I Want to Put a Baby in You!

Episode 229: Donna Pope and Bonnie Hilton -- Building a Family Four Different Ways

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Bonnie Hilton. Bonnie Hilton is a licensed clinical social worker, adoption professional, author, and mother of nine. She and her husband, Brett, have been married for 34 years and live in South Jordan, Utah. Bonnie is passionate about helping children thrive in forever families and currently serves as CEO of Hand In Hand International Adoptions. An Angels in Adoption award recipient and author of Gathering Israel’s Children, Bonnie especially loves supporting adoptive families. Outside of work, she enjoys family time, writing, playing the piano, and sports.

Donna Pope. Donna Pope stands as a cornerstone figure in the adoption community, bringing over 25 years of dedicated service as Executive Director of Heart To Heart Adoptions. Under her leadership, the agency has grown into one of the most respected domestic adoption organizations in the United States, built on a foundation of ethical practices and genuine care for all members of the adoption triad.

Her influence extends beyond her agency work through significant leadership roles, including serving as Chairman for the Committee for Ethical Practices in Utah Adoption Agencies and holding a position on the Utah Adoption Council's Governing Board. Her diverse professional background spans healthcare and education, allowing her to address the complex emotional and psychological aspects of adoption.

As a person of faith, Donna approaches adoption work through a spiritual lens, recognizing the sacred nature of family creation and the eternal bonds that connect families. This perspective informs her compassionate approach to supporting individuals and families throughout their adoption journey.

Donna shares her expertise and passion through four adoption-focused podcasts, creating accessible platforms for education and support within the adoption community. Her latest endeavor, Adoptions.com, represents her vision for creating a comprehensive resource hub that connects and supports all members of the adoption community.

Throughout her career, Donna has maintained her commitment to ethical practices while advocating for the needs of birth parents, adoptive families, and adoptees. Her work reflects a deep understanding that adoption is not just a legal process, but a life-changing journey that deserves thoughtful guidance and unwavering support.

Listen as Donna and Bonnie share with Ellen and Jenn:

How Heart to Heart began, including Donna’s personal story adopting three sons.
Bonnie’s powerful personal story, learning as a teenager that she was born without a uterus, navigating infertility through dating and early marriage, and then receiving an unexpected offer from a woman in her church.
The realities of early IVF and surrogacy, including a high-risk quadruplet pregnancy, the difficult decisions around selective reduction, and the profound grief and love that followed when the babies were born extremely premature.
Continued family growth through domestic and international adoption—including adopting children from Ukraine.
The tender, life-changing experience of adopting a medically fragile newborn who only lived two weeks, but was deeply loved.
Exploring bigger questions surrounding paths to parenthood, including why international adoption has dramatically declined, how regulation (even when well-intentioned) can create unintended barriers, and why access, cost, and legal uncertainty continue to shape the future of both adoption and surrogacy.
Their upcoming nonprofit platform, Adoptions.com, designed to connect adoptive families, biological families, adoptees, and service providers—creating community, support groups, educational resources, and a matching-style “connection engine” to help people find the services they need.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Listen to Voices of Adoption: voicesofadoption.podup.com

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 228: Dr. Jessica Chellsen – Pelvic Floor Therapy 101

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Jessica is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with advanced training in pelvic health. She is the co-founder of Surrogate Wellness Collective, owner of Vibrant Coast Physical Therapy and Wellness, and founder of the Vibrant Strength App. She works with surrogates throughout their journey to design evidenced-based customized strength, mobility and pelvic floor health programs to support both the surrogate and baby’s health, and help surrogates feel confident and empowered throughout their journey during pregnancy and postpartum.

On this episode of I Want to Put a Baby in You, hosts Jennifer White and Ellen Trachman dive into a topic that affects far more people than we talk about: pelvic floor therapy.

Listen as Jessica shares with Ellen and Jenn:

What pelvic floor therapy actually is (and what it’s not).
Why leaking when you laugh, sneeze, or exercise is common—but not normal.
How pelvic floor dysfunction connects to back pain, hip pain, sciatica, constipation, and more.
The role of pelvic floor therapy and exercise during pregnancy.
How prenatal exercise can reduce risks of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, C-sections, and even prenatal depression.
Why surrogates and intended parents should care about pelvic health before, during, and after pregnancy.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Dr. Jessica Chellsen: http://surrogatewellness.com/meet-Jessica/

Follow Jessica on Instagram: @surrogatewellness and @vibrantcoastpt

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 227: Dr. Margolis and Dr. Roberts – A Fertility Doctor Becomes The Patient

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 08:29:00 -0400

Cheri Margolis, M.D. graduated with honors, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry with a focus in Biochemistry and a minor in Business Administration from the University of Florida Honors program. Her commitment to excellence continued as she earned her medical degree (M.D.) at the University of Florida. During medical school, she fostered a love for the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility while on a research scholarship at the University of Pennsylvania, evaluating synthetic environmental estrogen mimics.

Following her medical education, Dr. Margolis embarked on a journey to the Northeast to complete her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at the prestigious New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell in New York City. During her time at Cornell, she not only honed her clinical skills but was also given awards for her excellence in Obstetrics and excellence in medical education. Driven by her dedication to advancing the field of reproductive medicine, she chose to pursue a fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Reproductive Medicine Associates in New Jersey, one of the largest and busiest in vitro fertilization programs in the world. This experience also provided her with invaluable training as an embryologist, enriching her understanding of the embryology laboratory.

Dr. Margolis’ commitment to advancing the field of reproductive medicine extends beyond her clinical practice. She has shared her research findings at various national meetings, including ASRM, PCRS, ESHRE, with a staggering 50+ oral and poster presentations to date. Her research interests encompass a diverse range of topics, including fertility preservation, in vitro fertilization outcomes, and preimplantation genetic testing.

Dr. Margolis is dedicated to providing comprehensive, evidence-based care to her patients. She approaches each patient’s unique circumstances with compassion and aims to establish a trusting and respectful relationship. By fostering open communication and shared decision-making, Dr. Margolis empowers her patients to make informed choices throughout their fertility journey.

Leah Roberts, M.D. is a native of South Florida who has brought her passion for reproductive endocrinology and fertility care to Boca Raton. She graduated cum laude from the University of Florida Honors program where she completed her Bachelors of Science in Biology and a minor in English. She received her M.D. from Florida Atlantic University where she served as the Vice President of her class. She then completed her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency in Philadelphia at Temple University.

After graduation, Dr. Roberts continued at Temple as an Assistant Professor of OB-GYN, teaching both residents and medical students, until she left to pursue her fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Reproductive Medicine Associates in New Jersey. While at RMANJ she additionally trained as an embryologist, which provided her with invaluable experience in the clinical laboratory.

Dr. Roberts has presented her research at several national meetings including ASRM, PCRS, CREOG/APGO, AUGS/IUGA, and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, on topics as varied as ovarian aging and patient engagement with care. She has also been an active participant in lobbying for your reproductive rights and infertility coverage on the state and national level with RESOLVE and ACOG. Dr. Roberts specializes in ovarian biology and aging, third party reproduction, and preimplantation genetics and diagnosis.

Dr. Roberts is a distinguished Clinical Affiliate Assistant Professor of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility in the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health at Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E Schmidt College of Medicine. With a profound commitment to advancing women’s health, Dr. Roberts has garnered recognition as an expert in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and healthcare access for women. This expertise has led to numerous media appearances, including interviews on CBS 13 and ABC 10 (including live on This Week in South Florida) , where Dr. Roberts has shared valuable insights on complex medical issues affecting women. Additionally, Dr. Roberts has been quoted in the Los Angeles Times, Sun Sentinel, Orlando Sentinel, and even internationally in the Irish Star, highlighting the global impact of their work in the field of reproductive health and medicine.

Listen as the Boca Fertility doctors share with Ellen and Jenn:

How a random college dorm visit and a shared social circle led to a lifelong friendship and professional partnership committed to patient care.
Dr. Roberts’ experience with severe pregnancy complications and becoming a fertility patient herself.
Experiencing the full emotional and physical rollercoaster.
How their personal experiences have improved their care for their patients.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Boca Fertility: bocafertility.com

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 226: Mike and George – Families Out Loud

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Families Out Loud is a national community, event platform, and advocacy organization that supports all people building families—across every family structure, identity, and path to parenthood. Whether LGBTQ+, straight, non-binary, single, partnered, or still exploring options, Families Out Loud exists to ensure that anyone navigating assisted reproduction feels informed, supported, and never alone.

Families Out Loud was founded by Mike Snaric and George Moore, husbands and dads to twin boys conceived through egg donation, surrogacy, and IVF. Their personal journey into parenthood revealed how emotionally complex, financially overwhelming, and ethically unclear the family-building process can be—especially without trusted guidance or community. Families Out Loud was created to change that experience for others.

The organization brings together intended parents, medical professionals, legal experts, surrogacy and egg donor agencies, and advocates through live events in major cities, educational panels, national partnerships, and media. Families Out Loud is known for creating inclusive, culture-forward spaces that balance expert education with real storytelling and joyful celebration, while also addressing the serious ethical, legal, and access issues shaping the future of family building.

At its core, Families Out Loud believes there is no single “right” way to build a family—and that everyone deserves respect, transparency, and protection along the way. The organization is actively expanding its national footprint through advocacy, nonprofit initiatives, and industry collaboration focused on ethical family building, education, and community-driven support.

Listen as Mike and George share with Ellen and Jenn:

Their personal winding journey with surrogacy.
How lack of information and support shaped their mission.
The importance of inclusive fertility education.
What makes Families Out Loud events special.
What the fertility world gets wrong—and what can be done.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Families Out Loud: www.familiesoutloudevents.com

Follow Families Out Loud on Instagram: @families_out_loud

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 225: Jen and Jaimee – Childbirth Allies

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Jen and Jaimee are experienced Registered Nurses and founders of Childbirth Allies, a concierge-style education and birth planning service dedicated to supporting intended parents through surrogacy. With backgrounds in maternal–newborn care and years of hands-on experience in complex birth settings, they are passionate about helping families feel informed, empowered, and supported every step of the way. Their approach blends clinical knowledge with compassion, ensuring their clients feel well-prepared for birth and newborn care.

Listen as Jen and Jaimee share with Ellen and Jenn:

How Childbirth Allies was born (pun intended).
Jen and Jaimee’s extensive labor & delivery experience and 3 am night shift trauma bond.
Seeing firsthand intended parents through surrogacy lacking birth resources and education that met their needs.
Why traditional classes are a poor fit.
Finding Childbirth Allies to support the specific needs of parents through surrogacy.
Offering flexible class options.
Teaching important skills like how intended parents can advocate for their baby while respecting the gestational carrier’s anatomy.
Finding your role in the delivery room.
Post-birth best practices.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Childbirth Allies: www.childbirthallies.com

Follow Childbirth Allies on Instagram: @childbirthallies

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 224: Junior Velasquez – Surrogacy in Mexico, All the Tea-quila

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Junior Velazquez is the founder of A to Z Family, a fertility and family-building consulting company that supports intended parents through journeys in the U.S. and Mexico. He works closely with families, clinics, legal teams, and gestational carriers to help make complicated processes feel more human, clear, and supported.

Together with his husband, Romain Taillandier, Junior focuses on ethical, transparent, and well-coordinated family-building journeys, especially for LGBTQ+ parents and international families. He’s passionate about education, real conversations, and making sure people don’t feel alone while navigating such a life-changing experience.

In this episode, Junior Velazquez from A to Z Family joins the conversation to talk about family building journeys in Mexico and what families really need to know before getting started.

Junior shares practical insight from working directly with intended parents every day, from how cross-border journeys are structured to the emotional side of the process that often doesn’t get talked about enough. The conversation touches on ethics, coordination, common misconceptions, and why the right support makes all the difference.

Listen as Junior shares with Ellen and Jenn:

His own path from healthcare to surrogacy advocacy.
Why some intended parents turn abroad.
The stark difference between reputable programs and the dangerous “all-in-house” models.
Real-world red flags.
How Mexico City’s legal framework and the Amparo process work.
What ethical programs must include (independent counsel, verified compensation, open communication), and why parents should never shortcut birth certificates or legal steps—even if it means staying abroad longer.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about A to Z Family: azfamily.us

Follow A to Z Family on Instagram: @azfamily.us

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 223: Danielle Winston – Seed Scout

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Danielle Winston is the co-founder of Seed Scout, a donor matchmaking agency reimagining how families connect with known sperm donors. A former lawyer who left the legal field after seeing firsthand the ethical challenges in the sperm bank industry, Danielle and her wife built Seed Scout to offer a more transparent, personal, and human-centered approach to donor conception. Since launching, they’ve helped hundreds of LGBTQ+ families, single parents by choice, and couples with male-factor infertility find donors who align with their values.

Listen as Danielle shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Why Seed Scout: Danielle’s own experience of a dehumanizing, “Tinder-style” bank experience lead her to build Seed Scout -- to provide a curated, relationship-based alternative.
What’s different: Seed Scout has a majority LGBTQ+ donors; age 24+; background checks for donors and intended parents; require yearly child updates; medical-history refreshes.
Ethics over scale: Hard cap of three families per donor; no re-donation of sperm/embryos; families introduced to each other to avoid hidden half-siblings.
Transparency beats anonymity: Real names, meetings before matching, and mutual approval replace one-way, anonymous selection.
System frictions: Legacy FDA rules, quarantine nuances, and clinic pushback—especially where clinic owners are tied to banks.
Future outlook: More open-ID laws (e.g., Colorado), rising donor-conceived voices, and pressure for sensible U.S. oversight.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Seed Scout: www.theseedscout.com

Follow Seed Scout on Instagram: @theseedscout.com

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 222: Sarah Jefford – Why Surrogates Deserve Compensation

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Sarah Jefford OAM is a family creation lawyer in Melbourne, practicing across Australia. Sarah was a parent via IVF, and later become an egg donor, and delivered a baby as a surrogate for two dads in 2018. Sarah practices surrogacy and donor conception law, advising surrogates and intended parents about domestic and international surrogacy. In 2025, Sarah completed a Churchill Fellowship, researching best practice surrogacy to inform law reform in Australia, and her final report is published on her website,

Listen as Sarah shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Her path to surrogacy and advocacy.
Writing More Than Just a Baby and launching the Australian Surrogacy Podcast (100+ episodes).
Australia vs. U.S. frameworks: Australia’s patchwork laws, altruistic-only system, low overall volume (about 150 domestic births/yr), and limited infrastructure push many intended parents overseas.
Compensation does not equal commodification: Sarah argues compensation can honor time, risk, and labor while still centering altruistic motives—pointing out that everyone else in the fertility ecosystem is paid. The real risk isn’t money; it’s lack of robust safeguards.
Safeguards that matter: Independent legal counsel for all parties, informed consent in a language the surrogate understands, counseling, medical best practices, and regulation that protects surrogates, children, and intended parents.
Medical-need requirements: Sarah’s evolved view—dropping mandatory “medical or social need” recognizes lived realities (recurrent loss, tokophobia, gender dysphoria, etc.) and avoids intrusive, inequitable gatekeeping.
Media narratives and “human trafficking” claims: Sensational coverage often ignores nuance, ethical programs, and children’s future privacy. Red flags abroad include language barriers, agency-appointed lawyers, and opaque promises.
Churchill Fellowship learnings: After meeting stakeholders in South Africa, Ireland, England, Canada, and the U.S., Sarah sees momentum for reform—if lawmakers treat surrogacy as reproductive health and women’s rights.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Sarah Jefford: www.sarahjefford.com

Follow Sarah on Instagram: www.instagram.com/sarah_surrogacylawyer/

Buy Sarah’s book: More Than Just a Baby - Sarah Jefford Surrogacy Lawyer Australia

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 221: Dawn Wickhorst – What Surrogates Look For In Intended Parents

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Dawn Wickhorst is a two-time surrogate, single mom of five, and founder of Lumière Surrogacy Advisory. She is passionate about helping intended parents tell their stories authentically while inspiring women through her own journey of resilience, motherhood, and entrepreneurship.

Dawn shares her story as a surrogate and mom, blending honesty, humor, and heart. She talks about building her business, finding strength through life’s challenges, and using her experiences to guide and inspire others on their path to parenthood and self-growth.

Listen as Dawn shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Becoming a mom in her teens.
Working with a birth magazine and as a birth photographer.
Interviewing a local author on a book about infertility and loss, feeling so grateful for her own children, and realizing she could do something to help.
A few of the surrogacy differences in Canada versus the US – no compensation!
Saying “yes” to HIV-positive Intended Parents, because they were HIV positive!
Second time around, looking for Intended Parents who would want to share the journey with the world with her.
A relationship with Intended Parents was high priority, knowing they would be friends.
When the second journey ended, she wanted to help others in another way.
Started Lumiere Surrogacy Advisory to help Intended Parents tell their stories.
What makes an Intended Parent profile stand out for surrogates.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Dawn and Lumiere Surrogacy Advisory: https://www.lumieresurrogacyadvisory.com

Check out Dawn on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1JnQYSEt2b/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 220: Jessie Jaskulsky – Surrogacy Simplified

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Jessie Jaskulsky is the founder of Surrogacy Simplified, a consulting firm and community built to support hopeful parents through the surrogacy journey. A two-time intended parent through surrogacy herself, Jessie combines lived experience with professional guidance to help others feel informed, confident, and supported every step of the way. Through one-on-one consulting and a growing Intended Parent community, she’s helping families turn what feels overwhelming into something they can navigate with clarity and trust.

Listen as Jessie shares with Ellen and Jenn:

What intended parents should know about wait times, matching, and why embryo numbers matter.
The real costs of surrogacy (around $150K, excluding clinic fees).
Coping with the long emotional wait and uncertainty
Why support groups and counseling can make all the difference

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Surrogacy Simplified: https://surrogacysimplified.com/

Follow Surrogacy Simplified on IG: https://www.instagram.com/surrogacysimplified/

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 219: Dr. Abby Eblen, Dr. Carrie Bedient, & Dr. Susan Hudson – Fertility Docs Uncensored

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Fertility Docs Uncensored is a weekly podcast launched in March 2020 by three reproductive endocrinologists from across the United States: Dr. Abby Eblen (Nashville Fertility Center), Dr. Carrie Bedient (Fertility Center of Las Vegas), and Dr. Susan Hudson (Texas Fertility Center). The idea was born at a fertility conference just before the COVID-19 pandemic, when the doctors realized Zoom could make podcasting from different locations possible. Since then, the show has evolved into a trusted source of honest and reliable information on fertility and IVF. With a wide range of guests—including reproductive urologists, acupuncturists, embryologists, mental health professionals, and nutritionists—the podcast continues to explore all aspects of reproductive health while supporting listeners on their fertility journeys.

Listen as Abby, Carrie, and Susan share with Ellen and Jenn:

Paths to Fertility Medicine – The doctors reflect on their diverse training, why they chose REI, and how their own experiences—including being IVF parents—shape their practice.
Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT-A) – A nuanced discussion of benefits, limitations, and ethical questions, especially in surrogacy and mosaic embryo transfers.
Gatekeeping in Fertility Clinics – Where to draw the line between respecting patient autonomy and ensuring safe, ethical care.
Policy & Post-Dobbs Landscape – How state laws and restrictions affect daily practice, patient anxiety, and even OBGYN training nationwide.
Fertility Myths & Media – From pineapple cores and McDonald’s fries to gender-selection tricks, the doctors bust myths while underscoring how misinformation spreads.
The IVF Blueprint – A look at their new book, designed as a practical handbook to guide patients through every stage of IVF, egg freezing, and embryo transfer.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Fertility Docs Uncensored: www.fertilitydocsuncensored.com

Follow the Docs on IG: www.instagram.com/fertilitydocsuncensored/?hl=en

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 218: Mark Semple – Is Colombia the Best Non-US Surrogacy Destination?

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Mark Semple is a Canadian citizen who has been involved in international medical and fertility tourism since 2008. Mark founded his first fertility company in 2008 after engaging in IVF with his wife in 4 different countries and seeing a need for cross-border access to fertility care. In that time, Mark has helped create IVF, egg donation, and surrogacy programs with clinics in many countries, founded a US cryobank, assisted Canadian, US, and international fertility clinics with regulatory compliance, and has worked with clients from over 60 countries. He also owns ReproVida, a medical group in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Currently, his interests mainly lie with surrogacy and egg donation programs in Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina. Mark was the pioneer of international surrogacy in Colombia in 2018 after seeing a need and a positive legal framework to assist all family types. He has helped create 2 clinic surrogacy programs in Colombia, is the owner of a foundation that supports surrogate mothers in the country, and has helped create a stable framework for all other agencies to follow. Colombia is now a leading global surrogacy destination, especially for single men and same-sex couples.

In addition, he was one of the pioneers of surrogacy in Mexico in 2012. With a recent Supreme Court decision affirming the validity of surrogacy (after a previous 2016 negative decision), Mexico is once again a global destination for surrogacy.

Mark has been an invited keynote speaker for 3 national conferences in medical tourism (on how to create programs to draw international patients) by the governments of Costa Rica, Taiwan, and China. He has been an article contributor to the Medical Tourism Magazine, and he was part of Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada’s creation of Ethical Guidelines in Medical Tourism.

Listen as Mark shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Being Canadian and dealing with Canada’s system for infertility treatment.
Looking internationally for other options, including Costa Rica and Panama.
Ultimately conceiving their child with the help of doctors in Cape Town, South Africa.
After his experiencing, learning more about medical tourism.
Joining with a partner to start a vascular surgery program in Costa Rica.
Moving to just working in fertility care in a number of countries.
Finding so many countries – Canada, much of Europe – limited access to care through regulation.
Doctors being able to do thing in the US (such as sex selection in IVF) that is not permitted in many countries.
In 2018, starting a surrogacy program in Colombia supported by a supreme court ruling and friendly environment toward same-sex male couples.
Genetic connection required between dad and child, with surrogate on the birth certificate until removed after some period of time. Colombia not an option for single intended mothers or same-sex female couples.
Talking costs (significantly less than the US)!
History of surrogacy in Mexico, including the 2021 supreme court decision.
Complications in Mexico, but a better fit for certain intended parents.
History working in Argentina, but recent problems causing him to discontinue work there.
Other options in Europe; issues with surrogates traveling between countries.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Surrogacy Colombia: www.surrogacycolombia.com

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 217: AshLeigh Dunham – AshLeigh for Alabama

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0400

AshLeigh Meyer Dunham is a distinguished legal professional with a career rooted in service to Alabama families. She serves as a Referee in Jefferson County’s Juvenile Court, where she adjudicates sensitive family and juvenile matters with fairness, clarity, and compassion. Her work creates stability for children and families facing crisis, drawing on years of experience handling complex legal issues with a steady, principled approach.

AshLeigh is also a practicing Fertility Attorney at Magic City Fertility Law. Her expertise in this area is deeply personal: AshLeigh and her husband welcomed their daughter through IVF, but had to leave Alabama to access the care they needed to start their family. As an attorney, AshLeigh helps individuals and couples navigate the legal complexities of assisted reproduction so they can start and grow their families too. That experience fuels her public advocacy for legal protections for families seeking fertility treatment. She believes no Alabamian should have to leave home to start a family.

AshLeigh is running for a seat on the Alabama Supreme Court to bring a grounded, family-centered perspective to the state’s highest court. With experience across family and juvenile law, she is uniquely prepared to ensure that the court serves all Alabamians with integrity and empathy.

www.ashleighforalabama.com

Listen as AshLeigh shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Juggling being a practicing attorney, juvenile referee, hip hop fitness enthusiast, and Alabama Supreme Court candidate!
Struggling to build a family herself and seeking fertility treatment, unsuccessfully, in state.
Traveling to Oregon to see a fertility doctor based on Instagram advice.
Successful getting to her daughter.
Having two more embryos stored in Oregon, with no intention on moving them to Alabama.
The terribleness of the LaPage case – the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that a clinic could be held liable for manslaughter as a result of embryo destruction – and it’s aftermath in Alabama.
Fertility clinics shut down.
19 days later the Alabama legislature passed a bill to protect IVF clinics from criminal actions.
But bill also prevents legal responsibility for clinics acting negligently.
Alabamians seeking care out of state for family buildng.
AshLeigh fighting for better care and family rights for Alabamians.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about AshLeigh Dunham: www.ashleighforalabama.com

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 216: Dr. Andrea Ali-Panzarella – Every Family Is A Tree

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 06:30:00 -0400

Andrea Zorida Ali-Panzarella is a proud mom of three beautiful boys, who was inspired to write this book – Every Family Is A Tree -- after a long journey with infertility and loss. She is also a pediatrician, specializing in child abuse, who has cared for children from all walks of life.

Andrea and her husband welcomed their sons with the help of compassionate physicians and caring gestational carriers. As they read to their children each night, she noticed the limited number of books that represented their unique family story and realized the missed opportunities to empower her children to know their worth. Her hope with this book is that all people, especially children, will feel seen and accepted in this world no matter what their story is.

Listen as Andrea shares with Ellen and Jenn:

In her medical training, seeing lots of children born by IVF, but never thinking it was something she would need to turn to.
After experiencing pregnancy loss, rethinking the mindset that everything happens for a reason.
Finding various diagnoses, including male factor fertility issues and polyps.
Turning to IVF and getting pregnant with twins. Only to lose one heartbeat and then the next.
Going through more transfers that either failed or ended in miscarriage.
The conversation eventually turning to surrogacy.
Working with an agency recommended by a friend; being matched with a surrogate they loved.
The surrogate becoming pregnant with twins!
Finally being able to breath when the babies arrived safely at 35 weeks.
Wanting to give the rest of their embryos a chance.
Being matched with a more local surrogate this time and getting to drive to attend appointments.
From day one with her babies, wanting to explain their story to them, but not finding many fitting children’s books.
Taking matters into her own hands to write something where everyone could feel seen – not just her own family, but all the different families she sees in her day-to-day practice as a pediatrician.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Dr. Andrea Ali-Panzarella and her book Every Family is a Tree: https://www.andreaali-panzarella.com/

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 215: Stephanie Witte – Surrogacy: A Journey of Love

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Stephanie Witte was born and raised in South Dakota. She has always had a passion for helping others and giving of herself has given her a wealth of experiences that have shaped her into the

person she is today.

From a young age, Stephanie harbored ambitions of becoming a forensic scientist, driven by a desire to contribute to justice and help society by apprehending wrongdoers. This aspiration led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Forensic Science from Colorado Technical University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Life took an unexpected turn when Stephanie embarked on the journey of motherhood.

Balancing her career aspirations with the responsibilities of raising a family became a challenge, especially when faced with the daunting task of finding suitable daycare for her children. This challenge inspired her to open her own state-certified, in-home daycare in July 2010. Over the course of 12 years, she nurtured and cared for numerous children. Through this experience, Stephanie gained a profound understanding of the importance of providing children with a safe, supportive environment where they could thrive and grow.

In 2018, Stephanie’s passion for helping others was reignited when she felt compelled to become a gestational surrogate. Driven by a desire to assist individuals or couples struggling with infertility, she embarked on a remarkable journey, delivering babies for intended parents across the globe. Despite facing challenges along the way, Stephanie’s commitment to helping others build their families remained unshaken.

Throughout her surrogacy journeys, Stephanie’s own family stood by her side, experiencing a range of emotions and challenges unique to their situation. Recognizing the importance of open communication and inclusion, Stephanie aims to spread awareness about alternative paths to parenthood and foster understanding among families.

Stephanie is the author of Surrogacy: A Journey of Love.

Book Description: All families are different. There are different numbers of sisters and brothers, or sometimes just one child, but all families are beautiful and precious. Sometimes, people need to ask for help to grow their family. One way is through adoption and another way is through surrogacy.

Brian Junior shares about his family and his mommy’s decision to help other families grow by being a gestational surrogate. He helps us understand these big words and shares what it's like when mommy has a baby that isn't your sister or brother.

Stepmom, mom, surrogacy case manager and gestational surrogate, Stephanie shares the story of surrogacy using her son, Brian Junior, as the narrator. Brian helps kids of all ages understand this very special gift.

The Spanish, French, and Chinese translations are available or coming soon.

Listen as Stephanie shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Having three girls (one as a step-mom) and a boy and not feeling done.
Hearing of surrogacy before she had kids. Offering to be a surrogate for her aunt, not knowing that she needed to have a child of her own first.
Reconnecting with a friend who was a surrogate and hearing the good, bad, and ugly (the shots!).
Feeling it was truly something on her heart.
Saying yes to the first profile presented – a single Brazilian man.
Going through a double embryo transfer, but losing one of the twins around 15 weeks
The difficulties of continuing to carry a healthy pregnancy, while also carrying the lost twin.
After her husband’s deployment and return, going forward with a second journey.
Carrying one little girl for a couple in California. Delivering on the same day – 3 years later – as her first surro-baby!
Nothing more beautiful than seeing new parents holding their baby.
Determined to do it again. Matching with a 3rd couple, but finding no heartbeat at 15 weeks. Parting ways when realizing their termination stances were not aligned.
Matching with a Missouri family and delivering their little boy.
Fighting anti-surrogacy legislation in South Dakota. Meeting her agency through the process, knowing she wanted to work in this area.
Understanding how important reading together with kids is. But not finding what she was looking for to explain surrogacy to kids. Writing Surrogacy: A Journey of Love.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Find the book Surrogacy: A Journey of Love on Amazon

Follow Stephanie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniewittesurrogacybook/

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 214: Shannon Wieloch – Stork Genetics

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 10:07:00 -0400

Shannon is a certified genetic counselor with nearly 25 years of experience, mostly in the reproductive space. Previous roles have included Network Lead at Genome Medical, Team Lead at Mayo Clinic, and Prenatal and Preconception Genetic Counselor at CooperGenomics. She is currently the Director of Genetic Counseling at Fairfax Cryobank along with the Founder and Owner of Stork Genetics. She contributes additional work in medical affairs, scientific communication, and patient education and advocacy.

Listen as Shannon shares with Ellen and Jenn:

What a genetic counselor is -- a translator of sorts, an intermediary between doctors and genetic labs and patients, explaining what genetic test results mean.
A key to the genetic testing puzzle is what you plan to do with the information.
Discussing Jenn’s genetic testing for her child and how choosing the test type makes an important difference.
Some tests/results are just “genertainment” – fun to talk about at parties, but not medically actionable.
For donors, most are young and provide medical information from a snapshot in time. It is important to keep in touch as conditions develop over time.
Sometimes too much information can be unhelpful.
But targeted, actionable information can help with important decisions, such as determining and choosing an embryo without a certain condition, or prophylactic surgery.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Stork Genetics: www.storkgenetics.com

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 213: Lesa Slaughter Esq. – The Ultimate Guide to Surrogacy

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Slaughter Law Group’s founding partner, Lesa Slaughter, has an international reputation for her strategic, supportive, and forward-thinking legal advice when counseling clients creating their family through gestational surrogacy, egg, sperm, and embryo donation. Lesa’s own personal journey of having children through gestational surrogacy, combined with her 15 years of practice in the field of third-party reproduction and prior experience in the transactional and litigation arenas ensures her clients are educated on the legal, practical, and emotional issues raised when forging a pathway to parentage involving surrogacy, egg donation, embryo donation and sperm donation.

Since 2009, Lesa and her team at Slaughter Law Group have helped tens of thousands of intended parents from all over the globe become mothers and fathers through third party reproduction. Lesa provides legal expertise, compassion and a unique insight and understanding of the clients she serves that few other attorneys in the field of third-party reproduction offer.

Receiving her undergraduate degree from New York University, Lesa received her juris doctorate degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, California in 1999, where she received a number of academic awards. Lesa’s practice began with the international firm of Skadden, Arps, and Slate & Meagher LLP where her litigation and transactional skills were honed in representing large private and Fortune 500 companies on a number of international and domestic matters. In 2009, Lesa left large firm life and opened her own law firm, known today as Slaughter Law Group, a boutique firm advising clients on gestational surrogacy, egg, embryo, and sperm donation matters.

Lesa has also been an Adjunct Professor at Loyola Law School, and has served three former Los Angeles Mayors. She was Chief of Staff to former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, served as a City of Los Angeles Commissioner for multiple terms under Los Angeles Mayors Hahn and Villagarosa. Lesa has worked on a number of state-wide campaigns and received several civic awards.

The go to expert in the rapidly changing landscape of assisted reproductive technology, Lesa has been quoted in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and been a featured speaker on the issue of gestational surrogacy in the United States and abroad, including Australia, Canada, Italy, and Sweden. Licensed in California, she is a member of the California State Bar, the American Bar Association’s Assisted Reproductive Technologies sub-section, and the Legal Professional Group of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.

Listen as Lesa shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Having 15 year old surrogate-born twins.
Starting out with a few agency and attorney names and having to take it from there.
Being matched with a unicorn of a surrogate: previous experience as a surrogate, surrogate-friendly insurance, not working, and great supportive spouse
Surrogate relocating from across the country to California for delivery.
Writing a book to share what she learned from her own experience and decades of representing clients going through surrogacy.
A majority of her clients being from other countries and facing the uncertainty of getting their babies home in the midst of the level battle over birth right citizenship.
International shifts in surrogacy from Italian criminalization to Latin American countries becoming the new go-to hot spots.
Some of the key issues when starting out: choosing a good agency, birth preferences, coping mechanisms for stress, etc.
Great progress in big name companies offering surrogacy benefits for employees
The need for licensure of agencies (in all states, not just New York).
Her book, "The Ultimate Guide for Intended Parents to Gestational Surrogacy, by an Attorney and Intended Parent Who Went Through It!" due to be published fall of 2025

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Lesa’s law firm: www.slaughterlawgroup.com

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 212: Ashley and Justyna – Uterus Donor & Recipient Come Together

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Ashley. Ashley was born and raised in Pennsylvania. She is the mother to two beautiful children and a decade deep into marriage with her high school sweetheart. They live on a small “farmette” with all kinds of furry creatures! She loves to garden, sew clothing, cook, and bake! Surrogacy is something that was on her heart for years after a close family member battled infertility. In 2021, she completed a successful journey and delivered a healthy baby to a set of Intended Parents that became an extended part of her family. Ashley says that standing witness to a set of parents seeing their child’s face for the first time was an experience she will never forget. Now being a case manager, she has the opportunity to help so many more couples become parents!

In 2023, feeling the pull to give back in another big way – Ashley applied for a Uterus Transplant clinical trial at Penn Medicine. In December of 2023, she became the 3rd living donor at Penn to donate her uterus to another woman in hopes that she would be able to carry her own baby!

Justyna. After a long journey, time, and determination, Justyna was the successful recipient of a donated uterus. Specifically, she received Ashley’s donated uterus! Justyna carried a pregnancy and gave birth to a daughter with the help of Ashley’s “beast” of a uterus.

Listen as Ashley and Justyna shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Check out episode 208 where Ashley tells the story of her decision to become a uterus donor.
Justyna facing loss, struggling to get pregnant.
Getting pregnant, but at 35 weeks, as Justyna was being rushed into emergency surgery, her husband was told he might need to choose whose life to save, that of his wife or their baby daughter. Justyna begged him to choose their baby.
Justyna and her baby survived the surgery, but they had to take Justyna’s uterus.
Longing for a big family, researching options, and coming across Penn’s uterus donation program. Signing up in 2018.
Years of delay due to COVID. Then in 2022 Justyna’s biggest supporter, her mom, passed away. A week later, Justyna got the call from Penn that they were restarting the program. Like a gift from her mom.
After surgery, receiving a basket of gifts from the donor (Ashley) – with a uterus-printed blanket, uterus pillow, and uterus earrings. Laughing hurt, but she couldn’t help it.
The first embryo transfer working and Justyna declaring “this uterus is a beast!”
Announcing the pregnancy through her daughter’s birthday gift. So many cheers of excitement!
Ashley and Justyna meeting through letters at first, then in person, and becoming family.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Family Makers Surrogacy: familymakers.com

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 211: Alyssa Schnell – Milking It (Inducing Lactation, Relactation, and Co-Lactation)

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Alyssa Schnell has been an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) since 2009. She works in private practice serving clients both locally and worldwide. She is the author of Breastfeeding Without Birthing: A Breastfeeding Guide for Mothers Through Adoption, Surrogacy, and Other Special Circumstances and a professional supplement to the book, The Breastfeeding Without Birthing Professional Pack online training. She is also the creator of DomHub, an extensive online resource for domperidone. Alyssa has authored articles for The Journal of Human Lactation, La Leche League’s Leader Today and Breastfeeding Today magazines, and Adoptive Families magazine and developer of The Three Step Framework for Inducing Lactation. She is an international speaker on the topics of inducing lactation, relactation, co-lactation, and other related topics. Alyssa is the proud mother of three breastfed children, two by birth and one by adoption. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

Alyssa offers a wide variety of free and paid resources for parents, including a free online support group, free mini consultations, and consultation packages to support parents every step of the way. Her evidence-based online resource for domperidone, DomHub, is a much need guide to the safe and effective use of domperidone for lactation and is appropriate for parents or professionals. She works with parents from all over the world who are interested in inducing lactation, relactating, and co-lactating. Her practice is inclusive and accepts some insurance.

