New York state could soon pass a measure that would help thousands of couples struggling to have children.

Melanie Cintron and her husband Thomas are having a baby via surrogate. They are paying a woman in Florida to carry their baby to full term because hiring a surrogate in New York is illegal.

Cintron says it's heartbreaking to be so far from your own child.

"I just thought I would be more a part of the process and if New York state had that opportunity for other women it would make a huge difference," says Cintron.

Cintron has an 8-year-old from a previous marriage, but wanted a child with her new husband. Unfortunately, it wasn't possible.

"Long story short I was too sick and I had to terminate my pregnancy because my life was at risk," she says.

When Cintron explored the option of surrogacy, she learned that New York and Michigan are the only states that don't allow paying a woman to carry someone else's child.

A surrogacy bill has passed in the state Senate, but is facing opposition in the state Assembly. The Catholic Church and women's rights activists have come out against allowing a woman's womb and eggs to be commercially rented or sold.

Cintron hopes her story will encourage others to support couples who can't carry their own children.