You've decided you want to build your family through surrogacy. Now what?

In this episode of Fertility Café, Eloise Drane sits down with surrogacy Family Support Advisor,  Jennifer Silva to walk intended parents through the entire surrogacy journey, from that very first phone call to bringing your baby home. Jennifer draws on both her professional expertise and her own deeply personal fertility journey to give one of the most honest, comprehensive conversations about surrogacy you'll find anywhere.

This episode doesn't sugarcoat the process. It breaks down what the matching phase actually involves, why surrogate screening matters more than most agencies let on, what the real financial picture looks like, and why emotional preparation is just as important as having the right embryos.

If you've ever wondered how long surrogacy actually takes...
If you've been shocked by the costs and aren't sure what you're really paying for...
If you're trying to figure out whether you're truly ready to begin...

This episode is for you.

You'll Learn

About Our Guest

Jennifer Silva is a surrogacy Family Support Advisor with deep firsthand knowledge of the fertility journey. After years of navigating her own infertility, severe endometriosis, and multiple IVF clinic changes, Jennifer became a passionate advocate for intended parents, particularly around education, transparency, and emotional readiness. She works closely with Family Inceptions to guide intended parents through every stage of the surrogacy process, from initial consultation through matching, medical clearance, transfer, pregnancy, and birth.

Her approach is rooted in honesty, patience, and making sure every family is truly prepared: not just on paper, but emotionally, financially, and relationally.

Resources & Links

Related Episodes

Ep 126: What Your OBGYN Isn't Telling You
A candid discussion about the gaps in reproductive health education and why so many women leave appointments without real answers. Essential listening for anyone advocating for themselves through a fertility journey.

Ep 129: Acupuncture for Fertility: Supporting Hormones, Cycles & IVF Success
How acupuncture supports hormone balance, regulates cycles, and complements IVF treatment. A great resource for intended parents still in the embryo creation phase.

What happens when a sperm donor and his donor-conceived child find each other decades later?

In this episode of Fertility Café, Eloise Drane sits down with reproductive medicine physician Dr. Danny Shapiro and Georgia state legislator Josh McLaurin for a conversation that is equal parts fascinating, deeply personal, and profoundly important for the future of donor conception.

Dr. Shapiro donated sperm as a medical student at Emory in the 1980s, never expecting to one day come face to face with the result. Josh McLaurin didn't find out he was donor-conceived until he was 31 years old, a revelation that sent him on a journey of self-discovery that ultimately led him straight to his biological father's 23andMe profile. The twist? Danny was already Josh's elected state representative.

This conversation goes far beyond one family's story. It unpacks the psychology of disclosure, the case for open donation, the evolving landscape of donor-conceived rights, and what it truly means to find yourself through your DNA.

If you have ever wondered what happens after the match is made...
If you are a donor, a donor-conceived person, or a recipient parent navigating disclosure...
If you believe the fertility industry needs to evolve alongside the families it creates...

This episode is for you.

You'll Learn

About Our Guests

Dr. Danny Shapiro is a reproductive endocrinologist and one of the founders of My Egg Bank, now the largest network of frozen donor egg banks in the United States. He has spent decades helping individuals and couples build families through assisted reproduction, and since connecting with Josh in 2019, has become an advocate for open donation and greater transparency in the fertility field.

Senator Josh McLaurin was elected to the Georgia State Senate in 2022 and serves Georgia's 14th Senate District, covering portions of north Fulton County including Sandy Springs, Roswell, Johns Creek, Atlanta, and Alpharetta. Previously, he served four years in the Georgia House of Representatives. A Double-Dawg graduate of UGA, he received his law degree from Yale and has built a legal practice focused on business litigation and aviation law. He grew up in Cobb County, discovered he was donor-conceived at age 31, and located Dr. Shapiro through 23andMe, only to realize Danny had been his own elected representative all along. Josh is now an advocate for donor-conceived rights and the policy changes needed to support them.

Resources & Links

Dr. Danny Shapiro

Senator Josh McLaurin

Fertility Café

Additional Resources

Related Episodes

Ep 134 – The Truth About Birth Control, Ovulation, and Your Hormones with Lisa Hendrickson-Jack
A deep dive into the menstrual cycle as a vital sign, fertility awareness education, and what hormonal birth control really does to the body.

Ep 126 – What Your OBGYN Isn't Telling You
A candid conversation about the gaps in reproductive health education and why so many women leave appointments without real answers.

