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).
On this page you will find episodes from surrogates. On the main podcast page you will find recent episodes and links to other categories: surrogates, gay dads, straight mums, Katrina Hale and education episodes.
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.
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Episode 87 – Sarah Bevan – 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 76 – Navigating Post Birth with Katrina Hale
Katrina is a Psychologist and Infertility Counsellor with over 25 years counselling experience.
Join Katrina in unpacking the must-dos for new parents. Helping parents navigate the first few months of parenthood and supporting their surrogate during the fourth trimester.
Episode 70 – Children of Surrogates
- How did you get to know the Intended Parents (IPs)?
- What were your first thoughts when she brought up the idea of being a surrogate?
- Did you siblings feel the same/different about surrogacy?
- How did your extended family react?
- How do you explain surrogacy to other kids?
- How was the pregnancy for mum?
- How was the birth and those first few weeks/months after?
- Do you still see the parents and the child?
- Do you wish anything went differently?
Episode 63 – Team Culture with Katrina Hale
Katrina is a Psychologist and Infertility Counsellor with over 25 years counselling experience.
What do the dynamics of your surrogacy team look like and how can that be nurtured to ensure a healthy journey during and beyond birth. It is best to see this episode on our youtube channel to see the graph that Katrina has created to explain this concept.
Episode 55 – Narelle Dickinson – Psychologist
❤️ Have you ever wondered what you will be asked in surrogacy counselling?
🧡 Will your team ‘pass’ the counselling stage?
💛 Why would anyone need counselling before they embark on surrogacy?
💚 Is there any benefit to having ongoing counselling as Intended Parents (IPs), or a surrogate, during pregnancy?
💙 What adjustments do the IPs and surrogates need to plan for in the year after surro bub is born?
Episode 50 – Inducing Lactation
Shadi and his partner are also dads themselves through surrogacy twice. He takes us through:
❤️ What’s the name of the protocol you follow?
🧡 When do you need to start taking meds/tablets?
💛 What pump did you use?
💚 How much should I expect to get each pump?
💙 How often to pump?
💜 Did you see a lactation consultant?
🤎 Did you have enough milk?
🤍 How long did you breastfeed for?
Episode 44 – Dr Shadi Khashaba
Shadi and his partner are also dads themselves through surrogacy twice. He takes us through:
❤️ How are the eggs collected from my donor?
🧡 How are the embryos made and genetically tested?
💛 What tests will the surrogate need?
💚 How is a surrogate’s menstrual cycle tracked prior to embryo transfer?
💙 Who is present at embryo transfer?
💜 Can a surrogate have a natural cycle instead of medicated?
Episode 36 – Partners of surrogates
- What were your first thoughts when she brought up the idea of being a surrogate?
- How did you find IPs?
- How did your children feel about their mum being a surrogate?
- How did your extended family react?
- How was the pregnancy?
- 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?
- Do you still see the parents and the child?
- What would you do differently?
Episode 30 – Is Traditional surrogacy ‘riskier’ than Gestational surrogacy?
We hear from Narelle as she explores the findings of her research:
❤️ Is TS harder on the surrogacy relationship?
🧡 Are TS more/less supported by their IPs?
💛 How do TS/GS perceive the surrogate pregnancy compared to their own?
💚 Do TS have a harder time relinquishing the baby?
💙 Is there more conflict between the surrogate and IPs in TS?
💜 Are there greater mental health challenges in TS?
Episode 23 – How to find a surrogate (from 3 Intended Parents who did)
Guests: Trudy, Alex and Carlo, Sue
How do I find a surrogate from family/friends?
How do I find an unknown surrogate?
How long will it take to find a surrogate?
What does it mean to be ‘active’ in the community – online and in person?
How do I put myself out there without being fake?
How do you stay positive when others find a surrogate before you?
What else can I do to increase my chances of finding a surrogate?
When do you decide to stop looking or go overseas for surrogacy?
Episode 14 – Love Languages with Katrina Hale
Katrina is a Psychologist and Infertility Counsellor with over 25 years counselling experience.
In this episode, hear how Love Languages look for surrogacy teams and how best to plan for them so everyone has a full cup!
Episode 7 – Sarah-Jayne (SJ) Duryea – Psychologist
SJ has worked in the industry for more than 15 years as a Registered Psychologist, working with women and couples who are pursuing their dream of having a family, whether via IVF, surrogacy, sperm or egg donation, or adoption.
As well as a mum, through surrogacy, to two children herself, she is passionate about helping parents manage parenting trials and create secure attachments to their young children. If you’d like to arrange your own session with SJ, you can find her at happyminds.net.au