The Surrogacy Podcast Episode 100: Mike, Nate and Sarah. We made it to 100 episodes of the Podcast! And it seems only fitting that we revisit the earlier episodes, and in particular my interview with my intended parents, Mike and Nate. When we recorded those first episodes, we were very early in the fourth trimester and and finding our feet as new parents and (old) surrogate. Almost three years later, with a toddler running around and the benefit of hindsight and reflection, we got to chat about our relationships with each other, with Darcey and my children, and what we've learned in the past three years. We also got to chat about Mike and Nate's experience of parenting post-surrogacy, in a two-dad family.

Mike, Nate & Sarah

Sarah Jefford

The Australian Surrogacy Podcast Episode 99: Reflections on surrogacy with Sarah Jefford. I was lucky enough to sit down with Miranda Crowther-Jones, writer, and mother through egg donation and surrogacy, and talk about the last 3 years and my book, More Than Just a Baby. You might remember Miranda from her own episode on the Podcast, and also from her guest blog post she wrote about parenting with a chronic illness.We are celebrating 100 episodes of the Podcast in the coming weeks! This episode reflects on the last 98 episodes, and on the perpetual journey of surrogacy.

The Australian Surrogacy Podcast Episode 99: Reflections on surrogacy with Sarah Jefford. I was lucky enough to sit down with Miranda Crowther-Jones, writer, and mother through egg donation and surrogacy, and talk about the last 3 years and my book, More Than Just a Baby. You might remember Miranda from her own episode on the Podcast, and also from her guest blog post she wrote about parenting with a chronic illness. We are celebrating 100 episodes of the Podcast in the coming weeks! This episode reflects on the last 98 episodes, and on the perpetual journey of surrogacy.

Episode 99: Sarah Jefford

The Surrogacy Podcast Episode 98: Yvette and Cam. Yvette and Cameron are intended parents in South Australia and have shared their story for the Surrogacy Podcast.Yvette is a primary school teacher, and teaches drama and dance in French. She can speak four languages! Cameron considers himself the family chauffeur and chef. Yvette's son Xavier is a gamer kid, and Cameron's sous-chef. Cameron can speak Japanese and has worked as a garbologist!Yvette has a long history of infertility and pregnancy losses, and has adenomyosis. Their specialist has recommended that they consider surrogacy in South Australia to grow their family.

The Surrogacy Podcast Episode 98: Yvette and Cam. Yvette and Cameron are intended parents in South Australia and have shared their story for the Surrogacy Podcast. Yvette is a primary school teacher, and teaches drama and dance in French. She can speak four languages! Cameron considers himself the family chauffeur and chef. Yvette's son Xavier is a gamer kid, and Cameron's sous-chef. Cameron can speak Japanese and has worked as a garbologist! Yvette has a long history of infertility and pregnancy losses, and has adenomyosis. Their specialist has recommended that they consider surrogacy in South Australia to grow their family.

Yvette & Cam

The Surrogacy Podcast Episode 97: Katie. Katie is a surrogate in New Zealand, who carried for her sister and birthed a few months ago. Katie is originally from Ireland, and so is her sister - so their surrogacy journey crossed Irish and New Zealand borders and two different legal frameworks. Add in a global pandemic part-way through a pregnancy, and a mad-dash across the world before borders shut, and then two families in lockdown before a baby arrives - and we've got quite the epic tale of surrogacy!

Katie

The Surrogacy Podcast Episode 96: Angela and Kirsty: surrogacy pregnancy during COVID. Ange is an intended mother in Queensland, and Kirsty is her surrogate. Kirsty is pregnant and due in just under two months. They met through the Australian Surrogacy Community on Facebook, and had an embryo transfer in February - just weeks before the COVID pandemic led to lockdowns and restrictions in hospitals. As the pregnancy has progressed, they've had difficulties planning the birth, attending hospital together for appointments, and negotiating with the hospital. Their hospital is a COVID hotspot, with several staff diagnosed with the virus. And Kirsty is a fast-birther, so choosing another hospital further away from home is out of the question.Unfortunately, Kirsty and Ange have had to deal with 'one size fits all' hospital policies that were going to prevent either of the intended parents attend hospital, leave Kirsty to birth without them, and require Kirsty to care for the baby in the hours and days after the birth. But, with a bit of pushing by them, advocating for themselves, and some advocating by their surrogacy lawyer (!) they've been able to get a better response from the hospital.Hospitals and healthcare providers who are supporting a surrogacy pregnancy and birth need to develop a surrogacy policy, and need to recognise that the birthing person is not the parent, and does not generally wish to care for the baby once it is born. And the parents do want to provide care, and neither of them have given birth. It is in a child's interests that they be cared for by their parents, and a surrogate cannot be forced to care for a child she birthed.

