Episode 127 – Monica Blizzard – Lawyer

❤️ What are reasonable expenses that we can cover for our surrogate?
🧡 Are the Agreements enforceable for surrogacy and egg/sperm donation?
💛 Do we as IPs ever get our names on the birth certificate?
💚 Is anyone ever denied a Parentage Order?
💙 What should we look for in a surrogacy lawyer (for IPs and the surrogate)?
💜 What if the relationship breaks down among the team?

Episode 126 – 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 125 – Dwayne – gay dad

Dwayne and Shane became Dads to their daughter (Zara) in August 2018. Zara was carried by their surrogate (previously a stranger) Amelia who was also a Traditional surrogate for them, meaning it was her egg.

Dwayne was also one of the original Mentors with SASS and has supported many new gay Intended Dads who are at the beginning of their journey.

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.