Listen as Alyssa shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Birthing and breastfeeding two children and then adopting and wanting to bring the nutritional and bonding experience to her adopted baby.
Knowing it was possible from her volunteer work with La Leche League and voracious research on inducing lactation.
Her experience was 20 years ago, but the basics are the same, with some advancements since that time.
She works to customize the steps with her clients; lifestyles, circumstances, and goals can significantly affect the plan.
Answering the question, “Can a person assigned male at birth induce lactation?” (Yes!)
Dealing with tricky timing issues, such as in adoption.
Vocab review, what is re-lactation versus co-lactation.
Supporting parents by surrogacy who wish to induce lactation.
Medication access challenges and side effects (especially when not taken appropriately).

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Follow:

Learn more about Alyssa Schnell and her services: https://www.alyssaschnellibclc.com/

Get Alyssa’s book, Breastfeeding Without Birthing: https://www.alyssaschnellibclc.com/book

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 210: Dr. Joanna Parga-Belinkie – Baby Bonding Bests

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

JOANNA PARGA-BELINKIE, MD, FAAP, IBCLC, is an associate professor of pediatrics and clinical neonatologist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP). She is a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics and co-host of their flagship podcast Pediatrics On Call. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and three children.

Listen as Dr. Parga-Belinkie shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Finding there is a lot of noise and mixed messages for new parents.
Parents-to-be putting lots of effort into a birth plan but then feeling lost with baby.
Addressing a common concern of parents not feeling an immediate bond.
Is a peepee teepee an essential baby item? What about nose snot sucker?
Reframing sleep expectations for a newborn.
Identifying different cries for different needs.
An extra special guest joins the interview!
Misinformation in the vaccine realm and great resources for reliable information.
Human interaction is key for brain-boosting activity. The right baby gear, not so important.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Follow Dr. Parga-Belinkie: https://www.instagram.com/jopargalinkiemd/

Get The Baby Bonding Book: Connecting with your Newborn: https://www.aap.org/The-Baby-Bonding-Book-Connecting-With-Your-Newborn-Paperback

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 209 : Michigan Triumph, Elusive Mommyhood, and State Strong – Stephanie Jones and Ginanne Brownell

Wed, 07 May 2025 11:33:00 -0400

Stephanie Jones is the Founder of the Michigan Fertility Alliance and Co-Founder of State Strong.

After experiencing secondary infertility due to life-threatening pregnancy complications, Stephanie Jones and her husband were stunned to learn that Michigan banned surrogacy contracts—their only option to grow their family. Stephanie channeled her business expertise and personal perseverance into founding the Michigan Fertility Alliance and changing Michigan’s surrogacy and parentage laws. Under her leadership, MFA is driving pro-family advocacy and policy reform to support Michiganders who need assisted reproduction or surrogacy to build their families.

In 2024, Stephanie received the RESOLVE Hope Award for Advocacy in recognition of her impactful work. She also shared her personal story of reproductive health and abortion to support the successful election of Senator Slotkin to the U.S. Senate.

Ginanne Brownell is an award-winning writer and journalist. Raised in Michigan and based in London, she has covered stories on six continents and in over forty-five countries. Her work has been published in outlets including New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Washington Post, Foreign Policy, and Scientific American. She has worked on staff for CNN, Newsweek, and UNICEF. Ginanne is the author of two books: "Elusive Mommyhood: An investigative reporter’s personal journey into IVF and surrogacy" and "Ghetto Classics: How a Youth Orchestra Changed a Nairobi Slum." She has a BA in history from Albion College and a MA in history from the London School of Economics.

Listen as Stephanie and Ginanne share with Ellen and Jenn:

Stephanie’s journey with secondary infertility leading her to surrogacy and the shocking discovery, from her hospital bed, of Michigan’s terrible laws -- check out Episode 74 for more!
When Stephanie’s ability to carry her own child died, Michigan Fertility Alliance was born.
Your humble podcast hosts connecting Stephanie and Ginanne, both Flint, Michiganders.
In parallel, Ginanne struggling with infertility and being advised to turn to surrogacy. She had hoped her kids could be born in her home state of Michigan -- hear more of Ginanne’s story on Episode 108!
Writing a book on her journey and extensive research.
A little history, including the fun fact that the first birth of a child through gestational surrogacy was in Michigan!
Organizing two advocacy days, with over 100 advocates meeting with more than 50 legislators.
Building a strong coalition of leaders and experts to put together what ultimately was a nine bill package to comprehensively and inclusively change the parentage laws in Michigan for everyone.
The bills were officially signed April 1, 2024 -- a historic date for multiple reasons.
Taking their advocacy efforts to the next level with the formation of State Strong.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about State Strong: https://www.statestrong.org/

Buy Elusive Mommyhood: An investigative reporter’s personal journey into IVF and surrogacy: https://ginannebrownell.com/elusive-mommyhood/

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 208 : Ashley Christman - Uterus Hero

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Ashley Christman is a born and raised Pennsylvania girl. She is the mother to two beautiful children and a decade deep into marriage with her high school sweetheart. They live on a small “farmette” with all kinds of furry creatures! She loves to garden, sew clothing, cook and bake!

Surrogacy is something that was on her heart for years after a close family member battled infertility. In 2021, she completed a successful journey and delivered a healthy baby to a set of Intended Parents that became an extended part of her family. Ashley says that standing witness to a set of parents seeing their child’s face for the first time was an experience she will never forget. Now being a case manager, she has the opportunity to help so many more couples become parents!

In 2023, feeling the pull to give back in another big way - Ashley applied for a Uterus Transplant clinical trial at Penn Medicine. In December of 2023, she became the 3rd living donor at Penn to donate her uterus to another woman in hopes that she would be able to carry her own baby!

Listen as Ashley shares with Ellen and Jenn:

A comparison with Jenn as to who has more chickens (Ashley wins!)
Being an only child, but with a large extended family.
Marrying her high school sweetheart.
Always wanting to be a mom and pregnancy coming easy for her.
Watching her like-a-sister cousin struggle and endure a hysterectomy, and her best friend become a surrogate. Being inspiring to become a surrogate herself.
Loving the intended parents she was matched with.
After some health drama, delivering a perfect baby girl.
Starting work for the surrogacy agency.
Being inspired by a podcast (this podcast!) to look into uterus donation.
Applying and being accepted into Penn’s uterus donation clinical trial, subject to a whole battery of tests.
Undergoing the ten-and-a-half-hour surgery
Not knowing anything about the recipient, but being permitted to write a letter to the recipient a year after surgery. (Get the tissues ready as we read from the letter!)

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Family Makers: https://familymakers.com/

Learn more about Penn’s uterus transplant program: https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/find-a-program-or-service/penn-fertility-care/uterus-transplant

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 207 : Roots Surrogacy – Brooke Kimbrough

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Brooke Kimbrough is the founder of Roots Surrogacy, a boutique, relationship-driven surrogacy agency grounded in empathy, transparency, and ethical care. A former surrogate herself and a long-time industry professional, Brooke brings over a decade of firsthand experience to the work of guiding intended parents and surrogates through one of the most meaningful journeys of their lives. At the heart of everything she does is a deep belief in connection, women’s empowerment, and the power of doing things the right way—even when it’s hard. Brooke leads her all-female team with compassion, integrity, and a commitment to the values behind the Roots name.

Listen as Brooke shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Both of her parents working in family law and knowing a lot about adoption. Learning about surrogacy and becoming really interested in being a surrogate.
Her husband initially saying no, but with time giving in knowing she was going to do what she wanted eventually anyway.
An adoption attorney family friend introducing her to a surrogacy agency. Doing no other research on agencies.
Being open to carrying for any type of family; being matched with a single intended father.
Transferring two embryos, both successful at first. But then losing one of the heartbeats around 9 weeks. Feeling disappointed, but Intended Father being very supportive and encouraging.
Intended Father throwing a baby shower with all his friends and family loving on her.
Having a planned C-section, with dad in the room until the birth (him finding out baby’s sex at delivery!), then her husband in there for the post-delivery operation part supporting her.
Intended Father’s tears sweetly falling on her face during the delivery!
Experiencing complications with retained tissue and loss of blood.
Planning to go back to work, but not being excited to return to HR. In a lunch with Intended Father, him suggesting she should start a surrogacy agency.
Sitting down and coming up with a plan to start slowly, no more than 4 cases the first year. The company instead quickly growing and helping with 12 matches the first year.
Bringing on a business partner. Focusing on the things they would want and need as intended parents and surrogates. Not taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
Advocating for best practices in the industry, including stopping double embryo transfers back in 2017
This year Roots celebrates its 10th year of building families!
The story of some of her favorite Intended Parents (check out Episode 175!).

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Roots Surrogacy: www.rootssurrogacy.com

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 206: Intended Parent to Concierge Provider – Carly Joseph

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Carly Joseph is a surrogacy concierge helping Intended Parents match with the right surrogates quickly. Having navigated her own two surrogacy journeys, Carly knows firsthand how overwhelming the process can be. Her mission is to combine personal experience with established relationships to help make the path to parenthood smoother. Carly works with intended parents who are ready to explore surrogacy.

Listen as Carly shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Through eight rounds of IVF and four failed transfers being welcomed into a club she never wanted to be a member of – that of infertility.
Being really open about her story in an effort to normalize different family paths.
Learning how to support others with their infertility through her own journey.
Being diagnosed with endometriosis and undergoing surgery. Experiencing another failed transfer.
Moving across the country from New York to Los Angeles while also dealing with her mother’s cancer diagnosis.
Her doctor recommending surrogacy. Feeling all the conflicting emotions – happy that there’s a path forward, but hard to give up the dream of carrying her babies herself.
Working with a concierge provider and being matched with a surrogate quickly.
Getting confirmation of pregnancy and heartbeat, and all the joy, only to discover no heartbeat at 9 weeks.
Going through another transfer and then surrogate experiencing a second miscarriage.
Not feeling optimistic about a third transfer and matching with a second surrogate. Then hearing from the first surrogate that she was up for a third transfer attempt.
Transferring to their second surrogate when the first was five months along.
The amazing moment of being in the delivery room for their son.
Receiving a call from her second surrogate and the doctor that she is leaking amniotic fluid at 29 weeks and will not be leaving the hospital before delivery.
In the thick of it with babies but also feeling moved to start a surrogacy concierge business to help others.
The concierge advantage – having a personal advocate, more education at the beginning, and faster matching by working across hundreds of agencies.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Carly Joseph and her services: carlypjoseph.com

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 205 : Building Military Families Network – Julie Eshelman

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Julie Eshelman is the Founder, CEO, and President of Building Military Families Network where she took her struggles and lack of support and access to information in family building and created an organization to fill that gap for military and veteran families. Her own family’s experiences with infertility and the frustrations resulting from a lack of insurance coverage and a support network led her to advocate and launch a nonprofit for the change she desperately wants to see for the next generation of military and veteran families. Julie was named the 2022 Armed Forces Insurance Fort Leavenworth Spouse of the Year for her awareness, advocacy, and leadership in infertility and military family building.

Building Military Families Network is a 501c3 organization with a mission to provide an empowering and supportive network to military and veteran families navigating the challenges in the family-building process through support groups, education, and resources. Their Education Center and Resource Library empower military and veteran families with all the information and tools they need on their journey to parenthood. The Support Group Program provides families with peer support and builds community. Their advocacy efforts are focused on increasing insurance coverage and improving access to all family-building options for military and veteran families. Building Military Families Network is a beacon of hope for building military families.

Listen as Julie shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Her journey to becoming an infertility warrior.
Meeting her husband in college. Knowing nothing about military life but following him into it.
Trying to conceive for over a year and recognizing they should seek medical care. But the fertility specialist near them had a 12 month wait list and they had orders to move to Arizona.
Going through all the diagnostic testing while her husband was deployed.
Experiencing a miscarriage as they were driving across the country.
Starting from scratch with a new fertility specialist, going through all the diagnostic testing again.
Enduring the last-minute cancellation of an egg retrieval due to the COVID shutdown. Then, after restarting, suffering from ovarian hyperstimulation.
Eventually getting to their rainbow baby.
Finding RESOLVE, signing up last minute for Federal Advocacy Day.
Finding advocacy to be therapeutic and empowering.
Starting the Building Military Families Network to do more for military families struggling with building their families.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Building Military Families Network:

buildingmilitaryfamiliesnetwork.org

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 204 : Three Paths – Kristina and Sol

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 06:00:00 -0400

As members of the LGBTQ+ community, Kristina and Sol always knew they would need fertility treatments to build their family. However, dual infertility diagnoses made their journey even more complex. This experience fueled their passion for advocacy, inspiring them to champion for expanded access to reproductive technology, fair donor-conceived laws, and protections for LGBTQ+ families. Kristina furthers this mission in her role as Chair of Colorado Fertility Advocates.

After more than a decade of fertility treatments—including IVF, RIVF, and Donor Embryo—their family is now complete. They are proud parents of three wonderful children: two boys and a girl, ages 11, 8, and 3.

Beyond their advocacy, Kristina and Sol are deeply committed to advancing health equity for marginalized communities, increasing the visibility of diverse leaders—including Latino, LGBTQ+, and underserved communities—and championing reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ equality. Kristina serves on the boards of the LGBTQ+ Heritage Project for the United Methodist Church and the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Sol, who is Latino and bilingual, is a Board Member for Project Worthmore and a former member of Commerce City’s DEI Commission and Cultural Council.

Professionally, Kristina has built a successful 20-year career in Marketing and Strategic Communications, specializing in the healthcare and fintech industries. Sol is also an accomplished leader, with expertise in operations and project management across community health centers, government and educational organizations, and, most recently, a nationwide private equity-backed dental company.

In their free time, Kristina and Sol love attending and coaching their kids’ countless sports and activities, exploring Colorado through hikes and scenic Sunday drives, enjoying live music, cheering on Sol’s hometown teams (the Padres and Chargers), road-tripping, listening to audiobooks, playing board games, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Listen as Sol and Kristina share with Ellen and Jenn:

Kristina splitting with her partner of 12 years when she was 6 weeks pregnant. Not the best timing!
3 months post-delivery, Kristina thinking about dating again.
Messaging with Sol and connecting right away on their passion for advocacy. Sol not being scared off by Kristina having a three-month-old.
With Kristina’s first pregnancy, going through IUIs and it just not working. Then finding her egg count was not where it should be.
Failed embryo transfer, then success.
After Kristina’s egg quality issues, opting for reciprocal IVF with Sol’s eggs.
But Sol also experienced egg issues – 5 eggs retrieved, 1 embryo.
Navigating the cultural issues with Sol’s family.
Moving from California to Colorado and knowing they wanted another child.
Extensively looking into adoption but ultimately choosing embryo donation.
Being really open and honest with their children about their origin stories.
Loving the family they have built and the many paths they took to get there.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Follow Kristina and Sol on Instagram: @kristina_on_insta + @allo10

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 203: Carry On – Shea Bart Andreone

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 11:11:00 -0400

Shea Bart Andreone is a writer, speaker, and author. She is also a mother who knows the agony that can come with trying to have a baby. Shea’s journey to becoming a mother to two healthy children was punctuated by pain, hospitalizations, and death. Carry On offers a candid, intrepid look into the real stories of the many people for whom this universal drive to start a family doesn’t come easily. These stories are an exploration of these people’s love, hope, and desperation to keep trying.

Shea’s writing, from her own blog (Twig-Hugger) to numerous articles in mom and parent-oriented platforms (The Next Family, Motherfigure, LA Parent, Your Teen Magazine, and Chicken Soup For The Soul) has given her views and opinions platform to reach interested and like-minded eyes and ears.

Shea has been a featured speaker at Expressing Motherhood, a live storytelling event held in major cities across the United States. She has shared her story about living with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG). Shea dealt with HG for all three of my pregnancies, and participated in research studies through HER, the world’s largest network of HG survivors and experts.

She’s been featured on podcasts, including “Single Vs. Married”, where she spoke about natural childbirth, medical interventions traditionally utilized during childbirth, and why she opted to have as few interventions as possible during her own labors and deliveries. Shea discussed the months of trying to conceive, illness, and suffering that finally resulted in giving birth to a healthy baby girl.

Before having children, Shea was a competitive and then professional figure skater. Hailing from New York, Shea acted off-Broadway for nearly a decade. She then moved to the West Coast and continued to act, in TV, films, and theater. While Shea loves NY and travels back often, LA is where her husband, children, dog and her call home.

Listen as Shea shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Teaching senior water aerobics classes and spending time as a professional ice skater, among her many talents and activities.
Meeting her husband and both knowing right away they wanted to try for kids.
Heading to the doctor when it wasn’t happening and being quickly scheduled for fibroid removal surgery.
Finding herself pregnant before surgery and being told she just had to wait to see whether the pregnancy or fibroid won out.
The pregnancy won out, but then extreme sickness hit. Hyperemesis, not being able to keep food down, losing weight to the point of the doctor threatening hospitalization, and a terrifying adverse reaction to anti-nausea medication.
Second time around trying a Zofran pump to deal with the nausea but losing the pregnancy.
Looking for something to help with the healing. Trying sewing but ultimately turning to writing.
Connecting with a community that had struggled with starting their families. Recognizing the universal need for people to talk about their experiences. Writing her book, Carry On, to bring those stories together and to others.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Shea Bart Andreone and her book Carry On: https://www.sheabartandreone.com/about-shea-bart-andreone

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 202: Polycules – Dr. Julie Bindeman

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Dr. Julie Bindeman graduated from George Washington University and is the co-owner of Integrative Therapy of Greater Washington in Rockville, Maryland. Her specialty is in the field of Reproductive Psychology, where she actively writes, lectures, and presents. She is an approved consultant in EMDR through EMDRIA as well as a facilitator for basic training with The Touchstone Institute. She has served on several committees within the Mental Health Professional Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and was elected in 2021 to its Executive Committee. She previously served as a Board Member of the Maryland Psychological Association for over 10 years. Dr. Bindeman is a member of multiple organizations focused on Maternal and Reproductive Mental Health and was appointed by the Governor of Maryland to serve on its Maternal Mental Health Task Force. She was awarded the Karl Heiser Award through the American Psychological Association for her legislative efforts on behalf of psychology. Dr. Bindeman has published several chapters and articles pertaining to Reproductive Psychology and is the editor of the book “The Mental Health Clinician’s Handbook for Abortion Care” that was released September, 2024.

Listen as Julie shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Coming on the podcast for her third time! Check out Episodes 136 and 166.
What is a polyamorous family? The mindfulness and intentionality of polycules.
Best approaches for providers to understand family dynamics. Hint: open-ended questions!
The struggle with family building not fitting into well-understood pathways.
Thinking through a plan if current family dynamics change, especially as to parenting and gamete and embryo control.
The role of the mental health professional, as a source of support rather than a gatekeeper.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Dr. Bindeman’s practice: http://www.GreaterWashingtonTherapy.com

Read Dr. Bindeman’s book: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-61453-8

Follow Dr. Bindeman on social media: https://www.facebook.com/drbindeman; https://bsky.app/profile/drjuliebindeman.bsky.social

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 201 : The Surrogacy Foundation – Zach French

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0400

Zach French is an attorney with experience in technology startups and business development, and most recently served as an executive at SeedTrust. Zach’s connection to the ART world began when he and his wife, Alexandra, embarked on their own surrogacy journey after Alexandra’s battle with breast cancer. The tremendous mental and financial toll from their journey led them to establish The Surrogacy Foundation (formerly Gift of Surrogacy). Zach left SeedTrust in February to become full-time Executive Director of the nonprofit. Zach and TSF are on a mission to expand access to surrogacy by propelling it into the mainstream using a collaborative approach to build a sustainable grant program and technology-enabled education and support.

Listen as Zach shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Coming on the podcast for a second time! Check out Episode 177 to hear the first.
Zach and his wife’s experience with cancer, and then surrogacy to have their child.
Starting The Gift of Surrogacy to help others. Navigating it on the side but then Zach being encouraged to dedicate himself full-time to leading the cause.
Raising enough money from the first fundraiser in 2023 to be able to award a $100,000 grant!
Focusing on their why and their values.
Creating a non-profit for tomorrow’s donors. Not your grandparents’ non-profit.
Making their events truly memorable. Including their upcoming event on February 8, 2025. Masquerade theme, with some surprises up their sleeves!

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about The Surrogacy Foundation: https://www.giftofsurrogacyfoundation.org/

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 200 : America’s First IVF Baby – Elizabeth Carr

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Elizabeth Carr is the first baby born via in vitro fertilization in the United States.

In the media since 3 cells old, Elizabeth is a passionate advocate for those fighting for fertility rights. From battles over insurance coverage, to educating doctors on how to interact with patients going through infertility treatments, to advice for parents on how to talk to children about assisted reproductive technologies, Elizabeth is proud to share her voice and story in order to fight for those who may not be able to fight for themselves.

Elizabeth is a fearless Patient Advocate, striving to educate and empower people based on her life experiences and expertise within the fertility world. She has presented to audiences around the globe including at the United Nations, ASRM, ESHRE, and the national infertility association, RESOLVE.

A dynamic speaker, Elizabeth’s passion lies in education from helping companies craft fertility benefit packages & parental leave policies, to keynote speeches, to sitting one-on-one with people facing fertility questions head on.

Elizabeth has worked as a journalist, marketing and events, and fundraising making her an expert at distilling complex issues into easy-to-digest stories.

Elizabeth is also a marathoner, triathlete, coffee connoisseur, wife, mother, and writer.

Listen as Elizabeth shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Living in the media spotlight since she was three cells old.
Not understanding the big deal when she was little but growing to understand how historic and important the technology became for so many.
Feeling that she was always under a microscope to see if she was “normal”.
At 10, to the horror of the school nurse, explaining during a lesson on human reproduction that there is another way!
Making herself available publicly to give others hope, but also dealing with hurtful mail that she “shouldn’t exist.”
Taking a break from the media in her 20s to focus on her journalism career. A career chosen after dealing with so many journalists from a young age!
Being Senator Tim Kaine’s guest at the State of the Union.
Jumping into action after the Alabama Supreme Court embryo ruling.
Working with so many great organizations to fight for families.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Elizabeth Carr from her website: www.ejordancarr.com

Read Elizabeth’s book, Under the Microscope: https://ejordancarr.com/under-the-microscope

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 199 : Out of Order – Shira Butler

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 07:00:00 -0400

This is the story of a beautiful family assembled out of order: dog, daughter, dad. It's the story of planning years ahead to become a mom, and wishing she’d started years earlier. It's the story of the unexpected that arrives in every form from love (like a husband) to terror (like medical issues), and the life-changing decisions that accompany any rocky road through fertility.

It was after their second date that Shira told her now husband she was probably pregnant. She conceived her daughter as a single mom by choice using donor sperm, most of her savings, and so much time, energy and effort. Just as she finally succeeded in getting pregnant, she met him. It turns out families don't have to be assembled in order.

Shira is a product, commercial and operations leader with deep experience launching and scaling tech-enabled healthcare. She has worked across various clinical specialties, partnering closely with health plans, employers, health systems and government.

Shira is currently at Lin Health, which specializes in treating chronic pain. Shira loves leading people, helping patients, and designing technology to solve problems. Shira was previously the General Manager of Behavioral Health and Musculoskeletal care at Eden Health. Before that at Omada Health, she led creation of product lines for diabetes, hypertension and behavioral health, as well as spearheading Omada’s work with national insurance carriers, the American Medical Association, and the federal government’s healthcare innovation team.

Shira is passionate about writing and speaking on the future of integrating technology into healthcare, as well as insights about culture and life choices from her time working and living around the world. Her greatest passion at work is supporting her team members in growth and development, and fostering the culture and organizational structures that lead to high productivity and work-life balance. Shira’s greatest joy is this family she built out of order: her young daughter, her loving husband, and her ever-hopeful dog. She is a community builder, outdoor enthusiast and world traveler. Shira has lived across the US, Europe and Africa and now loves hiking, biking and paddling near her home near Boulder, Colorado.

Listen as Shira shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Calling her second date romantic interest to tell him she’s pregnant.
Rewinding, getting good advice at 35 to get her fertility checked.
Finding out she had a very low egg count, choosing to go through the expensive process of egg freezing.
Talking to a financial planner about her hopes to be a parent, and ultimately making some major shifts in her life (including a major move).
Still wanting a partner, but meeting people became hard with the onset of the COVID pandemic.
Grieving the loss of an idea she had for her life, but then being ready to move forward.
Researching who decides to become a single mother by choice; finding that these women are bad asses.
After telling her second date the news, him still being in. And then being all in.
Finding out about a serious medical complication, moving to Florida together for specialized care.
Experiencing her happy ending/beginning.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 198 : Save Money on Surrogacy – Yifat Shaltiel, Esq.

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 23:31:00 -0400

Yifat Shaltiel, Esq. is Author of “Save Money on Surrogacy” and has 16+ years of experience practicing surrogacy and assisted reproductive technology law and providing surrogacy coaching. She is CEO and Founder of Surrogate Steps, a surrogacy agency, helping families grow for over ten years. As one of the chairs of the Reproductive Health Law Committee for the Women’s Bar Association of the state of New York, Yifat testified on surrogacy matters in the New York State Legislature and participated as speaker at various venues, including the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. She has been featured as a surrogacy law specialist at numerous venues including Cornell Law School and news media outlets such as MSNBC. In addition to her book, she published many articles on reproductive law and surrogacy, and taught CLE classes regarding surrogacy to other attorneys and judges.

Yifat Shaltiel, Esq. was introduced to the world of surrogacy and infertility through her own infertility journey. She has made it her mission to help others grow their families through surrogacy and assisted reproductive technology and hopes that the information in this book, about how to save money in a surrogacy journey, will help more individuals afford surrogacy and successfully become parents.

Listen as Yifat shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Experiencing infertility as a young prosecutor.
Feeling very alone, but eventually finding a support group.
Experiencing failed treatments until a successful, but very difficult, pregnancy.
Wanting to help others in this situation. Digging into the law.
Quiting her job to follow her passion and starting a law practice focused on helping others with infertility.
Numbers. Just how expensive is surrogacy?
Best paths to saving money.
Areas where you don’t want to cut corners.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Buy Yifat’s new book: https://surrogatesteps.com/save-money-on-surrogacy-book/

Learn more about Yifat’s surrogacy agency: https://surrogatesteps.com

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 197 : Carried With Love – Ariel Taylor

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Ariel is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) and Psychotherapist who has been involved in the surrogacy and fertility community since 2015 and has guided countless couples and individuals on their journey to parenthood.

After her own complicated miscarriage as a surrogate in 2016, Ariel discovered that there was very little specialized counselling for her painful situation and realized a much larger need for mental health professionals that deeply understand the fertility world.

Ariel returned to school in 2018 and graduated from Western University in 2021. She opened Carried with Love (CWL) to provide 100% virtual support for those struggling with infertility, loss, pregnancy challenges or postpartum mood disorders. Since opening, CWL has continued to grow and now provides a wide range of therapeutic services and most recently has launched Canada’s first Independent Surrogacy Program.

Ariel has carried 5 babies as a gestational surrogate which resulted in 4 live births – the most recent in the summer of 2023. Although Ariel is now retired as a surrogate, she continues to be an active presence in the fertility community and leverages her strong social media following to normalize all roads to parenthood for women and couples around the world.

Listen as Ariel shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Being a lot of things: a fertility therapist, surrogacy educator, social worker, psychotherapist… and social media influencer!

Growing up with a family committed to volunteer work, especially with children.

Focusing her education on child development.

Loving pregnancy, but knowing their family was complete.

Impulsively Googling surrogacy and jumping in headfirst.

Canadian surrogacy laws v. US law (Ariel is in Canada!).

Her first surrogacy ending with a devastating miscarriage.

Feeling immense sadness over the loss and not finding the support she needed.

Seeing the need to a fill a gap, offering virtual fertility therapy for those experiencing loss with surrogacy and donor conception.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Check out Carried with Love’s fertility and surrogacy support services: https://carriedwithlove.com/

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 196 : Unstoppable – Ellen Casey

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Ellen Weir Casey is the mother of one of the world's first IVF babies. Her daughter is known as "Colorado’s First Test Tube Baby." Her award-winning memoir, Unstoppable: Forging The Path To Motherhood in The Early Days Of IVF, is the first person account of a patient in the earliest days of Assisted Reproductive Technology. Ellen is a passionate advocate for unrestricted access to women’s health care. She speaks nationally and internationally bringing attention to the importance of establishing permanent access to IVF.

Listen as Ellen C. shares with Ellen T. and Jenn:

Being one of the first women in the world to have a baby by IVF!
Going through seven major surgeries in two countries and three U.S. States before meeting her miracle baby.
Wanting just to hold her baby after all she’d been through, but believing it important to share her story and give others hope.
Facing the claims of ethical, religious, moral backlash head on. Going on national television repeatedly, talking to anyone who would listen so they could understand.
40 years later, still fighting for people to understand IVF and its importance.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Check out Ellen Casey’s book Unstoppable: Forging The Path To Motherhood in The Early Days Of IVF: https://www.amazon.com/Unstoppable-Forging-Path-Motherhood-Early/dp/1632994976

Follow Ellen Casey on Instagram at: @ellen2956

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 195 : Hatchlings - Angela Hartshorn

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Angela worked in the fertility domain for over 30 years. She has extensive experience working with fertility centers all over the world. She also has clinical experience, having worked directly with more than a dozen Reproductive Endocrinologists at five different fertility centers. Her mix of personal and professional experience has given Angela the skills to be a special advocate for those in the fertility realm. She is known for maintaining exceptional standards when assisting those in need. More importantly, Angela is equipped by experience with the tools to help others complete their families via third party fertility treatments. She smoothly coordinates with a variety of stakeholders, including patients, families, caregivers, and global partner networks. If you are in any of these roles, you’ll find Angela to be a professional, intelligent, and extremely capable partner and advocate.

Listen as Angela shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Doing it all in the family-building space. She’s been a surrogate and an egg donor, worked for multiple fertility clinics, and runs a surrogacy agency, among other roles!
Being many kinds of a parent: birth parent, adoptive parent, step-parent, and .., hatchling parent?
While working as a medical assistant at a fertility clinic early in her career, a patient asked if she would be her egg donor.
Losing touch, only to reconnect shortly before recipient mom’s early death.
Many years later, one of the hatchlings visited Angela’s area to check out a college.
Spending extended time together when his car broke down.
Hatchling thinking Angela was a friend of his mother, not knowing more.
Reaching a point where it felt important to tell him the truth.
Angela hearing from his siblings. Letting them know that she was there for whatever they needed.
Relishing her large, blended family

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Angela’s agency, It’s Time Surrogacy: www.itstimesurrogacy.com

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 194 : This Kid Is Alright – Tierney Chrusciel

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Tierney Chrusciel is a 9th grader who lives in Western Massachusetts. They are on the swim team and love to write in their free time.

Listen as Tierney shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Being a 14-year-old freshman and knowing more about conception than most of their peers.
Always knowing they were donor-conceived.
Knowing and regularly visiting their parents’ egg donor, mom’s second cousin.
Donor Marie feeling like an aunt, her kids like cousins.
Joking with other IVF kids at school that a petri dish was their first home.
Their thoughts on embryo politics.
Jenn and Ellen predict big things for Tierney’s future!

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Listen to Tierney’s mom’s episode: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/blog/2020/2/26/episode-75-a-10-year-journey-to-grow-our-family-erin-chrusciel

Check out Tierney’s mom’s TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Reg_xQL4Oc0

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 193 : Fighting Surrogacy Insurance Discrimination – Jason, Tim, and Kim

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Jason Angel is a licensed Clinical Psychologist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He works with many individuals and families seeking assisted reproductive care and has been through the journey himself with his own family. Jason is committed to equal healthcare access and minimizing discrimination in the insurance marketplace.

Tim Blood is a co-founding partner and firm’s managing partner of Blood Hurst & O’Reardon. For almost thirty years, his practice has focused on complex litigation, including class action litigation. Mr. Blood has tried class action cases and is highly regarded in the field of consumer protection law, including California’s Unfair Competition Law and Consumers Legal Remedies Act.

Before starting Blood Hurst & O’Reardon, Mr. Blood was a partner in Milberg Weiss Bershad Hynes & Lerach, LLP and a founding partner in the firm now known as Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd, LLP.

Mr. Blood has represented millions of purchasers of food, food supplements and over-the-counter drugs arising out of various advertising claims made by manufacturers and retailers. He has also represented owners of motor vehicles in product liability cases and consumer credit and mortgage borrowers against a number of major lending institutions, including Bank of America, Washington Mutual, Countrywide, GMAC and Wells Fargo.

Mr. Blood has extensive experience litigating against life, auto and other insurance carriers on behalf of consumers. His experience litigating against life insurance companies includes representing owners, holders and beneficiaries of industrial life insurance in race discrimination cases (with class periods dating back to the late 1800’s).

Mr. Blood has testified before the California State Assembly and State Senate Judiciary Committees, as well as the Assembly and Senate Committees on Banking, Finance & Insurance. He has worked at both the state and federal level with lawmakers and government agencies to shape legislation to protect consumer rights, including lobbying on the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 and working to defeat a California state ballot initiative designed to weaken the class action device.

Kim Surratt began her legal career in 2002, founding her own practice in 2007, with a license in Nevada and California. Her journey in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) law began in 2004 with her first surrogacy case. Kim is a distinguished ART Fellow at the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, where she is serving her second term on the Board of Trustees. Since 2017, she has chaired the State of Nevada Child Support Commission and has been the chair of the State Bar of Nevada Family Law Section and president of the Nevada Justice Association.

Her pro bono efforts commenced in 2003 with the Nevada Justice Association, through which she has significantly impacted reproductive parentage law and LGBTQ+ family law. Her advocacy has facilitated numerous legislative achievements, including the Nevada Domestic Partnership law, numerous modifications to adoption law, comprehensive revisions to pro-LGBTQ+ family law statutes, establishment of the first voluntary acknowledgment of parentage (instead of just paternity) statute, and gender-neutral revisions across all Nevada statutes.

However, her shining moments at the Nevada legislature are the changes she made in the adoption of comprehensive pro-family statutes for surrogacy and egg/embryo/sperm donation that are marriage and gender neutral, and a surrogacy insurance mandate in Nevada. The surrogacy insurance law was the first of its kind in the United States and is the model for future advocacy.

Kimberly’s dedication to justice has been recognized with several awards, including the Nevada Legal Services Champion of Justice Award, the Washoe Legal Services Children’s Attorney Pro Bono Award, the Nevada Supreme Court Access to Justice Pro Bono Services Award, the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys prestigious President’s Award and the Unsung Hero Award. In addition, her law firm is her firm is a six-time recipient of the Nevada Legal Services Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year award,

Listen as Jason, Tim, and Kim share with Ellen and Jenn:

Jason’s personal surrogacy journey, including the highs of matching with an amazing surrogate and finding out they were having twins!
Jason’s less exciting surrogacy journey parts, including purchasing a health insurance policy for the surrogate, paying premiums and all uncovered expenses, and then still being subject to a five figure “lien”.
The discriminatory nature of liens. Being double punished for not being able to carry a pregnancy on their own.
Tim explains the contractual and statutory legal bases insurance companies use to support liens, and why they are problematic.
Kim’s experience in Nevada fighting for better laws, including surrogacy inclusion for all Nevada-governed health insurance policies, and no liens!
Starting the Insurance Access and Equity Alliance to fight insurance discrimination in California and beyond.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about the Insurance Access and Equity Alliance: www.IAEAlliance.org

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 192 : Colombian Surrogacy – Camila Tobón

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Surrogacy Colombia has been a pioneer in international surrogacy in Colombia since 2018. They have clients from over 60 countries, and growing, and a team of highly qualified professionals to provide the best possible experience.

Camila Tobón is Program Lead at Surrogacy Colombia. Her personal experience led her to professionally providing the highest level of care to hopeful parents and those helping hopeful parents achieve their dreams.

Listen as Camila shares with Ellen and Jenn:

Her journey from working in a fertility clinic, to becoming a donor, to continuing to help growing families as Program Lead at Surrogacy Colombia.
Egg donation differences in Colombia, including legally required anonymity and the prohibition of compensation.
How home DNA testing is not really a thing in Colombia at this time.
Colombia’s draw for international parents -- legal recognition of the intended parents.
Colombia’s unique position of non-discrimination, supporting LGBTQ+ families. 99% of Camila clients are male-male couples!
All Surrogacy Colombia surrogates are supported through a foundation providing economic and additional support.
Costs overall in Colombia are – surprise, surprise –way less than in the US.
Other benefits of Colombia (the coffee, of course).

