Author Nathalie Filmon Shares her Surrogacy Story with New Book “I Am Unique (and You Are Too!)”

A Brief Introduction to Our Guest Author Nathalie Filmon

As more families are created through donor conception, surrogacy, and assisted reproduction, children are naturally curious about their beginnings—and parents are seeking heartfelt, honest stories that reflect their family’s unique journey.

This is why we welcome guest author Nathalie Filmon who wrote new book I Am Unique (and You Are Too!): A Child’s Tale of Love, Family, the Magic of Surrogacy and Donor Heroes, available June 10, 2025.

After a 15-year career in marketing and advertising between Paris and New York, Nathalie Filmon made the life-changing choice to become a solo parent. Using sperm donation and surrogacy in the United States, she welcomed her daughter into the world.

When Nathalie searched for children’s books to explain her daughter’s conception in a joyful, age-appropriate way, she discovered a noticeable lack of inclusive stories—especially those reflecting solo parenthood.

Motivated by this gap, she set out to write the book she wished existed. Her story resonates with a growing number of modern families formed through assisted reproductive technologies, and her mission is to encourage more open, loving conversations about the many beautiful ways families are made.

A Journey of Love, Courage, and New Beginnings: How Surrogacy Shaped Our Family Story

By Nathalie Filmon

Becoming a mother wasn’t my priority at first. I wanted to build a career, become financially stable, and buy a two-bedroom apartment with my then-husband. While building all of this, we didn’t use protection for a few years, but there was no pregnancy and one early miscarriage…I started to realize that growing my family biologically was not going to be a straightforward process

After buying our condo in Harlem, age 36—I made an appointment with my OBGYN determined to do what was necessary to become pregnant. 

After my routine pap smear, my doctor called with an alarming tone. She wanted to see me immediately to discuss the results. It turned out I had cervical dysplasia, with the presence of adenocarcinoma in situ—abnormal cells that could become cancerous. I needed a cone biopsy right away. I didn’t question it or get a second opinion. A week later, numb to this new reality, I underwent the procedure.

Later on, I would discover that essentially my entire cervical cone had been removed. The good news though was that they couldn’t find other cancerous cells, but I wasn’t out of the wood—I needed to be checked every three months and was told I couldn’t try to get pregnant before at least a year with perfect results. And if I did, it would be a high-risk pregnancy. If the cervical dysplasia returned, I’d have to terminate the pregnancy at any stage… Bed rest would be mandatory, as I no longer had a cervical cone and getting pregnant on my own would be extremely difficult for the same reasons.

Six months later, the abnormal cells came back. But I was determined to have a child, and refused drastic treatments that the doctors were discussing with me. I waited another month, repeated the test—and it came back negative.

During that time, I experienced a massive hemorrhage caused by a detached scab from the biopsy that left an artery exposed. The blood loss led to iron-deficiency anemia, and I was physically and emotionally drained. My marriage, already fragile, didn’t survive this period. We separated a few months after I was medically cleared.

Despite everything, my desire to have a child only grew stronger. At 38, newly divorced, with a fragile uterus and battered mental health, motherhood still called to me.

As a “divorce gift” to myself, I chose to freeze my eggs. It was a lonely and painful process. The needles, mood swings, physical discomfort, and fear were intense. But I was fortunate: 29 eggs retrieved, 26 viable. I was beyond grateful.

Then came four years of searching for a potential partner, the father of my future child. Life, however, had other plans. Nearing 43, after another severe uterine infection, I found myself back at a crossroads. It was now or never.

While celebrating my birthday at Hotel Belles Rives in Juan-les-Pins with my wonderful friend Sheila, we spoke about my options. I remember her words clearly: “You can always find a man, but you can’t always have a baby.” That moment solidified my decision: I would use a sperm donor and find a surrogate.

Navigating the Winding Road

Becoming an intended parent on my own was filled with uncertainty. And I faced really hard questions: Where do I turn? Who can help me? Will this dream ever come true?

Today, as I sit down to write this chapter of my life—after completing a children’s book to tell my daughter our story—I do so with a full heart. I write not just to honor our journey but to celebrate the profound love and community that surrogacy made possible. That same love is gently woven into the pages of the book—subtly but deliberately—so my daughter will always know where she came from and who walked beside us to bring her here.

The Road to Surrogacy: Finding Annie and Building Hope

After countless hours of research and consultations, I found myself sitting across the table from fertility specialists, explaining my longing to become a mother despite the many medical obstacles in my way. The process was clinical and felt overwhelming at times. There were so many moving pieces: choosing a fertility clinic, selecting a surrogacy agency that would introduce me to potential surrogates, and finding both a sperm bank and the right donor.

One of my first questions was how long I might have to wait for a surrogate. She would be the key to this entire journey.