What does it really take to become a surrogate physically, emotionally, and mentally?

In this episode of Fertility Café, Eloise Drane sits down with Darnae Pitts, wife, mother of two, and two-time gestational surrogate, to talk about what surrogacy actually looks like behind the scenes.

From being initially denied due to mental health and BMI requirements to navigating a divorce before starting her first journey, Darnae shares the determination it took to qualify. She opens up about losing weight to meet medical guidelines, strengthening her mental health, and learning that “not right now” did not mean “never.”

Darnae walks us through both of her surrogacy journeys, including an unexpected emergency C-section at 38 weeks, a successful VBAC the second time, and the emotional moment of watching intended parents meet their babies for the first time. She speaks candidly about hormone injections, intense medical screenings, strict IVF schedules, and the physical and emotional realities that most people never see.

The conversation also explores boundaries in the delivery room, cultural stigma around surrogacy, breastfeeding and pumping after delivery, balancing marriage and motherhood while carrying for another family, and what recovery truly feels like once the baby goes home with their parents.

If you have ever wondered how surrogates give the baby back…
If you have questioned whether you could emotionally handle carrying for someone else…
If you are considering becoming a surrogate and want to know what it really requires…

This episode offers an honest and grounded look at the strength, structure, and support necessary for a successful journey.

You’ll Learn

About Our Guest

Darnae Pitts is a wife, mother of two, and two-time gestational surrogate who felt called to help other families experience parenthood.

After navigating a divorce, prioritizing her mental health, and meeting strict medical qualifications, Darnae completed two successful surrogacy journeys. Her experiences included both an emergency C-section and a VBAC delivery, pumping breastmilk postpartum, and maintaining close relationships with both intended families.

Darnae is passionate about educating others on what surrogacy truly involves and hopes her story helps intended parents and future surrogates better understand the commitment, boundaries, and strength required to build families through surrogacy.

Resources & Links

Learn more about surrogacy and Family Inceptions: familyinceptions.com
Follow Fertility Café on Instagram: @fertilitycafe
Watch full episodes on YouTube: Fertility Café

Related Episodes

Ep 128 – What Surrogacy Really Feels Like: A Candid Conversation

Ep 112 – Surrogate Logistics – Travel, Timelines, and Support

Why are we taught so little about something that happens every single month for decades of our lives?

In this episode of Fertility Café, Eloise Drane sits down with fertility awareness educator and author Lisa Hendrickson-Jack to unpack one of the most overlooked truths in women’s health: the menstrual cycle is not just about getting pregnant. It is a vital sign.

From heavy periods and birth control prescriptions in her teens to becoming a pioneer in fertility awareness education and podcasting, Lisa shares how charting her cycle transformed her understanding of her body and ultimately her career.

This conversation goes far beyond basic sex education. It breaks down what is actually happening during your cycle, how ovulation impacts overall health, what hormonal birth control really does to the body, and why so many women feel confused or dismissed when something feels “off.”

If you have ever been told your symptoms are normal when they do not feel normal…
If you have ever come off birth control and wondered why your body felt different…
If you want to better understand what your cycle is actually telling you…

This episode is for you.

You’ll Learn

About Our Guest

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack is a certified fertility awareness educator, host of the Fertility Friday podcast, and author of The Fifth Vital Sign and Real Food for Fertility (co-authored with Lily Nichols, RDN).

Lisa has been charting her cycle since age 18 and was one of the first voices to bring fertility awareness education to the podcast space in 2014. Today, her work focuses not only on educating women directly but also on training health practitioners to use the menstrual cycle as a diagnostic and health tool.

Her mission is simple but powerful: to help women understand their bodies in a way that is informed, practical, and grounded in research.

Resources & Links

Fertility Friday Podcast (look for the pink cover)
Website: fertilityfriday.com
Book: The Fifth Vital Sign
Book: Real Food for Fertility (realfoodforfertility.com — free first chapter available)
Instagram: @fertilityfriday

Connect with Eloise & Family Inceptions: familyinceptions.com

Related Episodes

Ep 129 – Acupuncture for Fertility: Supporting Hormones, Cycles & IVF Success
A conversation on how acupuncture supports hormone balance, regulates cycles, and complements fertility treatment.

Ep 126 – What Your OBGYN Isn’t Telling You
A candid discussion about the gaps in reproductive health education — and why so many women leave appointments without real answers.

What does it take to navigate a U.S. surrogacy journey from abroad—and how do you stay grounded when the internet offers either too little or way too much information?