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Surrogacy Colombia: https://surrogacycolombia.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 191 : AllPaths Family Building – Kate Weldon LeBlanc and Emily Lindblad

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 10:00:00 -0400

AllPaths Family Building has a mission to create a caring community for all people struggling with fertility and family building. AllPaths provides the psychosocial support, resources, and advocacy that are critical to those trying to grow their families.

Kate Weldon LeBlanc (she/her/hers) is the Executive Director of AllPaths Family Building. Kate became Executive Director in January 2015, leading the strategic vision of the organization and working collectively with the staff, Board of Directors and professional members to grow the services of AllPaths Family Building. Kate has a strong personal and professional commitment to AllPaths’ mission. Prior to her arrival at AllPaths, she worked for the Center for Early Relationship Support of JF&CS, the Child Advocacy and Government Relations departments at Boston Children’s Hospital, and the Massachusetts Legislature. Kate holds a BSW from Skidmore College and an MPA from UMass Boston.

Emily Lindblad (she/her/hers) is the Operations Manager of AllPaths Family Building where she is responsible for the planning and implementation of programs and services, including AllPaths’ hallmark peer support groups. Prior to her current role, Emily worked with a variety of perinatal populations as a NICU Family Support Specialist, birth, postpartum, and bereavement doula, and parenting educator. Emily’s introduction to AllPaths came in the midst of her own family building struggles and she is honored to be able to continue the organization’s legacy of support for people who are experiencing challenging periods in their family’s evolution.

Listen as Kate and Emily share with Ellen and Jenn:

Kate’s return to the podcast -- check out episode 58!
Emily finding AllPaths while sitting in a fertility clinic waiting room during her own complicated fertility journey and discovering a whole community of people who understood what she was going through.
AllPaths has over 20 peer-lead support groups, including ones focused on secondary infertility, cancer, military families, and adoption.
AllPaths celebrating its 50th anniversary! Including parties in each New England state!
Changing its name (formerly Resolve New England) to better reflect the organization.
Big annual Footsteps for Families walk coming up October 6, 2024!
You join in person or walk virtually from anywhere across the country or the world.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about AllPaths Family Building: https://allpathsfb.org/

Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 190: Navigating Surrogacy Challenges Together - Leslie & Melissa

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 09:55:00 -0400

With over 30 years of dedication to pilates and dance, Leslie Lopez teaches privately to clients as well as to toddlers with creative holiday themed movement classes. She is an advocate for the arts and has served as a Board member for The Wallis Performing Arts Center and the California State Summer School for the Arts.

In addition she worked for 20 years in hospitality and customer relations, working front of house for 3 star Michelin Chefs such as Daniel Boulud and Thomas Keller.

She is launching her podcast Mother's in Arms this Summer 2024 which focuses on her experience as an intended parent who went through a surrogacy journey independently.

Her podcast description: An independent parent by choice, Leslie went through an isolated surrogate journey in 2020. This episode is a conversation between surrogate mother Melissa and Leslie as to the ups and downs the journey of bringing Elyse to the world.

Listen as Leslie and Melissa share with Ellen and Jenn:

Leslie growing up being taught never to even look at a boy, trying to avoid pregnancy; then struggling with fertility in her 30s
Getting pregnant, but then being diagnosed with a “dysfunctional” cervix and losing and burying their daughter. The first of their losses.
Leslie’s doctor recommending the surrogacy route
Finding infertility being especially hard in light of her family and culture, her mom was one of 11 and herself on of 5
Struggling with grief and the unhelpful words of well-intentioned friends
At least shopping for sperm was fun!
Melissa having two kids of her own and feeling her family was complete, was inspired by a story she heard at a party.
Looking for more information and diving in. She carried healthy twins for her first surrogacy, and then deciding to keep going!
Leslie being married and matched with Melissa, but then facing a divorce
Together facing obstacle after obstacle – ridiculous insurance issues and… COVID!
Finding that happy ending, plus a bonus happy ending shared in the outro!

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Leslie and Melissa’s Podcast on IG and TikTok: @MothersinArms.pod

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 189 : DNA Private Investigator – Rachele’ Davis

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 10:00:00 -0400

Rachele’ Davis, a former crime analyst for her local police department, founded New Hope Investigations in 2016. After seven years in civil service and seven years prior to that as an educator, Rachele’ found herself drawn to the private sector of investigations and the challenge of building her own business. Her master’s degree in criminal justice, resourcefulness, productivity level, and innovation have already served her well in this capacity.

Rachele’ obtained her private investigator license through Missouri in 2016. Rachele’s specialty areas include connection biological families and adoptive children, diligent adoption searches, and people searches. Rachele' also provides some general investigative services on a case-by-case basis. She works in various capacities for individuals, attorneys, and businesses. Rachele' regularly stays up-to-date with current trends and changes in the industry.

To enhance her unknown parentage investigations, Rachele’ continues to learn more and more about the complex and fascinating field of genealogy. She is a member of Association of Professional Genealogists, International Society of Genetic Genealogy, and National Genealogical Society.

Listen as Rachele’ discusses with Ellen and Jenn:

Adopting her son and wanting to continue in criminal justice, but with more flexibility to parent.
The adoption was not an easy path and included the need to hire a private investigator.
Starting out wanting to help adoptees who wanted to identify biological family members, and expending to other genetic searches.
Making those first contact calls.
The law in the birth state making a significant difference as to original birth certificate access.
Sometimes timing is everything
Advice to those considering a search.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about New Hope Investigations: https://newhopeinvestigations.com/services/

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 188 : Insurance Puns and Problems – Sarah Paige

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 07:30:00 -0400

Sarah Paige has been a professional in the ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) insurance field since 2010. As Chief Operating Officer of ART Risk Financial and Insurance Solutions, Inc., and a licensed insurance agent, she remains current on all insurance issues pertinent to the ART field and works to find the best solutions for the ART Risk Solutions clients embarking on surrogacy journeys. With her extensive breadth of knowledge and expertise in the ART community, Sarah is a frequently sought after speaker. One of Ms. Paige’s professional accomplishments was serving as an expert witness for Nevada State Assembly Bill AB472 alongside its Author, Kimberly Surratt, in the 2019 legislature with Nevada accepting and placing into law inclusive insurance language for surrogacy coverage. She has written/co-written several articles for the quarterly SEEDS newsletter, served as the SEEDS Co-Chair for Membership 2020-2021, and currently serves on the Men Having Babies Advisory Circle. Sarah’s focus is always to offer clients the knowledge to help them better understand their liability exposures and the best available financial risk management solutions with her emphasis in enabling the ART community to make the soundest insurance choices for a surrogacy journey

Listen as Sarah discusses with Ellen and Jenn:

Who loves insurance the most – Sarah or Jenn?!
What liens are, how terrible they are, and how they vary between states.
Consequences of limited choices, such as loss of established care providers.
Lack of equal access to insurance coverage, not just related to liens, but across the board with fertility care.
Helping start a non-profit to fight for better, and more fair, insurance access.
Playing a critical party changing the law in Nevada.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about the Insurance Access and Equity Alliance: https://www.iaealliance.org/

Learn more about ART Risk Financial & Insurance Solutions: https://artrisksolutions.com/

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 187 : Freeze Drying Breast Milk – Tirza Jova

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 11:39:00 -0400

Tirza Jova, the founder of Milk by Mom in Phoenix, AZ, empowers breastfeeding mothers through her innovative breast milk freeze drying service available nationwide. With an MBA and 17 years in international business, she’s modernizing breastfeeding practices. Tirza's mission extends beyond local borders, educating nationwide on the advantages of freeze dried breast milk and the freedom and flexibility freeze-drying provides while maintaining the benefits and security of breast milk.

Listen as Tirza discusses with Ellen and Jenn:

Her background working in corporate American with medical device companies.
Starting her family and navigating the obstacles of breastfeeding and pumping while traveling.
Learning about this technology – freeze drying breast milk – a true gamechanger.
Digging into the science and research, including the superior nutritional benefits over traditional freezing.
Starting Milk by Mom and enjoying bringing this innovation to other moms.
The logistics of Milk by Mom’s convenient shipping process, and customers receiving back a shelf-stable powdered form of mom’s breast milk.
Other benefits, including improved taste for high lipase breast milk and lasting for three years!

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Milk by Mom: https://www.milkbymom.com/

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 186: Surrogacy in Georgia (the Country)

Wed, 22 May 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Rachel is the owner of Adi Shakti Yoga; Therapy located in Longmont, Colorado. She has been practicing psychotherapy since 2014 and has 10 years of experience offering compassionate supportive counseling. She is a registered yoga & meditation teacher and has led women's groups and retreats.

Having been a single parent, as well as raised children in a blended family, she is now the mother of a young son born in the country of Georgia thanks to a surrogate mother and an egg donor. Through her psychotherapy practice called Nurture Yourself, Nurture Your Child, she is available to work with mothers, intended mothers, aspiring mothers, grandmothers, and any woman wishing to heal their inner child. She uses somatic practices, parenting approaches, attachment theory, and many other tools to help you find perspective on the broad spectrum of parenting possibilities as you learn to heal your own childhood and nurture yourself, your children, your relationships, and your work in the world. She is especially interested in helping other intended parents on the challenging and exciting journey of surrogacy.

Listen as Rachel discusses with Ellen and Jenn:

Entering a second marriage in her mid-40s and very much wanting a child together.
Struggling with monthly disappointments.
Receiving an inheritance that allowed for the discussion of surrogacy.
Having reconnected with a half-sister, exploring the possibility of her donating her eggs.
Her husband having a long-time interest in Georgia, they were intrigued to learn that
surrogacy was legal and supported in the country.
Facing fears related to war in the region; but increasing her resolve after connecting and
raising money for a non-profit.
Enduring the ups and downs of an international surrogacy journey.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Check out Rachel’s Substack: https://rachelrwilson.substack.com/

Learn more about Kundalini Yoga for Recovery: https://www.ky12step.com/nurture

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 185: The Unexpected Caretaker - Melissa Woodle

Wed, 15 May 2024 07:00:00 -0400

During the height of Covid, Melissa had the opportunity to take care of a baby born through surrogacy to a Chinese Intended Father. What was supposed to be a five week role turned into a nearly six month adventure of a lifetime and led to a deeply meaningful relationship between two families across the globe. It's a beautiful story of how the gift of surrogacy makes THE most amazing families and changes (so many) lives for the better.

With over 20 years of experience in marketing & business development, across the US and internationally, Melissa began her professional journey in Assisted Reproductive Technology as Events & Operations Director for Men Having Babies, the international nonprofit organization dedicated to providing its members and prospective parents with education and financial support throughout their surrogacy journeys. While at MHB, she had the extraordinary honor to produce conferences all over the world, inviting thousands of intended parents and leading service providers in the field to gather for educational forums and community building, concentrated on surrogacy and ART opportunities.

Melissa has also served as Director of Marketing and Business Development for several international surrogacy programs, focusing on growing the outreach program for qualified surrogates and donors by developing broad-scale events and marketing programs, as well as building strong relationships with partnering fertility clinics and ART professionals around the world.

Four years ago, Melissa founded a full-service creative agency helping businesses develop and deliver their brand promises. [

https://compasscreativeconsultants.com/]

She feels so fortunate to work with many thriving small businesses, and in particular to collaborate with those in the ART space and is immensely grateful for the meaningful work she is privileged to do on behalf of building families and to be a part of this beautiful, collaborative community of professionals.

Episode 184 : Wellness and Surrogacy – Cynthia

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 14:15:47 -0400

Cynthia has her Master's in Social Work and her MBA. She is an independent health and wellness coach, corporate presenter, and trainer. Her corporate presentations cover a variety of wellness topics including sleep strategies, the impact of alcohol on the body, menopause, meditation, stress management, healthy eating, resilience, and more. She also is certified in Infinite Possibilities and is a presenter and a coach. For the past four years she has worked at Organizational Wellness & Learning Systems delivering trainings on stress management, resilience, burn out, and other mental health topics faced by employees. Cynthia is an IVF Support Group Peer Leader. She has been a volunteer for the Worksite Wellness Council of Massachusetts for the past four years helping to set up presentation on employee wellness. Cynthia has two children born through infertility and her second child was brought into the world with the help of a Gestational Surrogate. Listen as Cynthia discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • After her first pregnancy through IVF, becoming pregnant naturally, but experiencing an emergency hysterectomy. • While still in the hospital, her husband suggesting surrogacy. Not quite being ready for that conversation. • Just shy of a year from the surgery, being ready and starting the search. • Finding the perfect match! • How her son feels about being carried by a surrogate • Become active as an advocate for others suffering from infertility. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about Health Coaching: www.cynthiahealthcoach.com Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 183 : Aligneage Fertility – Justine Witzke, PhD, MPH

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:36:37 -0400

Justine Witzke is the founder and CEO of Aligneage Fertility. Justine is an experienced strategist and operator having served in a variety of roles, including as head of clinical operations, at Weill Cornell Medicine’s Center for Reproductive Medicine. She is particularly proud of her work developing their fertility preservation program, expanding services to LGBTQ communities, and managing the department’s COVID-19 response, all of which required creative pragmatism. An expert generalist, Justine is passionate about sharing knowledge and information; she cares deeply about educating patients, colleagues, and the public. With interests in medical ethics, patient satisfaction, program development, and risk management, Justine is well-equipped to contribute as an advocate and thought leader in fertility. Additionally, she is a co-founder and the President of CP Extension, a non-profit organization aimed at supporting families of individuals with cerebral palsy. A graduate of the University of Florida, Justine received a Master’s in Public Health from Hunter College with a focus on Community Health Education and a PhD in Clinical and Translational Research from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Her dissertation was titled “Impact of Commercial Donor Sperm Preparation on Intrauterine Insemination Outcome.” Listen as Justine discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • How Justine found herself in the world of sperm and family building. • The interesting answer to the question, “When does washing sperm make sense?” • Is “facilitated known donation” the future of sperm donation? • Can previously ineligible potential donors (such as someone who lived in England for more than three months) become eligible? • What are donors paid? Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about Aligneage Fertility: https://www.aligneagefertility.com/ Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 182: Men’s Helpline – Daniel Landau and Steven Miller, MS

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 17:58:14 -0400

Episode 182: Men’s Helpline – Daniel Landau and Steven Miller, MS by I Want to Put a Baby in You!

Episode 181: Infertilities, A Curation – Elizabeth Horn, Maria Novotny, and Robin Silbergleid

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 11:47:02 -0400

Elizabeth Horn is a health care communicator and the cofounder and codirector of The ART of Infertility, for which she has curated more than thirty exhibits since its inception in 2014. The ART of Infertility was the 2018 recipient of the Hope Award for Innovation given by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association for its work communicating patient experiences through arts programming. Horn lives with her family in Ann Arbor, MI. Maria Novotny is an Assistant Professor of English at UW-Milwaukee. Her research considers how reproductive health patients advocate for care. Invested in community issues related to infertility, she co-edited the anthology Infertilities, A Curation (published by WSUP) which puts into practice “story as theory” by featuring visual and written narratives from over 60 contributors – each of whom self-identify as infertile. Other scholarship related to her community-engaged research and teaching has been published in the Community Literacy Journal, Reflections, Rhetoric Review, Rhetoric of Health and Medicine, TCQ and more. For the last 10 years, she has co-directed The ART of Infertility. Robin Silbergleid is the author of several books that address becoming a single parent through assisted reproductive technology, including "The Baby Book: Poems" and the memoir "Texas Girl." Since 2014, she has collaborated with The ART of Infertility on writing workshops focused on reproductive loss and health. With Maria Novotny and Elizabeth Horn, she is co-editor of "Infertilities, A Curation." She is professor of English at MIchigan State University. Listen as Elizabeth, Maria, and Robin discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • Each of our guests experiencing different forms of infertility. • The work of the ART of Infertility as a national arts organization based in Michigan and Wisconsin. • Founded in 2014, Elizabeth, Maria, and Robin curate innovative and emotionally provoking art exhibits to portray the realities, pains, and joys of living with Infertility. • Forming a connection and creating a manuscript to be published. • Embodying their mission of breaking the silence around the experiences of infertility. • Offering art and storytelling as a therapeutic way to connect with others. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about Art of Infertility: www.artofinfertility.org Order your copy here: https://www.wsupress.wayne.edu/books/detail/infertilities-curation Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 180: Carrying Dreams – Emily Westerfield

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 18:54:49 -0400

Episode 180: Carrying Dreams – Emily Westerfield by I Want to Put a Baby in You!

Episode 179: Surrogacy in Uganda – Lisa Stark Hughes

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 11:00:42 -0400

Episode 179: Surrogacy in Uganda – Lisa Stark Hughes by I Want to Put a Baby in You!

Episode 178: Angela Rastegar

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 11:00:00 -0400

Angela Rastegar is the founder and CEO of Sunfish Technologies founded in 2022, a financial platform focused on making parenthood affordable for all types of families. Sunfish’s mission is to bring financial inclusion to the ART (assisted reproductive technologies) community via a full service financial planning toolkit including loans, guarantees, grants, and guidance. Sunfish works directly with numerous IVF clinics, surrogacy agencies, and egg banks. The leadership team has expertise in health tech, fintech, consumer lending, and assisted reproduction. Angela has spoken at several recent events on the state of the economy and how it impacts consumer affordability in fertility, and the landscape of innovation on financial tools for assisted reproduction. Angela was most recently a Director at Circle Surrogacy and Egg Donation, and she holds a BA in Human Biology from Stanford University and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Listen as Angela discuss with Ellen and Jenn:

• Having experience building other companies.

• Seeing couples going through surrogacy and IVF shift in excitement when it comes to finances.

• Recognizing the need for more financial assistance tools when it comes to family building.

• Assisting families to find benefits through clinics or employers, grants, and other resources to help relieve financial stress.

• Navigating and balancing patient-doctor care with the increasing prominence of AI.

• Seeing hope that technology will reduce financial inflation.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about Sunfish: https://joinsunfish.com/

Checkout Sunfish on social media: https://www.instagram.com/joinsunfish/; https://www.facebook.com/joinsunfish

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 177: Gift of Surrogacy Foundation – Zach French

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 11:00:25 -0400

Zach French is a bar certified attorney in the State of New York and currently serves as Vice President of SeedTrust. He provides oversight and support to the legal, sales and marketing departments. Zach’s diverse background encompasses entrepreneurship, enterprise software sales, legal expertise, and most recently consulting in business development for emerging technologies including blockchain and AI. His wealth of experience is united by a core philosophy of building better connections within thriving ecosystems through education, sales, and strategy. With a high-level perspective, he identifies shared goals, develops effective communication strategies, and leverages technology to drive progress. Zach’s connection to the ART world began when he and his wife, Alexandra, embarked on their own surrogacy journey, after Alexandra’s battle with breast cancer. The tremendous mental and financial toll from their journey led them to establish the Gift of Surrogacy Foundation (GSF). Within just one year, GSF has raised $100,000 and has given away a grant for the full cost of surrogacy. Zach and Alexandra firmly believe in expanding the surrogacy ecosystem, and continue to grow GSF through education, emotional support, and financial assistance. At SeedTrust, we help families grow without the financial stress of the escrow process. We provide secure, transparent, affordable and reliable escrow services to intended parents, surrogates and egg donors throughout their collaborative reproductive arrangements allowing everyone involved the ability to focus on what matters most — building families. Listen as Zach discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • Falling quickly for his wife… and his adorable proposal! • While studying for the bar exam, his wife finding a lump and the two entering the world of Breast Cancer navigation. • An oncologist recommending an egg retrieval before proceeding with cancer treatments. • Learning about surrogacy from a movie. • Finding an agency and matching with an amazing surrogate. • Their faith guiding them to give back and start the Gift of Surrogacy Foundation. • Hitting their goal on the first night of the Surrogacy Soiree! Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about Zach and Alexandra’s Foundation: https://www.giftofsurrogacyfoundation.org Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 176: Proov – Dr. Amy Beckley

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 11:00:39 -0400

Amy Beckley has a PhD in pharmacology and has been a hormone scientist for 15+ years. Amy suffered 7 miscarriages. After 3 years of infertility, she successfully conceived. She took her experience and created a new type of fertility diagnostic to help couples navigate their fertility at home to increase their chances of pregnancy. Amy digs into the science of getting pregnant to help individuals and couples have better conversations with their medical team and potentially get pregnant faster. Listen as Dr. Beckley discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • After doing everything to prepare for a family, getting hit with unexplained infertility. • Experiencing multiple miscarriages and being told IVF was the next step. • Discovering that there was a lack of care and resources for those experiencing difficulty getting pregnant. • Sharing her story through RESOLVE and connecting with a shocking number of women suffering with infertility. • Using her scientific background and experience to create an at home urine test for women to track progesterone levels for a successful pregnancy. • Making this test a companion diagnostic to support ovulation and pregnancy. • Creating a Hers/His test to also run at home semen analysis! Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about the Proov: www.proovtest.com Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 175: Six Years To Family – David, James, and Nia

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 20:47:22 -0400

David and James were united by love after meeting online in 2008. What began as a friendship slowly became a strong committed relationship that continues to grow. For the past six years they have been building a solid foundation for their future. As the years go by, they have created an amazing relationship that is unique and priceless by working together, sharing experiences with one another, mutual trust, understanding and love. While on their journey to parenthood, they experienced significant ups and downs, before finally bringing their beautiful Nia home. Listen as David and James discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • Finding out early on that they both had a strong desire to have a family. • A few different friends offering to carry for them as a surrogate, but none working out. • A smooth embryo creation process – the first time -- meeting a surrogate and having a successful transfer! • The ultrasound technician’s demeaner changing. • Finding that their baby’s brain was not developing and the doctor advising on termination • Matching with a new surrogate and transferring embryos 3 different times with no luck • Starting over with changing clinics, new embryos, and a different surrogate. • One last go, getting that positive test paired with a sense of calmness. • Honoring their first baby with her special name, and finally becoming parents! Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 174: Tiny Huge Decisions – Mohsin Zaidi and Dalia Iskander

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 12:00:10 -0400

Mohsin Zaidi is an award-winning author and a criminal barrister. His coming-of-age memoir, “A Dutiful Boy,” explored growing up queer in a strict Muslim household in Britain. The memoir was named Book of the Year in The Guardian, GQ and New Statesman. Mohsin also won both the prestigious Lambda Literary Award and the Polari Prize in 2021. Mohsin is an advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, BAME representation and social mobility. He sits on the board of Stonewall and is listed by The Financial Times as a top future LGBTQIA+ leader. Mohsin cannot wait to be a parent and for the chance to pretend he will do things entirely differently from his parents, before realizing they were right about more than he knew. Dalia Iskander is a Medical Anthropology Lecturer at UCL. Her specialist research areas include the body and emotion; childhood and gender; and health related decision making. She and her husband recently had a child, and this experience has made her think differently about pregnancy and parenthood. Dalia comes from a British-Egyptian-Christian background and lives in London with her family. Listen as Mohsin and Dalia discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • Mohsin growing up in a devout Muslim family where being gay was not accepted. • Meeting the love of his life, Matthew, and together wanting to be parents. • Mohsin’s best friend, Dalia, offering to be a gestational surrogate for them, an offer they could hardly believe. • This journey sparked their podcast, Tiny Huge Decisions, following two best friends making this relationship-altering choice. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Listen to Tiny Huge Decisions: https://link.chtbl.com/TinyHugeDecisions Read Mohsin’s award-winning book, A Dutiful Boy: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/a-dutiful-boy-a-memoir-of-secrets-lies-and-family-love-winner-of-the-lambda-2021-literary-award-for-best-gay-memoir-biography-mohsin-zaidi/5716247?ean=9781529112207 Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 173: London is the Reason – Kristin McQuaid

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 11:00:20 -0400

Kristin was born in Marlton, New Jersey and moved 9 times, including a stop in Denver where she discovered her love for performing at 11 years old. Creating shows in her driveway at a young age, she always knew she wanted to bring her creations to audiences everywhere. She was full of dreams and life and did everything in her power to make them come true. Kristin and her husband started a non-profit organization in honor of their daughter, London Quinn, who was stillborn at 39 weeks in July 2021 through surrogacy. Listen as Kristin discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • Being from Los Angeles, dancing for famous stars, and living a fast-paced life. • Moving to Oklahoma for her now-husband and experiencing a drastically different lifestyle. • Having the conversation of starting their family and taking over 7 years to get pregnant. • The heartbreak of their first ultrasound and the harshness of the medical staff. • Experiencing extreme pain and receiving a diagnosis of endometriosis. • Undergoing a hysterectomy, but still wanting a family. • Finding surrogacy and being matched. • Her surrogate’s flawless pregnancy, • Feeling something wrong on delivery day. • The worst imaginable moment. • Through heartbreak, shock, and overwhelming pain, finding clarity and willingness to go on. • Starting “London is the Reason” to support those going through loss through surrogacy -- both the Intended Parents and Surrogates Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about London is the Reason: https://www.londonisthereason.org Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 172: Three Dads and a Baby – Jeremy, Ian, and Alan

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 15:37:18 -0400

Jeremy Hodges has worked for the San Diego Zoo for 19 years. Much of this time was spent as an aviculturist in Hawaii where he managed a captive population of some of the most endangered birds on the planet. He currently works as the lead zookeeper for the veterinary hospital of the zoo. He throws exceptionally fancy and delicious dinner parties. He has introduced the family to raising chickens, bees, rabbits, and finches. Alan was raised in Colorado and earned his BS degree in Microbiology from Colorado State University and his MD degree from Harvard University. He completed residency in General Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego. He enjoys working in both graduate medical education and as a psychiatrist specializing in treatment resistant depression and addiction medicine. He serves as the family handyman, plays guitar and piano, and collects antique stereoscopic viewing cards. Ian Jenkins earned his MD from the University of VA and completed residency in internal medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center of Harvard University. Since 2004 he's served as a hospital doctor and faculty at UC San Diego Health, where he leads patient safety initiatives and teaches a medical school course and clinical practice to students and resident physicians. He's been active in healthcare quality on a national scale with his professional society and has given over 100 invited talks around the country. He writes as a hobby and published a memoir on his unique family, "Three Dads and a Baby," which made the news, podcasts, and morning shows on five continents. He's currently working on a hospital medicine memoir, "How to Die," and a young-adult romance, "Romeo and Julian." His home- made pizza is excellent. Listen as Jeremy, Ian, and Alan discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • The beginning of their romance story, with Alan and Ian meeting on the job. • Jeremy entering the picture when he began dating Ian and Alan in a polyamorous relationship in 2012, the same year he officially came out to his parents. • Coming out and coming to terms with the idea that they may never have children. • Being approached by friends offering for them to adopt their remaining embryos to start a family, sparking the conversation about children! • When the embryo donation journey did not end as hoped, pivoting in a new direction with a friend offering to be their egg donor. • Pleading their case in court to each be legally recognized as parents of their child. • Successfully being granted an order that all three of their names be included on their child's birth certificate! • A few years later, having their second child through a much smoother process. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Check out their book Three Dads and a Baby: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Three-Dads-and-a-Baby/Ian-Jenkins-MD/9781627783101 Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 171: Six Time Donor – Kayla Weidner

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 12:00:19 -0400

Kayla Weidner, a six-time egg donor, currently works as the Egg Donor Coordinator at The Genesis Group. Since joining the Genesis team, she has had the opportunity to connect with many other young women, share personal experiences, and guide them through the process of being a donor. Kayla has a passion for helping the LGBTQ+ community and has exclusively donated to gay men. Her experience as an egg donor and her three years in the industry have changed her life. Kayla looks forward to continuing to help others grow their families. Listen as Kayla discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her decision to become a donor; selection of an agency based on the rainbow on their website! • A flawless first donation leading to a second. • Serious overstimulation with her second donation, resulting in emergency surgery. • Enduring 12 surgical needle placements to remove fluid in her abdomen. • Despite everything she went though, still committed to helping others in this way. • Recognizing how difficult the journey is for intended parents. • Following her passion to work in the industry and help other donors and intended parents. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about Kayla and her donor support through The Genesis Group: https://www.genesissurrogacy.com/our-team/kayla-weidner Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 170: Surrogate Breastfeeding – Ashley Mareko

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 11:00:20 -0400

Episode 170: Surrogate Breastfeeding – Ashley Mareko by I Want to Put a Baby in You!

Episode 169: Surrogacy Liens – Ralph Tsong

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 11:00:19 -0400

Ralph Tsong has primarily practiced assisted reproductive technology law since 2016 when he started Tsong Law Group. Ralph is licensed in California, Illinois, Washington and Arizona. Prior to practicing ART law, Ralph was a labor and employment lawyer with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (now the California Civil Rights Department) and California Department of Industrial Relations. Ralph also was an attorney at Legal Aid Society of Los Angeles, the Asian Law Alliance, Wilson Sonsini and Littler. Liens are popping up in many insurance plans that cover surrogacy. What are liens? Do intended parents have to pay them? Could liens spread to other states? Listen as Ralph discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • His path to becoming a lawyer with a multi-state practice. • Going through fertility treatment and adoption and seeing the difficulties firsthand. • Shifted his practice to ART law and adoption. • What liens are and why they are an increasing problem in surrogacy arrangements. • Why these liens should be found discriminatory and illegal. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about Ralph’s legal practice: https://www.tsonglaw.com/ Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 168: Surrogacy Is – Casey Bojorquez and Sunshine Hanson

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 18:07:28 -0400

Sunshine Hanson is a driven and pragmatic mama, 3x gestational surrogate, and co-founder of Surrogacy Is alongside her amazing husband, Kyle. (And, as you may have guessed, her story is just as unique as her ever-changing hair!) She was a high school English teacher when she embarked on her first surrogacy journey, and she soon discovered that what the experience was lacking was both advocacy and direction. After working for two very different agencies, she realized that every agency (like every surrogate!) is unique, but some agencies are decidedly better than others! That’s where Surrogacy Is first began. Built on the foundations of intention and community, Sunshine and Kyle brought Surrogacy Is to life and soon partnered with Casey Bojorquez to create the team and mission that’s thriving today. Sunshine currently lives in Georgia with her family. When she’s not guiding surrogates and sharing pieces of her story online, she can be found floating in the pool with her daughter or trying a new spot for brunch in Savannah! Casey Bojorquez is a big-hearted wife, mama, two-time surrogate, and both Co-Owner and Vice President of Surrogacy Is… Which really means she’s the go-to lady for anything and everything related to surrogate connection and community. Casey joined forces with Sunshine and Kyle at the end of 2020 with the goal of providing a more comprehensive surrogate outreach and community focus to the company. Since the start of the partnership, she’s shifted the entire direction of Surrogacy Is and created a space where surrogates are truly advocated for and supported—every step of the way. When Casey’s not making waves for surrogates, she can be found spending time with her family, at the beach, or trying a new hiking trail! Listen as Casey and Sunshine discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • Sunshine’s lifechanging experience with surrogacy. • Casey starting her surrogacy journey searching for agencies and seeing some red flags, but ultimately finding the perfect agency and couple. • Sunshine and Casey finding that surrogates need more support than is often provided. • Supporting both surrogates and individuals that were not able to become surrogates. • Finding a mismatch at times with medical record and what a surrogate has knowledge of in her own medical history. • The expansion of Surrogacy Is from a matching service into an agency. • Recommendations for finding the right team along your surrogacy journey to have all of your needs met. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Get in touch with Surrogacy Is: https://surrogacy.is/ Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 167: Holistic Healing – Judy Becerra

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 14:05:00 -0400

Judith Becerra is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the Manager of the Counseling Department and Director of the Gestational Carrier Program at CCRM. She has over 30 years’ experience in the counseling field specializing in infertility, grief and loss, trauma, mood disorders and adoption. She received her undergraduate degree in Social Work at the University of Kansas and her master’s degree in Psychology and Counseling at Pittsburg State University. Judy has published numerous articles on mental health issues, has been a national speaker on grief and loss as well as featured on television, documentaries and radio. Judy utilizes a holistic approach in counseling, believing in the connection of mind/body/spirit. Judy is a member of the Mental Health Professionals Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and a professional member of RESOLVE. Listen as Judy discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • Having immense pains with cramps all through her young life, then at 23 discovering she had endometriosis. • Almost calling off her wedding, but her fiancé was not going to let that happen. • Going through seven years of fertility treatments. • Judy’s own experience being adopted and her positive feelings toward adoption. • Independently meeting an expectant mother who was 15 and being part of every step. • Looking to adopt a second child and experiencing several heartbreaks. • Her second child going through 11 chemo treatments and passing away before turning 4. • Finding a new career in mental health within IVF. • Finding professionals from ASRM to help locate the right treatment and care. • Get involved to help promote IVF care and receive grants or donations. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 166: Shackled by State– Dr. Julie Bindeman

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 12:48:02 -0400

Dr. Julie Bindeman graduated from the George Washington University and is the co-owner of the practice Integrative Therapy of Greater Washington, a private psychotherapy practice located in Rockville, Maryland. As a result of her own reproductive story, she pursued post-graduate training in the field of Reproductive Psychology, where she actively writes, lectures, and presents on the topic. She has been on several committees for the Mental Health Professional Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine including serving as Chair of the Continuing Education Committee and a past chair for the Social Media committee, and a member of the Antiracism Task Force. Dr. Bindeman is a member of a variety of organizations that are focused on Maternal Mental Health. She was appointed by the Governor of Maryland to serve on the Maternal Mental Health Task Force representing psychologists in the state. In 2014, Dr. Bindeman was honored to receive both the Woman Who Dared Award conferred to her by the National Council of Jewish Women and the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Maryland Psychological Association. In 2021, she was honored to receive Division 31 of the American Psychological Association’s Karl Heiser Award for advocacy. She authored a chapter in the book, “Psychological and Medical Perspectives on Fertility Care and Sexual Health” (Elsevier, 2021) as well as the book, “Prenatal and Preimplantation Diagnosis: The Burden of Choice” (Springer, 2015). Dr. Bindeman is the editor of a forthcoming book that will be published by Springer about Abortion. Dr. Bindeman is a Certified Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapist and received her training in 2017 from EMDR of Greater Washington. She retrained with the Institute for Creative Mindfulness and is an approved consultant who did her training under Dr. Mara Tesler-Stein. Dr. Bindeman became an approved consultant under Dr. Tesler-Stein as well. She knows EMDR to be a powerful modality that creates real and lasting change within people. Listen as Dr. Bindeman discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • Navigating the new laws and encouraging adequate discussion of abortion in surrogacy. • Considering with Intended Parents and Gestational Carriers the differences between first, second, and third trimester abortion scenarios. • The importance of location in the US. • Whether an abnormal ultrasound might not be disclosed depending on a care provider’s views. • Embryo disposition options in the new environment. • Being recruited to write a book on religion and abortion. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Check out The Surrogacy Consultant here: https://thesurrogacyconsultant.com Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 165: The Embryologist Who Does It All – Sunday Crider, PhD, HCLD/ELD (ABB)

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 15:22:30 -0400

Dr. Sunday Crider started her infertility profession after finishing a PhD in Cell Biology and Biochemistry from Texas Tech University. She worked as an Embryologist at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, as well as New England Medical Center in Boston, before coming back home to Texas to build two IVF programs as Laboratory Director. She has also served as off- site Director for New Directions Fertility Center in Phoenix and Cryobank America in Dallas. Leaving the clinical environment in 2013, Dr. Crider began consulting in the surrogacy field as Chief Scientific Liaison, Case Manager, and co-owner of a surrogacy firm. Recognizing the need to offer a more personalized approach, she launched The Surrogacy Consultant in 2019. Between her IVF and Surrogacy years, she's been a part of building thousands of families. Ethics in the surrogacy community are one of Dr. Sunday's top priorities. She is a member of the Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy (SEEDS), where she has acted as Vice President since 2021. During that time, she has served on the Standards Committee, drafting, and implementing guidelines and standards for surrogacy and egg donation. Listen as Dr. Sunday Crider discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • How a trip to Belize, studying butterflies, introduced her to IVF. • Making the hard decision to leave work and a team she loved to move back to Texas to direct a lab. • Frequent travel making it difficult to spend the time she wanted with her young family. • Retiring as a full-time embryologist to start a surrogacy agency. • Consulting for the FDA, working on FDA lab audits. • Changing the surrogacy matching process to increase success. • How the new Texas laws have influenced her process. • FDA inspections and ensuring the health and safety of patients. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Check out The Surrogacy Consultant here: https://thesurrogacyconsultant.com Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 164: The Whole Pineapple – Ruby Booras and Anne Judge

