This episode features a conversation with Rachel Wilson, a therapist, yoga and meditation instructor, coach, and most recently, a postpartum doula and intended parent support coach. Rachel shares the difficult journey she and her husband undertook to welcome their son, Remiel, the “archangel of hope.” After struggling with disappointment for a year, and facing financial limitations that closed the door on IUI/IVF, the couple chose international surrogacy in the country of Georgia in their early 40s.
Rachel recounts the myriad of emotional and logistical roadblocks they faced, difficulties finding an egg donor, navigating bureaucracy and cultural differences, and the stress of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine impacting the region. She describes how she maintained resilience and connection—bonding with her baby and the gestational carrier from thousands of miles away by sending music, recordings of her and her husband reading stories like Goodnight Moon, and knitting baby items. She leaned heavily on her husband’s solid support and her daily yoga and meditation practice, which helped her hold the paradoxical balance of having hope while being willing to surrender control and expectations. The journey culminated in a rush to a Georgian hospital where they met their surrogate for the first time during the birth. While her family is now complete, Rachel also shares the final chapter of her journey, donating her remaining embryo.
This experience led Rachel to embark on a new mission as an intended parent support coach, offering what she felt she lacked during her own process. She now hopes to help others prepare mentally and emotionally for their child’s arrival, assisting in creating necessary support “villages,” and focusing on supporting the critical transfer moment between the carrier and the intended parents. Rachel is particularly passionate about helping intended parents bond with their babies, sharing more about her journey, practical suggestions, and a bonding meditation in a recent article on our blog.
Connect with Rachel at https://www.intendedparentssupportcoach.com/.
Rachel Wilson embarked on her own fertility journey in her mid 40s, which led her and her husband to work with a gestational carrier. After a long winding journey, with many stops, starts, heartbreaks, and disappointments, they welcomed their son into the world in 2023. This experience gave her firsthand insight into the emotional, spiritual, and logistical challenges of infertility and surrogacy. She now provides support and resources to other intended parents so others don’t have to search alone.
In addition to being a coach, Rachel is also therapist in Colorado with years of experience working with individuals and couples and a certified yoga and meditation instructor. She also recently completed my Postpartum Doula training offering support that incorporates spiritual guidance and practical tools to support intended parents emotionally, mentally, and physically along their journey.
Interested in sharing your story? Get in touch here!
