becoming babyREADY with Sam Leeson - All About Queer Family Planning & Creation

I am SO excited to bring you the “becoming babyREADY” podcast! Listen in as I talk about starting or growing a family with parents and professionals alike. All of the people I speak with identify as 2SLGTBQIA+

There are various paths that 2SLGBTQIA+ people can take to create their respective families. When there are two people with uteruses instead of two without, it may seem as though the journey would be even easier to navigate.  What about the people who don’t want to carry, even if they have the “parts?” Whose eggs are used?  Do they take turns? Does everyone in their respective orbits have the right to ask these questions?  

Let’s dive deep with Victoria and Emily as they tell us more about how they have navigated the process.

Meet Victoria and Emily on IG @vschwarzl and @emherczeg and check out Victoria’s website at: https://www.afterallphotography.com (where she features some of the guests on this podcast)!

**This conversation was originally recorded in Summer 2022 and is available to watch at https://www.babyREADY.info/welcometothebabyshow **

I am SO excited to bring you the “becoming babyREADY” podcast! Listen in as I talk about starting or growing a family with parents and professionals alike. All of the people I speak with identify as 2SLGTBQIA+

As if being a Certified Financial Planner with Edward Jones wasn’t busy enough, Morgan also coparents twin girls with his ex husband. Together, he and I talk about some of the costs associated with becoming a parent through surrogacy, as well as planning both emotionally and financially for parenthood and creating a community in which to grow and thrive!

Find Morgan at his day job by visiting his web page: https://www.edwardjones.ca/ca-en/financial-advisor/morgan-sheridan and watch as his family grows up on IG @themorgansheridan

**This conversation was originally recorded in the fall of 2022 and is available to watch at https://www.babyREADY.info/welcometothebabyshow **

I am SO excited to bring you the “becoming babyREADY” podcast! Listen in as I talk about starting or growing a family with parents and professionals alike. All of the people I speak with identify as 2SLGTBQIA+

Today I am speaking with Kristin and Alexis, a couple from Chicago, who used a known donor to conceive their twin babies. Born well ahead of their due dates, for the safety of both babies and the birthing parent, they have had nothing if not a busy start to their young lives.

Alexis and Kristin’s dedication to their family and their community is abundant and evident throughout this conversation.

You can see this gorgeous family on IG @partymomchi 

**This conversation was originally recorded in September 2022 and is available to watch at https://www.babyREADY.info/welcometothebabyshow **

I am SO excited to bring you the “becoming babyREADY” podcast! Listen in as I talk about starting or growing a family with parents and professionals alike. All of the people I speak with identify as 2SLGTBQIA+

As soon as you begin, listening to my conversation today, with Finn, Schubert, you will understand what a gifted Speaker he is. He knows what he’s talking about. He pulls no punches and he discusses the value of honouring who we are and respecting where we are on our life’s journey.

You can find Finn on his website: https://finnschubert.substack.com and on IG @finnschubertwrites 

**This conversation was originally recorded in November 2022 and is available to watch at https://www.babyREADY.info/welcometothebabyshow **

I am SO excited to bring you the “becoming babyREADY” podcast! Listen in as I talk about starting or growing a family with parents and professionals alike. All of the people I speak with identify as 2SLGTBQIA+

I am very confident you know Morgan & Ale from their presence on Instagram, TikTok & YouTube. 

We speak candidly today about the vulnerability associated with putting their lives on display as they create their family. It has its pros; but it also has its cons.

You can find this dynamic family on IG, TT and YouTube @twomomsinmotion and their website: https://twomomsinmotion.com

**This conversation was originally recorded in Summer 2022 and is available to watch at https://www.babyREADY.info/welcometothebabyshow **

I am SO excited to bring you the “becoming babyREADY” podcast! Listen in as I talk about starting or growing a family with parents and professionals alike. All of the people I speak with identify as 2SLGTBQIA+

Midwifery care is very different from country to country and even within the various provinces in Canada. Today I have the pleasure of sharing my conversation with Cora Beitel, RM in British Columbia.  You can find a midwife in BC by visiting: https://www.bcmidwives.com/find-a-midwife.html

We delve into what their care looks like, how to find a midwife and also about the program they offer (in person and online) fir Queer and Trans identifying parents.  To learn more about the group, email: [email protected]

**This conversation was originally recorded in Summer 2022 and is available to watch at https://www.babyREADY.info/welcometothebabyshow **

I am SO excited to bring you the “becoming babyREADY” podcast! Listen in as I talk about starting or growing a family with parents and professionals alike. All of the people I speak with identify as 2SLGTBQIA+

When it comes to talking about intentional family creation, there is no one better than Troy who is one of four co-parents to his eldest child and a co-parent with his ex-husband to three more.  They have experienced the ups and downs of family building in both Canada and the US and he lays out the process and cons, ups and downs as well as the financial commitment to embarking upon realizing the family of his dreams.

**This conversation was originally recorded in Summer 2022 and is available to watch at https://www.babyREADY.info/welcometothebabyshow **

I am SO excited to bring you the “becoming babyREADY” podcast! Listen in as I talk about starting or growing a family with parents and professionals alike. All of the people I speak with identify as 2SLGTBQIA+

On today’s episode, I am proud to be speaking with Dr. Dustin Costescu, OB/GYN in Hamilton Ontario. 

Dr. Dustin speaks frankly about potential obstacles that 2SLGBTQIA+ people may face when seeking care to start or grow a family. He also offers tips on different ways to find care providers who are comfortable and respectful, working with a 2SLGBTQIA+ community. And finally, he shares one very special moment about the birth of one of his children. 

**This conversation was originally recorded in Summer 2022 and is available to watch at https://www.babyREADY.info/welcometothebabyshow **

I am SO excited to bring you the “becoming babyREADY” podcast! Listen in as I talk about starting or growing a family with parents and professionals alike. All of the people I speak with identify as 2SLGTBQIA+

Co-parenting can and does look as vastly different from household to household as family creation does in the 2SLGBTQIA+ world.  Today I am talking with my friend Jessie and they are the first to say that they did it their way.  Jessie and her ex-wife both each carried a child to create their intentional family.  With babies only 18 months apart, they have kept their parents super busy and very connected, even though they are no longer a couple.  They continue to live under the same roof and embark upon all decisions about their children, together!

**This conversation was originally recorded in Summer 2022 and is available to watch at https://www.babyREADY.info/welcometothebabyshow **

Often, when we think of an IBCLC (international board certified lactation consultant) we think about feeding babies exclusively from our bodies. While it is true, that that is one of the roles that a lactation consultant may play, their priority, above all else is that your baby is fed. They also specialize in induced lactation, over supply, under supply, understanding baby’s needs, and so much more. 

Today we are chatting with Aunjrya McTaggart, IBCLC. She offers insight as to many of the considerations that hopeful and expectant parents may want to think about before their baby or babies even arrive. You can learn more about Aunjrya and the work that she does by visiting her at her website: https://babyhippie.ca or on Instagram @_baby_hippie_

**This conversation was originally recorded in Summer 2022 and is available to watch at https://www.babyREADY.info/welcometothebabyshow **