The Surrogacy Podcast Episode 96: Angela and Kirsty: surrogacy pregnancy during COVID. Ange is an intended mother in Queensland, and Kirsty is her surrogate. Kirsty is pregnant and due in just under two months. They met through the Australian Surrogacy Community on Facebook, and had an embryo transfer in February - just weeks before the COVID pandemic led to lockdowns and restrictions in hospitals. As the pregnancy has progressed, they've had difficulties planning the birth, attending hospital together for appointments, and negotiating with the hospital. Their hospital is a COVID hotspot, with several staff diagnosed with the virus. And Kirsty is a fast-birther, so choosing another hospital further away from home is out of the question. Unfortunately, Kirsty and Ange have had to deal with 'one size fits all' hospital policies that were going to prevent either of the intended parents attend hospital, leave Kirsty to birth without them, and require Kirsty to care for the baby in the hours and days after the birth. But, with a bit of pushing by them, advocating for themselves, and some advocating by their surrogacy lawyer (!) they've been able to get a better response from the hospital. Hospitals and healthcare providers who are supporting a surrogacy pregnancy and birth need to develop a surrogacy policy, and need to recognise that the birthing person is not the parent, and does not generally wish to care for the baby once it is born. And the parents do want to provide care, and neither of them have given birth. It is in a child's interests that they be cared for by their parents, and a surrogate cannot be forced to care for a child she birthed.

Kirsty & Angela

The Surrogacy Podcast Episode 95: Cherie and Alex. Cherie is a cancer survivor, and she and her partner Alex live with their gorgeous pups in Melbourne. They've recently managed to freeze embryos, and Cherie is taking time out to concentrate on her health after the cancer diagnosis. Cherie is an accomplished pianist and violinist, and Alex is heavily involved in car clubs. Cherie is into trashy reality television (I reckon she should be ON Gogglebox!).Cherie has recently started her own cooking blog on Instagram, cooking up a storm of recipes from her family and Alex's family. You can follow her on Instagram @cookingwith_cherie. Cherie and Alex are both on Facebook and happy to connect with the surrogacy community, and have been on the community Zoom calls. Hopefully social distancing restrictions will lift so we can have some face to face catch ups in Melbourne.

The Surrogacy Podcast Episode 95: Cherie and Alex. Cherie is a cancer survivor, and she and her partner Alex live with their gorgeous pups in Melbourne. They've recently managed to freeze embryos, and Cherie is taking time out to concentrate on her health after the cancer diagnosis. Cherie is an accomplished pianist and violinist, and Alex is heavily involved in car clubs. Cherie is into trashy reality television (I reckon she should be ON Gogglebox!). Cherie has recently started her own cooking blog on Instagram, cooking up a storm of recipes from her family and Alex's family. You can follow her on Instagram @cookingwith_cherie. Cherie and Alex are both on Facebook and happy to connect with the surrogacy community, and have been on the community Zoom calls. Hopefully social distancing restrictions will lift so we can have some face to face catch ups in Melbourne.

Cherie & Alex

The Australian Surrogacy Podcast Episode 94: Susan. Susan was a Brisbane surrogate, not once but twice, for two different couples. Susan's partner, Loz, was on the Podcast in Episode 47. Susan and Loz have three adult children of their own and live in Brisbane. Susan decided to become a surrogate after having her own children, and  met intended parents in Brisbane. We talked about her first journey, and how quickly she made the decision to carry a baby for people she had met online. Having learned some valuable lessons from her first journey, Susan was a surrogate again for another Brisbane couple and gave birth earlier this year to Arlo. The birth was just on the cusp of the COVID restrictions, and at the time of our conversation Susan was still dealing with some health challenges arising from Arlo's birth. We also talked about the frustrating symptoms of pregnancy, including post-partum hair loss, which can feel more challenging when we don't have a baby to show for it!

