Sault Woman Becomes Gestational Surrogate, Embraces New Journey

Merissa Dinner, a resident of Sault, Ontario, has taken a remarkable step by becoming a gestational surrogate mother, driven by her commitment to helping others. This decision reflects not only her desire to assist a man in becoming a parent but also her personal journey of recovery and redemption.

In gestational surrogacy, unlike traditional surrogacy, the surrogate carries a baby that is not genetically related to her. The embryo, created through in vitro fertilization (IVF), is formed using the sperm and egg of intended parents. Dinner embraced this process after applying through a surrogacy agency and successfully completing a series of health evaluations.

Dinner’s path to surrogacy was particularly meaningful as she underwent the IVF procedure on the fifth anniversary of her sobriety. “It felt like a spiritual experience,” she shared in an interview. “It was as if I was being guided towards this path.” This significant milestone underscores her commitment to making amends and contributing positively to the world around her.

Following the IVF process at a fertility clinic in Toronto, Dinner welcomed a baby girl in May 2024 at Sault Area Hospital. “She’s healthy and now 15 months old,” Dinner stated. She expressed gratitude for the support she received from her midwife and the surrogacy agency throughout the journey.

Adjusting to life after giving birth presented its own challenges. Dinner noted that she did not experience severe postpartum depression, attributing this to her ability to maintain a clear distinction between herself and the baby. “I was able to say, ‘this isn’t my baby, I’m just doing something good for someone else,’” she explained.

The emotional aspect of surrogacy was not without its difficulties. Watching the child leave on a plane shortly after birth was particularly hard for her. “It was excruciating,” she recalled. However, a friend on the same flight reassured her that the baby was in good hands, further easing her concerns.

Dinner anticipates future visits with the baby and the father, who plans to return to Sault with the child. “We’ve talked about it, and I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to stay in touch,” she said. Detailed communication is often a challenge for many surrogates, but Dinner has been able to maintain a connection through photographs and planned visits.

Beyond her surrogacy experience, Dinner is a dedicated mother of three and works in the male-dominated field of tow truck driving. She is also pursuing her Bachelor of Social Work degree at Algoma University, with plans to graduate in the spring of 2026. “I’m excited about completing my degree,” she said, emphasizing her passion for helping others, particularly those battling addictions.

“I believe in recovery and want to share my story to show that change is possible,” Dinner added. Her surrogacy journey is just one of the many ways she seeks to positively impact others.

She encourages other women to consider becoming surrogates if they have the right intentions. “If you’re a caring person and go into it with the right expectations, it’s a wonderful thing to do,” she concluded.