I interviewed numerous agencies, both in the United States and Canada. Ultimately, I trusted my instincts and moved forward with an agency that told me we could begin immediately. The agent assured me that, after reviewing my profile, she already had three potential surrogates in mind.

I met with the first two women—each one compassionate and strong in her own way—but something was still missing.

Then, on December 19, 2017, I met Annie.

Meeting Annie: A Turning Point

Annie entered my life with quiet confidence and the kind of warmth that feels like an exhale after years of holding your breath. Her presence was grounding and kind—she made me feel truly seen and supported.

Her strength came from deep compassion and her belief that families can be formed in many beautiful ways. Once that connection was made, there was no looking back.

The Donor Journey and Fertility Choices

I had previously spent hours scrolling through endless sperm donor catalogs from various agencies. It was an overwhelming and impersonal process—there were no alternative offers like The Seed Scout or Just a Baby back then. After much frustration, I turned to online forums to help guide my decision-making process.

Eventually, I found the approach that felt right for me. I chose an open donor—someone my child could potentially contact when he/she turns 18. It gave me peace to know she’d have that option.

With the donor selected, the next step was finding the right fertility clinic. I adored a doctor based in Connecticut, but Annie lived in Portland, Oregon, and I didn’t want to exhaust her with cross-country travel during pregnancy. I ultimately chose a clinic in Las Vegas that had a great reputation.

From the 26 eggs I had frozen, only 8 developed into embryos. Due to my age at the time of retrieval, I knew the odds were against me. We had the embryos genetically tested, and only two were viable—one boy and one girl.

First Attempt: Hope and Heartbreak

I decided to try the male embryo first, in the summer of 2018. Annie traveled to the clinic with her sister for moral support. I was full of hope. That same week, I was attending a wedding in Crete, and I released paper lanterns into the night sky—sending out my deepest wish for this to work.

But just a few days later, I received devastating news: Annie’s blood results showed no signs of pregnancy.

I was alone in Europe when I found out, and I was completely shattered.

Second Attempt: A Glimmer of Light

We took a few months to recover, physically and emotionally. Annie was ready again by October, but her body wasn’t. For several months, her system didn’t respond to the stimulations. Still, she pushed forward. Her resilience was incredible—I was so deeply moved by her strength and commitment to this journey we were on together.

Finally, in January 2019, her body responded. We decided to transfer my last embryo—a little girl.

The wait was agonizing. I went to work every day trying to keep myself distracted, saying very little. 

Then came the dreaded call on Thursday, January 17. The initial blood test results didn’t look good at all… I left work early and wandered through Central Park in tears, eventually ending up at a friend’s doorstep. The days that followed were blurry. I felt like a shell of myself. I kept repeating, I did everything I could. Maybe this just wasn’t meant to be.

A Miraculous Turn

And then, on Sunday, Annie called. She said, “I probably shouldn’t tell you this yet, but I have a feeling…” She had taken another test at home—and it was positive.

She had a doctor’s appointment the next day to confirm it, but there was still a chance.

I’ll never forget that Monday. It was Martin Luther King Jr. Day—January 21, 2019. I waited anxiously all day for the clinic to call. Nothing. Finally, at 5:15 p.m., my phone rang.

Annie was pregnant.

I couldn’t believe it. I was euphoric—laughing, crying, jumping up and down with joy. I had never felt anything like it.

A Journey Shared

Throughout the pregnancy, Annie remained a steady, caring presence. She offered reassurance, and presence. I flew in for key medical appointments and, of course, for the delivery.

I arrived a few days before her due date and ended up staying 18 days in Portland. Those moments—being in the room with her, preparing for the arrival of my daughter—are memories I will treasure forever.

Annie was incredible. She was there for both Naomie and me in every way. She didn’t just carry my child—she carried me through one of the most uncertain and vulnerable periods of my life.

Woven Into Our Story

My children’s book centers on a playful, educational day at school for young children. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to subtly acknowledge the extraordinary journey that led to my daughter’s birth. The story gently touches on themes of communication, community, and understanding our origins. It introduces the idea that families come together in many different ways—and that it often takes a village.

While not overtly stated, the narrative includes a nod to Annie’s role. For my daughter, these pages hold the quiet but powerful truth: that she was brought into this world through love, intention, and the generosity of a woman who wanted to help build our family.

Writing this book was more than storytelling. It was a way to create a safe, nurturing space where children like my daughter can see their experiences reflected. It helps normalize surrogacy and solo parenthood in a natural, age-appropriate way.

Writing this feels like coming full circle. It’s a thank-you to Annie, and a message to others walking similar paths: no matter how unconventional your story may be, love will find a way.

Looking to find more surrogacy children’s books? See our guide here.

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