When you’ve been through surrogacy once, everything changes the second time around.

In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne shares what she and her family are doing differently on their second surrogacy journey—and how those changes can help you avoid common setbacks, delays, and disappointments.

From choosing not to rush, to using the Surrogacy First Six, to prioritizing proximity and emotional alignment over speed, this episode is a masterclass in intentional surrogacy planning.

Whether you’re just starting out or already navigating your second (or third) journey, Alyssa walks you through 10 key things they’re doing differently—and why BloomBridge was built to simplify it all for other parents.

What You’ll Learn:

• 00:52 — Why they’re building BloomBridge while doing surrogacy again

• 03:36 — The first time vs second time: what they wish they knew

• 05:18 — What their “200-page Google Doc” turned into

• 07:50 — Why DIY surrogacy research wastes more than time

• 08:28 — New approach to matching with surrogates through BloomBridge

• 09:31 — Why compatibility scores and ID verification matter

• 11:21 — How they’re preparing potential surrogates before matching

• 12:12 — Why they’re not using a traditional agency—and how concierge support might replace it

• 13:18 — Clarifying that BloomBridge supports both independent and agency-based paths

• 14:49 — How the Surrogacy First Six became a filter to prevent misalignment

• 16:45 — The power of saying no and being picky

• 17:28 — Why proximity (driving distance) now matters more than ever

• 20:12 — The “small red flag” story they ignored last time (and now won’t)

• 21:20 — Why they’re using escrow this time—and how it avoids financial conflict

• 22:40 — Alyssa’s healing experience with induced lactation after hysterectomy

• 24:32 — The push present she wishes she had: a postpartum doula

• 27:26 — What a great doula actually did for their family

• 30:17 — Why nutrition planning with Green Chef became their postpartum secret weapon

• 33:30 — What this second journey is really about: doing it better—and doing it for you, too
  

Resources Mentioned:

(Note- This post includes an affiliate link. That means if you try Green Chef through our link, we may receive a small thank-you commission—at no extra cost to you. We only share things we genuinely use and recommend.)

• BloomBridge Surrogacy App

• View Our Public Intended Parent Profile (please share)

• Free Box of Green Chef (affiliate link)

• Surrogate Vetting Essentials Guide

Thinking about surrogacy—or doing it again? 💡 Start where Alyssa did this time: with BloomBridge. 💻 Create your free profile, explore vetted surrogates, and plan your next steps with tools built for you.

“We’re still living the story, but now—as we walk—we’re creating the map.”