Welcome to Conversations, the podcast with Surrogacy Australia.

.

Join Anna McKie in conversation with surrogates and parents who have navigated Australian altruistic surrogacy. Anna is a gestational surrogate, high school Math teacher and surrogacy educator working with Surrogacy Australia and running SASS (Surrogacy Australia’s Support Service). 

These podcasts were recorded as part of our free, fortnightly webinar series. If you would like to attend one, check out our dates and registration links. The recordings can also be found on our YouTube channel so you can see the photos that are described in the recordings.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Recent episodes

Episode 124 – Alex – gay dad

Alex and Carlo became dads to their daughter, Elodie in December 2024. Their surrogate, Em, previously a stranger was initially their egg donor, but became their traditional surrogate (meaning it was also her egg). They all live near each other on the Sunshine Coast and are planning a sibling journey. They are also long term attendees of this webinar series, with a total of 30 and once co-hosting on one called How to Find a Surrogate. Alex and Carlo are the founding members of Australian Surrogacy and Donation which includes a Facebook group of the same name and an annual week of education, community events, story time for kids and culminates with a Gala Awards night to celebrate individuals and industry.

Episode 123 – Em – surrogate

Em and husband, Kurt, live in Brisbane with their 2 children and she has birthed 2 children as a surrogate, with plans for a 3rd! The first girl, Alice, was born in March 2022 in Perth for a couple who were friends of Em’s mum. She then offered to be an egg donor for Alex and Carlo, but moved to being their traditional surrogate. They had a little girl, Elodie, in December 2024 with plans for a sibling. Em is also a founding member of ASD (Australian Surrogacy and Donation). @au.surrogacy.donation 

Episode 122 – Education – Where can I find support?

One of the ‘main’ facebook groups in Australia for surrogacy is called Australian Surrogacy and Donation (ASD). It is open to Intended Parents (IPs) and surrogates who live in Australia, and who are navigating either domestic or overseas surrogacy. It is a growing group with 600+ members. 

If you’re looking for a one-on-one connection, SASS has a buddy system that we call the Mentor Program.

Episode 121 – Surrogacy for Midwives

Hear from 3 Midwives who have supported surrogacy teams.
Guests: Julie, Rachel and Ashlee

Episode 120 – Sylva – straight mum

Sylva and husband Kim from Tweed heads became parents to their daughter (Delilah) in July 2024. Delilah was carried by surrogate Micaela, from Sydney, who was previously a stranger and now a lifelong friend. Sylva had previously birthed her angel baby, son Roman, in 2021 before needing a hysterectomy. This was Micaela’s second time as a surrogate, and also the second surrogate for Sylva as her sister was their first surrogate but experienced pregnancy losses with 3 embryo transfers.

Episode 119 – Natalie – surrogate

Natalie birthed a little girl, Allie, as a surrogate in Albury NSW in March 2025 for Cherie and Ferg. Natalie was best friends with Cherie’s sister growing up and they reconnected when Natalie did a facebook post about wanting to be a surrogate. Natalie was a traditional surrogate, meaning she was also the egg donor. Her journey has been challenging with post-natal depression and communications issues with the parents. Natalie is supported by her partner Erin and daughter Ollie.

Episode 118 – Education – What is SASS?

SASS = Surrogacy Australia’s Support Service. Since 2019, we are the first agency for surrogacy in Australia. We support Intended Parents (IPs) and surrogates who are looking for a match and also teams who are self matched. 

Still have questions? We have a recorded webinar to take you through the whole SASS process and a flow chart of Stage 1 and 2.

Episode 117 – Marnie – surrogate

Marnie birthed as a surrogate in Sydney in August 2018 for a couple who were initially strangers and are now life long friends. They had a little girl, Sienna, whose parents are Kristy and Ben. Marnie was one of our original SASS Surrogate Mentors, has been an admin for the surrogates facebook group and has helped many at the beginning of their journey.

Episode 116 – Kristy – straight mum

Kristy and Ben from Canberra became parents when their surrogate, and now life long friend Marnie, birthed their daughter Sienna in August 2018. Kristy was one of our original SASS Parent Mentors and has helped many IPs at the beginning of their journey.