Susan

The Australian Surrogacy Podcast Episode 93: Scott and Sean. This is a Stories Series episode with Scott and Sean, sharing their surrogacy story for the Podcast. Scott and Sean live in Melbourne and are a gay couple with a menagerie of animals named after famous people and food. Sean is a psychiatric nurse, and Scott works as a retail manager. They're favourite holiday destination country is England, although they have to be careful with their language when they're abroad.You can find Scott in the Australian Surrogacy Community on Facebook. That's also where you'll find details of the ASC Zoom meet ups which Scott and Phillipa have been running to keep us socially connected since COVID kept us all physically distant. You can also follow Scott and Sean's Instagram account @two_bears2014.

The Australian Surrogacy Podcast Episode 93: Scott and Sean. This is a Stories Series episode with Scott and Sean, sharing their surrogacy story for the Podcast. Scott and Sean live in Melbourne and are a gay couple with a menagerie of animals named after famous people and food. Sean is a psychiatric nurse, and Scott works as a retail manager. They're favourite holiday destination country is England, although they have to be careful with their language when they're abroad. You can find Scott in the Australian Surrogacy Community on Facebook. That's also where you'll find details of the ASC Zoom meet ups which Scott and Phillipa have been running to keep us socially connected since COVID kept us all physically distant. You can also follow Scott and Sean's Instagram account @two_bears2014.

Scott And Sean

The Australian Surrogacy Podcast Episode 92: Hannah. Hannah lives in South Australia was diagnosed with MRKH in her early 20's. she's long-known that she would need a surrogate to carry a baby for her. MRKH, or Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome, is a disorder that often results in an absent or underdeveloped uterus. Hannah is a single mum and she became a mum when her cousin delivered her baby girl, Imara, in 2019. Her cousin's offer was on standby for 8 years before they decided to go ahead. Hannah had a few legal hurdles stood in their way because surrogacy was not an option for single parents in South Australia at the time.

Hannah

The Australian Surrogacy Podcast Episode 91: Rob. Rob and his husband Mark recently returned to Australia with their son Louis, who was born through altruistic surrogacy in Canada. They explored egg donation and surrogacy within Australia before considering options overseas. They created embryos with a donor in the USA, and finally landed on surrogacy in Canada and met their surrogate Toya in record time. Baby Louis arrived earlier this year at the cusp of the pandemic and airport shutdowns, but they were able to return to Australia before things got too hairy.

Sarah Jefford presents the Australian Surrogacy Podcast, sharing stories from intended parents and surrogates from around Australia.Sarah is a surrogate and a surrogacy lawyer in Australia. Join Sarah as she shares information and surrogacy stories from around the country.

Sarah Jefford presents the Australian Surrogacy Podcast, sharing stories from intended parents and surrogates from around Australia. Sarah is a surrogate and a surrogacy lawyer in Australia. Join Sarah as she shares information and surrogacy stories from around the country.

The Australian Surrogacy Podcast

Katrina Hale

Katrina Hale is a surrogacy counsellor, and in this episode we talk about the fears that we experience in surrogacy journeys - the intended parents' fears and the surrogate's fears. Katrina talks about what to expect with those fears, when they might be triggered, how we can manage them and what we need to do to look after ourselves and each other.You can find Katrina at www.katrinapsychology.com.au.

Katrina Hale is a surrogacy counsellor, and in this episode we talk about the fears that we experience in surrogacy journeys - the intended parents' fears and the surrogate's fears. Katrina talks about what to expect with those fears, when they might be triggered, how we can manage them and what we need to do to look after ourselves and each other. You can find Katrina at <a href="http://www.katrinapsychology.com.au" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.katrinapsychology.com.au</a>.

Managing our Fears With Katrina Hale

Kate is an intended parent from WA, who is now the parent of Jack, who was born through surrogacy earlier this year. You may recall hearing from Kate's surrogate, Michelle, in Episode 51.Kate was born with MRKH, meaning she knew for many years that her only option for having a biological child was through surrogacy. She did her research, developed a friendship with Michelle and her family, and they progressed through the WA surrogacy process.Whilst Michelle's pregnancy with Jack was pretty smooth, the moments after the birth were pretty hairy. Kate now tells that story, from her perspective. What's it like being an intended parent, watching your surrogate face birth complications that risk her wellbeing and life? And how are Kate and Kris going now, 4 months after becoming parents?

Kate is an intended parent from WA, who is now the parent of Jack, who was born through surrogacy earlier this year. You may recall hearing from Kate's surrogate, Michelle, in Episode 51. Kate was born with MRKH, meaning she knew for many years that her only option for having a biological child was through surrogacy. She did her research, developed a friendship with Michelle and her family, and they progressed through the WA surrogacy process. Whilst Michelle's pregnancy with Jack was pretty smooth, the moments after the birth were pretty hairy. Kate now tells that story, from her perspective. What's it like being an intended parent, watching your surrogate face birth complications that risk her wellbeing and life? And how are Kate and Kris going now, 4 months after becoming parents?