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 01:26:34 -0400

Anne Judge, DNP, WHNP-BC, ARNP is a Nurse Practitioner at Seattle Reproductive Medicine (SRM). Anne has worked at SRM since 2007 and has both a personal and professional connection to the field of reproductive medicine. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Biology from Stanford University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Washington, where she completed an honors research project on paternal infant attachment. Passionate about women’s health, Anne initially worked as a labor and delivery nurse, until her personal experiences with infertility inspired her to make a career change into reproductive medicine. Anne obtained her graduate degrees from Frontier Nursing University. She obtained a Master's and then Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner in 2016/2017, with a doctoral project on fertility care for patients with obesity. Her other professional interests include the psychological components of infertility and male factor infertility. Anne also supports outreach efforts to increase community awareness of fertility assessment and fertility preservation. She is one of the creators and co-hosts of The Whole Pineapple Podcast, which focuses on wellness and fertility. Ruby Booras is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner at Seattle Reproductive Medicine. She received her BSN from Montana State University and her DNP from the University of Washington. Ruby is a board-certified American College of Lifestyle Medicine Diplomat and is the creator/co-host of The Whole Pineapple podcast, which focuses on fertility and whole-person wellness. Listen as Ruby and Anne discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • Anne’s own fertility story, finding both male factor fertility and ovulation struggles. • Collected 38 eggs, but then being told she needed to go through another retrieval cycle. • Becoming a Nurse Practitioner with Seattle Reproductive Medicine, where she works with Ruby. • Ruby’s story, getting spontaneously pregnant with twins. • Experiencing an episode of bleeding while pregnant and the fear that came with it. • Losing one of the twins. • Learning how to emotionally navigate loss from her experience, and to give better care to her patients. • Ruby and Anne starting “The Whole Pineapple” podcast. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Listen to The Whole Pineapple Podcast here: https://thewholepineapple.com Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Check out The Whole Pineapple here: https://thewholepineapple.com

Episode 163: From the Start – Stephanie Levich

Wed, 24 May 2023 14:45:29 -0400

Stephanie is the Founder & President of Family Match Consulting–a world-renowned fertility consulting firm specializing in finding egg donors, sperm donors, and surrogates for clients. Stephanie, the first of her parent’s three adopted children, long carried the desire to help other hopeful parents start their families; a call that intensified when she found herself in the throes of infertility. Ultimately, it was IVF that helped Stephanie achieve her dream of becoming a mother to two children. With more than 20 years of experience in the industry she’s so passionate about, Stephanie has given the gift of family to more than 3,000 parents who were struggling with infertility themselves. Because of her personal background and decades-long experience working in the field, parents often ask Stephanie for guidance when talking to their children about their birth stories. Born from the desire to give parents the tools to talk to their children about the many ways families can be made, Stephanie teamed up with Alana Weiss, her best friend of almost 25 years and a mother through IVF, to co-author the children’s book, “From the Start: A Book About Love and Making Families.” From the Start is an inclusive and heartfelt love letter to children born through the help of adoption or fertility treatments such as IVF, sperm/egg donation, or surrogacy. Through age-appropriate language and sweet rhyming prose, Levich and Weiss weave together themes of hope and gratitude to highlight the special roles fertility doctors, donors, surrogates, and adoption play in helping hopeful parents start or grow their families. Listen as Stephanie discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • When her mom was 13, an infection lead to a complete hysterectomy. • Her positive experience being adopted. • Going to school to be a theater major and finding her path to becoming a surrogacy expert. • Started her own agency and working with celebrities (cue some name-dropping!) • Finding genetic relatives. • Co-Authoring a book that speaks to all types of ways children can come into the world, “From the Start: A Book About Love and Making Families.” • The heartfelt thank you’s from the families she works with. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about Family Match Consulting: https://www.familymatchconsulting.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about the book Stephanie wrote: https://www.amazon.com/Start-Book-About-Making-Families/dp/1632995336 Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 162: The Future of IVF – Dr. Kathryn Go

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 11:00:36 -0400

Kathryn J. Go, PhD earned her doctoral degree from the University of Pennsylvania in molecular biology and has been the director of a laboratory for assisted reproductive technology since 1984. She has been on the faculties or an instructor at the University of Pennsylvania, Medical College of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson Medical University, the Experimental College of Tufts University, the University of Massachusetts and is currently a teaching associate at the Harvard Medical School. Dr. Go is the director of the In Vitro Fertilization Laboratory at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and is happy to be contributing to both patient care and the education of the next generations in clinical science in the company of a terrific team of embryologists, nurses, physicians, and administrators at the Brigham. Listen as Kathryn discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • How she unexpectedly found herself working in the world of fertility care. • A little history -- in 1984 it was routine and desirable to transfer 4 or more embryos at a time! • The changes in embryo storage and other technologies significantly improving implantation rates. • The massive leaps in genetic analysis and testing. • Three-parent IVF, what is it and why is it controversial? • Predictions about the future of fertility treatment – major advancement may be here sooner than you think! Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 161: Cofertility – Lauren Makler

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 10:00:10 -0400

Lauren Makler is the Co-Founder and CEO of Cofertility. She previously founded Uber Health, a product that enables healthcare organizations to leverage Uber’s massive driver network in improving healthcare outcomes through patient transportation and healthcare delivery. Under Lauren’s leadership, the business helped millions of patients get to the care they needed. Prior to that, Lauren spent the early years at Uber launching the core business throughout the east coast and led the company’s first experiment in healthcare, national on demand flu shot campaigns. Lauren’s winding road of a fertility journey led her to believe that everyone should have the opportunity to freeze their eggs –and that there should be better access to egg donors. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their miracle baby girl. Listen as Lauren discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Experiencing ongoing pain and being diagnosed with an incredibly rare abdominal disease. • Being told she may never be able to have a biological child. • Defying the odds, but only after obtaining a deeper understanding of the broken and antiquated systems surrounding egg donation. • Joining with her Cofertility co-founders to build a company that gives women more power over their reproductive health. • Reshaping fertility preservation and third-party reproduction so it’s more accessible, human and community-driven. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Cofertility here: https://www.cofertility.com

Episode 160: Supporting Hope (Update!) – Jessica Fields

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 13:38:24 -0400

Jessica is the past Chair of the Walk of Hope in Colorado, a fundraiser for RESOLVE: the National Infertility Association, which raises awareness and provides support for those experiencing infertility. Jessica has personally walked that long road and shares an update regarding her journey to parenthood… five years after our initial podcast recording with her. Listen as Jessica discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Spending years on the waitlist for adoption. • Going from #46 to first in line, finally. • Getting case specifics and finally feeling excited. • The heartache of saying yes and then not being picked. • Being picked! And feeling in shock. • Waiting all weekend for news of the delivery... then dealing with complications. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 159: The World Egg and Sperm Bank – Diana Thomas

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 13:33:21 -0400

Diana Thomas is the Founder and CEO of The World Egg and Sperm Bank. After having to find her own egg donor in the early 1990s, and successfully becoming pregnant, fertility specialists began approaching Diana asking for her help in finding egg donors for their own patients, at a time when only one other egg donor agency existed in the U.S. She quickly discovered that there was a desperate need for a company that understood empowering recipients with information about egg donors, and the emotional sensitivity to navigate through the process of involving another person in their reproductive life. Through her own personal experience, she created a company that catered to the needs of intended parents as well as brought the best quality of care to egg donors. For over 25 years, Diana’s egg donor agency, that evolved into The World Egg and Sperm Bank, has matched thousands of donors and couples nationwide and internationally. In 2004, she was one of three partners to start the first “frozen” egg bank in the world. Since then, The World Egg and Sperm Bank has increased egg donor options by shipping vitrified (frozen) eggs and sperm to recipients’ doctors around the globe, and as such, removed many geographic and emotional barriers for those who hope to one day have a child of their own. The World Egg and Sperm Bank is the only egg bank worldwide that focuses solely on egg and sperm donors, and the only bank that has full operational control in its own state of the art facility to manage all donor cycles, retrievals and egg and sperm freezing from one lab, and one location. This is a unique powerful benefit in managing quality control, and the data outcomes reflect the focus and efforts to continually improve pregnancy outcomes. Listen as Diana discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • After over 20 years of fertility treatments, working to find an egg donor on her own before egg donation was fully available. • Finding a potential donor, meeting her family, creating her own contract, and being in the room during the retrieval! • Finding out she only had a 12% chance of the embryo taking; transferring two and experiencing a disappearing twin. • How her son was one of the first 100 children born via egg donation. • Having triplets take, losing one, then delivering twins at 29 weeks. • How her second donor had complications getting pregnant and Diana was able to help her! • Finding ways to improve the egg donation process. • Being 100% open to allowing visitors to walk through their facility and see the process firsthand.

Episode 158: Gays With Kids – Brian Rosenberg

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 12:00:25 -0400

Meet Brian Rosenberg, founder of Gays With Kids and creator / head coach of GWK Academy, the only-one-of-its-kind App designed specifically to help gay and queer men become dads. Brian has more than 25 years of sales and marketing experience, but his real passion has been the creation of Gays With Kids, the one-stop destination for gay, bi and trans dads and dads-to-be. Brian and his husband Ferd became first-time dads in 2009, creating their family through adoption and surrogacy. At the time, there were few resources available to help queer men become dads, and even fewer for those who already were, so they launched GWK in March 2014. Together since 1993, the secret to this couple’s longevity is Ferd’s prowess in the kitchen and Brian’s great appreciation for anything his husband cooks! Listen as Brian discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Living with HIV and meeting his husband. • Deciding after many years together that they wanted children. • Falling instantly in love with the first infant they met for adoption; but hitting obstacles. • Looking into surrogacy after birth mother changed her mind. • When sperm washing became an option, finding new hope that they could become genetic parents. • Signing up with a surrogacy agency, but then getting the call that a baby was available for adoption! • Finding a wonderful surrogate and transferred two embryos… both took! • How Brian and his husband experienced the public’s view of two dads; frequently hearing “where’s mom?” • Spreading awareness of their fatherhood journey. • Launched “Gays With Kids” to help create a community for dads! Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Gays With Kids here: https://gayswithkids.com

Episode 157: Empowerment Through Advocacy – Lisa Rosenthal and Ryan Ferrante

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 13:00:15 -0400

Episode 157: Empowerment Through Advocacy – Lisa Rosenthal and Ryan Ferrante by I Want to Put a Baby in You!

Episode 156: Traditional Surrogacy – Adrienne Black

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 20:40:34 -0400

Adrienne Black is passionate about surrogacy and helping grow families in a heart-based, ethical, and exceptional way. Adrienne has been involved in surrogacy for over 20 years. Besides her original profession as a midwife, she has also been a surrogate (four times for three families, resulting in six babies!), a legal assistant in a surrogacy law firm, and the last 11 years as an agency owner. Adrienne founded and runs the largest online group for surrogacy professionals in the world, and is actively involved in the Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy, the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, and other local family-building organizations. Adrienne says her whole heart is with surrogacy. Listen to Adrienne discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • How Adrienne became interested in surrogacy. • Traditional surrogacy (and her preference not to use the term “genetic surrogacy”) versus gestational surrogacy. • Her experiences as a gestational surrogate. • Working as a legal assistant and starting her own surrogacy agency. • Her agency’s support for both traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy. • Focusing on protecting the surrogate and intended parents throughout the process. • Offering education for surrogates to make an informed decision on what type of journey they want. • The preference of some international families for traditional surrogacy. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Heart To Hands Surrogacy: www.hthsurrogacy.com

Episode 155: Parents Via Egg Donation Pt. 2 – Marna Gatlin

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 12:00:27 -0400

Marna Gatlin is an egg donation and embryo donation industry professional, and a patient advocate with a specialty in open egg donation and open embryo donation. She works to educate, support, and empower individuals in forming or adding to their family. With over 20 years as an infertility and donation professional, many refer to her as the “go to” person regarding all things egg donation and embryo donation. Marna works with an amazing network of third-party experts. Her peers and professional colleagues would describe her as a creative-strategy problem solver and a detail-oriented team player with the proven ability to lead. “Facilitator” is her middle name! Regardless of whether you are an intended parent or an industry professional, she is always willing to roll up her sleeves and assist with the challenge at hand. Listen to Marna as to this Part 2 discussion with Ellen and Jenn about: • Being able to go into the next phase of her life, becoming a mother. • Being told by a priest that her child would not be accepted by the Catholic Church, because the child was conceived from IVF and egg donation. • Seeking out a different priest and finding comfort in their words. • Deciding not to baptize her child as an infant, allowing her child to choose for themselves. • How PVED came about. • PVED’s mission to educate, support, and empower families and individuals at any stage of the process considering egg donation in family building. • The importance of telling children about their donor conception story and helping intended parents through that process. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Parents Via Egg Donation: https://www.pved.org/

Episode 154: Parents Via Egg Donation Pt. 1 – Marna Gatlin

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 03:16:23 -0400

Marna Gatlin is an egg donation and embryo donation industry professional, and a patient advocate with a specialty in open egg donation and open embryo donation. She works to educate, support, and empower individuals in forming or adding to their family. With over 20 years as an infertility and donation professional, many refer to her as the “go to” person regarding all things egg donation and embryo donation. Marna works with an amazing network of third-party experts. Her peers and professional colleagues would describe her as a creative-strategy problem solver and a detail-oriented team player with the proven ability to lead. “Facilitator” is her middle name! Regardless of whether you are an intended parent or an industry professional, she is always willing to roll up her sleeves and assist with the challenge at hand. Listen to Marna as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • The origination story of Parents Via Egg Donation. • Her hopes and dreams of becoming a mother, but nothing going as planned. • Meeting a parent who conceived through egg donation. • Getting her dream doctor by pure luck! • Having a difficult and scary pregnancy, but delivering a health boy at 39 weeks. • Her original expectations as to her donor. • Her son asking to meet the donor, and working to support his request. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Parents Via Egg Donation: https://www.pved.org/

Episode 153: Busting The "Just Adopt" Myth – Lila Bradley

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 11:00:28 -0400

Lila Newberry Bradley is a partner in the law firm of Claiborne|Fox|Bradley|Goldman, which focuses its practice on family building through adoption and assisted reproduction. Lila is a Fellow in American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and the Georgia Council of Adoption Lawyers. Lila attended the University of Georgia for both undergraduate and law school. Lila is the former director of the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation’s Children’s Law Programs where she worked with volunteer lawyers to provide pro bono legal representation for children who were in foster care or were the subject of high-conflict custody disputes. Lila continues to have a special interest in the legal issues surrounding children in foster care, and she provides training to foster parents on how the law and the court process can ensure that children’s rights and interests are protected. Listen to Lila as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Starting her legal career in corporate transactions. • Stepping away from work to focus on raising her family. • A chance meeting leading her to work in child welfare law and foster care. • 10 years working with foster care cases, including those that moved to adoption. • Why the question “Why don’t you just adopt?” is so problematic. • A little history. How the Baby Boom impacted adoption and the “Baby Scoop” era. • The cost of adoption, ranging from $10,000 to over $75,000. • The multi-step, and frequently lengthy, adoption process. • Varying state adoption laws. • The risk and likelihood of a change of mind. • How the genetic father’s involvement can affect the potential of adoption. • Open versus closed adoption and the historical shift. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Lila’s law firm: www.gababylaw.com

Episode 152: DNA Test Surprise Part 2 – Eric Mobley

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 11:00:24 -0400

Eric Mobley, 28, is donor conceived. He resides in Louisville, Kentucky with his husband, Jeremy, and 1 year old Yorkie, Ellie. Eric did not discover he was donor conceived until he was 26 years old and received a 23&Me kit for Christmas. Eric works in higher education admissions and loves anything Disney related. Listen to Eric as he discusses with Ellen and Jenn:  Eric has new 23&Me results!  Finding more siblings.  His relationship with his Donor taking an unexpected turn.  Working through the trauma.  Offering support for his new siblings.  Facing triggers, anxiety, and depression.  Becoming more accepting of his parents’ decisions. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997- 1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about DNA results: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/blog/2021/9/14/episode-123- your-dna-guide-diahan-southard-and-jayne-ekins Learn about We Are Donor Conceived Magazine: https://www.wearedonorconceived.com/magazine/

Episode 151: National Embryo Donation Center – Mark Mellinger

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 12:47:35 -0400

Mark Mellinger handles all marketing and public relations functions for the NEDC and is also in charge of development efforts. His background consists of almost three decades in broadcast journalism. From 2011 to 2018, Mark served as a contributor to The Gospel Coalition, one of the world’s largest Christian websites, where he helped start TGC’s podcast operations. The National Embryo Donation Center (NEDC) has facilitated more embryo donations, and births from embryo donation (nearly 1250), than any organization in the world. NEDC’s mission is to protect the lives and dignity of human embryos by promoting, facilitating, and educating about embryo donation. Listen to Mark as he discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • NEDC’s size and history. • The term “Embryo Adoption” instead “Embryo Donation” as NEDC’s preferred language. • The NEDC’s internal rules requiring of recipients that: o they be a heterosexual couple; o they have a home study by an accredited organization; and o the female recipient be 46 years or younger and able to carry a pregnancy. • If three cycles does not result in a child, recipients must return the embryos to the NEDC. • The consideration of who receives embryos and their proximity across the US. • Allowing selection and use of embryos with certain genetic markers or mosaicism. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about the NEDC here: https://www.embryodonation.org

Episode 150: Experiencing Both Sides – Sasha Swift

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 12:41:09 -0400

Sasha became a mom at the age of 19 and a single mother at age 23 after leaving a toxic situation. She met the love of her life in 2018 and is now happily married. Sasha and her husband have been struggling to grow their family for a few years and her daughter is impatient, asking for a sibling. Their family of three humans and two dogs enjoy traveling, trying new restaurants, and spending time with family. Her fertility journey includes everything from teen pregnancy to egg donation, and now infertility. Listen to Sasha as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Giving her parents the news of her pregnancy at the age of 18. • Her father offering to adopt her child. • Coming across a Facebook ad to donate eggs. • Deciding to donate after watching her parents struggle with infertility. • Completing three total cycles, two for the same couple. • Experiencing a terrible third retrieval -- they counted 80+ eggs but only retrieved 33, leaving her to pass the rest. • Meeting her now husband and explaining how she could have children out there from her egg donations. • The inadvertent way her parents found out she was an egg donor. • Experiencing a miscarriage in early 2022 and waiting to get in with a specialist. • Colorado offering insurance-covered fertility access in large group market come January 1, 2023. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 149: You Can Donate Your Uterus?! – Nikki Wehmeir

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 11:00:28 -0400

Born and raised in Texas, Nikki Wehmeir now lives in California -- though is very eager to move back closer to her family at some point! Nikki is an incredibly proud mother of two (an almost 22 year old daughter, Hayli, and a 13 year old son, Kaden). Nikki is completely obsessed with animals -- especially dogs. Her career has been built around the infertility field, specifically egg donation and surrogacy. She truly can't imagine doing anything else. Listen to Nikki as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Starting work with an egg donation and surrogacy agency with three people and helping it grow to over 20! • Managing the donor program, working on a personal level, and connecting with the families and donors one-on-one. • Considering being an egg donor herself, but not qualifying. • Considering becoming a surrogate. • Coming across a Facebook post from a friend who was donating her uterus. • Applying to donate her uterus! • Feeling so certain this was something she was supposed to do. • Her first match falling through. • Go through the entire process without meeting the recipient -- but sending her a care package the day of surgery. • 13 hours of surgery. • Fast-forward … her excitement meeting the recipient and the baby! • Connecting with young women who reach out to her after learning they do not have a uterus. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn about the uterus transplant program here: https://fertilitycenterofdallas.com/blog/12-live-births-from-uterus-transplants/

Episode 148: Surrogacy Changes Lives (and Careers) – Courtney Johnson

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 12:36:27 -0400

Episode 148: Surrogacy Changes Lives (and Careers) – Courtney Johnson by I Want to Put a Baby in You!

Episode 147: Influencer IVF Illuminations – Liliana Vazquez

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 15:21:23 -0400

Emmy-winning host and TV personality Lilliana Vazquez is a trailblazing interviewer, style expert, and author. Capturing an audience’s attention behind the microphone, the enterprising star has curated a career that began from a small blog to being seen by millions daily on numerous platforms. Liliana opens up about her fertility experience and the struggles through IVF while navigating work, life, family, and everything in between. After years of her life going towards fertility treatments, she achieved her dream of becoming a mother. Now she prioritizes moments with her son and continues to feed her audience and entrepreneurial spirit by collaborating with select media and brand partners. Listen to Liliana as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Moving across the country and her exciting career rise, including hosting E! News. • At 35, her doctor recommending a blood test for egg quantity “just to check.” • Receiving shocking results. • Seeking out the best fertility doctors in New York. • Shifting her focus from wanting to be pregnant to wanting to be a parent. • Not sharing her IVF process out of a desire to avoid anyone pitying her. • Keeping her job as her safe space • Telling her family and her mom’s response being just was she needed. • Being sure to advocate for her mental health and seeking a therapist to navigate the new feelings and emotions throughout the different stages. • Learning about and advocating for a “Gentle C-section.” Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Liliana here: https://www.lillianavazquez.com

Episode 146: Surprise Siblings – Larry Bruck

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 13:25:54 -0400

Episode 146: Surprise Siblings – Larry Bruck by I Want to Put a Baby in You!

Episode 145: The Trying Game – Amy Klein

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 11:00:13 -0400

Amy Klein is the author of The Trying Game: Get Through Infertility Treatment Without Losing Your Mind, based on her New York Times "Fertility Diary" column. It took her four years, ten doctors, nine rounds of IVF and three miscarriages to have their daughter. Don't feel bad about "baby envy," or more accurately, "pregnancy envy," that ugly green monster of jealousy that rears its ugly head every time you hear that another friend, frenemy, or family member is pregnant. Amy has gone to every baby shower, every baby naming party so that you don't have to. She discusses how to set boundaries with others and for yourself, and how not to feel bad about not feeling good for everyone else. Listen to Amy as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her fertility treatment experience in New York City and lack of available care. • How she began writing about fertility. • Her appreciation for doctors that provide individualized patient care. • Limiting herself to three cycles per doctor and why. • Her advice for a D&C over other options for handling a miscarriage. • Advocating for your care and reminding listeners that the doctors work for you! Be that person. • How to protect yourself emotionally through fertility treatments. • How she felt when her sister was pregnant. • Going through secondary infertility and balancing the education of others while protecting herself. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Get the book The Trying Game here: www.thetryinggamebook.com Find Amy on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/thetryinggame_infertilitybook/

Episode 144: Misbehaving Uterus – Megan Hanson

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 11:00:13 -0400

Megan's professional experience includes health care marketing and non-profit management. She left her most recent role with Baxter Healthcare to focus full-time on the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association (RPLA). She holds a BS in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management. She blogs about her personal experience of recurrent miscarriage at MisbehavingUterus.com. Megan lives in Seattle with her husband and her daughter who was born via gestational surrogacy. RPLA is dedicated to eliminating recurrent pregnancy loss through the advancement of research into causes and treatments; to providing support and resources to those affected; and to increasing awareness of the impact of miscarriage and fertility challenges on women and families. Listen to Megan as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Getting pregnant very quickly, experiencing a missed-miscarriage and a D&C. • Experienced another miscarriage. • Trying for over a year to get pregnant. • Going through a medically managed miscarriage and her (strong) thoughts on that choice. • The feeling of betrayal from her body after the 5th miscarriage. • Exploring alternative family building options. • Once emotionally feeling stronger, reaching out to a surrogacy agency • Leaving her job and incorporating a non-profit while starting her surrogacy journey. • How the non-profit is helping those experiencing pregnancy loss. • Having her first experience in a delivery room with her child being born via surrogacy. • Her surrogate truly becoming family. • How to join and/or support the RPL community Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn about Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association here: https://rplassociation.org Find support with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association here: https://rplassociation.org/events Check out Megan’s Blog here: www.MisbehavingUterus.com

Episode 143: Infertile Blessings – Maureen Nowak

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 12:58:24 -0400

Episode 143: Infertile Blessings – Maureen Nowak by I Want to Put a Baby in You!

Episode 142: Rockstar REI Reflections – Dr. Eve C. Feinberg

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 13:47:57 -0400

Dr. Feinberg is an Associate Professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and serves as the REI Fellowship Program Director as well as the Medical Director for Northwestern Fertility and Reproductive Medicine. She is the Past-President of the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and is an Editorial Editor for Fertility and Sterility and the creator and co-host of Fertility and Sterility On-Air podcast. Dr. Feinberg is a fierce advocate for women’s health and reproductive choice and has written opinion pieces have been published in the Washington Post, STATnews, Rewire, The Hill and Time magazine and she sits on the National Medical Committee of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Dr Feinberg is the founder and president of the Chicago Coalition for Family Building, a not for profit that awards grants for fertility treatment and adoption. She is passionate about her Peloton, running, reading fiction, playing Wordle and finding joy. Listen to Dr. Feinberg as she discusses with Jenn: • Her path to Reproductive Endocrinology. • A look back on the COVID Task Force. • The vaccine decision-making challenges. • How access to care changed during the pandemic, for good. • The debate over access to reproductive healthcare and the implications for fertility care access. • The controversy on mosaic embryos and how practices are navigating potential transfers. • Whether PGT lives up to the hype. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Dr. Feinberg’s practice here: https://fertility.nm.org Learn more about the Chicago Coalition for Family Building here: www.coalitionforfamilybuilding.org

Episode 141: EM•POWERing Embryo Donation – Maya, Gina, and Jen

Wed, 25 May 2022 11:00:20 -0400

EM•POWER with Moxi is an organization dedicated to empowering choice and fostering understanding for all stakeholders involved in embryo donation. Maya is a California Licensed Clinical Social Worker and psychotherapist who specializes in supporting individuals and couples struggling to conceive or building their family in alternative ways. Additionally, her background in child welfare allows her to have a keen understanding of not only the needs of patients/parents but also the needs of children born through third party reproduction. Maya is also a documentary filmmaker and co-producer of One More Shot, a feature length film she produced with her husband documenting their tumultuous journey to parenthood. Gina has been a genetic counselor in the field of reproductive medicine for over 17 years. Her company, Advocate Genetics, provides genetic counseling for fertility patients and those connected to third-party reproduction. She had been working in the field of infertility for 6 years before her own 3-1/2 year fertility journey began. Her story involved multiple surgeries and a heartbreaking miscarriage, but also resulted in the birth of her two amazing children via IVF. After she felt her family was complete, she also had 16 remaining embryos and some big decisions to make. Years later, she has donated her remaining embryos to two families, one of whom now has a beautiful and spunky daughter. Jennifer is a Nationally Certified Counselor who founded Embryo Donation Support, a web-based community for embryo donors. Through facilitation of pre- and post-donation online support groups to women with frozen embryos, Jennifer has built a solid understanding of the questions, needs, fears, and challenges that patients face when considering embryo donation. Jennifer also advocates for embryo donation and donor support through podcasts, live events, social media outlets, and blog contributions. Jennifer is a proud mother of twins conceived through IVF, and proud donor of one embryo who is now a healthy boy. These three women created EM•POWER to support the various complex elements of embryo donation and simplify the process for both patients and clinics. They created an education platform and a community platform that includes Moxi Matching, a private space where embryo donors can connect and match. Listen to Maya, Gina, and Jen as they discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • Maya’s film “One More Shot” documenting her up close and personal road to parenthood. • Jen’s fertility journey and experience becoming a donor with only one embryo and strong feelings on what that arrangement should look like. • Gina’s professional path leading her to the fertility world before experiencing her own difficult path to parenthood. • Considering the options and challenges involved in embryo disposition. • “Adoption” vs “donation” terminology for embryos. • How people choose a donor or recipient for embryos • Empower with Moxi, a hub for education and support for the embryo donation community. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn about Empower with Moxi here: https://www.empowerwithmoxi.com Find Embryo Donation support here: http://embryodonationsupport.com Watch One More Shot here: http://www.onemoreshotfilm.com Learn about Maya Grobel here: https://www.mayagrobel.com Find Empower with Moxi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerwithmoxi/ Find Empower with Moxi on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/empowerwithmoxi Find Empower with Moxi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerwithmoxi/

Episode 140: Israeli Surrogacy – Attorney Victoria Gelfand

Wed, 18 May 2022 11:00:29 -0400

Where do Israeli intended parents go to for surrogacy? What specific hurdles do they have to overcome? Is surrogacy widely available within Israel? And what is so drastically different between the Israeli approach to genetic parentage -- whether through surrogacy or through reproduction technologies -- and the American one? Victoria Gelfand (born and raised in Moscow, immigrated to Israel in her teens, educated in Tel Aviv and admitted to the Israeli bar in 2003) was the first attorney to provide legal assistance to Israeli couples and singles with respect to surrogacy procedures abroad back in 2006. In 2007, she achieved first recognition of surrogacy procedures carried out in India by the Israeli Ministry of Internal Affairs, creating a process that has since been used for all – well over two thousand – babies born to Israeli intended parents via surrogacy abroad. In 2008 she started her own practice which specializes exclusively on family formation and fertility law, and has won various precedential cases related to foreign surrogacy for Israeli intended parents. Victoria Gelfand, Law Offices is the only law firm outside North America which is a member of all three major US-based professional groups and societies in the field: the ABA, the AAAA, and SEEDS. Listen to Victoria as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her career path to law and transition to specializing in surrogacy and family formation. • Israeli law prohibiting same sex couples from building their family through surrogacy within the country. • Finding a loophole for same sex couples to become parents – through surrogacy outside the country. • The importance of genetic and biological connections in Israel. • Israeli’s interesting post-mortem conception cases. • The prohibition against known sperm donors in Israel. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn about Victoria Gelfand’s law firm here: https://familylawyer.co.il/home/english/

Episode 139: Embryo Art – Roxy Jenkins

Wed, 11 May 2022 11:00:23 -0400

A year after getting married, Roxy Jenkins and her husband decided to grow their family. Little did they know, the next five years would be a bumpy, winding path navigating infertility. It took seven medicated cycles, two IUIs, three retrievals and fresh transfers, and one twin miscarriage until their little Coco finally made her way into the world. The quest for a sibling has proven to be as difficult. For the past two and a half years, they have endured two retrievals, three miscarriages, one ectopic pregnancy, uterine testing, both tubes being removed, a Lupron Depot flare, and three back-to-back cycles being cancelled. Add to that a exploratory laparotomy with a resulting endo diagnosis. They have one tested embryo left on ice and that’s where their story pauses for now. Inspired by her own family’s story and her love of art, Roxy decided to give color to a dark and painful journey. Each painting she does makes her feel less alone while navigating infertility. Every story shared of how each embryo came into existence is as unique as the embryo itself. All paths to parenthood are valid and worthy of sharing. Roxy feels honored that so many have entrusted the sweetest, most special part of their journey to her. Listen to Roxy as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • After a year of marriage, her and her spouse wanting to start a family. • Finding the right doctor and learning they had IVF coverage. • A rough road of being diagnosed with PCOS, going through IUI, IVF, egg retrievals and loss of a pregnancy. • Finally, a successful pregnancy and the arrival of their daughter. • Finding strength in carrying around her daughter’s embryo portrait while pregnant. • Painting her daughter’s embryo portrait and discovering a meaningful gift for others. • Starting her Etsy shop and finding her full-time passion. • Painting as her own infertility therapy. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Check out Roxy’s artwork here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DearCocoDesign?ref=shop_sugg

Episode 138: Plan A – Aden Kadri

Wed, 04 May 2022 11:00:23 -0400

Aden is founder of the Plan A podcast. Plan A follows Aden’s journey into becoming an independent parent. She talks with experts about everything from choosing a donor and navigating insurance to whether you really need to take prenatal vitamins and the difference between IUI and IVF. Along the way Aden shares her actual experience from asking questions and preparing to, hopefully, pregnancy and beyond. She explores how choosing independent parenthood can be your Plan A. Listen to Aden as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • The process of starting a family independently, including the language she prefers and advocates for (not “single mother by choice”). • Changing employers for better fertility coverage and finding the perfect fit! • Her sperm selection process, including the importance to her of a non-prolific donor. • Deciding between fertility procedures and exploring the legal issues. • Her advice: don’t wait, it’s important to investigate early! • Starting the “Plan A” podcast: talking to others and documenting her journey. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Check out the Plan A podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plan-a/id1611983736

Episode 137: The Biggest Ask – MaryJane Carnahan

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 16:26:40 -0400

MaryJane is a business professor and creator of The Biggest Ask, an educational website and blog dedicated to surrogacy. Listen to MJ as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Getting pregnant easily, but then things becoming very difficult very quickly. • Being hospitalized at 24 weeks and being told she would be there for the rest of the pregnancy. • Experiencing a pre-term birth and losing her child after twelve days. • Considering surrogacy to protect herself and future child. • Finding a potential surrogate and hope, then experience all the complex feelings when she became pregnant for herself. • Deciding to search for an agency and having mixed feelings about agency providers. • Matching with a surrogate and having a wonderful experience. • Creating “The Biggest Ask” and working to provide greater information and resources to others. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn about ART Compass here: www.artcompass.io Learn about The Biggest Ask here: https://thebiggestask.com

Episode 136: Terminating A Wanted Pregnancy – Dr. Julie Bindeman

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 11:00:34 -0400

Dr. Julie Bindeman graduated from the George Washington University and is the co-owner of Integrative Therapy of Greater Washington in Rockville, Maryland. Her specialty is in the field of Reproductive Psychology, where she actively writes, lectures, and presents. She is a consultant in training in EMDR through EMDRIA. She has served on several committees within the Mental Health Professional Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and was recently elected to its Executive Committee. She served as a Board Member of the Maryland Psychological Association for over 10 years. Dr. Bindeman is a member of multiple organizations focused on Maternal and Reproductive Mental Health and was appointed by the Governor of Maryland to serve on its Maternal Mental Health Task Force. She was recently awarded the Karl Heiser Award for her legislative efforts on behalf of psychology. Dr. Bindeman has published several chapters and articles pertaining to Reproductive Psychology. Listen to Julie as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Embracing her secondary infertility story as an infertility story. • Receiving heartbreaking news at an ultrasound. • Struggling with the realities of a devastating diagnosis. • Finding comfort in her decision within her religion. • Getting pregnant quickly again. • Shockingly, receiving another devasting diagnosis. • Throwing an Elephant Shower! • Considering trying again, breaking the numbers down. • A genetic counselor sharing her opinion that a third child is “ecologically irresponsible”! Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 134: How We Do Family – Trystan Reese

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 11:00:18 -0400

Trystan Reese is a transgender parent and educator based out of Portland, Oregon. He is the author of How We Do Family: From Adoption to Trans Pregnancy, What We Learned about Love and LGBTQ Parenthood, as well as co-author of the children’s book, The Light Of You. Listen to Trystan as he discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • The behind-the-scenes evolution of writing his first book. • Auditioning for the audio version of his own book! • Choosing where to go deep and where to hold back. • Dispelling myths of fertility and the ability to carry a pregnancy after being on testosterone for an extended period of time. • Writing about and reliving pregnancy loss. • Co-writing a children’s book with his partner to share how transgender families are formed. • Realigning and prioritizing what’s import in life. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Get Trystan’s Book, How We Do Family: From Adoption to Trans Pregnancy, What We Learned about Love and LGBTQ Parenthood, here: https://www.powells.com/book/how-we-do-family-9781615197569 Get Trystan and Biff’s Children’s Book, The Light of You, here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-light-of-you-trystan-reese/1139767813

Episode 133: Male-Factor Infertility & Mental Health – Steven Miller

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 10:00:33 -0400

Steven J. Miller obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology at Northern Michigan University and is currently in the part-time MSW program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He’s been in social work since 2009, working with youth and families. Steven is an advocate for more discussion among social workers and other helping professionals about the impact of infertility on one’s mental health. Steven and his wife struggled with infertility for seven years before being successful using IVF, resulting in now three-year-old twin boys. After his MSW, Steven plans to work in Reproductive Mental Health and continue advocacy for discussion about this topic in the classroom to help better prepare students and clinicians to support those coming to them for support. Listen to Steven as he discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Male representation of infertility • 19 states and increasing for infertility insurance coverage • Trying to navigate time off for appointments • The feeling of trauma when seeing daily reminders of their infertility struggles Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn about Resolve and their support here: https://resolve.org Follow Steven at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjmiller2024/

