We Kept Going… But Not in the Same Way

Jen’s path to becoming a mom didn’t follow a straight line.

After years of trying, multiple rounds of IVF, and not a single embryo, she made the decision to move forward with egg donation, hoping that would finally be the turning point.

But even then, things didn’t go as expected.

After four failed transfers, Jen found herself in a place so many women reach in this process:

Do you keep going the same way… or do you change something?

In this episode, Jen shares what it looked like to keep moving forward while also making the difficult decision to shift direction, from choosing a new agency and egg donor to changing clinics, and what ultimately led to the birth of her daughter.

We talk about:

• What it’s like to go through years of infertility with no clear answers
• Why egg donation doesn’t always mean immediate success
• The emotional weight of repeated failed transfers
• How to recognize when it’s time to make a change
• What gave her the confidence to try a different path
• The reality of holding onto hope while adjusting expectations

This episode is a reminder that continuing forward doesn’t always mean staying on the same path.

Sometimes, the most important step is choosing a different one.

If you’re in the middle of your journey and questioning what to do next, this conversation will meet you there.

In this episode, we’re sharing a conversation featuring Katy Encalade, President & CEO of Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions, from the IVF Daddies Podcast.

If you’re exploring surrogacy or egg donation, it’s easy to focus on the steps but having a clearer understanding of the bigger picture makes all the difference.

In this conversation, Katy breaks down:

• What a realistic timeline looks like from embryo creation to baby
• Why many families need more embryos than they expect
• Where patience matters most in the journey
• Why matching matters more than speed
• What Intended Parents often overlook when choosing an egg donor
• Red flags to watch for when evaluating agencies

This is the part of the process most people don’t fully understand, until they’re already in it.

If you’re exploring surrogacy or egg donation, it’s easy to focus on the steps but having a clearer understanding of the bigger picture makes all the difference.

If you’re early in your journey, or already in the middle of it, this will change how you think about what comes next.

What happens after National Infertility Awareness Week ends?

In this mini moment, Katy Encalade reflects on what it really means to carry this work forward, beyond a single week, a hashtag, or a moment.

After nearly two decades in the surrogacy and egg donation space, Katy shares what most people don’t see: the everyday conversations, decisions, and support that shape how families are built.

This isn’t just about awareness, it’s about responsibility, guidance, and doing this work the ethical way.

If you’re navigating infertility, or considering surrogacy or egg donation, this is a reminder that your journey doesn’t end here.

And neither does the support.

Why does your insurance, or even your zip code, determine whether you can access fertility care?

In this mini moment, Katy Encalade, CEO of Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions, unpacks insights from Elizabeth Carr, the first baby born through IVF in the United States and a leading fertility advocate, on the hidden barriers that shape fertility journeys before most people even realize it.

Katy explains how access to fertility care isn’t just medical, it’s structural. Insurance coverage, cost, and where you live can quietly determine what options are actually available… and for many, whether they have options at all.

If you’re exploring IVF, surrogacy, or egg donation, understanding these barriers is key to making informed decisions.

As we recognize National Infertility Awareness Week, this conversation highlights why awareness and advocacy are essential to creating more equitable paths to family building.

1 in 6 people experience infertility, but access to IVF and fertility care still depends on where you live, your job, and your insurance.

As we recognize National Infertility Awareness Week, this conversation matters more than ever.

In this episode, we break down why infertility is becoming a national conversation, and what most people don’t see behind the scenes.

I’m joined by Alise Powell from RESOLVE: The National Infertility & Family Building Association, where she works in fertility advocacy, policy, and expanding access to care.

In this episode:

Why IVF access depends on your state and employer
What’s changing in fertility coverage and legislation
The real cost of infertility (financial + emotional)
How advocacy and storytelling are shaping the future of family building

If you’re considering IVF, surrogacy, or egg donation, or just trying to understand your options, this will help you move forward with more clarity and confidence.

Subscribe for real stories, expert insights, and support on your journey to building a family.

Why does infertility feel so isolating, even when you know you’re not the only one going through it?

In this mini moment, Katy Encalade, CEO of Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions, unpacks Kelli Johnson’s powerful words on loneliness, fear, and the emotional weight of infertility.

Katy shares what she sees every day working with intended parents, how isolation quietly shapes not just how you feel, but the decisions you make during your journey.

As we recognize National Infertility Awareness Week, this conversation is a reminder that support isn’t optional, it’s essential.

You are not alone in this.

For National Infertility Awareness Week, we’re honoring this year’s theme #MoreThan, starting with #MoreThanYourJourney.

In this Mini Moment, Emily shares the sentence that helped heal years of shame she carried through infertility and reminded her that her worth was never defined by what her body could or couldn’t do.

If you’ve ever wondered “Am I broken?” or “Did my body fail me?” this message is for you.

You are more than your infertility journey. And your story is still unfolding.

Why is building a family still so hard—decades after IVF changed everything?

In this episode, we sit down with Elizabeth Carr, the first child born through IVF in the United States, to explore how far fertility medicine has come—and why access to care is still out of reach for so many.

From insurance gaps and rising costs to the emotional realities of navigating IVF, egg donation, and surrogacy, this conversation goes beyond the science to unpack what’s really happening behind the scenes.

Released during National Infertility Awareness Week, this episode is about more than awareness—it’s about understanding the barriers that still exist, and what needs to change.

If you’re exploring your options, supporting someone who is, or simply trying to understand why this process can feel so difficult—this conversation will give you the clarity, context, and perspective to move forward.

Surrogacy delivery day, what should you expect as an intended parent?

Aaron and Lisa are back.

When you first met them, they were just beginning their surrogacy journey. Now, they’re 7 weeks away from meeting their baby, with the same surrogate who carried their daughter.

But this time, they’re preparing for delivery day as parents… with a 5-year-old at home.

Which means new decisions, creating a birth plan, and navigating how to support their surrogate, while getting ready to welcome baby number two.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

What changes (and what doesn’t) the second time through surrogacy
The key delivery day decisions intended parents need to prepare for
How to set expectations before the hospital
What might surprise you emotionally in those final weeks

Whether you’re early in your journey or counting down the weeks, this episode will help you feel more clear, supported, and ready for delivery day.

Choosing surrogacy isn’t just about deciding to move forward — it’s about knowing who you can trust to support you through the process.

In this episode, Monroe shares what he learned after going through two very different surrogacy journeys. Along the way, he offers perspective and advice shaped by what he experienced firsthand — including moments where transparency, ethics, and consistent support made all the difference.

Rather than theory, this conversation focuses on what stood out after experiencing journeys with two different agencies — and how working with the right people changed the entire experience.

This episode is for anyone researching surrogacy or egg donation who wants to feel informed, supported, and confident before taking the next step.