Mbalizethu Mkhize’s journey to parenthood was difficult and painful. In the midst of her infertility struggles, she met with other women who needed an egg donor for a chance at a successful IVF cycle. Inspired by her own experience, she merged her background in model recruitment with a new mission: helping couples find an egg donor, all while raising awareness about infertility. Since founding Model Egg Donors & Surrogacy Organization in 2016, Mbali and her team have supported intended parents from over 40 countries, resulting in 280 babies born around the world. Read on to learn more about the agency, Mbali’s story and her helpful advice on what to look for in a gestational carrier.

1. What inspired you to work in the fertility industry?

I established my egg donor/surrogate agency; motivated by struggles with infertility. The inspiration came from my own pain and frustration, and it fuels the ethos of my company. I put my heart and soul into my work.

I’ve had 8 failed IVF treatments resulting in 4 miscarriages, and 1 ectopic pregnancy. While I was undergoing my fertility treatment, I met many wonderful women who were going through fertility treatments as well, but some were in an even more desperate situation than I was as they couldn’t produce their own eggs. At that time, I was an international model, running my own recruitment agency. I had access to young inspiring women who wanted to help by becoming egg donors. So I chose to use my public profile to raise awareness on infertility, and help families and women in similar situations.

2. We’d love to hear your story – can you share some highlights of the journey since opening in 2016?
Some of the highlights for me have been seeing couples realize their dreams of building families or even egg donors whose lives have been changed by the compensation they received.

3. What has been your most rewarding experience personally over your years in this work?
For me, it’s been the friendships I’ve built with couples across the years, and seeing pictures of their beautiful babies!

4. What is your advice for intended parents just beginning to consider surrogacy?

There are four main things to consider when choosing a surrogate mother:
Surrogate mother age: we recommend putting all possible odds in your favour, so ideally, choose a surrogate mother between 21-40 years old, in order to decrease the chances of complications as much as possible.
Health history: take a look at your surrogate mother’s previous deliveries with documentation in prenatal and delivery records. A surrogate should be experienced in bearing children. You should also ensure the carrier has no history of criminal activity and lives a stable and responsible life.
Willingness: find a carrier who is on the same page as you on the issues that are most important to you when it comes to medical choices, beliefs and stances on topics concerning gestation and giving birth, and etc. It is important to discuss these matters in-depth before agreeing to move forward on the journey.

5. Is there anything else you’d like to share about Model Egg Donors & Surrogacy Agency?
We’re a boutique-style egg donation agency that prides itself on cultivating a robust catalog full of interesting, talented, intelligent models. We look after an exclusive selection of egg donors who range from professional models, actors, students from top U.S. universities, including the Ivy League, and pageant title holders. Our egg donor database is very diverse, we have Asian models, Cacausian models, Indian Models, and African American Models. We combine compassion, elegance and excellence into a single formula that will cater to our client’s every need; with one of the highest standards the industry has to offer.

Thank you, Mbali, for sharing your story and helpful advice – the work you’re doing for intended parents from all over the world is inspiring!

Ready to start your search for a surrogacy agency? Learn more about Model Egg Donors & Surrogacy Organization and other wonderful options, here.