Episode 132: Post-Mortem Sperm Retrieval – Casey DiPaola and Joe Williams

Thu, 23 Dec 2021 11:00:16 -0400

Kathleen (“Casey”) Copps DiPaola, Esq. is a partner of Copps DiPaola Silverman, PLLC in Albany, New York where she focuses her practice on Adoption, Assisted Reproduction and Estate Planning & Probate. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, the President of New York Attorneys for Adoption & Family Formation and also an active member of various bar associations. She has worked tirelessly over the last several years to help draft the New York Child Parent Security Act and advocate for its enactment by the legislature. She is also a frequent lecturer to attorneys, judges, fertility clinics and other organizations on the topics of adoption, assisted reproduction/surrogacy and the intersection of estate planning and family formation. Ms. DiPaola is also the founder of the New York Surrogacy Center, a licensed surrogacy matching program that operates primarily in New York, Vermont and New Jersey. She is licensed to practice in state courts in New York, New Jersey and Vermont as well as various federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court. Ms. DiPaola is also an active volunteer in her community in both a legal and non-legal capacity. She previously graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology with highest honors and as the salutatorian from Albany Law School in 2009. She lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children. Joseph R. Williams practices primarily in the fields of matrimonial, family, and adoption law. Joe represents individuals in the negotiation and litigation of separation, divorce, child custody, support and domestic violence matters, as well as all areas of adoption law, including private adoptions, voluntary agency adoptions, foster care adoptions and step/second parent adoptions. Joe also practices in the related area of assisted reproductive technology law (egg/sperm/embryo donation and surrogacy/gestational carrier agreements) and kinship guardianship (kinGAP). Listen to Casey and Joe as they discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • The sudden death of a family’s son at the age of 21. • The importance to the family and their culture of the continuation of their lineage. • Getting permission to retrieve gametes…when there is no written consent. • How Casey and Joe heard of the family’s situation and jumped in to help! • This case is still ongoing; however, it has paved the way for others. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn about Casey and Joe’s law firm: https://thecdslawfirm.com/ #BrightFuturesFamilies #GrowingFamilies #Surrogacy #IntendedParents #IVF

Episode 131: Faith, Cancer, and Surrogacy – Paige McCoy

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -0400

Paige is a cancer survivor turned cancer advocate and mother to an energetic two-year-old son. Married in 2012, she never anticipated having to overcome a variety of obstacles to have a family. When unexplained infertility forced her to undergo multiple rounds of IVF, she never wavered. When leukemia unexpectedly struck three weeks before an embryo transfer, she kept her eye on recovering so she could one day pursue parenthood. And when the cancer treatments eliminated her ability to carry a child, she matched with a selfless surrogate to carry the embryo she dreamed about for years. Today, Paige dedicates her life to helping other young adult cancer patients fight their diagnoses, knowing that a caring support system and documented bucket list are as strong as any medicine. In her spare time, she and her family alternate completing her personal bucket list created in the hospital with typical two-year-old activities like digging in dirt and memorizing construction vehicles. She lives in Denver with her husband, Jeff, and son, Bradley, whom she named after the bone marrow donor that gave her a second chance at life, and given the opportunity, she would love to grow their family by one more through another surrogacy journey. Listen to Paige as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Going through infertility treatment at a young age. • Getting ready for their embryo transfer, but instead finding out Paige had leukemia and needed to be taken by ambulance for emergency treatment! • How infertility and cancer challenged her faith, but receiving the support of her priest and church renewed it. • Tackling difficult topics such as pregnancy termination. • Their first journey through surrogacy as intended parents and the birth of their first child. • Their current search for their second surrogate and their hope for their last embryos. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ #BrightFuturesFamilies #GrowingFamilies #Surrogacy #IntendedParents #IVF

Episode 130: Fertility and Film– Jessica McGaugh and Roma Sur

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 15:08:55 -0400

Jessica McGaugh is an award-winning independent film director, cinematographer and editor working out of Denver, Colorado. Her work has been screened internationally including the Mumbai International Film Festival, Denver Film Festival, NDTV and Rocky Mountain PBS. Her feature films Red Pearl and Three Worlds, One Stage are distributed internationally on VOD and SVOD platforms. Jessica received an MFA in Film from Syracuse University and is currently teaching in the Film & Television Department at the University of Colorado Denver. Roma Sur is a screenwriter and a documentary filmmaker, based in Denver, Colorado. After having lost her father at the age of four, she and her sister were raised by their mother in one of the most unsafe cities of India. Not surprisingly, her characters are usually fierce, independent women, or young adult, who know how to give adversity a tight backhand. She writes young adult and female driven dramas with levity, that are a cross-pollination of her immigrant experience of living in the US for twenty years, and her childhood in India. Her recent feature screenplay, “The Rock Within”, has got acknowledged by the Sundance Asian American lab, Stowe Story Labs, India’s leading pitch market, Film Bazaar, and Screencraft’s Funding contest. Sur has also served as an Executive Producer on two award-winning web series. She has been teaching fiction and non-fiction writing at the University of Colorado since 2009. The Rock Within is crafted by an Asian-American female Screenwriter, who battled infertility for over four years and a Director who had three miscarriages. The story is told through the voice of the female lead, Trisha Sen. It is anchored in the cross-cultural friendship that she creates with the second lead, Jennie Gaw. This forms the emotional core of the movie, which is a fresh take on the subject of infertility. The narrative is punctuated with humor and adventure without making light of the subject. The diverse nature of this project opens it up to a much broader international audience. The story ends on an uplifting note, proving a strong cathartic arc. Listen to Jessica and Roma as they discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • How Jessica and Roma became friends and started to make movies together. • Jessica’s experience with miscarriage and how common, and yet not talked about, that experience is. • Roma’s experience with IUI, IVF, and trying to have a second child. • The film making process and working with industry leaders and screen writers to delve into a difficult topic but keep their film upbeat. • Jessica and Roma’s recommendations of movies and shows related to infertility. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ For movie updates visit: https://www.instagram.com/therockwithinmovie/?hl=en or https://www.facebook.com/therockwithinmovie Learn about Jessica: https://www.jessicamcgaw.com/about Learn about Roma: https://www.surcreations.com #BrightFuturesFamilies #GrowingFamilies #Surrogacy #IntendedParents #IVF

Episode 129: Family Inceptions – Eloise Drane

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 02:28:05 -0400

After completing her MBA, Eloise Drane founded Family Inceptions, a full-service surrogacy and egg donation agency. Eloise also hosts Fertility Café, an educational podcast on modern family building, and is the creator of digital courses on independent surrogacy, Surrogacy Roadmap. Eloise knows that compassion and grace are necessary ingredients for the delicate journey that egg donation and gestational surrogacy can be for all parties. She understands the importance of empowerment and encouragement within the family creation process. Eloise’s passion and unparalleled empathy blossomed from her own experience as an egg donor six times and a gestational surrogate three times. When she isn’t guiding others in making family legacies, Eloise can be found fostering the relationships in her own family, reading, traveling, and spending quality time with her husband and children. Listen to Eloise as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • How initial testing showed she wasn’t a match to donate a kidney to her cousin, but she tested again and miraculously matched and donated to him! • Going into egg donation when it was in its infancy, and how things were much different back then. • How she became a surrogate and navigating that conversation with her spouse. • Issues with how medical staff discuss fertility with patients, particularly minorities. • How she founded Family Inceptions to assist people of color to find donors and surrogates. • Her message: use your voice! Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ View Eloise’s agency here: https://familyinceptions.com/ Listen to the Fertility Café here: https://familyinceptions.com/fertility-cafe/ #BrightFuturesFamilies #GrowingFamilies #Surrogacy #IntendedParents #IVF

Episode 128: Surrogacy Struggles in Michigan – Aubrey Gojcaj

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 20:37:19 -0400

Aubrey Gojcaj is a wife, mom, and Michigander, as well as a passionate advocate for eliminating family building obstacles. Medical complications from the birth of her first child ended Aubrey’s ability to be pregnant again. She was thrilled when her sister generously offered to be her surrogate. But the journey to having another child has been made especially difficult by Michigan’s anti-surrogacy laws. Listen to Aubrey as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Aubrey and her spouse’s decision to turn to IVF after a 3 year fertility journey. • The emergency surgery that ended Aubrey’s ability to become pregnant again; but her sister’s life-changing offer to be her surrogate. • The legal restrictions in Michigan criminalizing compensated surrogacy and making altruistic surrogacy difficult. • Why betters laws are so desperately needed in Michigan to catch up to modern science. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Watch Aubrey share her story on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKGL1ZG-dTcAoPfthJnc2qw?app=desktop&feature=emb_ch_name_ex Learn about the Michigan Fertility Alliance here: https://www.mifertilityalliance.com #BrightFuturesFamilies #GrowingFamilies #Surrogacy #IntendedParents #IVF #Michigan

Episode 127: Three Paths To Parenthood – Brett Griffin-Young

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 14:50:45 -0400

Brett and his husband live in England and are proud parents of three children: one through genetic (traditional) surrogacy, one through adoption, and one through gestational surrogacy. Brett regularly appears in the media advocating for and promoting surrogacy and adoption paths to parenthood. Brett is passionate about challenging inaccurate perceptions of surrogacy and adoption and supporting people in understanding and navigating these paths. Listen to Brett as he discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Growing up in Africa, and his family having to flee their home and country. • Being raised in a highly religious household, unaccepting of LGBTQ+ persons. • What happened to make him leave the congregation and move to England. • Meeting his husband through a mutual friend; it was love at first sight! • The ah-ha moment to become parents. • Doing several rounds of IVF and ended up using IUI and traditional surrogacy. • Big events in his life, leading to adoption of their second child. • How he and his husband decided together to embark on a new surrogacy journey, hoping for a third child genetically related to Brett. • Traveling during a pandemic and travel ban for the birth of their third child. • Donating their remaining embryo and the excitement in being a donor. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ #BrightFuturesFamilies #GrowingFamilies #Surrogacy #IntendedParents #IVF

Episode 126: If These Ovaries Could Talk – Robin Hopkins & Jaimie Kelton

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 21:12:17 -0400

Jaimie Kelton and Robin Hopkins meet up each year at the Pride Family Picnic with their wives and kids in tow. That’s when then-pregnant Jaimie pitched Robin the idea to make a podcast about LGBTQ families. One baby and countless beautiful stories later, the popular and award-winning podcast If These Ovaries Could Talk was born. While shining a spotlight on all the different ways nontraditional families get made, Jaimie and Robin share their personal fertility journeys and their parenting adventures. Robin and Jaime are also the co-authors of the book "If These Ovaries Could Talk: The Things We've Learned about Making an LGBTQ Family." If ever there were two people you’d want to hang out with, it’s Jaimie and Robin. You just can’t help but love them. Listen to Robin and Jaimie as they discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • How these two amazing women met and became friends • Forming their separate families via IVF and IUI • Non-Traditional family planning, with or without a partner • Trying to normalize, uplift and bring a positive light to stories through their Podcast • LGBTQ proof of parentage across the US • Supporting access to information for donor conceived children • Resources they recommend Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Robin Hopkins & Jaimie Kelton and their Podcast here: www.ovariestalk.com Read their book If These Ovaries Could Talk: The Things We’ve Learned About Making An LGBTQ Family: https://www.amazon.com/If-These-Ovaries-Could-Talk-ebook/dp/B087ZRKVY6 The Every Body Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083TNS5LT/ref=dbs_p_ebk_dam #BrightFuturesFamilies #GrowingFamilies #Surrogacy #IntendedParents #IVF #OvariesTalk

Episode 125: I’m Very Ferris – Tess Kossow

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 13:08:14 -0400

Entrepreneurship has always been Tess Kossow’s dream profession. And after having her miracle baby boy, Ferris, she realized this was a now-or-never moment to jump in and become an author with a product the world needs. Ferris was her last embryo and the answered prayer of faith, love, and science through IVF. Reading holds a very special place in Tess’s heart, and this next stage of her career has her creating something she is so very passionate about in the lives of children through her picture books: in vitro fertilization. In November 2019, Tess was a finisher in the New York City Marathon. In October 2020, she survived sudden cardiac arrest and was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. Still through it all, she loved to host parties and celebrate life, no matter the occasion! She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Elmhurst College, which is also where she met her best friend and husband, Dan. She has a Havanese named Gatsby and a Siamese cat named James Bond. (Both of which are Ferris’ partners in crime). Tess is a mother, first and foremost, and everything else comes second. She believes you really can have and achieve anything you want…but you are going to have to work for it and expect nothing to be handed to you. Her husband often calls her his real-life Steve Jobs, because of how she lives her life and leads by example for her son to believe in the following: “Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.” Ferris is her inspiration, and her husband, Dan, is the motivation that keeps her running the extra mile in all she does. Listen to Tess as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • How Tess and her husband found themselves needing fertility assistance and IVF. • How her pregnancy changed her lifestyle. • Finding ways to normalize and discuss the struggles of pregnancy and post-partum experiences. • What changed in her view of life to start to write children’s books. • Tess’s story of cardiac arrest and survival. • Her mission to get her story out there and help others. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Tess Kossow and her blog, books and more at https://tesskossow.com/

Episode 124: Embryo Disposition Dilemmas – Melanie Mikkelsen

Wed, 29 Sep 2021 12:42:17 -0400

Melanie has over 20 years working in the field of fertility counseling, with a special interest in third party reproduction, donor embryo programs, and donor screening. She is Secretary of the Mental Health Professional group of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, and has served on the MHPG Tele- Mental Health Task Force, MHPG Coding Task Force, and Gamete and Embryo Donation Guidelines Task Force. She is the past chair of the ASRM Mental Health Mentoring Committee and past member of ASRM Scientific Advisory Board. She is a consultant for Empower Donation, speaker for Fertility IQ, and member of the Society for Ethics for Egg Donation and Surrogacy (SEEDS). She has given numerous presentations and appeared on podcasts surrounding gamete donation, anonymity, and embryo donation. Melanie is a mental health counselor and donor liaison with Seattle Reproductive Medicine, and creator of Hold Hope, LLC, a fertility counseling and advocacy practice. Listen to Melanie as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • A peek into her personal journey with fertility treatments. • How she found her way into working at a fertility center. • How clinics and storage facilities try to plan embryo disposition from day one. • Donating to a friend or family member and the best route in doing so. • Guidance for patients making decisions in their fertility journey. • Stories from the trenches. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about EMPOWER embryo donation education: https://empowerdonation.com/

Episode 123: Your DNA Guide –Diahan Southard and Jayne Ekins

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 03:02:34 -0400

Diahan Southard is a pioneer in the world of DNA testing and family history. She founded Your DNA Guide as a way to teach anyone with DNA how to use it to find out more about themselves and their family. She is the author of Your DNA Guide - the Book, and creator of Your DNA Guide - the Academy, an online learning platform. She spends all her spare time with her three kids and especially looks forward to date night with her handsome husband. Jayne has 23 years of experience in the field of genetic genealogy. She had the extraordinary experience of being mentored by Dr. Scott Woodward and his visionary team that took shape in the earliest days of this burgeoning field. She has been a part of nearly every stage of driving the discovery process forward: field specimen collection, marker selection and assay design, data management and computational processes, analysis, and algorithms, and investigating population-level research questions. She has lectured throughout the United States and international venues on the applications of molecular biology to elucidating ancient and recent genealogical connections. She has authored and co-authored many peer-reviewed scientific publications, as well as general articles on genetic genealogy. It is a pleasure for her to see the accelerating developments in genetic genealogy, and the wide accessibility and application it has for the average human curious about their origins. Listen to Jayne and Diahan, as they discuss with Ellen and Jen: • How the two started out as college friends embarking on a research project together. • How DNA is analyzed and what the results really mean. • Ethnicity results and the clues of family history and groups or communities. • Medical genealogy with DNA testing, possibilities and current challenges. • Issues of anonymity with DNA testing. • Differences between DNA testing companies: values, terms and conditions, and what the companies do with your information. • How does knowledge of your genetic connections affect and/or define your relationships. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Recommended links: Book Link: https://www.yourdnaguide.com/your-dna-guide-the-book First article in in-depth series about ethnicity results: https://www.yourdnaguide.com/ydgblog/2019/4/15/dna-ethnicity-changes-thats-not-what-it-said-before free download about finding birth parents: https://www.yourdnaguide.com/dna-birth-family

Episode 122: Navigating The Aftermath Of An IVF Mix-Up–Donna&Vanner Johnson and Devin&Kelly McNeil

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 04:30:07 -0400

Vanner and Donna Johnson are a married couple, parents of two children, living in Utah. Vanner is a licensed attorney with a strong technology background, currently working in the financial industry in client success. Donna is an elementary educator. Kelly And Devin McNeil are a married couple who are 3 time IVF patients, with 2 failed cycles, then a successful pregnancy resulting in their now 13 year old son. They reside in Colorado. These two couples met because of an inexplicable IVF mix-up, forever connecting the two families. Together they are working to support their children and navigate the best path forward. Listen to Donna, Vanner, Devin and Kelly, as they discuss with Ellen: • How a fun night for the Johnson exploring ancestry through a DNA kit upended their lives. • Discovering Vanner was the genetic father of only one of their sons; results for their second son, conceived via IVF, read “father unknown.” • Facing their fears of the unknown – could the genetic father have rights to their child? • Seeking out the genetic father to support their son’s wishes. • The McNeils getting that call, sure at first that it must be a scam. • Learning the truth, and both families navigating what that truth would mean for the future of their children. • What they hope to gain from a legal action against the clinic. • Advice to families considering taking a DNA test

Episode 121: HeyReprotech – Alison Motluk

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 02:40:50 -0400

Alison Motluk is a Toronto-based freelance journalist who works in print and radio. She has reported widely on the social fallout of reproductive technology, including about the first boy to find his anonymous sperm donor using only his spit and the internet, about the health uncertainties of egg donation, and about the Ottawa fertility doctor who used his own sperm to help patients conceive. She publishes a weekly newsletter, HeyReprotech and Ukraine Surrogacy Dispatches. Listen to Alison as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Major differences in assisted reproductive technology between Canada and the US, including: o Surrogacy o Health insurance o Gamete donation • Fifteen+ years of reporting in the area and some of the most fascinating stories she’s covered, including: o The first donor-conceived person to discover the identity of the donor through a DNA test and the internet o A surrogate who got pregnant with her own child while pregnant with intended parents’ child o A surrogate who underwent a transfer of 4 embryos, and where all took o A Canadian doctor who used his own sperm with unknowing fertility patients Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about HeyReprotech, the weekly newsletter about what's really going on inside assisted reproduction. https://www.facebook.com/HeyReprotechNewsletter Learn more about Ukraine Surrogacy Dispatches and the newsletter: https://ukrainesurrogacydispatches.substack.com/about Learn more about Alison Motluk here! https://www.heyreprotech.com Come visit some of Alison’s stories here! How Canada became an international surrogacy destination Anonymous sperm donor traced on internet. New Scientist. 2005. Anatomy of a surrogacy. She donated eggs to her sister — how did it turn out? First prosecution under Assisted Human Reproduction Act ends in conviction. After pleading guilty for paying surrogates, business is booming for this fertility matchmaker. How often might a surrogate baby actually be the surrogate's own? https://www.heyreprotech.com/p/interested-in-assisted-reproduction.

Episode 120: Intersectional Fertility – Josie Rodriguez-Bouchier

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 04:01:28 -0400

Josie Rodriguez-Bouchier (they/them) is a queer, non-binary, Latinx fertility acupuncturist, and Queer Reproductive Health and Justice advocate. Since 2008, they have been supporting folks with wombs to conceive with the help of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Josie's mission is to re-center queer, trans, and non-binary folks, especially those who are Black, Brown, and Indigenous, in the reproductive healthcare realm and beyond. Josie is the host of The Intersectional Fertility Podcast and creator of the Whole Self Fertility Method™. They live on stolen Cheyenne land, known today as Lakewood, Colorado, with their fiancée, two children, and two rescue pups.

Episode 119: 800+ Siblings – Laura Doe

Thu, 29 Jul 2021 05:50:53 -0400

Episode 119: 800+ Siblings – Laura Doe by I Want to Put a Baby in You!

Episode 118: DNA Test Surprise – Eric Mobley

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 16:57:29 -0400

Eric Mobley is a 27 year old living in Liouville, Kentucky. He works in higher education and has been married for five years. Currently adapting to post-COVID life, Eric shares his story on how this past year has been very different than most. Not only did he have to navigate a pandemic, Eric also found out his family history (and part of his identity) is significantly different than he previously believed. Listen to Eric Mobley as he discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Being raised by older parents. • Finding out as an adult -- through a DNA test --that he was donor conceived. • Learning that a high school classmate was a half-sibling! • Meeting other half siblings and the donor. • Answering medical questions and facing mental health challenges. • Fearing rejection and finding the right support. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 117: Global Principles of Surrogacy- Steve Snyder

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 17:39:25 -0400

Steve Snyder is nationally known for his work helping families with assisted reproduction law. He is the past chair of the American Bar Association's Assisted Reproductive Technology Committee, Family Law Section. Steve has taught numerous reproductive law continuing legal education classes to fellow Minnesota attorneys, as well as to lawyers from across the globe. Many attorneys refer assisted reproductive law cases to him because of his extensive knowledge in the field. Steve has been recognized as a Super Lawyer, and he is also AV Rated (which means judges and fellow attorneys have noted him as having the highest degree of legal ability and ethical standards). Listen to Steve Snyder as he discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • What the ISS (International Social Services) is, what it does, and how it determined its principles on surrogacy. • How surrogacy viewpoints vary around the world. • Where the ISS principles significantly differ with US perspectives. • The international divide over “compensation” of a surrogate. • The differing views of parent-child relationships when there is a lack of genetic connection. • Issues of donor gametes and resulting children’s access to genetic history and identity. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Steve Snyder’s law firm: https://www.snyderlawfirm.com Read the ISS Verona Principles: https://www.iss-ssi.org/images/Surrogacy/VeronaPrinciples_25February2021.pdf

Episode 116: RESOLVE Advocacy Day 2021 - Jesse Feist and Joe Cody

Wed, 19 May 2021 12:00:46 -0400

Jesse Fiest has worked in family-building marketing and content creation for over six years and is proud to be co-chair of RESOLVE's 2020 and 2021 Federal Advocacy Day. She was inspired to take a more active role in advocacy when she began working with gestational carriers and egg donors. "Just seeing women put themselves on the front line as surrogates and donors do, it made me want do contribute in a more meaningful way, to pay forward the luck I have had in my own family-building." Jesse's educational background is in law and cultural anthropology. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and their young daughter. (Jesse REALLY wants to find a West Virginia attendee for AD 2021 so that all 50 states are represented.) Joe Cody has been active in RESOLVE Advocacy Day since 2018, previously serving on the Volunteer Training Committee, as a Maryland State Captain, and as Advocacy Day Co-Chair in 2020. He is dedicated to increasing access to family building options and has been blown away by the support and energy from RESOLVE volunteers. He believes stories from constituents and experts like Advocacy Day attendees move policy, drive support, and create real change. He has lived in Washington DC since 2008, where he has worked for a Member of Congress, served as a health policy consultant, and provided health care related government relations and regulatory analysis for multiple medical associations for over a decade. Listen to Jesse and Joe as they discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • Each of Jesse and Joe’s personal stories that inspired their paths to advocacy. • The incredible – and sometimes intimidating – experience of advocating for a better future. • What RESOLVE Advocacy Day looks like. • How to prepare for advocacy day. • How you can help and get involved! • Sign up for Advocacy Day at http://familybuilding.resolve.org/site/Calendar?id=65200&view=Detail • Contact your legislators through RESOLVE's Letter system at https://p2a.co/u6qlzep Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about RESOLVE: https://resolve.org/

Episode 115: Military Family Building Coalition - Katy Bell Hendrickson and Ellen Gustafson

Wed, 12 May 2021 17:24:09 -0400

Ellen Gustafson is a social entrepreneur, author, activists, and, most importantly, Mom and Military Spouse. She has done extensive work toward food system change (Authoring “We the Eaters: If We Can Change Dinner, We Can Change the World”, Co-Founding Food Tank: the food think tank, giving 4 four TEDx Talks on food system change and advising big food businesses like Barilla and start-ups like Food Stand). She is the Co-Founder of FEED and the FEED Foundation, an early give-back fashion brand that has helped provide over 100 million school meals to children around the world, has been the Co-Director of the Summit Institute since 2016, which applies creative solutions to the world’s biggest challenges and has helped create diversity, inclusion, and anti-harassment programs at multiple conference companies. She is the Mom of three miracle toddlers and lives with them and her husband in “just seasonal enough” Virginia Beach, VA. Katy Bell Hendrickson is a Military Spouse to a retired career Naval Special Warfare officer and mother of five children. She and her husband have experience with adoption, assisted reproduction and third party reproduction. Katy was the Reserve Flag Spouse Advisor for the Command Spouse Leadership School at NLEC in Naval Station Newport, Flag Spouse Advisor for CORE San Diego, and an Advisor to Naval Services FamilyLine in Washington DC. Katy has been active in the Warrior and Family Support Group at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado as a Senior Peer Mentor and has led multiple workshops on Family Building covering the topics of ART and Adoption. In her spare time, she is an architect by education and training - having spent the last decade working mainly in residential design and historic preservation. She is a former Board of Director for the Coronado Historical Association, Chairperson for the Heritage Committee, Chairwoman for the Coronado Historical Home Tour 2017-2019 and the recipient of the Cobb McCarty Preservation Award. Katy is currently on the Women's Committee for the National Museum of Women in the Arts and lives in Washington DC with her husband, youngest son, and twin daughters. Listen to Katy and Ellen as they discuss with (the other) Ellen and Jenn: • How they came about forming the Military Family Building Coalition. • Ellen’s background and infertility journey in the military healthcare system. • Katy’s journey and how she got involved. • The current status of fertility coverage in the military healthcare system. • What MFBC is doing to help families. • How you can help and support MFBC. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Military Family Building Coalition: https://www.militaryfamilybuilding.org/

Episode 114: - Known Sperm Donor --David Dodge

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 12:00:32 -0400

David Dodge is a writer, researcher, and LGBTQ advocate with a special interest in non-traditional families, politics, arts and culture, and travel. He is a regular contributor to The New York Times, and has also written for HuffPost Queer Voices, The Advocate, Travel + Leisure, The Glass Magazine, and more. In 2014, he chronicled the start of his journey as a known sperm donor in "The Sperm Donor Diary," in a series of posts for The New York Times’ Motherlode Blog. David is the Executive Editor of Gay With Kids. He is based in New York City. Listen to David as he discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • His Harvard background and what led him to writing in the infertility world. • His experience as a Mormon gay man from Utah. • Becoming a sperm donor for his friends. • The continued relationship he has with the children from his donation. • His thoughts on kids of his own. • Some advice on being a sperm donor – get a lawyer! • His thoughts on anonymous vs known donations. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about David: https://www.bydaviddodge.com/

Episode 113: Best Shot - Abby Mercado

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 16:39:04 -0400

Abby Mercado is the Co-Founder & CEO of Best Shot, a patient’s companion in fertility treatments. A former venture capital investor, Abby conceptualized Best Shot after her frustrations with IVF medications and the mental health challenges she faced after her infertility diagnosis. Now, on the other side of her fertility experience, Abby is passionate about providing those who struggle to grow their families with the tools to help them succeed with confidence and grace. Listen to Abby as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her early career successes in investments and venture capital. • The start of her infertility journey. • Realizing she made a serious mistake administering her fertility drugs, and miscarrying. • Later having a successful double embryo transfer, but strongly recommending against that path to others. • The complications she faced during the pregnancy. • The inspiration from her journey to start Best Shot. • The mission and rapid growth of Best Shot. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Best Shot: https://bestshotcare.com/

Episode 112: Resolved to Live Childfree - Brooke Kingston

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 18:01:05 -0400

Brooke Kingston has been a volunteer with RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association and an advocate for accessible and affordable family building options for 10 years. After struggling with infertility, Brooke and her husband resolved to be a family of two. They reside in Peoria, Arizona with their three dogs and enjoy golf, cooking, and Netflix binges. Listen to Brooke as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her background and the start of her infertility journey. • Their testing process and learning the results. • Starting to consider the idea of not having children. • Getting involved with RESOLVE and advocacy for infertility. • Her experience with her first advocacy day. • Feeling empowered with advocacy and finding her new calling. • How you can get involved. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about RESOLVE: https://resolve.org/

Episode 111: Connecting Rainbows - Gena Jaffe

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 12:00:33 -0400

Gena is an attorney and Founder of connecting rainbows - an organization that connects members of the LGBTQIA+ community with attorneys who specialize in family formation and estate planning, as well as provides fertility resources so you can start, grow and protect your family. She and her wife have two children via Reciprocal IVF. Listen to Gena as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • “Shopping” for a sperm donor to grow their family. • Deciding on reciprocal IVF to conceive and carry their children. • Facing some complications in trying for their second child. • Overcoming the hurdles. • Her experience giving birth during COVID. • Her professional life and background (spoiler – she’s a lawyer!) • The legal process they had to overcome in their journey. • Forming her new business, Connecting Rainbows. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Connecting Rainbows: https://connectingrainbows.org/ Learn more about Gena: https://genajaffe.com/

Episode 110: 4+ Parents, One Family - Indra Lusero

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 13:00:38 -0400

Indra Lusero is founder of Elephant Circle and the Birth Rights Bar Association. Indra's family has been in the Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado area for generations. As a Queer, Genderqueer, Latinx parent rooted in this region, Indra is attuned to the importance of people on the margins and our role in leading the dismantling of oppressive systems to build a more equitable world. Indra helped pass legislation in Colorado to eliminate the shackling of incarcerated women during pregnancy and birth, to improve midwifery and birth center regulations, and to create more humane policies for families impacted by substance use. Indra also spearheaded the creation of "Birth Rights: A resource for everyday people to defend human rights during labor and birth." Listen to Indra as they discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • Their identity and expressing that in a comfortable, authentic way. • Their first relationship and already thinking of plans for children. • In college, actively envisioning their dream family – including a duplex with an inner door connecting the various parents and their living spaces. • Some of the legal questions and hurtles they faced. • Navigating conception with cross country travel and a yogurt cup. • The birth of their first child. • Moving forward with plans for a second child, but now with another dad in the mix. • The work of blending the different parts of their family. • How they decided on a last name for the kids. • Updates on their family and final thoughts. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Indra Lusero: https://www.elephantcircle.net/ Learn more about Indra's Birth Rights resource: https://birthrightsbar.org/

Episode 109: - Swimming Aimlessly – Jon Waldman

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 13:00:32 -0400

Jon Waldman is a multi-time published author, journalist, marketing and communications professional and photographer. From an early age, Jon knew that he wanted to enter the world of the written word and has scribed articles for the likes of the Toronto Sun, Winnipeg Free Press, The Hockey News, Winnipeg Men Magazine, CBS Sports and several others over his near 20-year career. In 2009, Jon published his first book, SLAM! Wrestling: Shocking Stories from the Squared Circle with Greg Oliver. This was quickly followed in 2011 by Got'em, Got'em, Need'em. In early 2015 his third book, He Shoots He Saves, was released, his third with ECW Press. Jon's fourth book, "100 Things Jets Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die" released in 2015 with Triumph Books and has been his best seller thus far. In 2021, Jon's fifth book, "Swimming Aimlessly", will release with Simon and Schuster's imprint, Tiller Press. Inspired by his TEDx Talk, the book takes a deep look at men and infertility and, in part, tells the story his family has experienced. Listen to Jon as he discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • His sport-loving Canadian background and the beginning of trying to start a family. • Experiencing maca root and other natural remedies for fertility. • Candidly dealing with mental health challenges as part of the infertility journey. • Getting help and finding support. • A surprisingly effective aid…with a wagging tail! • The complicated intersection between religion and IVF. • His awkwardly hilarious experience providing a sperm sample. • Information on his new book, Swimming Aimlessly: One Man's Journey through Infertility and What We Can All Learn from It - coming out March 30, 2021! Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Buy Jon’s book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084GB8KBM/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1

Episode 108: How I Became Your Mother: My Global Surrogacy Journey - Ginanne Brownell

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 17:31:51 -0400

Since beginning her journalistic career in 1993 as an intern at CNN’s Larry King Live, Ginanne Brownell has covered stories in over 45 countries and on six continents. She worked on staff for CNN (Washington, DC) and Newsweek (London) and is currently a London-based freelance writer covering arts, culture, development and education stories. Her writing has been appeared in publications including the New York Times, Financial Times, CNN, Conde Nast Traveller, Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio, Scientific American, Salon, Foreign Policy and Washington Post. She has also done media consulting for UNICEF and J.K. Rowling’s Lumos Charity. Ginanne is the co-founder of she-files.com, a webzine highlighting stories about women written by women. Ginanne is in the process of completing two narrative non-fiction books. "How I Became Your Mother: My Global Surrogacy Journey", is both a personal memoir about becoming a parent through surrogacy and also a journalistic deep dive examining a number of debates, discussions and conversations taking place internationally about surrogacy. Meanwhile her book "Ghetto Classics: How a Youth Orchestra Changed a Nairobi Slum" examines the role that music can play in community development. Most importantly, she is the very proud mom of cheeky but exceedingly sweet three-year-old twins who were born via surrogacy in Illinois. Listen to Ginanne as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her globe-trotting background. • Her infertility journey, including multiple memorable and heartbreaking failed transfers. • Her surrogacy and egg donor journey, with brutal honesty on the emotionally rocky road. • Writing a book about her journey and taking a deep dive into surrogacy worldwide. • The fascinating and unexpected aspects of surrogacy her research uncovered. • An update on her book. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Ginanne: www.ginannebrownell.com Learn about Ginanne’s magazine: https://she-files.com/

Episode 107: The Professor Is In - Jody Madeira

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 13:00:32 -0400

Jody Madeira is a professor of law and co-director of the Center for Law, Society & Culture at the Maurer School of Law at Indiana University. Her scholarly interests involve empirical research; the role of emotion in law; the sociology of law; law, medicine, and bioethics; and the Second Amendment. Her most recent book, Taking Baby Steps: How Patients and Fertility Clinics Collaborate in Conception (University of California Press, 2018), takes readers inside the infertility experience, from dealing with infertility-related emotions to forming treatment relationships with medical professionals, confronting difficult decisions, and negotiating informed consent. Based on a wealth of qualitative and quantitative data (130 patient interviews, 83 interviews with reproductive medical professionals, and 267 patient surveys), Madeira investigates how women, men, and their care providers can utilize trust to collaboratively negotiate infertility’s personal, physical, spiritual, ethical, medical, and legal minefields. Listen to Professor Madeira as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her background and how she got involved in the field. • How own experience with IVF. • The start of her research on infertility stereotypes. • Things that surprised her in her research. • Her interest and role in the case of Dr. Donald Cline and similar “doctor donors”. • Researching the closure in infertility fraud cases. • Her research and thoughts on “sperm tourism” Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Jody: https://law.indiana.edu/about/people/bio.php?name=madeira-jody-l Learn more about Jody’s latest book: https://www.amazon.com/Taking-Baby-Steps-Collaborate-Conception/dp/0520293053

Episode 106: My Surrogacy Journey - Anna Buxton

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 18:36:53 -0400

Like many women, Anna Buxton’s journey to motherhood was far more complicated and painful than she had ever realized was possible. Two missed miscarriages and subsequent surgeries to remove the pregnancies left Anna with severe scarring of the womb -- a condition known as Asherman’s Syndrome. Five operations over 16 months failed to correct the scarring and Anna was told that she would never be able to carry a pregnancy. Anna is now Mum to three children born through surrogacy. She is also part of the team behind a new non-profit UK surrogacy organization that is doing things differently – My Surrogacy Journey. About My Surrogacy Journey: My Surrogacy Journey is a UK surrogacy organization unlike anything that exists. We offer the most extensive emotional, practical, and logistical support that has ever been available to intended parents, surrogates, and egg donors for both domestic and international surrogacy. Listen to Anna as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her complicated and medically harrowing attempts to conceive. • After multiple miscarriages and surgeries, the decision to move to surrogacy. • The restrictions, and exceedingly long wait times, with surrogacy in the UK. • Looking at surrogacy in other countries. • Moving forward with surrogacy in India. • Going through a second journey in the US. • A double embryo transfer and twins. • Being inspired to give back and get involved with My Surrogacy Journey. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about My Surrogacy Journey: https://www.mysurrogacyjourney.com

Episode 105: The Science of Sociology and Surrogacy - Zsuzsa Berend

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 04:54:10 -0400

Professor Zsuzsa Berend teaches sociology at the University of California, Los Angeles and is the academic administrator of the sociology departmental Honors program. For over a decade, she has been doing ethnographic research on an online surrogacy support forum and published on surrogacy-related topics in Medical Anthropology, Sociological Forum, and American Anthropologist. Zsuzsa’s book, “The Online World of Surrogacy” presents a methodologically innovative ethnography of SurroMomsOnline.com, the largest surrogacy support website in the United States. Surrogates’ views emerge from the stories, debates, and discussions that unfold online. The Online World of Surrogacy documents these collective meaning-making practices and explores their practical, emotional, and moral implications. In doing so, the book works through themes of interest across the social sciences, including definitions of parenthood, the symbolic role of money, reproductive loss, altruism, and the moral valuation of relationships. Listen to Zsuzsa as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her academic path from 19th-century spinsters to 21st century surrogates. • Her decade-long research following an online surrogacy forum. • Her experience with online “trolls”. • The controversial and sensitive discussion topics she observed. • How views and procedures evolved as her research progressed. • An update on her research and what happened with SurroMomsOnline.com. • Her closing thoughts and insights. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Pick up your copy of The Online World of Surrogacy: The Online World of Surrogacy (Fertility, Reproduction and Sexuality: Social and Cultural Perspectives, 35): 9781785332746: Medicine & Health Science Books @ Amazon.com

