Tonia is a mama with 2 kiddos and is currently on her second surrogacy journey!

Q: Tell us about yourself!

A: My name is Tonia Rivera, I am a born and raised Californian. I am married and have 2 children of my own. I have worked in the surrogacy industry for 5 years now. After my first journey, I knew it was a world I couldn’t walk away from. I delivered my first surrogate baby during the pandemic and cared for them for several months, and that forever changed me. I have been a case manager as well as intake manager and my experience actually led me to found Mothers First Surrogacy, a company that offers no cost education, pre screening and agency matching services to surrogate mothers.

Q: What led you to surrogacy?

A: For my first journey I was searching for a purpose outside of my own home. I wanted to do something selfless in life that would carry on after I was gone. I took a several year break afterwards and had my 2nd child. After my son was born, I felt ready to pursue another journey. Growing life and birthing souls is truly a super power, and it is a chapter of my life that I am not yet ready to close.

Q: Did you do independent or agency-led journeys and why?

A: I went through an agency both times for guidance, and facilitation.

Q: How many surrogacy journeys have you done and what was your favorite part of each?

A: I have completed one journey and am currently on my second journey. My favorite part of my first journey was seeing the baby reunited with his mother. I will never forget the moment and the happiness we all felt. My favorite part of my second journey so far is knowing that I am doing everything in my power to help another family. There is more joy in giving than in receiving.

Q: What is something you would tell someone new to the surrogacy world?

A: Becoming a surrogate is one of the great things you will think about for the rest of your life and look back and remember with pride. There won’t be a doubt in your mind if you served others in your lifetime or really made an impact on this world, because you did. Not only did you grow your own family, but you helped another family continue on, and that matters.