In this episode of Fertility Café, host Eloise Drane talks with Richard Westoby and Julio Gaggia  of IVF Daddies about Richard’s 14-year journey to fatherhood, the realities international parents face (legal, financial, and logistical), and why transparency and the right team matter more than glossy promises.

Whether you’re two dads, a heterosexual couple, or a solo parent exploring options, this conversation offers practical steps, candid cost talk, and a framework for picking trustworthy partners.

You’ll Learn

About Our Guests
Richard Westoby & Julio Gaggia (IVF Daddies) are the creators of the IVF Daddies podcast and community, focused on demystifying fertility and surrogacy with straight talk and heart. Richard is the author of Our Journey: One Couple’s Guide to US Surrogacy (Amazon). Together, they advocate for informed choice, dignity for surrogates, and truly transparent care.

Resources & Links

Related Episodes

What does it mean to grow up “the first” of anything—especially the first IVF baby born in the United States?

In this episode of Fertility Café, host Eloise Drane talks with Elizabeth Carr about her parents’ journey through early, experimental IVF, what has—and hasn’t—changed in 40+ years, and how media attention shaped her advocacy.

With clarity and compassion, Elizabeth unpacks common misconceptions (“test tube baby,” “miracle baby”), why patient autonomy matters, and the very real barriers families still face: geographic access and uneven insurance coverage.

Whether you’re a patient, provider, or policymaker, this conversation offers a grounded look at assisted reproduction—past, present, and what’s next.

You’ll Learn
• How Elizabeth’s parents navigated early IVF and why parts of today’s protocol are still similar
• What it was like growing up under a media spotlight—and how that informed her advocacy
• The biggest barriers to care: fertility deserts, travel burdens, and inconsistent insurance coverage
• How to talk with kids about IVF from toddler to teen—age-appropriate, stigma-free language
• Where innovation (PGT, freezing, AI) meets ethics—and why informed consent should lead
• Why the conversation about IVF stigma feels the “same volume” today, just amplified by social media
• What providers and lawmakers can do to center education, consent, and access

About Our Guest
Elizabeth Carr is the first baby born via IVF in the United States and a long-time advocate for fertility access and patient education. She works in PR/marketing for a PGT company and dedicates personal time to answering patient questions and engaging lawmakers on coverage and access. Find her on Instagram @EJordan12 and at EJordanCar.com.

Resources & Links
Follow Elizabeth on Instagram: @EJordan12
Visit Elizabeth’s website: EJordanCar.com

Related Episodes
Ep 119 – The Grief of Waiting: Invisible Losses in Family Building
Ep 118 – Surrogacy and the Emotional Journey to Motherhood

What does it mean to consciously choose not to have children, especially in a culture that often defines womanhood by motherhood?

In this episode of Fertility Café, host Eloise Drane welcomes back filmmaker Chiquita Lockley, creator of the documentary Eggs Over Easy: Black Women & Fertility. This time, Chiquita shares her personal journey and decision to live childfree by choice. It is a thoughtful, often emotional, and deeply grounded conversation about identity, legacy, caregiving, and the path not taken.

With clarity and compassion, Chiquita speaks about what it means to opt out of motherhood on her own terms, while still living a life rich in love, purpose, and community. The conversation invites listeners to reflect honestly on their own desires, pressures, and timelines.

Whether you are questioning your path, navigating reproductive decisions, or seeking affirmation for a choice that goes against the grain, this episode offers space to breathe and consider what a full life looks like for you.

You’ll Learn

About Our Guest

Chiquita Lockley is a writer, filmmaker, and producer known for her feature documentary Eggs Over Easy: Black Women & Fertility, which aired on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Her work centers on storytelling that uplifts Black women’s experiences and expands the public understanding of reproductive health and autonomy.

She continues to serve as a mentor, advocate, and board chair for multiple nonprofit and creative initiatives. Her voice is a vital part of the cultural shift toward more inclusive and informed conversations about fertility, family, and freedom.

Resources & Links

Visit Chiquita’s Website: www.chiquitalockley.com
Follow Chiquita on Instagram: @chiquitalockley

Watch and learn more about Eggs Over Easy: www.eggsovereasyfilm.com
Follow Eggs Over Easy on Instagram: @eggsovereasyfilm
Like Eggs Over Easy on Facebook: Eggs Over Easy Film

Related Episodes

Ep 119 – The Grief of Waiting: Invisible Losses in Family Building
Ep 118 – Surrogacy and the Emotional Journey to Motherhood

When we talk about fertility care, we often focus on the patient experience—what it’s like to navigate appointments, insurance, cycles, and emotional ups and downs. But what happens when we zoom out?

