The Surrogate Community
9 Surrogacy Transfer Day Rituals: Lucky Socks, French Fries, & Everything In Between
When you become a surrogate, you enter into a community of women fulfilled by the same mission that’s pulling at you. And get ready: if you’ve never been superstitious before, you’re about to be exposed to old wive’s tales that surrogates have been following for years.
Surrogacy can be so medically focused that many surrogates have found comfort in folding in some magical thinking. The woo-woo is harmless and makes for positive vibes for transfer day!
None of these rituals are prescribed, but they sure are fun! Which ones will you choose? HINT: go for the fries!
While no one may be able to prove that any one of these rituals are single-handedly to thank for a positive transfer outcome, many surrogates will say that these rituals helped keep their spirits high. Whichever one (or five) you choose to practice, allow it to bring you joy, a few laughs, and a sense of power of what you can control — even if it’s just what size fries you pick up at McDonalds.
Lucky Socks For All!
On transfer day, you will have to wear a medical robe, and the only personal item you can keep with you is usually your socks. Surrogates have made it a tradition that transfer day socks are special socks. They can be your lucky socks, cozy matching socks you bought with intended parents, or socks with another lucky charm (like pineapples!).
Medium McDonald's French Fries, Please
We’re about to unlock another reason to love french fries. According to surrogacy tradition, the salty treat is a go-to after transfer day to help up the chances of a successful transfer. Some surrogates even pair it with an ice cream sundae, you know, to double the luck.
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Go Green!
The color green has been known to be a lucky color in the fertility community. It’s also something that surrogates, their support community, and intended parents and their community can do together. Everyone often wears green on transfer day to encourage positive, lucky thoughts.
Let The Sticky Thoughts Overflow
On the note of lucky thoughts, some of the most common “well wishes” alternatives in the surrogacy community include “sending sticky thoughts” or “sending baby dust your way!” Add these to your friends and family group chat so they know what to send and when.
Pineapple, Pineapple, & More Pineapple
Pineapples have an enzyme called bromelain that lowers inflammation and supports fertility efforts. It’s also been adopted as the official fertility community fruit mascot.
Add Crystals To Your To-Go Bag
Stop by your favorite wellness center ahead of your embryo transfer and ask them which crystals support fertility and good thoughts. They’ll feel like lucky charms in your pocket.
Find All The Turtles You Can
Turtles represent fertility in many cultures and have also been adopted as the animal lucky charm for the fertility community. Find fun ways to incorporate turtles into your surrogacy journey for extra positive vibes.
Fill Up your Water Bottle, Then Fill It Up Again
Water’s fluid nature and cleansing power have always made it a cornerstone in many traditions or rituals. Water symbolizes fertility and is a good general tip: the more hydrated you are, the better it is for you and future baby. Plus, you'll need an almost full bladder when you transfer, so make sure you hydrate before showing up!
Laughter Is The Best (Transfer) Medicine
Laughing is never a bad thing, especially on transfer day. Studies have shown that laughter and good vibes can help increase the chances of implantation. So hit play and rewatch your favorite rom-com (goes great with a side of those fries!).
"The body pillow is a LIFE SAVER. I love it. Ice packs during injections were also something could not do without and the heating packs after to prevent lumps."
"A wedge pillow! It's slightly smaller than a regular pillow and easy to move and travel with. I slipped it under my belly or between my knees or under my back. So helpful!"
"I loved my belly support band during pregnancy to relieve the weight and post-delivery to apply pressure to my c-section incision. It was a game changer following delivery for sure."
"One product that I swore by for all my journeys was Preggie Pops. My morning sickness was horrible, so these were convenient to carry around with me or stash around the house."
5-Star Product Reviews
Pregnancy
Heartburn medication
Morning sickness bracelet (for that first trimester)
Body pillow (for a better night’s sleep)
Heating pad and ice packs (to soothe those injection sites!)
Compression socks
Belly support band
Surrogacy journal (to capture all the memorable moments)
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Lifestyle Requirements
If you meet the above criteria, awesome! Next, we want to learn more about your day-to-day life and hobbies:
Numbing spray (to prepare for those shots!)
Heating pad and ice packs (to soothe those injection sites!)
Makeup caddy or tool box to organize all your medications
Pre-Pregnancy
Item One
Item Two
Item Three
Item Four
Lifestyle Requirements
If you meet the above criteria, awesome! Next, we want to learn more about your day-to-day life and hobbies:
Heartburn medication
Morning sickness bracelet (for that first trimester)
Body pillow (for a better night’s sleep)
Leggings, leggings, leggings (we love the high-rise styles best!)
Compression socks
Belly support band
Surrogacy journal (to capture all the memorable moments)
Pregnancy
Item One
Item Two
Item Three
Item Four
Lifestyle Requirements
If you meet the above criteria, awesome! Next, we want to learn more about your day-to-day life and hobbies:
Disposable boy shorts (they got us through postpartum)
Firming lotions (to help get back to YOU)
Post-Pregnancy
Pre-Pregnancy
Numbing spray (to prepare for those shots!)
Heating pad and ice packs (to soothe those injection sites!)
Makeup caddy or tool box to organize all your medications
Post-Pregnancy
Disposable boy shorts (they got us through postpartum)
Firming lotions (to help get back to YOU)
Best Products For Pregnancy & Surrogacy
Sometimes the best part of a new adventure is all the new “stuff” that goes along with it! And being a surrogate is no different!
We chatted with experienced surrogates (and brainstormed ourselves!) and gathered a list of tried and true products that they found super helpful as a surrogate (and as a pregnant woman in general!).
Here are some of our favorite go-to surrogacy products:
