Episode 103 – Billie – straight mum

Billie and husband Rob, from Western Sydney, became parents to their daughter Westyn in December 2023. Westyn was carried by her sister, Shannen, as Billie has MRKH – meaning she was born without a uterus. You may have seen their team featured on channel 9’s show Big Miracles. 

If you’d like to watch their story, be sure to check it out on 9Now, Big Miracles, Season 3, episodes 4 and 5.

You can hear from her surrogate, her sister Shannen, in the previous episode 102.

Episode 102 – Shannen – surrogate

Shannen, from the Central Coast, birthed as a surrogate in Sydney in D​ecember 2023 for her sister and brother-in-law, Billie and Rob. They had a little girl, Westyn, and she also has four children of her own. You may have seen their team featured on channel 9’s show Big Miracles.

Episode 101 – Mothers of surrogates

• What were your first thoughts when she brought up the idea of being a surrogate? Were you worried, and why?
• How did you explain this to your extended family and how did they react?
• Did you meet the IPs?
• What was your involvement in the journey/pregnancy?
• What were some of the challenging times?
• How was the birth and those first few weeks/months after?
• Surrogates usually feel a high after surrogacy by birthing a child for their friends – how did you feel?
• How did you feel about the genetic factor in regard to traditional surrogacy?
• Do you still see the parents and the child? And do you feel a connection to surrobub?
• What have you learnt about your daughter and yourself?
• Is there anything you would do differently?
• What changes would you like to see for surrogacy in Australia?

Episode 100 – Anna McKie – surrogate

Julie is heading for retirement as a surrogate – again! She has been in the community for 10 years, had 11 embryo transfers for 3 different IPs, 100s of blood tests and ultrasounds, 1000s of hours invested resulting in 2 beautiful girls and life long friends with surrogates and parents. Julie birthed Ottilie in May 2019 creating a sibling for that family (Leah, James and Alyza) and then retired as a surrogate aged 42. She had built a friendship with Trudy from the community, came out of retirement and offered to carry a sibling for Trudy, Tom and Bonnie. She birthed Lily in August 2024 aged 48 – and she’s also a midwife!

Episode 99 – Education – Ideas for IPs (Intended Parents) in waiting

This series of episodes springs from my work with SASS (Surrogacy Australia’s Support Service). When Intended Parents (IPs) have completed their profile and are in the pool of IPs waiting to connect with a surrogate, I do monthly check-ins to make sure they’re still active and waiting. I like to give some guidance and support along the way because the waiting game can be hard.

This series of episodes are designed as though they are a letter to the waiting IPs.

Episode 98 – Leah – straight mum

Leah and James are parents through surrogacy – TWICE! Their first daughter, Alyza, was carried and birthed by Leah’s cousin. Their second daughter, Ottilie (Lottie), was carried and birthed by Julie, who was previously a stranger. They met through the online communities and are now life long friends. 

You can hear from her surrogate, Julie, in the episode 92.

Episode 97 – Rachel – surrogate

Rachel birthed as a surrogate in Brisbane in November 2024. They had a little girl, Lenny, for dads Caleb and James and she knew Caleb’s brother in law from school. Their first pregnancy was ectopic and needed a fallopian tube removal and the second was a miscarriage just before 8 weeks, requiring medication and two D&Cs. Rachel expressed milk for 7 weeks before going back to work and Uni 2 months post birth. Rachel’s story is also unique as she has not had children of her own before surrogacy and is also single.

Episode 96 – James – gay dad

James and his partner Caleb from Brisbane, became dads to their daughter, Lenny, in November 2024. Their surrogate, Rachel, who lives locally, was known to them as a school friend of Caleb’s sister’s partner. Their egg donor is James’ sister, so the whole family was involved in this journey. Their first pregnancy was ectopic and needed a fallopian tube removal and the second was a miscarriage just before 8 weeks, requiring medication and two D&Cs.