Episode 104: Fifteen Months In Thailand - Bud Lake

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 13:00:20 -0400

Bud Lake is originally from New Jersey and moved to Madrid, Spain in 2001 to learn Spanish. Almost 20 years later he is still in Spain and now married with children. Bud met Manuel in Madrid in 2010 and moved to Valencia to live with him in 2011. In 2012 they were married and in 2013 their first son Álvaro was born via surrogacy in India. In 2015 their daughter Carmen was born in Thailand. Every surrogacy journey is its own special and unique journey. Listen to Bud as he discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • His background and moving to Spain. • Meeting the love of his life. • Trying to grow their family through international surrogacy. • Their first journey through India. • Some of the bumps along the way. • Starting a second journey with Thailand. • Thailand surrogacy scandals and political unrest affecting their journey. • The birth of their second child and meeting the surrogate for the first time. • The start of a parental rights nightmare. • Heading to court when the surrogate wanted to keep the baby. • A happy conclusion. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Check out Bud and Manuel’s website: http://www.twogaypapas.com/ Follow Bud and Manuel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twogaypapas/

Episode 103: Breaking Ground For LGBTQ+ Parents - Dr. Ringler

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 17:46:32 -0400

Dr. Guy Ringler is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He is a proud partner with California Fertility Partners. As a child, Dr. Ringler grew up in suburban Detroit, the son of a barber and a school bus driver, with his three sisters. He graduated with honors from the University of Michigan, followed by medical school in Detroit at Wayne State University, where he received the class award for highest honors in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Ringler completed post-graduate training at the University of Chicago and the University of Pennsylvania, where he received awards for his research on placental function. Following years of clinical study and basic science research, Dr. Ringler moved west in 1990, to practice reproductive medicine with the founding physicians of California Fertility Partners. Dr. Ringler has established a loyal patient following in Southern California and has developed an international reputation for expertise in reproductive medicine – especially surrogacy and third-party reproduction. His patients travel from Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa for his medical care. Dr. Ringler was one of the world’s first physicians to help gay men have babies through egg donation and surrogacy. He is committed to helping all members of the LGBTQ community fulfill their dreams of having children and building families. Listen to Dr. Ringler as he discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • What led him to the assisted reproductive technologies field. • The evolution of fertility treatment throughout his career. • The stark differences between treatment and success rates then and now. • Making the choice to help patients refused by other doctors. • His thoughts on the new Supreme Court nomination. • The progress America has made for gay rights. • Newer family building options, such as reciprocal IVF. • Stories over the years from his practice. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Dr. Ringler: https://www.californiafertilitypartners.com/

Episode 102: Found in Translation - Gloria Li

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 16:52:47 -0400

Gloria has a unique combination of interpersonal and technical skills, having been both an events planner and an IT specialist. Over the years, she has executed and designed trade shows with clients that include high-profile celebrities, Fortune 500 corporations for IT World Canada, and OutsourceWorld LLC. Gloria now manages a team of case managers and heads donor and surrogacy programs at Donor Concierge. Gloria has worked in the fertility field since 2013 and is an expert on egg donation, gestational surrogacy, and fertility care management. Her warm and enthusiastic personality, along with flawless precision and attention to detail, has helped contribute to her success and client satisfaction. Gloria speaks fluent Mandarin and English. She is married with three young children. Listen to Gloria as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her unique career path leading to Donor Concierge. • Handling the cultural differences working with Asian clients. • Navigating the language barrier. • The fascinating differences in gift giving culture. • How recent severe travel restrictions have impacted her clients’ journeys. • Tips and advice for anyone looking to work with international clients. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Donor Concierge: https://www.donorconcierge.com/

Episode 101: Ghosts of the Republique Stars - Aurelian and Nicolas

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 07:09:32 -0400

Aurelian and Nicolas are the main subjects of the newly released documentary, Ghosts of the Republique, which follows the couple’s international journey to become parents through gestational surrogacy The documentary also explores the controversy surrounding surrogacy causing the continued prohibition of the practice in France and other countries. Listen to Aurelian and Nicolas as they discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • Their romantic meeting. • Their experience coming out to their parents. • The start of their long journey to realize their dream of being parents. • How they came about documenting their surrogacy experience. • France’s views on surrogacy. • Some of the questions they receive from people who don’t understand surrogacy. • Their relationship with their surrogate. • What shocked them the most about the journey. • How documenting the journey impacted the experience. • The best and worst moments of the journey. • Their advice to intended parents considering surrogacy. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Ghosts of the Republique: Coming Soon (ghostsoftherepublique.com)

Episode 100: Ghosts of the Republique- Jonathon Narducci

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 13:00:31 -0400

Jonathon Narducci is an award-winning commercial and music video director and cinematographer. He graduated from the University of Iowa, receiving his BA in Film and Comparative Literature with a focus in documentary filmmaking. Prior to the University of Iowa, Jonathon studied art and photography in Paris through Parsons School of Design. It was the time spent in Paris that ignited his love for cinema. Jonathon’s feature-length directorial debut, Love Me, was an official selection at HotDocs Film Festival in Toronto. The film’s premier and success at HotDocs led to its distribution in over 20 countries worldwide. Additionally, Love Me is currently available for streaming on Netflix. His sophomore feature documentary, Ghosts of the Republique, is currently in post-production. The film follows the trials and tribulations of a gay French couple attempting to have a child through surrogacy, despite France’s national ban against surrogacy. Jonathon has also worked as the Director of Photography on the critically acclaimed international film, Out of the Village, which has premiered at more than 70 film festivals around the world. Listen to Jonathon as he discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • His background and how he started in documentary films. • A synopsis of Ghosts of the Republique. • The most shocking moment for him during the process. • Exploring the intricacies of international (anti-)surrogacy law. • The difficult logistics of trying to film the birth. • An update on everyone from the film. • His thoughts on key takeaways. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Jonathon: http://www.jnarducci.com/

Episode 98: Andrology and Spermergencies - Sarah Everist

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 20:24:05 -0400

Sarah Everist is an andrologist with a prominent fertility clinic in Colorado. She has a decade of laboratory experience under her belt, ranging from infectious disease testing to manufacturing quality control. Sarah has demonstrated a clear passion for IVF/Fertility and a gift for turning that passion into quality laboratory performance. Clinically she is skilled in gamete cryopreservation, comprehensive semen analysis, sperm preparation for treatment, cell culture, embryonic assessment, ELISA, PCR, venipuncture and data analysis. Her passion is not only for effective and accurate laboratory practice but also for dedicated patient care, connection and compassion. Listen to Sarah as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her background and how she became an andrologist. • What exactly an andrologist is and does. • What her day to day looks like. • Some funny stories in her life as an andrologist -- dealing up close with the awkwardness of patients and sperm! • Her advice to patients. • Tips for sperm. • “Spermergency.” Used in a sentence and examples given. • Her words of wisdom for those interested in andrology. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 97: My Mom Carried My Triplets – Dr. Camille Hammond

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 12:00:24 -0400

Dr Camille Hammond is a passionate leader wife and mother. She is national expert in reproductive health and adoption education support advocacy and philanthropy. She is also the owner of the publishing house Guud Books about Tough Topics and the author of several books. She is the co founder and CEO of the Tinina Q Cade Foundation (CadeFoundation.org) and her articles have been published in both peer reviewed journals and magazines and newspapers throughout the US. Listen to Dr. Hammond as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her background and the start of her infertility journey. • The feeling of isolation during her journey. • Her mother offering to be a surrogate for her child. • A triple embryo transfer and all 3 taking! • Becoming a mother of triplets. • Starting a non-profit, the Cade Foundation. • How they raise money for families struggling with infertility. • How they review applicants for grants. • Upcoming virtual events and how you can help. • How they have adapted with COVID. • How you can learn more and get involved. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about the Cade Foundation: https://www.cadefoundation.org/ Learn more about Dr. Hammond: https://camillehammond.com/

Episode 96: The Secret Life Of An Embryologist - Glenn Proctor

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 12:00:38 -0400

Glenn Proctor has been immersed in the fields of IVF and genetics for over 16 years. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina and Masters in Health Administration from the Medical University of South Carolina. His science career began at the Greenwood Genetic Center, where he was trained in procedures for diagnosing genetic conditions. Glenn's passion for helping patients eventually propelled him into the unique field of embryology. Glenn is drawn to the daily challenges that each IVF case presents; and ultimately the reward of seeing patients achieve their dream of building their family. Glenn has been with Conceptions since 2010 where he operates as the Chief Scientific Director. In Glenn's spare time, he likes to spend quality time with his family and participate in all the various outdoor activities that Colorado has to offer. Glenn is an avid hunter, fisherman, camper, and skier, so Colorado is the perfect playground. Listen to Glenn as he discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • How he went from a mortuary to embryology. • Advice and information for those considering a career in embryology. • The importance of technology in IVF. • Tips for getting accurate success rates for clinics. • The truth about embryo grades. • How the lab has adjusted in COVID times. • A couple unexpectedly crazy stories. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Glenn and Conceptions Reproductive Associates of Colorado: https://www.conceptionsrepro.com/

Episode 95: Our Daughter Is American, Too - Derek Mize & Jonathan Gregg

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 12:00:29 -0400

Derek Mize and Jonathan Gregg are a married couple that, like others, dreamed one day of becoming parents. When their daughter was born in 2018 by surrogacy in the United Kingdom they were overjoyed. Given that both dads are US citizens and legally recognized as their daughter’s parents, they never imagined that their baby daughter would be denied recognition as a US citizen, too. But she was! With the help of Immigration Equality, Lambda Legal, and pro bono counsel from Morgan Lewis, they brought suit against the US government in order for their family to remain intact and their daughter to receive the recognition of citizenship she was entitled to. Listen to Derek and Jonathan as they discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • How they met through their swim teams – love at first sight! • How the topic of children came up. • Their wedding night and one of Jonny’s friends offering to be their surrogate. • Creating their embryos. • Moving in with their surrogate during the pregnancy and the village that embraced their family. • The birth of their beautiful baby girl. • Trying to apply for citizenship for their daughter and the start of their legal dilemma. • The ups and downs of the lawsuit process. • Getting the amazing news that they won their case and their daughter received her rightful citizenship! • An update on their family and their future. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 94: Nightmare Judge Orphans Surrogate-Born Child - Jay Timmons and Rick Olson

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 18:35:47 -0400

Jay Timmons and Rick Olson, a Virginia-based couple, started their family with the help of surrogacy. They had two amazing daughters and thought their family was complete when a friend asked if they would be willing to consider an embryo donation. For their third child, the dads were matched with a surrogate in Wisconsin. However, just weeks before the birth of their son, a new judge was appointed to their case, for what they thought were routine judicial proceedings. The judge’s extreme views lead their family to experience a nightmare of epic proportions. Listen to Jay and Rick’s remarkable story of perseverance through unimaginable hardship, and their dedication to ensure that no other parent experience the same pain. They discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • Their background and the start of their journey in Virginia. • Exploring adoption but being told they would have to lie about their sexuality. • Turning to surrogacy and having two baby girls. • Receiving two embryos from a friend and conceiving a baby boy. • A new judge taking their case in Wisconsin and appointing a guardian ad litem. • The judge’s ruling characterizing them as human traffickers(!) and denying them parental rights of their son. • The judge (fortunately) resigning. • Being assigned a new judge who overturned the nightmare judge’s ruling. • Working to change the laws in Virginia and elsewhere to make sure this doesn’t happen to others. • The passing of Jacob’s Law. • Their advice to hopeful parents. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 93: A Happy Next Chapter - Andrea Syrtash

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 15:47:15 -0400

Andrea Syrtash is a Relationship Expert and the Founder of pregnantish.com, the first media site exclusively dedicated to helping singles, couples & LGBT navigate fertility treatments and infertility. A regular on-air personality, Andrea’s hosted television shows for Oprah’s OWN, Discovery and Fox; and regularly appears as a guest expert on TV and radio shows across the country. She’s the author of popular books including, “He’s Just Not Your Type (And That’s a Good Thing)” and “Cheat On Your Husband (With Your Husband)” published by Penguin-Random House. Andrea frequently speaks about how to improve relationships, most recently at the TEDx ‘Makers’ Conference, and is the host of the Pregnantish Podcast, which captures the stories of people who built their families against all odds. Andrea is committed to breaking the taboo of infertility, and elevating the conversation about what it takes to start a family for millions of people today. Listen to Andrea as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Recap of the previous episode (go back and listen to Episode 20 for the full story!). • Learning she needed a gestational carrier. • After several emotionally draining bumps in the road, her amazing cousin volunteering to be her gestational carrier. • Becoming a mom to a baby girl! • Continuing to be a vital part of and supporting the infertility community. • Exciting updates with Pregnantish. • Check out one of its latest resources to improve the patient-provider experience: http://pregnantishverified.com/. • How you can support and be supported by Pregnantish. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Pregnantish: https://pregnantish.com/ Learn more about Pregnantish’s new program for healthcare providers: Pregnantish Verified www.pregnantishverified.com Check out the Pregnantish podcast: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/pods/pregnantish

Episode 92: Infertility in Israel Births an American Non-Profit - Elana Frank

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 15:59:08 -0400

Elana (Bekerman) Frank, a native of Atlanta, GA, lived, studied, and worked in Maryland, Manhattan, Israel, and New Jersey. She has 20 years of experience working with non-profits (in America and in Israel) in fundraising, marketing, community outreach, volunteer recruitment, Board development and program development. Elana Frank "birthed" The Jewish Fertility Foundation. It took her ten years and countless rounds of IUI and IVF cycles and embryo donation to make three babies. Because she was a resident of Israel at that time of her first two children, their socialized medicine afforded her the opportunity to inexpensively reach a solution. When she returned to the US, she realized that others weren’t as lucky as her - in terms of treatment success, community support, and financial aid. She learned for others it takes years, miscarriages, unbearable debt, oceans of tears, and heartache before finally giving birth, if at all. And with the cost of IVF ranging on average from $14,000 - $25,000 in America, many don’t even have a chance for a chance. Knowing that there was this grave need for funding, support, and enhanced awareness of this sometimes “unspoken” issue in the Jewish community, she decided to create Jewish Fertility Foundation. Listen to Elana as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her background, the start of her infertility journey, and moving to Israel. • Undergoing IVF in Israel, for free! • Having two children and still wanting another. • Moving back to America. • Experiencing the drastically different American system of fertility treatment. • Not having success with IVF and looking into adoption. • A friend telling her about embryo donation. • Starting her fertility organization, jewishfertilityfoundation.org • How The Jewish Fertility Foundation supports those with fertility struggles. • How you can help and show your support.

Episode 91: Fraudulent Insemination - Maia Emmons-Boring

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 12:00:33 -0400

Maia Emmons-Boring was interested in her family’s genealogy and, like millions of others, took an at home DNA test to learn more. Initially, her results did not appear surprising. However, about 6 months later, at a New Year’s Eve party she received a message from Ancestry.com that an unknown sibling was trying to contact her. That message would open a Pandora’s box that she never imagined. Maia grew up with two younger sisters and wonderful parents. She was born in Colorado but raised in Southern California. Eleven years ago, she left California for Texas. She is married to her high school sweetheart and has four children. Over the last year and a half, after finding out she was donor-conceived -- and more shockingly, that her mother’s fertility doctor was the “donor” – she has become a fertility fraud activist. She worked with lawmakers in Colorado to successfully pass a fertility fraud bill. She plans on continuing to work with lawmakers in various states and at the federal level to change laws to better protect victims. Listen to Maia as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Receiving a message from an unexpected half-sibling on New Year’s Eve. • Connecting the dots that her father was not her biological father. • Meeting with her newly found biological sisters. • Confronting her parents on the use of a sperm donor. • Learning she and her sisters were conceived via a sperm donor. • Hearing the conceptions stories of her other half-sisters and noticing similarities. • Starting to suspect the fertility doctor was actually the donor. • Learning of 15 half siblings all conceived from the same doctor/ donor. • Figuring out how to move forward and finding an attorney to represent them. • Moving forward with a lawsuit against the doctor. • Writing of a bill to hold doctors accountable. • Her work advocating and trying to create change. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 90: 16 and Pregnant; 30 and Infertile - Erin Kiernan

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 16:11:56 -0400

Erin Kiernan is a news anchor and journalist for WHO 13 News in Des Moines, Iowa. Erin is the recipient of several regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for her reporting work. Erin earned a National Edward R. Murrow Award in 2012 with photojournalists Brandon McCauley and Randy Schumacher for a story about Iowan Mark Block overcoming impossible odds to climb Sears Tower in Chicago. Erin has also received regional Emmy Awards in the feature, consumer, and instructional categories. Listen to Erin as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her background and journaling career. • Flashing back to being 16 and finding out she was pregnant. • Telling her parents. • Seeing her doctor and considering her options. • Finding and meeting the adoptive family for her child in a surprising way. • Giving birth to her son and the complications. • Her relationship with her son. • How her life continued after the adoption. • Getting married and trying to grow their family. • The start of their infertility journey. • The ups and downs of her infertility journey but the happy endings of the birth of their children. • Becoming an advocate for adoption. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 89: The Broken Brown Egg - Regina Townsend

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 16:11:12 -0400

Regina Townsend is the founder of The Broken Brown Egg, an awareness and service organization founded in the summer of 2009 to increase awareness of African American Infertility and Reproductive Health. As a black woman, Regina found a very quiet life in infertility. She believed that should change, so that no one else will have to feel like the lone wolf of their family. Infertility is lonely enough without feeling like a minority inside of a minority. Regina’s infertility was due to PCOS, Hypothyroidism, blocked fallopian tubes, and Type 2 diabetes. She and her husband dabbled with pill abuse (Clomid), lied to all their family members, “NO, we are NOT nearly ready for children!”, and took a painful trip into parenting purgatory (Foster Care/Kinship Placement). In 2015, they were blessed with the opportunity to try IVF, and had their son in 2016. Librarian by profession and writer by passion, Regina considers writing and reading to be one of the most personal forms of communication, entertainment and education. Listen to Regina as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • How she started The Broken Brown Egg. • The start of her infertility journey. • Finding a doctor that really listened to her. • Their attempt at adoption. • Moving forward with IVF and overcoming a fear of needles. • Learning the results of the transfer. While at work. In a shared office space. • Learning she was pregnant but being afraid to tell family members. • Trying to fit in with other pregnant women and her infertility peers. • Helping herself and helping others. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about The Broken Brown Egg: http://thebrokenbrownegg.org/

Episode 88: Jenn and Holly

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 13:00:19 -0400

Jen and Holly are a Denver based couple blessed with two beautiful children conceived with the help of assisted reproductive technology. Their journey to parenthood involved experiences most couples never encounter – including marrying three times (with zero divorces!) and each watching the other go through pregnancy and childbirth. Listen as they share their story with Ellen and Jenn, including: • Holly asking Jen the kid question on their first date. • Their 3(!) weddings. • How they chose their sperm donor. • Meeting with parents of other children conceived from their donor. • The experience of seeing your spouse pregnant and then becoming pregnant. • Their thoughts on how they will share their children’s birth stories with them. • How their 2-year-old handled her new baby brother coming home. • Things that shocked them during the journey. • Their advice to considering a similar path. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Episode 87: Ukrainian Surrogacy Misadventures - Jay Nault

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 12:00:36 -0400

Jay Nault is a proud husband of over ten years and proud father of three children. He owns an online marketing consulting firm. He is also a writer with an upcoming book about his and his wife’s surrogacy experience. In the meantime, you can read more on his blog at flipflopsinkiev.com. Listen to Jay as he discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • How he met his wife and had their first daughter through IVF. • Wanting to have a sibling for their daughter but IVF being too dangerous for his wife. • Being introduced to the possibility of surrogacy in Ukraine. • Learning of all the unexpected hurdles with Ukrainian surrogacy. • Worst sperm donation experience ever! • Trying to review the surrogacy legal agreement in Ukrainian. • Multiple failed embryo transfers and deciding not to continue. • Changing their minds and having some luck that allowed them to move forward. • Finding out they were having twin boys! • The Ukrainian hospital experience. • Post-birth complications and adventures. • The relief of finally coming home. • Update on the book release. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Read Jay’s blog: https://www.flipflopsinkiev.com/

Episode 86: NPE (Not Parent Expected) - Kara Rubinstein Deyerin

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 12:00:27 -0400

Kara Rubinstein Deyerin is an NPE (not parent expected), mom, wife, Jew, writer, cook, knitter, and connoisseur of all things human. Two years ago she wanted to see where in Africa her father's family came from. Her over-the-counter DNA test revealed she was 50% something, but it wasn't from any African ethnicity. This meant the man on her birth certificate couldn't be her genetic father. She lost her bi-racial identity with the click of a mouse. Kara discovered she was 50% Ashkenazi Jew. The DNA pandora's box she opened led to an identity crisis. She's a passionate advocate for genetic identity rights. Read her blog about being Unexpectedly Jewish (www.UnexpectedlyJewish.com) in Seattle. Kara also co-founded the non-profit organization Right To Know which helps to educate the public and professionals on the complexities of the intersection of genetic information, identity, and family dynamics. Visit www.RightToKnow.us to learn more. Listen to Kara as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • The definition of NPE. • Her family history and upbringing. • The culture shock when moving to live with her grandparents. • Deciding to take a DNA Ancestry test. • Coping with the shock of learning she is not who she thought she was. • Talking with her mother about the results and learning of her conception. • The journey of trying to find her genetic father and his side of the family. • The touching reaction of her non biological father. • What she is doing to help fellow NPEs. • Her thoughts on anonymous donations. • How you can help support her non-profit, “Right To Know” and other NPE’s. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Kara’s non-profit: www.RightToKnow.us

Episode 85: Embryo Mix-Up Shocker – Attorney Eric Wrubel

Wed, 27 May 2020 15:30:40 -0400

Eric Wrubel’s legal practice is devoted to handling complex family and matrimonial matters. He is accomplished in negotiating the amicable dissolution of marriages as well as taking these cases to trial if settlement is not possible. Eric has dealt with a large variety of issues in family and matrimonial matters, including complex equitable distribution questions, novel support and custody issues, as well as being on the forefront in same-gender marital issues. A skilled trial lawyer and appellate advocate, Eric was involved in the trial and appeal of the seminal case in New York dealing with the validity of foreign pre-nuptial agreements. He has litigated, written and lectured extensively on same gender marriage and divorce, civil unions, domestic partnerships and their tax consequences. Listen to Eric as he discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • The start of this incredible story, get your pens and paper ready! • Couple M – Eric’s clients. • Couple Q – Asian couple/ birth mom. • Couple T – Armenian couple. • All couples used the same California fertility clinic. • Couple M gets call for a paternity test for “quality control” • Couple M learning their embryo was transferred to Couple Q. • Couple T’s embryo also transferred to Couple Q. • Couple Q only transferred female embryos, but pregnant with twin boys. • Couple Q give birth to “twin” Armenian boys, not Asian, like them. • The emotional court ruling that Couple Q give the babies over to Couple T and Couple M. • The fertility clinic’s response to the mix-up. • Eric (happily) admits to being wrong on a previous episode. • Eric’s next exciting case. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Eric’s law firm: https://www.wbny.com/

Episode 84: UpRooted - Jill Wolfe and Naomi Less

Wed, 20 May 2020 15:59:49 -0400

Naomi Less is an internationally renowned singer, composer, musician, educator and a Founding Ritual Leader of the Lab/Shul community. Aside from touring and leading worship for her Lab/Shul community, Naomi has a national presence as a powerful feminist in the Jewish music world - she hosts her show “Jewish Women Rock show” on Jewish Rock Radio and co-created and co-stars in “TRYmester”, a touring musical performance piece about fertility journeys. She serves as Vice President for Uprooted: A Jewish Response to Fertility Journeys. She is beloved by communities where she’s served as an artist-in-residence both for her performance and her creative spiritual leadership and facilitation. If you want to hear Naomi’s original music, check her out on spotify, on LabShul.org or anywhere you hear or watch music. Jill Wolfe and her husband struggled with unexplained infertility for 4.5 years before having their first child, Eliana, via a gestational surrogate. There were many years of sadness, failed IVFs, and finally elation with the joy of finally becoming a parent. A couple years later their daughter Mia was born via their same surrogate. Jill lives in Minneapolis with her husband, two angels and dog Jojo. Jill has a Master’s in Education and was a bilingual Spanish teacher before having children. Since having children, she has been working in medical sales and is currently working in Biotechnology at Shire specializing in rare disease. Listen to Jill and Naomi as they discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • Naomi and her 7-year fertility journey. • Jill and her journey to, and through, surrogacy. • The rocky road of clomid, multiple failed transfers, and learning of other options. • The joys of learning her surrogate was pregnant and the birth of her daughter. • A second journey. • Naomi discovering the reason for her infertility. • The surprising responses she received for sharing her infertility journey. • Creating vows to get through her infertility journey. • Coming to the realization she needed an egg donor. • Coming up with the funds for the egg donation. • The formation of UpRooted! Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about UpRooted: https://weareuprooted.org/

Episode 83: Stuck Abroad - Carolin Topelson

Wed, 13 May 2020 16:51:58 -0400

Carolin is originally from Mexico City. Her family moved to Denver when she was five, where she has lived most of her life. Carolin practices in the areas of real estate related litigation and business litigation. Specifically, Carolin’s practice has primarily focused on landlord-tenant law (both commercial and residential evictions and review of leases), mechanic liens, general real estate matters, homeowner association issues, partition of real estate, business disputes, and contracts. In her spare time, Carolin likes to ski, be with family, cook, travel and volunteer for different causes. Listen to Carolin as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her dual citizenship background. • Her infertility journey leading to gestational surrogacy. • Learning of connections and options in Mexico. • Finally, a successful pregnancy! • Meeting her now husband shortly after the surrogacy embryo transfer. • Finding out she was pregnant!! • The birth, by surrogate, of her son • The nightmare of the US consulate refusing to issue a passport to her son, and no clear path to getting home. • Finding help in an unexpected place. • Her advice to those considering surrogacy in Mexico. • An update on her beautiful family. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Carolin’s law firm: www.topelsonlaw.com/

Episode 82: Beware of the Home DNA Kit - Danielle Teuscher and Jill Teitel

Fri, 01 May 2020 12:00:48 -0400

Episode 82: Beware of the Home DNA Kit - Danielle Teuscher and Jill Teitel by I Want to Put a Baby in You!

Episode 81: Father, Attorney, Advocate - Ryan Ferrante

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 02:40:06 -0400

Ryan's career as an Assisted Reproduction Technology attorney was born of a personal, four-year infertility struggle shared with his wife. This challenging experience to start his own family gives Ryan a unique perspective - one of an intended father, a party to a gestational surrogacy agreement, and an experienced attorney - to fully understand the emotional, practical, and legal issues facing patients when pursuing infertility treatments. Ryan earned his J.D. from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago and Bachelor's Degree in Finance from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Ryan is a professional member of RESOLVE, the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Chicago Bar Association. Listen to Ryan as he discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Ryan’s background. • The start of his and his wife’s infertility journey. • Their loss of their first pregnancy and realizing that surrogacy is their only option. • Preparing for their first egg retrieval. • Beginning the process of trying to find an agency to find a surrogate. • Some requirements they had when searching for a surrogate. • Matching with their superhero surrogate. • The birth of their healthy baby boy. (Yay!) • The impact of his infertility journey and deciding to change careers. • Becoming an active advocate for others struggling with infertility. • RESOLVE Advocacy Day and how you can get involved. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Ryan’s law firm: https://www.ryanferrantelaw.com/ Learn more about Resolve: https://resolve.org/

Episode 80: Courts, Covid, and Custody: A Hot Debate

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 12:00:33 -0400

Attorneys Eric Wrubel and Sophie Jacobi-Parisi are law partners at Warshaw Burstein in New York. Both practice in the area of complex family and matrimonial law. A heated email conversation between Eric and Sophie over shocking Covid-19 custody rulings, and the appropriate role of the court system, inspired this moderated debate. And given the medical issues involved we brought in an expert, emergency room physician Dr. Christina Yannetsos. Eric Wrubel has dealt with a large variety of issues in family and matrimonial matters, including complex equitable distribution questions, novel support and custody issues, as well as being on the forefront in same-gender marital issues. Despite his extensive credentials and easy going manner, Eric will confess that Sophie is much more likeable and that he is quickly forgotten once his friends and admirers meet her. Sophie Jacobi-Parisi concentrates her practice in all areas of matrimonial and family law. She is experienced handling complicated custody cases, particularly custody matters involving children with special needs. Sophie is experienced in negotiating prenuptial, separation and settlement agreements and she also has litigation and trial experience in New York’s Family and Supreme courts. Dr. Christina Yannetsos qualified for and attended the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. After an injury stopped her from competing, she pursued her life-long passion of caring for patients. She graduated from the University of Colorado with honors, completed medical school and a residency in Emergency Medicine, becoming a Board-Certified Physician. Christina is a passionate advocate and -- more importantly than the doctor or Olympics stuff -- a former guest of the podcast. Listen to the debate with Ellen and Jenn: • Eric, Christina, and Sophie’s background. • Medical workers losing custody because of their risk of exposure to Covid-19. • The steps medical professionals are taking to protect themselves and their families. • Who needs to make the decision on custody issues during the pandemic? • Other first responders that are at risk of these custody issues. • Why the courts need to set up procedures and access to court proceedings to work out these issues. • Is self-help the answer? Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903 Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Eric and Sophies law firm: https://www.wbny.com/

Episode 79: Surrogacy In The Time Of COVID - Robin Pope

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 12:00:25 -0400

Robin Pope is an ART Attorney in Oregon with more than 25 years of adoption and family formation law. Robin graduated from Lewis & Clark Law School in 1981, when adoptions were closed, surrogacy as a solution to female infertility was a recent development, and assisted reproductive technologies such as gestational surrogacy, egg donations, and embryo transfers were newly emerging methods for family building. After her personal experience with infertility, her law practice shifted its focus from family law to adoption and family formation law. Robin is a member of the Oregon State Bar and a Fellow in the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys. In addition to representing adoptive parents, birth parents, surrogates, and intended parents for the past 20 years, Robin has represented the position of the Oregon State Bar on adoption and surrogacy issues. Listen to Robin as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her background and how she started practicing ART Law. • Transitioning from Family Law to adoptions and eventually ART Law • Handling the first surrogacy case in Oregon. • How her life and the surrogacy world has changed in Oregon due to the Covid-19 pandemic. • The impact of the travel restrictions and closing of passport agencies. • Families stuck overseas while their baby is born in the U.S. Now who cares for the baby? • Status of the Oregon courts and parentage orders. • How the courts are helping the surrogacy process. • Her thoughts on how future surrogacy arrangements will be impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903 Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Robin’s law firm: http://www.robinpope.com/

Episode 78: An Insider’s View on Italy and COVID-19 - Ida Parisi

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 12:00:33 -0400

Ida Parisi is a lawyer in Italy specializing in fertility law and family law. She assists couples and singles to build their families through assisted reproductive technology. She also acts as an independent consultant for fertility centers and sperm and egg banks. Listen to Ida as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • An update on her first-hand experience of the COVID-19 quarantine in Italy. • Adjusting to working from home and staying home during the pandemic. • The general mood of the people of Italy. • Europe and Italy’s current stance on IVF. • Her thoughts on the future of IVF after the pandemic passes. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903 Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Ida’s law firm: https://www.avvocatoidaparisi.com/en/

Episode 77: Experiencing Surrogacy - Emily Field and Melissa Fleck

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 12:00:20 -0400

Emily Field and Melissa Fleck are co-authors of “Experiencing Surrogacy.” Emily overcame a long, hard, and emotional road for her to finally become a mom with the help of Melissa, her gestational carrier. Emily is very open about her fertility journey and feels that, when you go through something difficult in life, who better than you to do something about it for others. Emily and her husband Gregg started Field Fertility in 2016, which is a legal and consulting business working with intended parents, surrogates, egg donors, sperm donors, and embryo donors. Melissa currently spends her time as a mom to two very active kids, is a wife to a hardworking law enforcement officer, and is an active member of the surrogacy community. She has been working at the Center for Surrogate Parenting, Inc. since 2016, where she is a surrogate case manager. Having been a surrogate herself, she gets to pay it forward by interviewing and guiding potential surrogates on their surrogacy journey, working for the same agency that brought her and her intended parent and coauthor, Emily, together. Melissa also enjoys working out at her local boot camp-style gym, watching her kids play sports, attending Dodgers games, spending time with friends and extended family, and watching as many movies as she can. Listen to Emily and Melissa as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • How they came about co-writing a book on their surrogacy journey together. • Emily’s infertility journey. • Melissa decision process on becoming a surrogate. • Emily and Melissa addressing the stigmas with surrogacy. • Discussing the embryo transfer and other aspects of their journey. • Tips and advice from Emily and Melissa. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Buy “Experiencing Surrogacy” on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Experiencing-Surrogacy-Perspective-Surrogates-Pregnancy/dp/1734034408

Episode 76: - Creating Ohana Through Surrogacy - Ashley Mareko

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 16:31:15 -0400

Born and raised on the big island of Hawaii, Ashley Mareko knows the value of “ohana” (family), whether by blood or friendship. This strong tradition has been a guiding principle to Ashley as a 3-time(!) surrogate and through a career providing support to the surrogate community and intended parents. She feels blessed to be doing what she loves making a difference in people’s lives. Listen to Ashley as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her background and famous relative. • How she got involved in surrogacy. • Her first surrogacy journey experience. • Finding a new agency to try again. • The difficulties she faced because of her termination beliefs. • Discovering the Intended Parents became pregnant on their own! • Carrying her experience into her job now. • Her advice on mourning and the worst-case scenarios involved in surrogacy. • Advise to future surrogates and intended parents. • What to look for in an agency. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Ashley’s Employer, SurrogateFirst: https://surrogatefirst.com/

Episode 75: A 10 Year Journey to Grow Our Family - Erin Chrusciel

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 16:49:16 -0400

Erin Chrusciel and her husband Stephen spent a solid decade consumed with trying to build their family. After multiple miscarriages, dozens of failed cycles, therapists, psychiatrists, acupuncturists and herbalists she finally had to mourn the loss of using her own eggs to have a baby. With the unexpected generosity of two different egg donors, the Chrusciel’s are finally a family of four. Erin provides support to the 1 in 8 who battle infertility by running a peer-support group in Western Massachusetts through Resolve New England, sharing her TedX talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Reg_xQL4Oc0 & her Instagram account @This_is_Trying Listen to Erin as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her experience and struggles trying to start her family. • Being told she is pregnant with triplets but then receiving the devastating news. • The discussion with her doctor to use donor eggs or adoption. • Learning of Resolve New England and attending their conference. • Coming to accept using donor eggs. • Chance meeting with her future egg donor. • The embryo transfer and pregnancy journey using donor eggs. • Finally, the birth of their first child! • Trying for another baby and finding another donor. • A successful transfer and pregnancy of their second child. • The impact of support groups. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn about Colorado Fertility Advocates: https://coloradofertilityadvocates.org/ Learn about Erin’s Photography: https://www.erinchrusciel.com Learn more about Resolve New England: https://www.resolvenewengland.org/

Episode 74: You Can’t Do That In Michigan - Stephanie Jones

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 17:17:10 -0400

Stephanie Jones is a former automotive engineer and now works as a serial entrepreneur, executive coach, and business consultant. Stephanie is passionate about advancing surrogacy laws in Michigan and helping educate intended parents about the surrogacy journey regardless of where you live. After having a son and then experiencing two rare cornual ectopic pregnancies and a near death experience, surrogacy was Stephanie and her husband’s only option for expanding their family with a child that shared their DNA. Interesting facts about Stephanie include that she raced ATV motocross, was nominated to the Miss Michigan pageant, was a top athlete in high school, likes dogs more than people (on most days), is obsessed with 1950’s vintage fashion, mud wrestled in Vegas, loves a good tequila on the rocks, and will always be a small-town Michigan girl no matter where life takes her. Listen to Stephanie as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her background and how she got involved in advocating for infertility benefits. • Her experience trying to start her own family. • Her shocking near death experience with a cornual ectopic pregnancy. • Turning to surrogacy, but learning it is illegal in Michigan! • Pressing on and proceeding with a surrogacy journey in another state. • Three failed matches and learning the importance of using an agency. • The struggle of being in a state that doesn’t understand surrogacy and what she is doing to change that. • How you can help Stephanie legalize surrogacy in Michigan. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn about Colorado Fertility Advocates: https://coloradofertilityadvocates.org/ Learn about Stephanie’s professional coaching: https://www.stephaniejonescoaching.com/ Join Stephanie in the cause for Michigan at: http://www.MichiganFertilityAlliance.com/ Find Stephanie on IG: @starofmyowncircus @mifertilityalliance @stephaniejonescoaching

Episode 73: Discovering the Sperm Donor Generation -- Scattered Seeds Author Jacqueline Mroz

Wed, 12 Feb 2020 12:00:30 -0400

Jacqueline Mroz is a veteran science writer and journalist. Her articles have appeared in the Science section of The New York Times, The New York Post, The Bergen Record, Parents Magazine and New Jersey Monthly Magazine. Jacqueline has been interviewed on national radio shows and television, including The Today Show, about her work. She has taught journalism at Montclair State University and Rutgers University. Her popular New York Times article about a sperm donor with 150 children became the book, Scattered Seeds: In Search of Family and Identity in the Sperm Donor Generation. She lives in Montclair, New Jersey with her husband and three children. Listen to Jacqueline as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her background and the upcoming book festival on March 28th! • What lead her to write about sperm donation. • Connecting with Wendy Kramer (See Episode 66 - There’s No Such Thing As Anonymous Sperm Donation). • The process of writing Scattered Seeds. • Fascinating history regarding sperm donation. • A few of the best stories from the book. • Sneak peak of a story she is working on for the New York Times! • Her thoughts and feelings on the donor industry. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Purchase Jacqueline’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Jacqueline-Mroz/e/B07J3Q7HGN Learn more about the Montclair Literary Festival: https://succeed2gether.org/montclair-literary-festival/

Episode 72: Battling Infertility One Grant At A Time - Pamela Hirsch

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 13:00:30 -0400

Pamela Hirsch is a co-founder of Baby Quest Foundation which provides financial assistance through fertility grants to those who cannot afford the high costs of procedures such as IVF, gestational surrogacy, egg and sperm donation, egg freezing, and embryo donation. Prior to establishing the non-profit charity, Pamela was one of the original franchise owners of The Princeton Review, a national test preparation company. In 1993, she was named to INC Magazine’s Top 500 List as head of one of the fastest growing private companies in the United States. Listen to Pamela as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her background and how she got involved with infertility. • The forming of her non-profit helping those struggling with infertility. • The use of social media and celebrities to help promote Baby Quest Foundation. • How to get in touch with Baby Quest Foundation to help you in your infertility journey. • Advice for completing the application process -- NEXT DEADLINE IS APRIL 2, 2020. • How the applications are processed. • How you can help! Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Baby Quest: https://babyquestfoundation.org/

Episode 71: From Fighting for Team USA to Fighting for Change in Colorado - Dr. Christina Yannetsos

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 13:00:30 -0400

Christina moved to Colorado from Miami, Florida to train at the Olympic Training Center in the sport of judo. She qualified for the 2004 Olympics for the US, and attended the Olympics in Athens, Greece as Olympic Alternate after sustaining an injury at the Olympic Trials. It was after this that she decided to pursue her life-long passion of caring for patients. She graduated from the University of Colorado with honors, and achieved her dream after being accepted to medical school and completing her residency in Emergency Medicine, becoming a Board Certified Physician. Throughout her education, the importance of being a passionate advocate for patients and her community stood strong. Diagnosed with Hypothalamic Amenorrhea in her 20s, she realized that she too was an infertility warrior battling the emotional, physical, and significant financial challenges associated with infertility. Frustrated with the lack of resources and support to build families, she started Colorado Fertility Advocacy (which joined with the non-profit Colorado Fertility Advocates) with the hopes of joining passionate like minds who can be the voice to create change for others struggling with infertility. Dog mom and wife to a loving supportive husband, she continues her journey with the hopes to add a miracle baby to their family and to help others do the same. Listen to Dr. Y as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her path to the Olympics – starting Judo at age 5! • Becoming a physician, and now serving as the Olympic team physician. • Discovering her fertility diagnosis. • The outrageous costs of IVF treatments, without insurance coverage. • Considering her different options for growing her family. • How she got started on advocating for changing the laws on infertility coverage in Colorado. • Starting Colorado Fertility Advocacy, and joining with Colorado Fertility Advocates. • The status of the bill, HB20-1158, The Colorado Building Families Act • What you can do to help make a change! Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Colorado Fertility Advocates: https://coloradofertilityadvocates.org/ Learn more about HB20-1158, The Colorado Building Families Act https://resolve.org/get-involved/advocate-for-access/our-issues/protecting-your-right-to-build-a-family/2020-state-advocacy-efforts/

Episode 70: Will Halm, Esq.

