Stories • mar 23, 2026
Kiely Shimabukuro, 4x Gestational Carrier, Founder of That Surrogate Life, and National Surrogate Alliance Community Lead
A four-time gestational carrier, Kiely Shimabukuro turned her journeys into That Surrogate Life, building resources and community for surrogates and parents.
“I’ve been a gestational surrogate four times. Not necessarily because I love being pregnant, but because I love parenthood,” said Kiely Shimabukuro.
Across four different journeys, Kiely Shimabukuro carried pregnancies for families with very different stories — including a same-sex couple, singleton and twin pregnancies, and both independent and agency-supported matches. Each experience gave her a deeper understanding of the emotional complexity, trust, and communication that surrogacy requires.
During her first journey in 2016, Kiely began documenting everything she was learning. What started as personal notes soon became blog posts and videos as she shared the realities of surrogacy online. Her openness resonated with other surrogates who were searching for honest information and community.
That openness eventually grew into That Surrogate Life, where Kiely now creates resources for both surrogates and intended parents. She has written books about the surrogacy experience, hosts a gestational carrier support group through RESOLVE, and founded the Send a Friend program, which connects experienced surrogates with carriers recovering after delivery, so they have someone who understands that emotional moment.
Through her work, Kiely continues to build the kind of community she once wished existed herself, one where surrogates and intended parents feel informed, supported, and connected throughout the journey.