In this episode of Fertility Café, host Eloise Drane sits down with Griffin Jones, founder of Inside Reproductive Health, to explore what’s really happening behind the scenes of the fertility industry. From private equity takeovers to digital automation and AI-driven care, Griffin breaks down the trends shaping the future of IVF, patient access, and provider autonomy.

He also shares how he went from generalist marketer in Buffalo, NY to creating the leading trade media company in the fertility field—one that now serves clinics, labs, executives, and innovators across the globe.

Whether you’re a fertility patient, donor, surrogate, or someone working in the industry, this conversation offers a rare and honest look at the systems shaping reproductive care—and what needs to change for the better.

You’ll Learn

About Our Guest

Griffin Jones is the founder of Inside Reproductive Health, a trade media company serving the fertility industry. He began his journey in marketing, helping small clinics with branding, websites, and video before expanding into podcasting and industry journalism. Today, his platform covers the business, clinical, and policy trends shaping reproductive health care across the U.S. and beyond.

Griffin also hosts the Inside Reproductive Health podcast, where he interviews key players—from embryologists and clinic execs to policymakers and startup founders—about the future of fertility medicine.

Resources & Links

Related Episodes

When it comes to fertility care, we often hear about IVF protocols, medication regimens, and surgical procedures. But what about the tools that help prepare the body for conception and support healing along the way?

In this episode of Fertility Café, Eloise Drane sits down with Dr. Beck Hoehn, licensed acupuncturist, reproductive health expert, and founder of Mighty River Wellness, to talk about how acupuncture can be a game-changing part of your fertility journey.

Dr. Hoehn shares how her own personal health crisis led her into the world of Eastern medicine, and how she now helps people optimize their hormone health, support IVF cycles, manage painful periods, and navigate menopause with more ease and empowerment.

From egg quality and low ovarian reserve to painful periods and PCOS, this conversation is packed with practical insights and refreshingly honest takes on what it really means to care for your body while trying to conceive.

You’ll Learn

About Our Guest

Dr. Beck Hoehn is a licensed acupuncturist, reproductive health specialist, and the founder of Mighty River Wellness in Los Angeles. After a career in the film industry and a personal injury that left her seeking alternative healing methods, she discovered the profound impact of acupuncture.

Now, with a doctorate in fertility research and over a decade of clinical experience, Dr. Hoehn helps individuals and couples navigate fertility challenges, menstrual health, and menopause transitions. She is also the creator of the Make a Baby Bundle, an educational resource for those looking to optimize their fertility health from home.

Resources and Links

Related Episodes

Surrogacy is often talked about as a beautiful and rewarding journey, but what happens when that journey takes an unexpected turn?

In this episode, Eloise Drane sits down with Pamela Marshall, a gestational surrogate whose experience challenged everything she thought she knew about pregnancy, risk, and resilience.

Pam shares her deeply personal story of entering surrogacy with excitement and confidence, only to face a rare and serious medical complication that changed the course of her pregnancy. From being hospitalized for weeks to navigating separation from her own children, her journey reveals the emotional and physical realities that many never see.

Pam explains what carried her through the hardest moments and why, despite everything, she would make the same decision again. This conversation offers an unfiltered look at the realities of surrogacy and the extraordinary people who choose to walk this path.

Guest Bio:

Pamela Marshall is a mom of 3 boys, living in Pennsylvania and she is a licensed social worker. She has been a surrogate and loves helping build families! She is also currently a journey manager at Family Inceptions.

You’ll hear about:

Related episodes:

Ep 118 – Surrogacy and the Emotional Journey to Motherhood
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-118-surrogacy-and-the-emotional-journey-to-motherhood/

Ep 93 – U.S. Surrogacy for International Parents
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-93-u-s-surrogacy-for-international-parents/

Ep 85 – Surrogacy for Same-Sex Couples: Carnell Roberts Tells His Story
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-85-surrogacy-for-same-sex-couples-carnell-roberts-tells-his-story/

Ep 49 – Social Surrogacy
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-49-social-surrogacy/

Ep 37 – Husband’s Are You Prepared (Partner Involvement in Surrogacy)
https://thefertilitycafe.com/podcast/ep-37-husbands-are-you-prepared/