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 16:47:00 -0400

Will Halm has a few credentials besides being a father (but none more important). He is the Managing Partner of International Reproductive Law Group. He has specialized in the field of assisted reproductive law for over 20 years. Will is a magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, and received his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. He is the father of three children through surrogacy and egg donation. He has devoted his legal career to surrogacy and egg donation law. Will’s legal work in the field of assisted reproduction has been featured in numerous documentaries, television programs, publications, and books, including 20/20, NBC News, The New York Times, UK Guardian, the Advocate, and others. Will has set a number of legal precedents in the field of assisted reproduction law, including being granted, in 1998, the first parentage judgment to a same-sex couple in a gestational surrogacy case. Will is a member of the American Bar Association, Assisted Reproductive Technology Section and Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys.

Listen to Will as he discusses with Ellen and Jenn:

• How he met his now husband.

• The discriminations they faced when looking into having children of their own.

• Their first attempts at surrogacy and their experience with the early starts of the surrogacy industry.

• Their first successful, miracle surrogacy journey.

• How they handled the legal issues of their first child being born through surrogacy.

• Moving from Los Angeles to New Mexico.

• His experience with being one of the only same sex couples in their children’s school.

• How they talked to their children about their conception.

• His relationships with the donors and surrogates.

• How he talked with his children about which parent is the biological parent.

• How he transitioned from corporate law to ART law.

• His advice to intended parents.

• What he sees for the future of ART law.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Learn more about Will’s law firm: http://irlawgroup.com/

Learn more about Growing Generations: https://www.growinggenerations.com/

Episode 68: Super Attorney Steve Snyder Takes On The Big Questions

Wed, 08 Jan 2020 11:00:09 -0400

Steve Snyder is nationally known for his work helping families with assisted reproduction law. He is the past chair of the American Bar Association's Assisted Reproductive Technology Committee, Family Law Section. Steve has taught numerous reproductive law continuing legal education classes to fellow Minnesota attorneys, as well as to lawyers from across the globe. Many attorneys refer assisted reproductive law cases to him because of his extensive knowledge in the field. Steve has been recognized as a Super Lawyer, and he is also AV Rated (which means judges and fellow attorneys have noted him as having the highest degree of legal ability and ethical standards). Listen to Steve as he discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • His childhood and how he ended up practicing ART law. • His first surrogacy case in 1991 and pioneering the legal process in Minnesota. • His work on surrogacy laws for international clients. • His thoughts on the reason for not allowing surrogacy under European law. • Trends that he is seeing in proposed laws and views on surrogacy in other countries. • His thoughts on screening and/or restricting intended parents using surrogacy. • His thoughts on testing and selecting of embryos. • His thoughts and advice for international listeners. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Steve Snyder’s law firm: https://www.snyderlawfirm.com/

Episode 67: Showing ALL the Intimate and Gory Details of Surrogacy to the World - Crystal Rosburg

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 13:00:22 -0400

Crystal Rosburg is a two-time surrogate. She carried for a lovely same sex couple from France and was featured in a documentary of the journey. Crystal is also Intake Coordinator of our very own Southwest Surrogacy! She uses her professional experience from working at The Fertility Center of Law Vegas as an IVF Department Supervisor and her personal surrogacy experience to support intended parents and gestational carriers in growing families. Listen to Crystal as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • How she ended up in Las Vegas and the wonderful world of assisted reproductive technologies. • How she decided to become a surrogate. • Convincing her husband about surrogacy…and then about being part of a documentary. • Having her boss as her doctor. • The first transfer and her fears. • The paperwork scare. • A successful birth of a beautiful baby girl. • Logistics of giving birth on a documentary. • An update on the documentary. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about the Documentary: https://www.facebook.com/ghostsoftherepublique/

Episode 66: There’s No Such Thing As Anonymous Sperm Donation - Wendy Kramer

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 12:00:22 -0400

Wendy Kramer is Director of the Donor Sibling Registry (DSR). The DSR is a charity organization, founded in 2000 by Wendy and her donor-conceived son Ryan, to assist individuals conceived as a result of sperm, egg or embryo donation that are seeking to make mutually desired contact with others with whom they share genetic ties. With more than 66,000 members in 105 countries, the DSR has helped to connect more than 17,000 people with their half-siblings and/or their donors. Without any outside support, the DSR has pioneered an international discussion about the donor conception industry and the families, with its research, speaking engagements and media appearances. Wendy has co-authored numerous published papers on donor-conception, has reviewed abstracts for the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, and has been a peer reviewer for the journals Human Reproduction and RBM Online. She was Associate Producer on the Style Network's 2011 Emmy nominated show Sperm Donor and on MTV News & Docs, series Generation Cryo, that aired in December 2013. Wendy and her son Ryan have appeared on 60 Minutes, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America and many other news shows and publications. Wendy is co-author of the book Finding our Families: A first-of-a-kind Book for Donor Conceived People and Their Families. Listen to Wendy as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Wendy’s backstory and how she got inspired to start the DSR. • What the DSR does and how they help donor conceived people. • Key takeaways from the research they have conducted. • Shifting from anonymous donation to known donation through the DSR. • Common misconceptions of sperm/egg/embryo donations. • How the DSR works and how it protects your personal information. • Accepting your infertility to move forward in being in an open donation. • Unfortunate stories of profits before ethics. • How DNA testing has changed the industry and DSR. • Wendy’s thoughts on how to fix the industry. • Wendy’s advice to those searching for a donor or donor clinic. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about the Donor Sibling Registry: https://www.donorsiblingregistry.com Purchase Wendy’s book, Finding Our Families: A First-of-Its-Kind Book for Donor-Conceived People and Their Families: https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Families-First-Its-Kind-Donor-Conceived/dp/1583335269/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1383854617&sr=1-1 Purchase Wendy’s book, Your Family: A Donor Kid's Story: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692106936?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=ur2&tag=storypodca-20&linkId=2P4S6EY6B462X4AR

Episode 65: This Morning We Weren’t Parents - Samantha Frazee

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 12:00:22 -0400

Samantha Frazee is a Foster Parent Engagement Specialist with Boulder County Department of Housing and Human Services. Samantha is responsible for the recruitment and retention of foster care providers in Boulder County. She does this primarily through community outreach, speaking events, and word of mouth. Samantha has an identical twin sister, is happily married to her wife of 20 years and has 3 wonderful children through foster care. Listen to Samantha as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her backstory, coming out and meeting her future wife in college. • How they attempted to conceive the “lesbian old fashion way”. • Their criteria in looking for a donor. • Their rocky road trying to conceive. • Deciding to become foster parents. • The foster care processes and training. • Their first placement and subsequent disappointment. • Their second placement for a 3-day old baby and experiencing sudden parenthood. • Birth mom’s surprising reaction to them. • Adoption of their other 2 children. • Insight into the foster care process. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Foster Care in Boulder County: https://www.bouldercounty.org/families/foster-care-adoption/

Episode 64: You Are Not Alone - Barbara Collura

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 10:00:32 -0400

Episode 64: You Are Not Alone - Barbara Collura by I Want to Put a Baby in You!

Episode 63: Beverly Hills Egg Donation - Robyn Perchik

Wed, 09 Oct 2019 12:00:24 -0400

Robyn Perchik is the managing partner of Beverly Hills Egg Donation (BHED). An accomplished senior executive with over 29 years’ experience in risk management underwriting, Robyn brings her skills in strategic planning, operations, business development, human resource management and finance to BHED. Robyn has been married for 29 years and is the mother of three boys and one grandson. Robyn understands first-hand the challenges of combining work and home, and the central importance of creating a family. Listen to Robyn as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her background, expertise and how she ended up in this fascinating field. • What makes BHED different from other agencies. • Her thoughts on anonymity and home DNA testing. • Some things that can disqualify an individual from being an egg donor. • Working with international clients and managing the different time zones. • Traveling for work -- luckily her hobby is also traveling! • Medications used in an egg donation. • Questions to ask an agency when looking to choose an agency to work with. • The average compensation for a donor. • Her thoughts on regulations for egg donations. • Her advice to those looking to donate or looking for an egg donor. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Robyn and Beverly Hills Egg Donation: www.bhed.com

Episode 62: Three Time Surrogate To Surrogate Mentor - Christina Ewoldt

Wed, 02 Oct 2019 12:00:34 -0400

Christina Ewoldt is extremely proud to have helped three families realize their dream of having a baby, while creating the extended "family" she has always wanted in return. She is passionate about surrogacy and enjoys mentoring other surrogates and intended parents to mitigate risk and create their own beautiful surrogacy journeys. She is currently writing a memoir on her surrogacy experiences to memorialize the stories for those families she helped and has high hopes of publishing it one day! She is an “almost-Colorado-native”, having lived in the beautiful state since she was 3 years old. She lives in Thornton with her husband, two rambunctious boys, and a sweet, geriatric Beagle. She is a Cub Scout Den Leader and an avid event/theme party planner! Christina recently left the corporate world to start her own business, PM Oh! Services, LLC (www.pm-oh.com), specializing in fractional PMO services, contract project management and business transformation services; where she hopes to share her love of all things project management to make organizations more efficient, effective, and productive. Listen to Christina as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Her background and how she got into surrogacy. • Her experience finding and using an agency. • Her family’s reaction to her choosing to be a surrogate. • Her experience with her first surrogacy journey. • Deciding to do a second journey while still at the hospital from the first journey! • The third journey and the complications. • Her advice to those considering being a surrogate. • Her thoughts on the ethics of surrogacy. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ If you would like to reach out to Christina Ewoldt, you can contact her at christinaewoldt@gmail.com

Episode 61: Life,(Almost)Death, and A Curveball – Part II – Michelle Minucci

Wed, 25 Sep 2019 14:48:11 -0400

Michelle Minucci is a world traveler, and runs a life-coaching business, Stones Unturned, in San Diego (though she works worldwide). She coaches individuals whom are navigating transitions or seeking to gain more confidence, fulfillment, and balance in their lives, including those in the surrogacy, LGBT, and open-relationship communities. She has also been a surrogate, carried twins and now also writes children’s books to help families explain how they grew their family through assisted reproductive technology. Listen to Michelle as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn, the second part of her dramatic story: • Telling her husband she was ready to die • The feeling of being handicapped • Another blood transfusion and the following side effects • Finally, home! But post pardon depression kicks in • What’s that smell!?! • The Intended Mom drops a bomb shell… • How Michelle has moved on and what is in store for her future Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Stones Unturned and Michelle Minucci at http://stonesunturned.com/ Learn more about Surro Fairy and Michelle Minucci at https://www.surrofairy.com/

Episode 60: Life, (Almost) Death, and A Curveball – Part I – Michelle Minucci

Wed, 18 Sep 2019 14:42:01 -0400

Michelle Minucci is a world traveler, and runs a life-coaching business, Stones Unturned, in San Diego (though she works worldwide). She coaches individuals whom are navigating transitions or seeking to gain more confidence, fulfillment, and balance in their lives, including those in the surrogacy, LGBT, and open-relationship communities. She has also been a surrogate, carried twins and now writes children’s books to help families explain how they grew their family through assisted reproductive technology. Listen to Michelle as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Michelle’s childhood inspiration to give to others • Wanting to be an organ donor and deciding surrogacy is next closest thing! • Why she chose an agency as opposed to an independent journey (you don’t know what you don’t know) • The match meeting and moving forward with the surrogacy journey • The emotional first embryo transfer journey • The second embryo transfer, double this time • Twins! • Complications of the birth and a scary turn for the worse • To be continued…. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Stones Unturned and Michelle Minucci at http://stonesunturned.com/ Learn more about Surro Fairy at https://www.surrofairy.com/

Episode 59: Want Change? Make It Happen! - Davina Fankhauser

Wed, 11 Sep 2019 14:35:50 -0400

Davina Fankhauser is president and cofounder for Fertility Within Reach. She is an advocate for fertility benefits for those struggling with infertility. In 2010, Davina successfully lobbied for improved fertility legislation in the state of Massachusetts. Fertility Within Reach was founded soon after to share what was learned from that experience, to teach others how to advocate for themselves and to educate policymakers on the benefits of providing insurance coverage to treat the disease of infertility. Listen to Davina as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Davina’s background and struggles with infertility • A transfer of 7 embryos! • Her struggles with paying for fertility treatments without health insurance • Her high-risk pregnancy • Explaining that she would not have taken the risks that she took had she had insurance coverage • Her first time lobbying to update the definition of infertility • The creation of the policy makers guide • Her advice to other advocates and plans moving forward Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Davina and Fertility Within Reach: https://www.fertilitywithinreach.org

Episode 58: Clam Chowder for the Soul – Kate Weldon LeBlanc

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 13:43:04 -0400

Kate Weldon LeBlanc is the Executive Director of Resolve New England. Kate leads the strategic vision of the organization and works collectively with the staff, Board of Directors and professional members to grow the services of Resolve New England throughout the New England region. Kate has a beautiful daughter (turning 12 this month!) through IVF. Listen as Kate discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • how her career path lead her to head Resolve New England • her personal experience and journey with infertility • differences between Resolve New England and Resolve: The National Infertility Association (they aren’t the same organization?) • Resolve New England’s advocacy work to help those in New England struggling with infertility Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Resolve New England: https://www.resolvenewengland.org/

Episode 57: Free Sperm! Too good to be true? – Kyle Gordy

Wed, 31 Jul 2019 12:54:27 -0400

Our most controversial episode to date. Kyle Gordy (not his real name) is a private sperm donor in Los Angeles, California that has been privately donating his sperm for the last 5 years through social media outlets such as Facebook and Craigslist. Gordy has over 15 genetic children through his private donations. But is this a wise option for hopeful parents, or does this path put Kyle (and all other parties) at legal risk? Listen to Kyle as he discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • His background and how he got started in private sperm donation. • His experience with his first sperm donation (at home!). • His opinions on the potential legal ramifications of his donations. • Why he signed a fake name on a legal agreement. • DIY sperm shipping!? • Medical and mental health screenings? • The future for his donations. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Kyle https://www.facebook.com/kylegordy123456

Episode 56: How Much Is A Lost Embryo Worth? -- with Colleen Quinn

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 13:38:46 -0400

Rockstar ART attorney Colleen Quinn talks nightmare cases, difficult valuations, and changing the law. Colleen Quinn has over three decades of experience in adoption, personal injury, medical malpractice, employment, estate planning, and assisted reproductive technology law. She received her J.D. from the University of Virginia, her B.A. from William and Mary, and served as Judicial Clerk to the Honorable Harry L. Carrico, Chief Justice, Virginia Supreme Court. Colleen is a Fellow and past President of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (“AAAA”). She has so many awards and recognitions as an outstanding attorney, we wouldn’t know where to start! Not to mention, Colleen is a parent to twin boys and teaches aerobics in her spare time. Listen as Colleen discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • How she got involved in ART Law • The case of the judge from hell (article link on the case below) • Her work changing surrogacy law in Virginia • Being an expert witness in the tragic mass embryo/egg loss cases Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about The Quinn Law Centers - A Division of Locke & Quinn at https://www.quinnlawcenters.com/ Learn more about the Jay Timmons and Rick Olson case at http://trachmanlawcenter.com/blog/assisted-reproductive-technologies/august-10th-above-the-law-article-bad-judgement

Episode 55: The Danish, The US, And The Intricacies of International Surrogacy - Kaspar Arianto

Wed, 17 Jul 2019 12:00:14 -0400

For Kaspar and his husband starting a family meant the world. Literally. They travelled from Denmark to the US to fulfill their dreams of having twins. Coming from a country were surrogacy is considered a legal grey zone, planning their journey went beyond budgeting for immense economic and emotional costs. They also had to factor in potential legal backlash, insurance problems and one looong flight home. Listen as Kaspar discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • How surrogacy is viewed in Denmark. And most of Europe, for that matter. • Kaspar and Lambang’s back story – 3 days into the relationship and they wanted kids! • Their process in deciding to use surrogacy. • Flipping their home to fund the surrogacy journey. • How they went about finding an agency and clinic. • How they chose their egg donor. • Time for the retrieval… 55 eggs?! Woah. • Meeting their gestational carrier. • Will there be more kids? • Understanding American health insurance.(Do Americans even understand it?) • Celebrating the small milestones. • The trip home and their epic playlist for the flight. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Men Having Babies at http://www.menhavingbabies.org/ Learn more about Denmark: https://www.visitdenmark.com/

Episode 54:Is Egg Donation Really A Long-Game Kidnapping Scam?–Amanda Troxler, Esq. Answers All

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 10:00:24 -0400

Amanda Troxler is an assisted reproductive technology law attorney as well as a seven time egg donor. She was recently promoted to partner at Lazarus & Troxler in California. (Congratulations, Amanda!) She received her Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University and her Juris Doctorate from UCLA Law School. Listen to Amanda as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • Amanda’s back story and unique experience being raised by a single gay father. • Her career path to this niche area of law. • Her inspiration to be an egg donor, and the differing experiences among the seven journeys. • Her open versus anonymous donations -- including the adorable story of meeting one of her donation’s resulting children. (Did any kidnappings occur? Spoiler alert: none did.) • Her thoughts for those considering egg donation. • Her own embryos and family plans. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more about Amanda Troxler: http://lazlawfirm.com/

Episode 53: Bizarre Reproductive Features - Jennifer Barfield

Wed, 03 Jul 2019 16:03:51 -0400

Jennifer Barfield is back! Jennifer is a Professor from Colorado State University in the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. She specializes in reproductive physiology and assisted reproductive technologies in a variety of species. Listen to Jennifer as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn: • IVF1 update. Unfortunately, it’s a sad one. • Jennifer’s #1 ranked unusual animal reproductive feature… the pseudo-penis. (Yep. That’s a thing.) • Superfetation in humans and animals. • Mating behaviors of animals…that humans also do. • How much truth is there to Jurassic Park. • Parthenogenesis. Reproduce without a man! • Pronghorns aka super ovulators. • Seahorses. Males give birth!? (About time!) Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/ Learn more or donate to the CSU Bison program: https://advancing.colostate.edu/BISON

Episode 52: A Surrogate’s Journey of Loss and Hope - Ursila McFadden

Wed, 26 Jun 2019 15:13:03 -0400

Ursila McFadden experienced a devastating 39 week loss during her first surrogacy journey. Her story is heartbreaking, but also inspiring and filled with hope. Ursila went on to have two successful surrogacy journeys and become a case manager for a surrogacy agency, Kindred Surrogacy, helping others. Listen to Ursila as she discusses with Ellen and Jennifer: -Her background and inspiration to be a surrogate. -Sharing the weird things/ red flags about her matching. -Having to choose a birth option knowing that that baby was already gone. -Her emotional first meeting with the intended mother. -The day of the birth and the time spent with the baby and the intended mother. -Coping with the loss and the weeks following the delivery. -Journey #2 – New agency and new intended parents… unfortunately the match falls through. -Journey #3 – Done independently. Double embryo transfer… twins! -Journey #4 – Successful baby boy!

Episode 51: Favorite Fertility Physician FAQs with Dr. Daniel Skora

Wed, 19 Jun 2019 16:02:45 -0400

Dr. Skora is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, practicing at Fertility Specialist of Texas. He is passionate about all aspects of infertility, with a dedication to addressing the unique needs of the whole patient. He is also able to call upon his education and experience in psychology to help each patient overcome the emotional challenges of trying to con-ceive. Listen to Daniel as he discusses with Ellen and Jennifer: • His journey to practicing medicine in this specialty -- instead of be-coming a stockbroker! • Differences and explanations of CCS, PGS, PGT-A and PGD • Mosaic embryos complications • Advice when taking those first steps to infertility treatment • How to asses who to choose for a fertility clinic or specialist • Reality vs expectations • Complications and risks for being a gestational surrogate • Single vs double embryo transfer – is double embryo transfer really economically beneficial? • Whose fault is infertility?! • Not being afraid to look for care – time matters! Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com Learn more about Daniel A. Skora, M.D., or Fertility Specialist of Texas at https://fertilitytexas.com/about-us/dr-daniel-a-skora/ Learn more about Fertility and Sterility: https://www.fertstert.org/

Episode 50: 3 Dads and The Journey To Find The Truth — Eve Wiley & Steve Scholl

Wed, 12 Jun 2019 15:22:56 -0400

Eve Wiley, originally from a small rural town in East, Texas, uncovered a life changing family secret about her genetic identity. Becoming a modern day Erin Brockovich, she found purpose for her pain by single handedly lobbying for a fertility fraud bill that passed the Texas House and Senate unanimously and exposed the dark side of the grossly unregulated fertility industry. Eve’s story, documented by ABC’s 20/20, thrust her into an advocacy role for donor conceived rights and women’s reproductive rights. As a licensed professional counselor, she is passionate about the mental health implications of genetic identity family secrets that commercial DNA testing is revealing. Tune in as Eve chats with Ellen and Jennifer about: -When and how she found out she was donor conceived (yes…this included snooping through her mother’s email ya’ll) -How the confrontation with her mother went after she found out she was donor conceived -Finding Steve, who she thought was her biological father and how she reached out to him -Their first meeting and how their relationship progressed — including her mom first meeting Steve! -What it was like meeting Steve’s “social children” and his wife -How she found her two half-brothers and how this ended up with her telling one of them he was donor-conceived -Finding out Steve was not indeed her biological father but rather her mother’s doctor was -The draft of the letter she wrote to her mother’s doctor that explained how he was her biological father and his smoke and mirrors response -What she did in response to this gigantic debacle — like helping to create a law to stop other doctors doing this in the future — yeah NBD -Her advice to other donor conceived offspring And don’t go away because we have a bonus episode. Steven Scholl is an independent scholar of Islam and comparative religion. He has lived and traveled extensively in the Middle East after doing his graduate studies in Islamic philosophy and history at McGill University. Steve is the founding publisher of White Cloud Press and is the editor of several books including "The Peace Bible: Words from the Great Traditions" and "Common Era: Best New Writings on Religion." He writes on religion and culture for newspapers and magazines and is a contributor to the "Encyclopedia of Religion" (ed. by Mircea Eliade). His new book is “Muhammad,” co-written with Sam Deeb. Steve, the person Eve believed was her father, chimes in with his side of the story and discusses: -How he got into sperm donation — it involved a poster on a pole — yep…a side hustle for pocket cash -Whether he thought through the ramifications of donating sperm — hint…nope -His thoughts 13 years later when he got the phone call from the sperm bank asking him to update his records and then the email that he got that Eve was looking for him -How his wife did a 180 regarding his relationship with Eve, his thought-to-be donor conceived daughter -How his children responded when they found out about Eve -His feelings when Eve called to say he wasn’t her dad after all -Whether he has a relationship with his other donor-conceived children Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawfirm.com

Episode 49: Surrogacy and Unicorns — Shelly Marsh

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 16:27:42 -0400

Shelly is the Marketing Manager for Men Having Babies, helping hundreds of couples a year make their dreams of a family come true. She is part of a team that empowers and educates men on surrogacy, and before working for Men Having Babies, Shelly personally helped multiple families. Tune in as she shares with Ellen and Jennifer about: -How being a part of a mom’s group planted the idea of surrogacy. -Her first experience with an agency and their reaction when she said she wanted to work with a same-sex couple. -The first “date” errr….the match meeting over Skype with the couple whose profile she selected. -Their first in-person meeting — and her outfit dilemma. -The timing delay after losing 2 egg donors. -Her pregnancy experience — the vomiting…oh the vomiting. -The beautiful birthing experience. -The story of her second surrogacy journey. -Her scary experience with heavy bleeding while pregnant with her singleton 2nd surro baby. -The request from the surrogate parents from the 2nd journey for a baby sister. -The amazing work she does with Men Having Babies. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com  View the schedule of events for Men Having Babies here: menhavingbabies.com/surrogacy-seminars/

Episode 48: 4 Months to Fertile — September Burton

Wed, 08 May 2019 14:09:40 -0400

September is the Founder and CEO of 4 Months to Fertile, a fertility coach and mother of seven (yes, SEVEN) children. So…yeah, not busy AT ALL. September chats with Ellen and Jennifer about: -Being a mother of four and dealing with recurrent miscarriages—and what she did about it to then have three more kids. -How she completely changed her eating habits and lifestyle. -How much nutrition can affect fertility. -Her meetings, her app, her cookbook — all the resources she has available to help members stay motivated. -Her tips to getting started and staying on track with your nutrition journey. -The upcoming Colorado Fertility Conference (May 26, 2019) she is organizing, combining the best of Western and Eastern medicine—and the amazing giveaways that will be available! Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: www.iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: www.brightfuturesfamilies.com  Learn more about September’s work and register for her fertility clinic: www.septemberburton.com  Learn more about the Colorado Fertility Conference: https://www.coloradofertilityconference.com/ Fill out this form to tell Congress they should support legislation that results in access to affordable adoption, biological family building care, and fertility preservation services: https://zurl.co/ypH6

Episode 47: Men Can Be Pregnant Too — Trystan Reese

Thu, 02 May 2019 02:11:11 -0400

Trystan is the Director of Family Formation with the Family Equity Council. He and his spouse, Biff, grew their family in two different and incredible ways. Listen as Trystan talks about: -His transition journey. -The journey from not wanting children, to finding a partner and becoming a parent. -Their decision to grow their family further. -His desire to carry their child and how they made it happen. -The research and statistics around men having babies. -The myths around testosterone and infertility. -His experience through miscarriage and pregnancy. -His social and emotional experience as a man being pregnant. -His current position at the Family Equality Council and how he’s supporting other LGBTQ+ families. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about the Family Equality Council: familyequality.org

Episode 46: Helping Kids Through Family Formation — Kim Kluger-Bell

Wed, 24 Apr 2019 12:17:00 -0400

Kim is the author of The Very Kind Koala and The Pea That Was Me series, amazing children’s books about surrogacy and donor-conception. She’s also written books about dealing with infertility and loss. She’s a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has a private practice in psychotherapy and also works at Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine (CCRM), one of Colorado’s most well-known fertility clinics. Kim talks with Jenn and Ellen about: -How her own experience inspired her to get more involved in the field of infertility. -How to share with your child if they are donor-conceived and the best way to direct that conversation. -Ideas on how surrogates can talk to their children about their journey—based on the children’s ages. -Resources available for dealing with infertility and pregnancy loss. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Kim’s private practice: kimklugerbelllmft.com  Learn more about CCRM: ccrmivf.com   Learn more about her books: booksfordonorkids.com

Episode 45: 7 Surrogates: A Heartbreaking Tale of Determination — Sherman Taylor

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 14:23:19 -0400

Sherman grew up in Ohio and enjoys a successful career as a chemical engineer. He and his husband longed to be parents. Unfortunately, they experienced more bumps in the road and more heartbreak than any hopeful parents should ever have to endure. Sherman is dedicated to giving back and is now the incoming chair for Men Having Babies, a non-profit dedicated to providing education and support to gay men wishing to become biological parents through surrogacy. Sherman chats with Ellen and Jenn about: -When he and his husband decided they wanted to have kids and how his Google search led to surrogacy and learning about the many, MANY moving parts and parties involved. -His recommendations on what questions you should ask an agency BEFORE starting your surrogacy journey. -Their surrogacy journey with twins — conflicts that arose and how their agency was missing in action for conflict resolution. -How they found out about their daughter’s delivery…through a post on Facebook! -He and his husband’s tragic losses and the horrific details that followed. -Their attempt at 2 surrogates in tandem — and what the surrogates thought of this. -Surrogate attempts 4, 5, 6 and 7 (uh huh) independently. -The end result after all of the many surrogates, the happy tears and the sad tears. -What the Men Having Baby organization is and how he got involved. Really involved. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Men Having Babies: menhavingbabies.org

Episode 44: Embryos Wars — Tim Schlesinger

Wed, 03 Apr 2019 15:45:25 -0400

Tim is a St. Louis-based attorney with over 35 years’ experience. After spending much of his career doing traditional family law (divorce and custody), he stumbled upon Assisted Reproductive Technology Law and has become a renowned expert in the area. Listen as Tim chats about: -His unusual route to representing his first surrogacy client. -The story behind the famous McQueen v Gadberry embryo disposition case and how Tim stepped in. -What happens when a couple with cryopreserved embryos divorces -- and one wants to use the embryos for conception, one doesn’t, and the law says embryos are persons with protectable rights in life, health and well-being. Oh my. -What the US Constitution says about our fundamental rights to reproduce (or not reproduce!). -In what state an embryo can sue someone and someone can sue an embryo (yep, you read that right). -Whether an embryo is a human, property or something else, and what the law has to say about it. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com  Learn more about Tim’s law firm: pcblawfirm.com

Episode 43: Preserving Fertility When You Have Cancer — Joyce Reinecke

Wed, 27 Mar 2019 12:00:19 -0400

Joyce is the Executive Director of the Alliance For Fertility Preservation, a non-profit organization focused on raising awareness and expanding access for cancer patients to fertility preservation information, resources and services. Tune in as Joyce discusses: -Her out-of-the-blue cancer diagnosis in her 20s after going to law school and starting her legal career at a firm in Seattle. -How feeling light headed on a trip to DC, and an unexpected emergency room visit, led to a cancer diagnosis 24 hours later. -When the talk of future fertility finally came up how she and her husband formulated a plan. -Their choice of embryo freezing and making the time for it between surgery and chemo. -The decision to turn to surrogacy. -The process of selecting a surrogate in California and the news of their twins! -How she handled juggling her own medical appointments, her surrogate’s medical appointment and, oh yeah, practicing law. -The turn of events that led to her career change from working for a firm to helping others preserve their fertility after a cancer diagnosis. -The misperceptions about fertility coverage and how insurance companies’ failure to cover infertility treatments can actually increase rates for everyone. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about the Alliance For Fertility Preservation: allianceforfertilitypreservation.org

Episode 42: Shocking DNA Test Results — Kevin’s Story

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 22:00:09 -0400

Kevin and his brothers were conceived via sperm donation. This past holiday Kevin took a home DNA test. The results were not what he expected – to say the least – and have led to many a sleepless night. Listen in as Kevin opens up about: -What he knew about his family and biological background before the test. -How he and his brothers first found out that their dad was not their biological father. -What it was like finding out his brothers were actually half-brothers — wait, what? -What led him to do a DNA test in the first place. -The surprising results of his DNA test and what reaching out to some unknown cousins led to. -The shocking discovery of who his biological father was and what the biological father’s relationship to Kevin’s mother was — you will NOT believe this. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com

Episode 41: The Miracle of Embryo Donation — Deb Roberts

Wed, 13 Mar 2019 15:31:12 -0400

Deb is the Founder and CEO of Embryo Connections. She personally manages matching families looking for a future for their remaining embryos, with those turning to embryo donation to conceive. Tune in as Deb talks about: -Why she left her high-powered position managing brands and launching new products for companies such as Quaker Oats and Coca Cola to pursue her passion of helping to create families. -The moment she realized that life doesn’t have to go in order—meet person of dreams, get married, have baby—and decided to become a single-mom-by-choice. -The heartbreaking story of how an egg retrieval with 60(!) eggs still didn’t result in a child. -Her difficult experience with a miscarriage and a chemical twin pregnancy. -Her diagnosis of Asherman’s Syndrome and how it affected her ability to carry a baby. -How her amazing infertility journey led her into starting Embryo Connections and then helping so many other people have families! -How she is addressing embryo donation with her son. To hear another great podcast episode about embryo donation, tune into Episode 16: One More Shot - Noah and Maya (https://soundcloud.com/iwtpabiy/episode-16-one-more-shot-maya-and-noah). Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Embryo Connections: embryoconnections.org/

Episode 40: The Partner’s Perspective — Jade and Jahmaya

Thu, 07 Mar 2019 16:32:39 -0400

Gestational surrogacy is a journey not just for the gestational carrier but for her family too! Jade and Jahmaya share their story, including the often over-looked perspective of the partner of a gestational carrier. Listen to Jade and Jahmaya as they discuss: -How Jade became interested in becoming a gestational surrogate. -What Jahmaya’s fears and hesitations were when Jade told him she wanted to become a GC. -What changed his mind a year later. -The surrogacy screening process — from the GC side and the partner side. -The shots, the hormones, the psych exam — what it was like for both of them. -Dealing with the side effects to their sex life (or rather, lack thereof!). -The reaction of their families. -How the matching process went and what their relationship with the intended parents was like. -The labor and the heartwarming birth experience. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com

