Nova Scotia couple goes public with search for surrogate mom

A South Shore family is taking the unusual step of going public with their search for a surrogate mother.

"It was a big decision," Leon de Vreede said.

"We basically knew from the beginning that if we wanted to find the right match for us this is something we would have to do ."

He and his wife, Cate, already have a 23-month-old son, Dylan, but both want another child.

Both grew up with siblings and want their son to have the same experience. However, Cate is unable to carry another baby so they decided to look at their options.

They investigated both domestic and international adoption and while they are open to domestic adoption, it can take years.

After much thought and research, they decided to try surrogacy, and they're hoping to find someone to carry their embryo.

"It's about a good match. It's about a good fit and knowing that we can trust that person and that they can trust us," Cate said.

The couple isn't entering into this lightly. They have done their research, talked to surrogate consultants, lawyers, health professionalsand others, saying they want to do everything ethically and legally.

"The last thing that we would want is for anybody to walk away from this feeling injured for whatever reason so we want to make sure everyone is protected and respected," Leon said.

They also have a list of criteria the surrogate must meet, including age (between 23 and 37), a woman who has given birth to at least one child, who is willing to undergo all the necessary screening and who has a strong network of social and emotional support.

"We want a clean, thoughtful, well-thought out process in which everybody is looked after; in which everybody is protected," Leon said.

"It really comes down to somebody who's really motivated to give this amazing gift and who we feel a good connection with,"Cate said.

Paying a surrogate to carry a baby is illegal in Canada, with stiff penalties as high as $500,000and up to 10 years in jail.

However, surrogates can be reimbursed for pregnancy-related costs, including medical expenses and maternity clothes.

The couple hope to find a surrogate close to home, either in Nova Scotia or the Maritimes. However, they are willing to consider women from across the country, with the exception of Quebec, where the laws are different.

The couple say they are "humbled" by the support they have received from their community and complete strangers.

They have also heard from several women interested in talking about surrogacy.

"We've also been contacted already by a few women who have told us a bit about their story and their motivation and said I'd like to talk to you more....maybeI'm the match," Leon said.