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At Boca Fertility, we are proud to support every path to parenthood, and sometimes, those journeys come from within our own walls. We were deeply moved and honored to see one of our own providers, Dr. Leah Roberts, featured in a recent article on Rescripted titled “Surrogacy Stories: From Doctor to Intended Mom”.
Dr. Roberts’ story is both personal and powerful, offering rare insight into what it’s like to transition from physician to patient, and from expert to hopeful parent.
A Deeply Personal Path to Parenthood
In the article, Dr. Roberts opens up about the difficult medical realities that led her to consider surrogacy. After undergoing surgery to remove a large uterine fibroid, she was advised not to carry a pregnancy herself. As a reproductive endocrinologist, she had spent years helping others navigate complex fertility paths, but suddenly, she found herself on one.
She and her husband pursued IVF, ultimately creating embryos that could be transferred to a gestational carrier. The journey that followed was filled with emotional highs and lows: anxiety, uncertainty, gratitude, and hope.
The article shares key moments from that journey, including:
- Coming to terms with surrogacy as their path forward: Even as a doctor, Dr. Roberts admitted she had internalized feelings of failure around not carrying her own child. She describes the emotional reckoning that came with letting go of that expectation and embracing surrogacy.
- Choosing the right gestational carrier: After reviewing multiple profiles, she felt an instant connection with the woman who would eventually carry her baby. Their relationship became central to the experience, built on trust, mutual respect, and shared excitement.
- The emotional reality of the pregnancy: Dr. Roberts describes the unique mixture of joy and helplessness in watching her child grow inside someone else. Despite not being pregnant herself, she was involved every step of the way, from OB appointments to texting the carrier regularly.
- The moment her son was born: Dr. Roberts and her husband were in the delivery room. She held her son skin-to-skin immediately after birth, overwhelmed with love, awe, and a new understanding of what it means to become a parent.
Throughout the story, Dr. Roberts reflects on how the experience deepened her empathy for patients and changed how she practices medicine. She now understands in a visceral way the emotional weight her patients carry, and what it takes to keep moving forward through uncertainty.
“Surrogacy was never Plan A. But it gave us the gift of our son. And I wouldn’t change our story.”
Why Stories Like This Matter
Dr. Roberts’ openness helps normalize conversations around surrogacy, a path that is often misunderstood or kept private. Her story resonates not just because of her medical expertise, but because of her vulnerability.
By sharing her journey publicly, she reminds others that:
- There is no shame in needing help to start a family
- Surrogacy is not a “last resort,” but a valid, meaningful, and beautiful path to parenthood
- Doctors are human too! And sometimes, they walk the same roads their patients do
At Boca Fertility, we believe in compassion, transparency, and supporting every patient’s unique journey. We’re proud to work alongside Dr. Roberts, and even prouder to celebrate her story.
Learn More About Surrogacy and Fertility Treatment
If you’re exploring surrogacy or wondering what your options are, we’re here to help. Our experienced team will walk with you through every step – from diagnosis to treatment to family-building through IVF, egg donation, or third-party reproduction.