Episode 39: The Ocean (And Other Obstacles) Between Intended Parents And Their Babies — Dawn Baker

Wed, 27 Feb 2019 15:11:19 -0400

Dawn Baker is the founder and Director of US Surrogacy LLC. She enjoys her family of three amazing young adult children and traveling with her husband. Dawn brings significant work experience from the legal field, having worked as a legal assistant for 20 years. Prior to her legal career, she served as a Personnel Specialist in the US Army and as Assistant to the Personnel Director on Yokota Air Base, Japan. Listen to Dawn as she discusses with Ellen and Jennifer: -How her 5 years of struggling with secondary infertility led her from being an investor of a surrogacy agency to eventually running a surrogacy agency. -The shocking and tragic case of international Intended Parents being denied travel visas to get to their baby’s birth. -The repeated visa denials leading to the parents not only missing the birth but to Dawn taking care of the surrogate baby for 10 weeks! -The efforts and drama to reach reunification. -Her second experience with Intended Parents separated from their babies and taking care of them (yes THEM…TWINS!). -Her advice to International Parents when doing surrogacy to prevent this from happening — or at least help put safeguards in place to help. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com  Learn more about Dawn's agency: us-surrogacy.com

Episode 38: Amanda Kinnard-Fuchsgruber’s Surrogacy Journey—A Viewpoint On Independent Matches

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 03:02:49 -0400

Amanda is the Business Manager for Colorado Surrogacy. She lives in Colorado with her husband of ten years and two amazing boys. She is a sign language interpreter and an experienced gestational surrogate and now uses her superpowers to help other people with their surrogacy experiences! Listen as Amanda shares: • How her sister’s early diagnosis of cancer at 18 months inspired her to become a surrogate. • Her friend’s story of loss and how it led her to become her surrogate. • Their experience doing an independent match without an agency. • The legal issues they ran into without the help of an agency (i.e. trusting someone when they said the GC and IP could share an attorney). • The double embryo transfer and the scary situation when she started bleeding early in the pregnancy. • How she finally found her own legal representation after 20 weeks pregnant to put together the Pre-Birth Order. • The dramatic birth story and what her relationship with the IPs is like now. • Her motivation behind working with an agency now to help other surrogates. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com

Episode 37: The Ultimate Village: Four Moms and a Dad — Hannah Sawitsky Ristorcelli

Wed, 23 Jan 2019 18:51:21 -0400

Hannah has two loving moms and shares her unique story of conception, upbringing and what makes a family. Listen as Hannah chats about: • Her unique conception and unconventional family structure. • Her moms meeting her dad the first time she did (take that in for a minute). • What happened when the realities of being a sperm donor set in with her donor—there is a real human on the other end! • How her sperm donor became a very involved part of her life. • Growing up as donor conceived in an unconventional family and trying to explain it to kids she grew up with — and moving from hiding it to embracing it. • Dealing with the perils of separated parents …oh and dealing with it while you are in middle school (good times). • The awesomeness of the donor sibling registry. • Reaching out to same sex couples on how to help them navigate the experience she went through with their kids. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com

Episode 36: When One Side Of A Surrogacy Arrangement Has A Change Of Heart!—Cathleen McKenzie

Wed, 16 Jan 2019 16:24:37 -0400

Cathleen McKenzie was born and raised in a small town in New Brunswick, Canada where she went to school and college. She has carried 4 surrobabies to date and is currently preparing to carry another! Listen as Cathleen discusses: • Her experience as a teen mother and her inspiration to become a surrogate. • How surrogacy works in Canada, including a very different legal landscape from the US. • Being a traditional surrogate and doing an at home insemination. • The snags with doing traditional surrogacy in Canada where compensation is illegal — including a lack of resources like agencies and clinics. • The dramatic story when things took a turn for the worse with her intended parents. • The intended parents deciding they didn’t want the twin babies anymore around 30 weeks and what she was left to do. • Her advice to others wanting to be surrogates in Canada — how to protect yourself and the children. • How her surrogacy experiences went after the first traumatic one and about her incredible future plans. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com  Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com

Episode 35: Giving Birth In Court (Almost)—Ellen Trachman Bonus Birth Episode

Wed, 09 Jan 2019 15:41:05 -0400

Ellen Trachman is the Director and Co-Owner of Bright Futures Families, which includes Colorado Surrogacy, New Mexico Surrogacy, Montana Surrogacy, Texas Surrogacy and New England Surrogacy. She is an attorney specialized in family formation law and Managing Director of Trachman Law Center, LLC and the co-host of the I Want To Put A Baby In You Podcast. Listen as Ellen and her spouse, Will, chat about: • The 9:00 pm call from the hospital telling them to come in right away. • Their adventures in Bradley Method classes and preparation for their first child in San Francisco. • Cramps on the way and in the middle of a court hearing—which, you guessed it, progressed into full-fledged labor (eek)! • The doula’s TSA violations in an attempt to make the birth. • AND…a special BONUS interview with the product of that birth, Ellen’s daughter and Jennifer. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com

Episode 34: Science, Intrigue, & International Relations—Jennifer White’s Bonus Birth Episode

Wed, 02 Jan 2019 19:02:30 -0400

Jennifer White is the Director and Co-Owner of Colorado Surrogacy, New Mexico Surrogacy, Montana Surrogacy, Texas Surrogacy and New England Surrogacy. She is also the co-host of the I Want To Put A Baby In You Podcast and a proud infertility survivor. Listen as Jenn opens up about: • How she met her husband and how their relationship blossomed. • Her journey with infertility—the feelings and frustrations along the way and the tests and doctors that followed. • Her surprise positive pregnancy test and their reaction. • The phone call to tell them that the triple screen test was abnormal (while her husband was deployed). • Her strange medical problem and the horrors of dealing with a completely inappropriate perinatologist. • Her dramatic labor and birth story (including no option for an epidural, a power outage and an emergency c-section). • The emotional homecoming with her husband and baby after returning from deployment. • AND…a special BONUS interview with Ellen’s daughter (7) and Jennifer’s daughter (11). Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com

Episode 33: The FBI And A Baby-Selling Ring — With Kim Surratt

Wed, 19 Dec 2018 14:11:36 -0400

Kim Surratt is back! If you missed it, go back to Episode 31 to hear her background and some majorly impressive feats. In this episode we hear the drama-filled story of how Kim played a significant role in taking down a criminal “surrogacy” baby-selling ring. Listen as Kim discusses the details of a scary and horrifying case involving corrupt attorneys, a California “agency,” duped women “surrogates” in several states…oh, and the FBI: • Rematching in surrogacy — but when the “surrogate” is already pregnant (say, what?!). • Sending women off to the Ukraine to a fertility clinic to get pregnant but with whose genes? No one knows. • The vague surrogacy laws at that time in CA and NV that made it difficult to prove what they were doing was illegal (even though it was clearly unethical). • An attorney administering medication…yes, an attorney (who was not, by the way, also a doctor). • A minimum of 13 known women who came back from the Ukraine and were essentially tricked into have the baby they were carrying sold to the highest bidder. • FBI, wiretapping and some really awesome spy stuff. • The charges - illegal administering of medication, illegal “surrogacy,” trafficking women out of the country and selling babies. • Plus, Kim’s tips on finding a GOOD, reputable surrogacy agency. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com  Learn more about Surratt Law Practice: www.LawyersForFamilies.com

Episode 32: Helping Your Infertility #SUCKLESS! — Pradeepa Narayanaswamy

Wed, 12 Dec 2018 15:38:29 -0400

Pradeepa Narayanaswamy is an international Fertility Coach based out of Dallas, Texas. Her specialty is helping men, women and couples infertility journey SUCK LESS! She provides self-care plans to support her clients to take control of their fertility journeys. Pradeepa discusses: • What inspired her to go from the technology field to becoming a life coach and then a fertility coach. • Her heartbreaking personal losses and fertility journey. • Dealing with her emotions after 8 rounds of IVF and having to explore alternative treatments. • Her coping mechanisms for dealing with the constant loss and disappointment and how she finally came to peace with her infertility. • Tips on how to cope with infertility in a healthy way, especially for relationships. • Tips on identifying what is most important to you to calm the roller coaster of emotions and to help your fertility journey SUCK LESS! Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com  Visit Pradeepa’s website for additional information and to schedule a consultation today: PradeepaFertilityCoach.com

Episode 31: Changing the Law — Kim Surratt’s Story

Wed, 05 Dec 2018 15:38:28 -0400

Kim Surratt is a force of nature. She sits on the Executive Council as the Vice-Chair for the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Nevada, is a member of the National Family Law Advisory Council for the National Center of Lesbian Rights, a member of the National LGBT Bar Association and Vice President of the Nevada Justice Association. Kim is the chair of the domestic lobbying committee for the Nevada Justice Association and was a leader in the successful movement to have Nevada pass a comprehensive, family-supportive surrogacy law. She has spoken on assisted reproductive technology issues around the world. Listen as Kim discusses: • Her journey to ART Law, starting with getting involved with the LGBTQ community and Aids Prevention • Her adventures from Nevada to Costa Rica to California • Why she decided to go to law school and her first job after law school. • The amazing story of her first surrogacy case - and how it launched many surrogacy cases after it. • How she drafted and lobbied for the passage of the current reproductive family law statutes in Nevada. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com  Learn more about Surratt Law Practice: www.LawyersForFamilies.com

Episode 30: Being Your Own Advocate Through Infertility — Ashlee Hammonds Shares Her Journey

Thu, 29 Nov 2018 14:38:12 -0400

Ashlee is an infertility advocate, former intended parent, mom of twins, and surrogacy agency owner (In other words, she is a super woman!). She has been featured as an educator for All Things Surrogacy, serves as a Fruitful mentor and is a member of ASRM and SEEDS. She enjoys offering support to those battling infertility, as well as to intended parents and gestational carriers interested in surrogacy. She is the owner and founder of Family Makers Surrogacy. Hear Ashlee’s amazing story as she discusses: • Her 10 year fertility journey, including fertility drugs, IUI, egg retrievals, IVF and 8 devastating losses. • Their research into surrogacy and adoption. • The embryo transfer which finally led to a successful pregnancy. • An emergency situation with her surrogate right after birth. • The importance of advocating for yourself even in the face of constant heartbreak and loss. • What the relationship with the surrogate is like now. • Their miracle that happened after the surrogacy! Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com  Learn more about Ashlee’s agency: www.familymakers.com

Episode 29: Corlandos Scott - ART Lawyer, Entertainment Lawyer, Actor and Nuclear Reactor Operator

Wed, 17 Oct 2018 14:51:56 -0400

Corlandos Scott is an attorney in the Assisted Reproductive Technology field and a Hollywood actor. Listen as Corlandos talks about: • The hilarious story of how he accidentally got into acting. • His career path of communications major, nuclear reactor operator, actor, entertainment lawyer, ART lawyer and business owner. • How he fell in love with ART law and become an attorney in the celebrity world. • How his employer encouraged him to start his own firm. • The additional complications surrogates for celebrities face. • The added hardships celebrity Intended Parents sometime face in having to ask for extra things (privacy-related) from the surrogate - all after struggling to have a child unsuccessfully. • Balancing his acting career and managing his business and his celebrity (and even his non-celebrity) clients. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com Learn more about Corlandos’ practice: https://www.pinnaclefirm.com

Episode 28: Breaking the Mold on Postpartum Care With Sonal Patel

Wed, 10 Oct 2018 13:40:30 -0400

Sonal Patel is a pediatrician and a neonatologist who left the traditional hospital/clinic setting to start a specialized practice providing in-home newborn care. Listen as Sonal talks about: • Her time as a NICU doctor and experiencing birth and postpartum newborn care as a patient. • Seeing the holes in postpartum care provided to parents in our country, sparking her passion to start her practice, NayaCare. • The services NayaCare offers, including the 2-3 day newborn exam, 2 week baby exam, mother’s medical exam, as well as breastfeeding support…all within the comfort of your own home. • The benefits of her practice model to families through surrogacy. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com  Learn more about Dr. Patel’s practice: https://nayacare.org

Episode 27: Fighting For Her Life and For Motherhood With Emily Sandusky

Wed, 03 Oct 2018 13:20:43 -0400

Emily had leukemia four(!) times after first being diagnosed when she was 5 years old. She had an amazing journey of becoming a mother. Listen as Emily talks about: • Balancing her chemo treatments, school and soccer when she was younger. • The last time she was diagnosed at 19 (as a freshmen in college) and how she finished college while doing chemo for 2 years. • How she managed to get through being diagnosed and relapsing with leukemia 3 times, all while keeping up her spirits. • How she met her husband and how the discussion of a future family went. • The search for a gestational surrogate and an egg donor. • The 3 transfers it took to finally get their identical twin boys. • Her connection she felt to the babies during the pregnancy even though she didn’t carry them. • Being on a cruise in the middle of the ocean when their surrogate went into labor — find out if they made it to the birth! • What her relationship with her surrogate is like now. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com

Episode 26: The Long, LONG Road To Growing A Family with Melissa Dias

Wed, 26 Sep 2018 14:34:53 -0400

Melissa Dias went through an unbelievable journey to grow her family and never gave up on her dreams of having children. She now is an active advocate for ethical surrogacy in hopes of inspiring and assisting others who are going through the same or similar journeys. Listen as Melissa talks about: • Her struggle with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) diagnosis in her early 20s which began her infertility journey. • Her many rounds of clomid, IUIs, and IVF. • The tragic decision she was forced make to save her own life. • Her traumatic pregnancy experience that let her to explore surrogacy as an option to grow her family. • Her unbelievable start of her surrogacy journey and trying to find a good surrogate match - 3rd times a charm. • Why she started the Surrogacy Agency Review Board. • Her tips on what makes a good agency versus a bad agency. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com

Episode 25: It’s Not Just The Hormones! Mental Health Is Key To ART with Carole LieberWilkins

Wed, 19 Sep 2018 14:48:30 -0400

Carole LieberWilkins is a renowned Marriage and Family Therapist in the West Los Angeles area. She’s been working in family building, infertility, reproductive medicine, adoption, egg donation, sperm donation and surrogacy for the past 30 years. Listen as Carole talks about: • The devastating news she received about her own infertility at the agof 30. • The adoption experience with her first son (before egg donation was even available!). • Her experience being one of the first people in the world to receive and become pregnant with an egg donor’s egg. • The amazing process back in the 80s of how egg transfers USED to be done (and how INSANELY far they have come!). • How her experience launched her mental health career. • Dealing with your and your child’s emotions when discussing their birth story, especially if they are not genetically related to you. • Practicing your family-building story when you are pregnant or when your surrogate is pregnant. • Techniques and talking points when explaining to your children about their story. • Her (strong!) opinion on the anonymity of egg/sperm donors. • Books and other resources to help you talk to your children about their birth story. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com  Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com  Learn more about Carole’s practice: http://www.lafamilybuilding.com

Episode 24: From Rock Starts To Babies with Geina Horton

Wed, 12 Sep 2018 14:57:08 -0400

Geina Horton has been an acupuncturist in Denver for 20 years. She holds the honor of being the first licensed acupuncturist to become credentialed to perform acupuncture in the State of Colorado in the Operating Room at the University of Colorado Hospital. She specializes in infertility. Listen as Geina talks about: • What made her change her career from being a disc jockey to touring with rock stars to helping make babies! • How she takes Western medical conditions and symptoms and translates them to Chinese medicine. • How acupuncture has way more benefits than just being good for your “blood flow”. • How she had to win over her parents on the idea of Chinese medicine. • What her schooling was like to become an acupuncturist (including 400+ acupuncture points and memorizing all of the herbs!). • Her unbelievable stories about treating rock stars. • How she helps women conceive babies. And then get them out! Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com  Learn more about Geina’s practice, Insight Acupuncture: http://insightacupuncture.com

Episode 23: Groundbreaking Fertility Work With Dr. D

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 15:14:43 -0400

Dr. Said Daneshmand is an internationally recognized fertility specialist with extensive experience providing third-party reproductive services. Listen as Dr. Daneshmand talks about: • His experience with HIV and AIDS patients in his early medical years. • How he was inspired to go into fertility as his medical specialty. • His groundbreaking published work in fertility to improve IVF rates, increasing safety and generally eliminating the risk of ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome. • Changing the protocol for PGT or PGS (Pre-Genetic Test or Pre-Genetic Screening) so it’s safer for the embryo. • His current practice and research at San Diego Fertility Center. • His amazing work with those who are HIV positive and wanting genetically-related children. • The protocol that is in place for an embryo transfer from an HIV positive person to a surrogate and how safe it actually is. • His opinion on single embryo transfers versus multiple embryo transfers. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com  Learn more about Dr. Daneshmand’s practice, San Diego Fertility Center: https://www.sdfertility.com

Episode 22: The Battle For A Family After The Military - Crystal and Tyler Wilson

Wed, 29 Aug 2018 12:47:41 -0400

Crystal is an adaptive sports therapist. Tyler is a US Army Veteran, medically retired at the age of 23. Together they are tremendous advocates for accessible fertility treatment, especially for those who have served our country. Hear Crystal and Tyler discuss: • How Tyler was paralyzed in Afghanistan in May of 2005 and his incredible story of survival against the odds. • How Tyler’s life-changing decision to start hand cycling ultimately led him to find love. • Their struggle with infertility, including their unwillingness to give up, even after learning the VA prohibited coverage for fertility treatment. • Their lobbying efforts, victories and continued efforts. • How you can help. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com

Episode 21: The Adventures of Surrogacy Down Under with Stephen and Mitchell Page

Wed, 22 Aug 2018 12:14:55 -0400

Mitchell and Stephen are fun to listen to -- and not just because they have adorable Australian accents. They are also a power couple fighting to improve the lives of individuals and families in Australia. Mitchell has been a social worker for 10 years, specializing in children, mental illness and domestic violence. Stephen is a renowned lawyer focusing on family law. He handled his first surrogacy case in 1998! Hear Stephen and Mitchell discuss: • Their love story — from meeting to marriage, and hopefully to baby carriage in the not-too-distant future. • Where their gestational surrogacy journey is now – embryos, carriers, and more! (including best friends and family members raising their hands to help). • No gender reveal parties in Australia but Baby-B-Ques! • The thorny legal environment for surrogacy in Australia. • The complications of Australian couples going to the US (or other countries) for surrogacy. • The fascinating first case determining when “conception” happens. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com

Episode 20: Dealing with Infertility While in the Spotlight with Andrea Syrtash

Wed, 15 Aug 2018 00:57:35 -0400

Andrea Syrtash is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of pregnantishTM, the first online lifestyle magazine dedicated to helping people navigate their fertility. She’s been on Oprah and The View. She’s also a renowned author and dating and relationship expert. Hear Andrea’s amazing story as she discusses: • Her 10 year fertility journey while juggling a very public career. • Her major surgery, miscarriages, and intense fertility procedures before turning to another option. • How she had to fake it on national television while injecting herself with fertility drugs between takes. • The latest update on her journey. • How and why she started pregnantishTM and what it’s all about. • Advice on what to say and what not to say to those dealing with infertility. • Her nomination for a WEGO Health Award as a Patient Leader Hero. There are a couple days left to endorse her! Nominations close August 17, 2018 (https://awards.wegohealth.com/nominees/award/2018-wego-health-awards-patient-leader-hero?utf8=%E2%9C%93&search%5Bkeywords%5D=syrtash&search%5Bwith%5D%5Baward_ids%5D=) Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com  Learn more about pregnantishTM: www.pregnantish.com

Episode 19: Italy Is Famous for Art, But What About ART? — Ida Parisi

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 21:04:30 -0400

Ida Parisi is a lawyer in Italy specializing in fertility law and family law. She assists couples and singles to build their families through assisted reproductive technology. She also acts as an independent consultant for fertility centers and sperm and egg banks. Hear as Ida discusses: • How she got interested in fertility law. • Her background studying comparative ART law and working for an ART-specialized firm in Los Angeles. • Explaining how the striking differences between the Italian system and US system. • The case of an Italian couple banned from screening their embryos for genetic disease takes their fight all the way to the European Court of Human Rights. • Embryo mix ups. The Italian solution is very different than the American one. • What the “Spring of Rainbow Right” is. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com Learn more about Ida’s law firm: avvocatoidaparisi.com

Episode 18: Supporting Hope (and RESOLVE) — Jessica Fields

Tue, 19 Jun 2018 23:05:38 -0400

Jessica is the Chair of the Walk of Hope in Colorado, a fundraiser for the national organization RESOLVE, which raises awareness and provides support for those experiencing infertility. Jessica has also walked that long road of infertility. Hear as Jessica discusses: • Her husband and their high school love story beginnings. They started off not liking each other! • Their infertility journey — starting with an ectopic pregnancy and emergency surgery. And learning firsthand the importance of advocating for yourself. • The unsuccessful rounds of Clomid and IUI and the endless testing. • Their tough decision to not do IVF, which started their conversation around adoption. • How they picked their adoption agency and their adoption journey so far. • Where they are now in their adoption journey. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com Learn more about the the Colorado Walk of Hope here: classy.org/event/colorado-walk-of-hope/e164098. Join or donate to our team, Fetal Attraction, here: classy.org/team/167014

Episode 17: Legally Recognizing ART-Formed Families — Eric Wrubel

Wed, 13 Jun 2018 14:26:49 -0400

Eric, a preeminent New York matrimonial and family law attorney, has been on the frontlines of the fight for legal recognition of non-traditional families. Hear Eric discuss: • The hoops he and his husband had to jump through to adopt their two children. • His most exciting case and how it has changed the way New York courts now recognize parents. • A messy (I mean, really messy!) case with a UK same sex couple involving multiple countries, a surrogacy, a divorce, a new boyfriend, a fraudulent adoption ….and MORE drama! • A case where a court recognizes three people all as parents to one child (and how in New York there are five ways to become a legal parent!). Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com Learn more about the law firm Eric is Partner at here: wbny.com/eric-wrubel

Episode 16: One More Shot — Maya and Noah

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 00:05:37 -0400

Maya and Noah are the stars (or “subjects” as they like to say) of a documentary providing a very personal and in-depth look at infertility. One More Shot (check it out on Netflix!) gives you a front row seat into their four year journey to have a baby. We get the behind-the-scenes scoop. Hear from Maya and Noah as they share: • How they met and fell in love (despite their opposite personalities). • Their initial idea of shooting a short 5 minute clip about their IVF procedure and how it turned into so much more. • How they dealt with their very private moments on film (i.e. the bathroom scene!). • The numerous medical procedures they’ve endured. • Their thoughts on anonymity with donor gametes (they have lots of thoughts!). • How Maya’s pregnancy and the birth went (unfortunately…it was not nice and calm). • Postpartum depression - dealing with it, specifically when you’ve had infertility issues. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com Learn more about One More Shot: onemoreshotfilm.com or facebook.com/OneMoreShotFilm/ Check out Maya’s site: mayagrobel.com

Episode 14: An Egg and An Act of Sisterly Love — Lanie Wolff

Tue, 22 May 2018 23:49:31 -0400

Lanie Wolff is a clinical physicians liaison for Conceptions Reproductive Associations of Colorado. She has a wonderful personal story to share about how her sister Tessa helped her start her family. Hear from Lanie and Tessa as they share their story: • How they went from instant family (including an incident of classic sibling blackmail) to long-distance pen pals.. • Lanie and her husband confronting an only 5% chance of IVF working with her eggs and her husband’s sperm. • Tessa’s blunt (and amazing) offer to Lanie! • Tessa’s kids’ reactions to hearing about Tessa’s offer (one thought it was like Jurassic Park and one thought she was going to make her breakfast!) • The 3 week trip to Colorado - the bonding, the shots (in restaurants and movie theaters!), and the doctor’s appointments. • The procedure and the disappointing results. • The fairytale that Lanie tells the kids about their birth story (and how she handled the “how babies are made” talk with her oldest). • How Lanie’s story led her to her current career at Conceptions Reproductive Associations of Colorado. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com Learn more about Conceptions Reproductive Associates of Colorado: conceptionsrepro.com

Episode 13: Super Lawyer and Awesome Mom. Doing It All In Surprising Ways. — Danielle Kitson

Tue, 15 May 2018 21:30:26 -0400

Danielle Kitson is an attorney and partner at an international law firm. She is also a mother (proving that you can have it all!), but took a long and unique road to get there. Hear from Danielle Kitson as she shares her story: • Her plan in her twenties to throw an artificial insemination party if she didn’t find Mr. Right. • How her ex-husband helped her pick out her sperm donor?! • Failed IUIs, surgery, and IVF cycles (oh my!). • The challenges of being a single mother and being in a unique family situation and how she talks to her kids about it. • Her serious pregnancy complications and how they affected the babies. • What she decided to do with her remaining embryos. • Meeting and keeping in touch with the “diblings” of her children! • How the heck she’s doing all this while winning multi-million dollar trials. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com

Episode 12: Solving The Fertility Puzzle — Dr. Althea O’Shaughnessy

Tue, 08 May 2018 23:52:33 -0400

Dr. Althea O’Shaughnessy is a Reproductive Endocrinologist at Concep-tions Reproductive Associates of Colorado, one of the top clinics in Colo-rado. Dr. O’Shaughnessy won the Castle Connolly Top Doctor Award for 7 of the last 8 years. She’s originally from New York City and has recently moved to Colorado. While she had dreams of being a professional tap dancer, she put those dreams on hold to pursue her medical dreams (thankfully for those whom she’s helped get pregnant!). Hear from Dr. O’Shaughnessy as she discusses: • Uncovering the mystery of infertility and coming up with a personalized plan. • The trend of people waiting longer to get pregnant — why it’s happening and what it’s affecting. • The story of a young woman who went in for a laparoscopic procedure for an ectopic pregnancy and found something unexpected and life changing! • The importance of patients being educated and being their own advocates…getting second and third opinions (and talking to your uterus, if necessary). • Uterine transplants, swapping genetic material, changing genes within chromosomes, chromosomal testing, and more (oh my). • The recommendation on how long you should try before seeking help for infertility. • The oldest patient she’s helped get pregnant with her own eggs and the oldest with donor eggs (guesses? no…it’s not 70). Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com Learn more about Conceptions Reproductive Associates of Colorado: conceptionsrepro.com Tune in next week when we speak with Danielle Kitson, a partner at an International Law Firm.

Episode 11: All About Sperm. Storing Your Super Swimmers — Betsy Cairo

Tue, 01 May 2018 23:18:02 -0400

Betsy Cairo has her PhD in Human Reproduction and is the Founder and Director of CryoGam Colorado, Colorado’s only commercial sperm bank. She’s a college professor, Executive Director of a non-profit helping vulnerable communities, and a featured TED talk presenter. Girl has done it all. Hear from Betsy as she discusses: • How long sperm can be stored and still be viable – including the incredible story of a man who fought cancer at 18 years old and, with a little pre-planning, preserved his future dream of fatherhood. • How signing a simple document can make the world of difference to your partner or spouse should the unthinkable happen. Check it out here. • How donations are done – it’s not as short and sweet as the movies make it out to be! • Anonymity and identity issues -- is the identity of sperm donors known? Can it be discovered? • Why you should plan for your reproductive health and preserve your fertility. • Why it’s important to see a doctor (just like all the commercials tell you to do) instead of going the turkey baster route (which can ruin more than just Thanksgiving). Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com Learn more about CryoGam Colorado: cryogam.com Tune in next week when we speak with Dr. Athena O’Shaughnessy, a Reproductive Endocrinologist at Conceptions.

Episode 10: A Lifetime of Surrogacy (Being One, Running an Agency, Changing Laws) — Sharon LaMothe

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 21:19:33 -0400

Sharon LaMothe is the Owner of LaMothe Surrogacy Consulting and LaMothe Services, LLC. She’s also been a gestational surrogate two times, both times with twins! She has a wealth of knowledge in the assisted reproductive technology field.  Listen to this podcast and find out about: • How it all began - her own infertility issues and her tales of clomid turning her into the wicked witch of the west • Finding out on vacation about her surprise second pregnancy after her long span of infertility • Her experience of being a gestational surrogate the first time - spoiler alert - she gave birth to 2 girls!! • Her surrogacy journey being a 6-part mini-series on Channel 9 news in Rochester, NY (which she now has on VHS) - the beginning of her educational career of surrogacy • Her second experience as a gestational surrogate - giving birth, yet again, to twins! • How her agencies got up and running - and her favorite stories of human perseverance along the way • How a law change in Washington state may change her entire business Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com  Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com  Learn more about LaMothe Surrogacy Consulting: lamothesurrogacyconsulting.com Learn more about LaMothe Services, LLC: lamotheservices.com

Episode 9: Death, Turkey Basters and Insurance — Sarah Paige

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 21:49:45 -0400

Sarah Paige has been working with ART Risk Financial Insurance Solutions for 7 years. They specialize in insurance for the assisted reproductive technology field to help minimize the risk for Intended Parents, Surrogates, Donors and others throughout their journeys.   Tune in to find out: • How many states offer infertility insurance coverage • How often the gestational carrier’s insurance covers medical bills from the surrogacy (it’s more common now than it used to be!) • All about insurance policies - what they cover and what they don’t • Some of her most interesting cases - including one involving Medicaid where they ended up deciding NOT to cover the $250,000 bill which led to the intended parents filing bankruptcy • What happens when a policy changes in the middle of your pregnancy • The unfortunate but important matter of life insurance policies • How Sarah went from teaching smelly 5th graders to a logistics manager for the shipping industry to the insurance field Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com  Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com  Learn more about Art Risk Financial Insurance Solutions: artrisksolutions.com

Episode 8: Meet Bison Baby IVF1 (An Exploration in Non-human IVF) — Jennifer Barfield

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 00:05:20 -0400

Jennifer Barfield is a Professor from Colorado State University in the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. She specializes in reproductive physiology and assisted reproductive technologies in a variety of species. Tune in to find out: • Unique aspects of reproductive in different non-human species - naked mole rats, anyone? • Which species are born with their eyes open and their teeth out and start fighting immediately. Oh and the females give birth through a pseudo-penis. • The training involved in becoming an embryologist and what inspired Jennifer to go into the field. • Using Assisted Reproductive Technology to cure a disease found in the Bison of Yellowstone. • The story behind Baby Bison IVF1 - yes, of course we have photos. • If the hotel room by you in Yellowstone is being used as a baby bison lab. • Why you should come to Colorado in the case of an apocalypse. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com Learn more or donate to the CSU Bison program: advancing.colostate.edu/BISON

Episode 7: Passports, Burner Phones, and International Intrigue — Marc Gilland

Wed, 14 Mar 2018 01:08:46 -0400

Marc Gilland is a passport and visa expert with Passport Visa Advisors and responsible for helping countless families make it home. Think Homeland. But with more babies.   Tune in as Marc tells us: • His amazing stories of international drama with parents trying to get their US-born surrogate babies home. • Complications when one parent dies before conception or mom dies months before the birth (assisted reproductive technology is changing the biological limits of reproduction!). • Why you might need to buy a “burner” phone. • How to avoid getting into a fist fight in a US embassy. • And how to avoid other common pitfalls that can make a major difference in a family’s ability to get home. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com  Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com  Learn more about Passport Visa Advisors: https://passportvisaadvisors.com Tune in next week as we talk to Jennifer Barfield, a Professor from Colorado State University in the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, where she’ll talk about non-human assisted reproductive medicine!

Episode 3: A Father’s Gestational Surrogacy Journey — David Lat

Sat, 10 Mar 2018 00:00:00 -0400

David Lat, Founder and Editor of Above The Law, has gone to Harvard and Yale, is the author of the novel, Supreme Ambitions, and is most importantly, a new father. Listen to David talk about he and his husband Zach’s beautiful gestational surrogacy journey: • How he and his husband Zach met and how they arrived at the decision of gestational surrogacy. • How they decided on their surrogacy agency, their gestational surrogate, their egg donor, their fertility clinic, their attorneys, and every other moving piece of this puzzle! • The story of their embryos, whose DNA they used, which embryo(s) took, and the SURPRISE gender of their baby. • The relationship they had with their gestational carrier and her husband (HINT…it was SO good, you guys!) and his advice to new intended parents and gestational carriers on how to have a great relationship. • Their dramatic story of attempting to make it to the birth of their sweet child! Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com  Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com  Learn more about Above The Law: abovethelaw.com Tune in next week as we talk to Suzie White, previous gestational surrogate and current Outreach Coordinator for Colorado Surrogacy!

Episode 6: Dealing With Loss as a Gestational Carrier — Patience Bleskan

Tue, 06 Mar 2018 23:17:47 -0400

Patience Bleskan is a Developmental Psychologist who is the Founder of the Family Room. She’s also the mother of four kids. Her personal experience as a gestational carrier went very differently than she anticipated. Tune into listen to Patience talk about: • Her long road to being a gestational carrier and if she’d do it again. • How she picked her intended parents and why the first preliminary match didn’t work. • The importance of the gestational carrier speaking up about preferences for the pregnancy and birth to ensure a good match. • Her decision process on two embryos versus one embryo. • The embryo transfer processes and their heartbreaking outcomes. • Dealing with pregnancy loss when you are used to being the lucky fertile one. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com Learn more about The Family Room: thefamilyroomdenver.com Tune in next week as we talk to Marc Gilland from Passport and Visa Advisors!

Episode 5: The Agency of All Agencies — Gail Sexton-Anderson

Wed, 28 Feb 2018 05:54:42 -0400

Gail Sexton-Anderson is the Founder and CEO of Donor Concierge, a service that finds egg donors and surrogate mothers, helping intended parents have the baby they always wanted. She also has her Masters in Counseling from Harvard University and is a board member of SEEDS (Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy). Tune in to listen to Gail talk about: • How Donor Concierge works and how she came up with the concept of her business. • Intended parents who have gone through almost 20 IVF cycles who finally ended up with a baby. • Some of the most funny questions she’s received from people about the process. • Her suggestions on reasons of why you should choose a donor. • Tips for intended parents on how to share their family creation story. • Her feelings on IPs wanting to use more than one surrogate at a time. • Her best piece of advice for those getting ready to start the egg donor or surrogacy process. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com  Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com  Learn more about Donor Concierge: https://www.donorconcierge.com Tune in next week as we talk to Patience Bleskan, Developmental Psychologist and Founder of the Family Room! Spoiler alert: this one is sad.

Episode 4: Stories From a 3-Time Surrogate — Suzie White

Sat, 17 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0400

Suzie White is a 3-time surrogate and previous egg donor and is currently the Marketing Outreach Coordinator with Colorado Surrogacy. Suzie discusses her amazing surrogacy experience: • What inspired her to be a surrogate for the very first time back in the 90s (it involves Oprah, of course) • Her different experiences between traditional surrogacy the first 2 times (singletons both times) versus gestational surrogacy the 3rd time around (with twins!) • How the Pre-Birth Order her 3rd time around made the process much easier for both her and the birth parents • Her thoughts now looking back on her surrogate pregnancies and if she has any regrets or would change anything • Advice to those interested in being a gestational carrier or to those who may need to use a gestational carrier to grow their family Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com Tune in next week as we talk to Gail Sexton-Anderson, CEO and Founder of Donor Concierge!

Episode 2: An Angel and Her Eggs — Jennifer Nelson

Sun, 04 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0400

Jennifer Nelson is the Founder and Program Director of An Angel’s Gift, a full service egg donation and embryo donation agency. She is a 7-time egg donor herself and has also been a gestational surrogate. Hear Jennifer discuss all the aspects of the egg donation process: • How she found out about the possibility of egg donation and why she decided to do it. • The process of egg donation from the LONG application process to the medical tests, psychological testing, legal agreements, follicle stimulation, injections, ultrasounds, trigger shots, egg retrieval process, and more (yes…and more). • Her feelings on having children genetically related to her that she’s never met. The number of parents she helped with her egg donations and the touching stories she has from these families, including some of whom she still keeps in touch (get your tissues ready). Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com  Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com  Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com  Learn more about An Angels Gift: angeleggdonation.com Tune in next week when we speak with David Lat, Founder and Editor of Above The Law.

Episode 1: 3 Assisted Reproductive Technology Stories — Amira Hasenbush

Sat, 27 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0400

Amira Hasenbush is an attorney and expert in LGBT law and policy, family formation law, surrogacy, sperm and egg donor agreements, adoptions, and name and gender changes in sunny Los Angeles, California. Hear 3 stories from Amira as they relate to the Assisted Reproductive Technology field: • Hiring two surrogates simultaneously? Getting a contract shoved in your face while you’re in labor? A gestational surrogacy case gone wrong. Lesson learned: ALWAYS go through an agency. • A sperm donor getting sued for child support (yes, you read that right)? Lesson learned: ALWAYS go through an agency and consult an attorney. • ICWA - adoption of Native American children and how that works with sperm donation. Lesson learned: ALWAYS go through an agency and consult an attorney. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903 Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com Learn more about Amira Hasenbush: allfamilylegal.com Tune in next week when we speak with Jennifer Nelson, the Founder and Program Director of An Angel’s Gift.