Kate

Steve is a father through surrogacy, and he and his wife Jen welcomed baby Holly in 2016. I interviewed Steve and Jen's surrogate, Bec, earlier in the podcast. Steve reflects on his journey as an intended father, and managing the challenges of infertility, and surrogacy, particularly with an interstate surrogate.

Steve

Henry &amp; Lisa are well-known in the surrogacy community, both for their support of other intended parents and surrogates, but also for their senses of humour. In this episode, we chat about the upcoming birth of their baby, conceived through egg donation and surrogacy, and how they've traversed the infertility terrain.

Henry And Lisa

This is episode 50 of the Surrogacy Podcast, another Khale series episode with Katrina Hale, and it makes sense that with celebrating episode 50 we discussed milestones and rituals in surrogacy. You might think a baby shower or birthday is a pretty straight-forward and simple affair, celebrating the parents and child, but like all things in surrogacy, it's more complex than that.

Milestones & Rituals With Katrina Hale

Marnie B is a gestational surrogate for interstate intended parents. Marnie and her team did a mammoth amount of research and preparation prior to proceeding with the arrangement, and the preparation is paying off. If you are thinking about becoming a surrogate, I recommend listening to Marnie's interview and taking note of all her amazing wisdom.

Marnie B

The Australian Surrogacy Podcast Episode 55: Ella. Ella is an IVF mum with a background in the pharmaceutical industry and has worked in the Australian surrogacy industry for a number of years. Ella now works for the Fertility Center of Las Vegas - all the way from her home in Sydney.Have you got questions about US surrogacy options and processes? How do agencies and clinics work together? What are the screening processes for surrogates and intended parents? Should you create embryos here in Australia or in your destination country? What are the donor options overseas? Is surrogacy an option if you are single or gay, or do you have to be married? Ella provides a really good overview of how surrogacy works in the US so that half the research has been done for you.In the interests of transparency, Ella is obviously working in the industry and her organisation is in the business of IVF and surrogacy services. The Fertility Center of Las Vegas has also provided financial sponsorship toward the Surrogate's Sisterhood Day in 2019. I do not receive commissions or 'kickbacks' from FCLV (nor do they from me!). If you are researching your options overseas and in Australia, you should seek independent and individual advice about your particular circumstances, and consider information from various resources. What I like about the information that Ella provides is that she is also transparent about who her employer is, and she provides information to intended parents that allows them to make an informed decision that suits their needs. My advice, when considering overseas options, is to ask whether the person providing the advice has any conflicts of interest and whether they are being paid for referrals.

The Australian Surrogacy Podcast Episode 55: Ella. Ella is an IVF mum with a background in the pharmaceutical industry and has worked in the Australian surrogacy industry for a number of years. Ella now works for the Fertility Center of Las Vegas - all the way from her home in Sydney. Have you got questions about US surrogacy options and processes? How do agencies and clinics work together? What are the screening processes for surrogates and intended parents? Should you create embryos here in Australia or in your destination country? What are the donor options overseas? Is surrogacy an option if you are single or gay, or do you have to be married? Ella provides a really good overview of how surrogacy works in the US so that half the research has been done for you. In the interests of transparency, Ella is obviously working in the industry and her organisation is in the business of IVF and surrogacy services. The Fertility Center of Las Vegas has also provided financial sponsorship toward the Surrogate's Sisterhood Day in 2019. I do not receive commissions or 'kickbacks' from FCLV (nor do they from me!). If you are researching your options overseas and in Australia, you should seek independent and individual advice about your particular circumstances, and consider information from various resources. What I like about the information that Ella provides is that she is also transparent about who her employer is, and she provides information to intended parents that allows them to make an informed decision that suits their needs. My advice, when considering overseas options, is to ask whether the person providing the advice has any conflicts of interest and whether they are being paid for referrals.

Ella

Jeremy and Shaun are gay intended dads in Melbourne and recently welcomed their son Elio via surrogacy with their friends in Queensland. They had the help of a friend who was their egg donor, and they proceeded through the Victorian process and the Patient Review Panel. Together with their surrogate and her wife, the four of them made a great team and managed an interstate surrogacy journey and have had a really positive experience. Jeremy and Shaun are really focused on Elio's interests and his need to know his story and have contact with his birth family and donor family.

