Many people using donor conception or surrogacy feel “different” and quietly wonder what family really means when genetics aren’t shared in the way they expected.

In this episode, I talk about chosen family in the context of donor conception and surrogacy: how to see yourself not as “other,” but as part of a growing, very real type of family.

We’ll explore:

If you’re building your family with donor sperm, donor eggs, embryos, or surrogacy, you are not alone – and you are not less of a family. There are ways to navigate grief, boundaries, and conversations that honor you, your partner, and your child.

💬 Want more support?

Learn more or join here: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/

🔔 New episodes every week on donor conception, surrogacy, and parenting in these families. Subscribe so you don’t miss them.

#donorconception #donorconceived #surrogacy #chosenfamily #modernfamily #infertilitysupport #thirdpartyreproduction #intendedparents #lgbtqfamily #fertilityjourney

If you’ve been reassured that your donor will only create a “small number” of families, or even that they’re effectively “just for you,” this episode is important.

In this conversation, I unpack:

I also talk about openness: when having more access to a donor can be helpful for medical or emotional reasons, and why it’s still possible to raise a healthy, secure child with a non‑open donor. The goal is to replace scary myths with realistic expectations and practical steps you can take as a parent.

If this brought up questions for you, there are two free workshops that can help:

    Choosing a Donor: What Clinics & Websites Don’t Teach You – for people still in the donor decision or selection process

You can see dates and register for both at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1976369301784?aff=oddtdtcreator, or via the links in the show notes.

#donorconception #donoreggs #donorsperm

If you’re in IVF and quietly wondering, “How many more rounds can we do before we have to think about donor eggs?” this conversation with Dr. Moomjy is for you.

In this episode, we talk about:

This is not vague reassurance. We walk through what the research and real‑world data actually say, so you can have a more informed discussion with your own doctor and feel more grounded in whatever you decide next.

If you’re considering donor conception and want structured, research‑based guidance, you can learn more in our community. https://familybuilding.net/services/donor-conception-explained/

Learn more about Dr. Maureen Moomjy: https://www.drmoomjy.com/

#ivf #ivfjourney #donoreggs #donorconception #fertilitytreatment #fertilitysupport #ttccommunity #fertilitypodcast #reproductivemedicine

Luteal phase defect is one of the most hotly debated topics in fertility right now. Do you actually have it? And do you really need progesterone support… or not?

In this episode, I sit down with reproductive endocrinologist and researcher Dr. Parry to unpack what the science actually says about luteal phase defects, progesterone supplementation, and fertility treatment.

We cover: what a luteal phase defect is (and what it isn’t), when a short luteal phase or low progesterone is worth taking seriously, and when adding more progesterone doesn’t change outcomes. We also talk through the differences between progesterone support in natural cycles, IUI, IVF, and early pregnancy.

If you’ve been told you might have a luteal phase defect, are wondering whether to push for progesterone, or just want a clear, calm breakdown of the research… this episode is for you.

Next steps & support:

Subscribe for more evidence‑based conversations on fertility, donor conception, and surrogacy.

This episode is for information and education only and is not individual medical advice. Always discuss your own situation and treatment options with your doctor or fertility specialist.

#lutealphasedefect #progesterone #fertility #ttccommunity #ivfjourney #iui #recurrentmiscarriage #infertility #fertilitysupport #reproductivemedicine

Intimacy and sperm health made clear—Dr. Rena Malik, MD explains sex and intimacy while you're trying to conceive, evidence‑based lifestyle factors, timing, when to seek urology care, and how to think about next steps across IVF, IUI, and at‑home TTC. 

Confusion around intimacy and “sperm quality” stalls a lot of TTC journeys. In this episode, Dr. Rena Malik, MD (urology and sexual health) breaks down:

What “sperm health” actually means and how poor sperm quality can be an indication of poor health

Disclaimer: Educational only, not medical advice. Confirm with your clinician.

Learn more about Dr. Rena Malik: https://www.renamalikmd.com/

#TTC #SpermHealth #RenaMalik #SexualHealth #FertilityEducation #IVF #IUI #MaleFertility #Intimacy #ReproductiveMedicine

In this episode, we make legalese usable. You’ll get the operating rules to protect your surrogacy/donor journey when things get messy, so decisions are fast, fair, and aligned.

What you’ll learn fast:

#Surrogacy #DonorConception #Fertility #IntendedParents #LGBTQFamily #SingleParentByChoice #IVF #SurrogacyContract #WomenHealthcare

There’s a lot of strong advice about nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle. This episode shows how to make it work for your season of life—without “doing it all.” Dietitian and intuitive eating specialist Sam Previte explains gentle nutrition for TTC and pregnancy, so you can make steady improvements with less all‑or‑nothing pressure.

You’ll learn:

Intuitive eating: what it is (and isn’t) for TTC/pregnancy

Learn more about Sam Previte: https://find-foodfreedom.com/

#Fertility #IntuitiveEating #FertilityDiet #IVF #PCOS #WomensHealth #TryingToConceive #NutritionMyths

The most‑asked question: “If I don’t use my genetics, will the baby be mine?” Lauren Tassi (Your IVF BFF) shares her three‑year journey—how she moved from repeated IVF to choosing donor embryos—and what finally made the decision feel 100% hers.  

  You’ll hear:  

Follow Lauren on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefullykidding/

#DonorEmbryos #DonorConception #Fertility #IVF #TTC #PatientStory #YourIVFBFF #WomensHealth #ThirdPartyReproduction

Cut through fertility misinformation. Dr. Lowell Ku (REI; leads ASRM’s technology professional group) separates myths from facts so you know what to trust online, from influencers, and in clinic—plus how to think about supplements and opinion vs evidence.  

  - What to trust online: source hierarchy (guidelines/studies - summaries - opinions)  

Learn more about Dr. Lowell Ku: https://dallasivf.com/

 #Fertility #IVF #IUI #FertilityMyths #EvidenceBased #ASRM #WomensHealth #TryingToConceive #DonorConception #Surrogacy

You don’t need to stop exercising before or during fertility treatment—pause near the end of the cycle and right after retrieval. Here’s how to train smart, read your body, and know when it’s too much (or not enough)—plus high‑level pregnancy guidance.  

- You’ll learn  

Learn more about Dr. Sheeva Talebian: https://www.ccrmivf.com/