This Canadian couple used surrogacy to have a child. Here's what they want you to know

In the elections for the Board of Governors at the University of Ottawa, Zane and Baden Colt encountered each other as opponents. In their initial meeting, Baden, who was 18 at the time, openly discussed her health and what it meant for their relationship. "I actually mentioned for the first time to Zane that I probably wouldn't be able to carry a pregnancy all the way through," Baden said. "I really believe strongly in putting all things out there. I'm in no way ashamed of my infertility."

At that time, Zane believed there was a "solution" for them to have a child. However, years later, when they were ready to start a family, medical professionals made it clear that Baden would not be able to become pregnant.

The workaround Zane hoped for came in the form of a gestational carrier or surrogate – another woman who could carry the pregnancy for the couple. However, many of the costs associated with fertility care in Canada are not covered by employee insurance or government health care, leading hopeful parents like Zane and Baden to pay out of pocket for their family aspirations.

The lack of access and high costs are identified as barriers for families in Canada, an issue advocates argue needs to be addressed.

Baden, facing epilepsy and requiring a Class X drug for treatment, which is not safe during pregnancy, explained, "In my case, coming off of the medication wasn't an option, or I would be having seizures and just, in general, very sick." To find a surrogate, they decided to share their journey online, creating a blog and an Instagram page. After six months, one of their videos went viral, and a woman named Ashley reached out, offering to help. The couple acknowledges the unlikely nature of finding a surrogate this way, considering themselves very fortunate.

Their story reflects the challenges and hurdles in the journey toward building a family, emphasizing the need for change in access and affordability for fertility care in Canada.

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