Jeremy and Shaun are gay intended dads in Melbourne and recently welcomed their son Elio via surrogacy with their friends in Queensland. They had the help of a friend who was their egg donor, and they proceeded through the Victorian process and the Patient Review Panel. Together with their surrogate and her wife, the four of them made a great team and managed an interstate surrogacy journey and have had a really positive experience. Jeremy and Shaun are really focused on Elio's interests and his need to know his story and have contact with his birth family and donor family.

Jeremy and Shaun

Kim pursued surrogacy in the Ukraine. Kim has been through a hell of a ride to get to this point in her surrogacy journey. Infertility, IVF, donor eggs, and finally surrogacy in the Ukraine. This interview was conducted in the week before she and her husband jetted off to the Ukraine for the birth of their daughter.The Australian Surrogacy Podcast shares stories from intended parents and surrogates from around Australia. Some of these stories involve overseas journeys, where donor conception and surrogacy might be done differently and with different regulations than that which we know is best practice in Australia.  Donor-conceived people have the right to access information about their donor and other genetic family members. Surrogate autonomy and welfare should be promoted above the interests of the intended parents. If you are considering surrogacy or donor options, whether in Australia or overseas, you might like to research more about what we know is best practice and what promotes the best interests of children - there are some resources on my website at www.sarahjefford.com

Kim pursued surrogacy in the Ukraine. Kim has been through a hell of a ride to get to this point in her surrogacy journey. Infertility, IVF, donor eggs, and finally surrogacy in the Ukraine. This interview was conducted in the week before she and her husband jetted off to the Ukraine for the birth of their daughter. The Australian Surrogacy Podcast shares stories from intended parents and surrogates from around Australia. Some of these stories involve overseas journeys, where donor conception and surrogacy might be done differently and with different regulations than that which we know is best practice in Australia. Donor-conceived people have the right to access information about their donor and other genetic family members. Surrogate autonomy and welfare should be promoted above the interests of the intended parents. If you are considering surrogacy or donor options, whether in Australia or overseas, you might like to research more about what we know is best practice and what promotes the best interests of children - there are some resources on my website at <a href="http://www.sarahjefford.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.sarahjefford.com</a>

Jessica was a gestational surrogate for her friends Gareth and Bec - you can listen to Gareth's interview with me at Episode 25. Jessica and her family live in South Africa, whilst Bec and Gareth lived in Queensland. Their surrogacy crossed a few international borders, but also involved the tragic passing of Bec during Jessica's pregnancy. Despite the tragedy, Jessica still thinks you should consider being a surrogate if you can.

Jessica

Sometimes it takes a village to create a child, and in this case it took a cast of 10 people. Simone delivered a baby as a surrogate for intended parents in Adelaide, and the arrangement involved Simone's partner and daughter, the intended parents and the egg donor Anna and her family.When Simone first raised the idea of surrogacy with her husband, he was completely opposed, and it was only after having counselling with a surrogacy counsellor that they were able to be on the same page. Simone talks candidly about how important her husband's support was during the process, and the pregnancy and birth.Simone has been riding the 'surro-high' since the birth, and described the fourth trimester as being 'amazing.' She direct-fed the baby for the first few days and couldn't have been happier with the decision to breastfeed.

Simone

In this episode, Katrina and I spoke about the importance of planning ahead with your surrogacy birth. You might think it's a matter of deciding if the surrogate will have pain relief and who will cut the cord, but surrogacy births are a little more complex. You should plan early and enquire with the hospitals where you might birth about their surrogacy policies and practices. Some things to ask about include:Whether the hospital has managed a surrogacy birth recently;Whether the hospital has a surrogacy policy that you can read. If not, you can give them this free hospital surrogacy policy.Whether the intended parents will be provided with birth education and parent craft support;How they will support the team with decisions about milk and feeding a surrogacy baby;Whether both intended parents will be present in theatre in case of a c-section;Will the intended parents be able to stay in a separate room with the baby; andWhether the hospital will be able to support the surrogate and baby being discharged from hospital separately if necessary.

