is a ripple effect that goes far beyond the Intended Parents holding their baby for the first time. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, siblings, friends, and so many more will hold you in the highest nity regard forever." Because of that with her business part- ner, they created Canadian Surrogacy Community (CSC). In 2012 an article by National Post reporter Sharon Kirkley showcased new research that infertility was on the rise. The study, she said, "Estimates up to 16% of heter- osexual couples where the woman is 18-44 are experi- encing infertility -a near dou- bling since the previous time infertility was measured in 1992. "Gay marriage has changed the face of families," said Peeters, "Surrogacy and egg donations allows same sex couples to explore the options of have a family genetically related to them:' Peeters had worked as a surrogacy intake worker for another agency. Ross is cur- rently embarking on his third surrogacy journey in Canada with his husband John . They both agree agen- cies are important to intended parents. But, there are laws. And those laws, Peeters, says "And those laws, Peeters, says, "Are something I want to investi- gate and review in detail for future interest." Surrogacy in Canada is legal, but it is not commercial- ized for profit purposes. In 2004 new laws were passed to prohibit a surrogate mother from being paid. CONTINUED > PAGE 13 Contributed photo