In this episode, Katrina and I spoke about the importance of planning ahead with your surrogacy birth. You might think it's a matter of deciding if the surrogate will have pain relief and who will cut the cord, but surrogacy births are a little more complex. You should plan early and enquire with the hospitals where you might birth about their surrogacy policies and practices. Some things to ask about include: Whether the hospital has managed a surrogacy birth recently; Whether the hospital has a surrogacy policy that you can read. If not, you can give them this free hospital surrogacy policy. Whether the intended parents will be provided with birth education and parent craft support; How they will support the team with decisions about milk and feeding a surrogacy baby; Whether both intended parents will be present in theatre in case of a c-section; Will the intended parents be able to stay in a separate room with the baby; and Whether the hospital will be able to support the surrogate and baby being discharged from hospital separately if necessary.

Birth Planning with Katrina Hale

Dr Lynn Burmeister of No. 1 Fertility. Dr Lynn was gracious enough to talk to me about fertility and infertility, and what we can expect from surrogacy fertility treatments. She also gave a few pointers for people trying to conceive, about the sorts of lifestyle changes we can make to improve our fertility health, and what a surrogate can expect from a treatment cycle.

Dr Lynn

Bree was a gestational surrogate, delivering baby Haesel in 2017 for her dads. This year, Bree is attempting to fall pregnant as a traditional surrogate for the same parents. Bree's intended parents live interstate, so there's been some challenges for the team to support each other. Bree also provides some insight into why a surrogate might make the switch from gestational surrogacy to traditional surrogacy.

Bree was a gestational surrogate, delivering baby Haesel in 2017 for her dads. This year, Bree is attempting to fall pregnant as a traditional surrogate for the same parents. Bree's intended parents live interstate, so there's been some challenges for the team to support each other. Bree also provides some insight into why a surrogate might make the switch from gestational surrogacy to traditional surrogacy.

Bree

Shannon Garner has been a surrogate, not once but twice for a lovely gay couple in NSW. Shannon went on to write about her first surrogacy experience and is now a published author - Labour of Love, published by Simon &amp; Schuster is available online and in book stores.Shannon is thoughtful and generous, and has contributed countless hours to the surrogacy community over the years. This podcast episode is no different - she has a lovely story to tell, and was kind enough to share it with me.

Shannon Garner has been a surrogate, not once but twice for a lovely gay couple in NSW. Shannon went on to write about her first surrogacy experience and is now a published author - Labour of Love, published by Simon &amp; Schuster is available online and in book stores. Shannon is thoughtful and generous, and has contributed countless hours to the surrogacy community over the years. This podcast episode is no different - she has a lovely story to tell, and was kind enough to share it with me.

Shannon

The third trimester, or 'the pointy end' of pregnancy, is hormone-fuelled and can be raw, emotional, challenging and overwhelming. When you throw in surrogacy, the third trimester becomes even more complex. Surrogates, who have often been a leader within the team, become vulnerable and turn inward, wanting to close the doors and spend private time with their family, preparing herself for birth. Their partner may need to step up and become the conduit and communicator between the surrogate and the intended parents, to express her needs and support the team as a whole. Intended parents will want to spend some energy preparing for their new baby. It's a time of bonding, high emotions and a lot of waiting.

The Third Trimester with Katrina Hale

Costa and his partner Ghaith pursued surrogacy in Canada, and recently welcomed their daughter Panayiota into the world. Their story is not unique, but Costa's views on a surrogacy are particularly lovely and heart-warming. He and Ghaith are strong in their convictions that Panayiota's story be one of love, and that she should know that she was created with love and is surrounded by a community of people who love her, including her birth mother.Rather than spoil it for you, have a listen and get ready to smile all day.

Costa and his partner Ghaith pursued surrogacy in Canada, and recently welcomed their daughter Panayiota into the world. Their story is not unique, but Costa's views on a surrogacy are particularly lovely and heart-warming. He and Ghaith are strong in their convictions that Panayiota's story be one of love, and that she should know that she was created with love and is surrounded by a community of people who love her, including her birth mother. Rather than spoil it for you, have a listen and get ready to smile all day.

Costa

Miranda is an amazing story teller, so you can understand why I barely said a word in this interview. She is an egg donor recipient, a mum through surrogacy, and had a heart transplant not that long ago. She's inspiring and courageous, and her story will give you goosebumps.

Miranda

Marnie is a cancer survivor and is now considering surrogacy as an option to grow her family. Marnie has some great insights for people considering surrogacy and leaning on the friendships you can build in the community.

Marnie

Sara is a Canadian gestational surrogate for Australian intended parents. She gave birth to baby Logan in January, and recently traveled to Australia and spent time with Logan and his parents. She also attend the Australian Surrogacy Conference and supported the Australian Surrogacy Sisterhood Day in Sydney.

Sara from Canada

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