Megan's professional experience includes health care marketing and non-profit management. She left her most recent role with Baxter Healthcare to focus full-time on the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association (RPLA). She holds a BS in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management. She blogs about her personal experience of recurrent miscarriage at MisbehavingUterus.com. Megan lives in Seattle with her husband and her daughter who was born via gestational surrogacy.

RPLA is dedicated to eliminating recurrent pregnancy loss through the advancement of research into causes and treatments; to providing support and resources to those affected; and to increasing awareness of the impact of miscarriage and fertility challenges on women and families.

Listen to Megan as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn:

• Getting pregnant very quickly, experiencing a missed-miscarriage and a D&C.

• Experienced another miscarriage.

• Trying for over a year to get pregnant.

• Going through a medically managed miscarriage and her (strong) thoughts on that choice.

• The feeling of betrayal from her body after the 5th miscarriage.

• Exploring alternative family building options.

• Once emotionally feeling stronger, reaching out to a surrogacy agency

• Leaving her job and incorporating a non-profit while starting her surrogacy journey.

• How the non-profit is helping those experiencing pregnancy loss.

• Having her first experience in a delivery room with her child being born via surrogacy.

• Her surrogate truly becoming family.

• How to join and/or support the RPL community

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Learn about Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association here: https://rplassociation.org

Find support with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Association here: https://rplassociation.org/events

Check out Megan’s Blog here: www.MisbehavingUterus.com

Episode 143: Infertile Blessings – Maureen Nowak by I Want to Put a Baby in You!

Dr. Feinberg is an Associate Professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and serves as the REI Fellowship Program Director as well as the Medical Director for Northwestern Fertility and Reproductive Medicine. She is the Past-President of the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and is an Editorial Editor for Fertility and Sterility and the creator and co-host of Fertility and Sterility On-Air podcast. Dr. Feinberg is a fierce advocate for women’s health and reproductive choice and has written opinion pieces have been published in the Washington Post, STATnews, Rewire, The Hill and Time magazine and she sits on the National Medical Committee of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Dr Feinberg is the founder and president of the Chicago Coalition for Family Building, a not for profit that awards grants for fertility treatment and adoption. She is passionate about her Peloton, running, reading fiction, playing Wordle and finding joy.

Listen to Dr. Feinberg as she discusses with Jenn:

• Her path to Reproductive Endocrinology.

• A look back on the COVID Task Force.

• The vaccine decision-making challenges.

• How access to care changed during the pandemic, for good.

• The debate over access to reproductive healthcare and the implications for fertility care access.

• The controversy on mosaic embryos and how practices are navigating potential transfers.

• Whether PGT lives up to the hype.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Learn more about Dr. Feinberg’s practice here: https://fertility.nm.org

Learn more about the Chicago Coalition for Family Building here: www.coalitionforfamilybuilding.org

EM•POWER with Moxi is an organization dedicated to empowering choice and fostering understanding for all stakeholders involved in embryo donation.

Maya is a California Licensed Clinical Social Worker and psychotherapist who specializes in supporting individuals and couples struggling to conceive or building their family in alternative ways. Additionally, her background in child welfare allows her to have a keen understanding of not only the needs of patients/parents but also the needs of children born through third party reproduction. Maya is also a documentary filmmaker and co-producer of One More Shot, a feature length film she produced with her husband documenting their tumultuous journey to parenthood.

Gina has been a genetic counselor in the field of reproductive medicine for over 17 years. Her company, Advocate Genetics, provides genetic counseling for fertility patients and those connected to third-party reproduction. She had been working in the field of infertility for 6 years before her own 3-1/2 year fertility journey began. Her story involved multiple surgeries and a heartbreaking miscarriage, but also resulted in the birth of her two amazing children via IVF. After she felt her family was complete, she also had 16 remaining embryos and some big decisions to make. Years later, she has donated her remaining embryos to two families, one of whom now has a beautiful and spunky daughter.

Jennifer is a Nationally Certified Counselor who founded Embryo Donation Support, a web-based community for embryo donors. Through facilitation of pre- and post-donation online support groups to women with frozen embryos, Jennifer has built a solid understanding of the questions, needs, fears, and challenges that patients face when considering embryo donation. Jennifer also advocates for embryo donation and donor support through podcasts, live events, social media outlets, and blog contributions. Jennifer is a proud mother of twins conceived through IVF, and proud donor of one embryo who is now a healthy boy.

These three women created EM•POWER to support the various complex elements of embryo donation and simplify the process for both patients and clinics. They created an education platform and a community platform that includes Moxi Matching, a private space where embryo donors can connect and match.

Listen to Maya, Gina, and Jen as they discuss with Ellen and Jenn:

• Maya’s film “One More Shot” documenting her up close and personal road to parenthood.

• Jen’s fertility journey and experience becoming a donor with only one embryo and strong feelings on what that arrangement should look like.

• Gina’s professional path leading her to the fertility world before experiencing her own difficult path to parenthood.

• Considering the options and challenges involved in embryo disposition.

• “Adoption” vs “donation” terminology for embryos.

• How people choose a donor or recipient for embryos

• Empower with Moxi, a hub for education and support for the embryo donation community.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Learn about Empower with Moxi here: https://www.empowerwithmoxi.com

Find Embryo Donation support here: http://embryodonationsupport.com

Watch One More Shot here: http://www.onemoreshotfilm.com

Learn about Maya Grobel here: https://www.mayagrobel.com

Find Empower with Moxi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/empowerwithmoxi/

Find Empower with Moxi on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/empowerwithmoxi

Find Empower with Moxi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerwithmoxi/

Where do Israeli intended parents go to for surrogacy? What specific hurdles do they have to overcome? Is surrogacy widely available within Israel? And what is so drastically different between the Israeli approach to genetic parentage -- whether through surrogacy or through reproduction technologies -- and the American one?

Victoria Gelfand (born and raised in Moscow, immigrated to Israel in her teens, educated in Tel Aviv and admitted to the Israeli bar in 2003) was the first attorney to provide legal assistance to Israeli couples and singles with respect to surrogacy procedures abroad back in 2006. In 2007, she achieved first recognition of surrogacy procedures carried out in India by the Israeli Ministry of Internal Affairs, creating a process that has since been used for all – well over two thousand – babies born to Israeli intended parents via surrogacy abroad. In 2008 she started her own practice which specializes exclusively on family formation and fertility law, and has won various precedential cases related to foreign surrogacy for Israeli intended parents. Victoria Gelfand, Law Offices is the only law firm outside North America which is a member of all three major US-based professional groups and societies in the field: the ABA, the AAAA, and SEEDS.

Listen to Victoria as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn:

• Her career path to law and transition to specializing in surrogacy and family formation.

• Israeli law prohibiting same sex couples from building their family through surrogacy within the country.

• Finding a loophole for same sex couples to become parents – through surrogacy outside the country.

• The importance of genetic and biological connections in Israel.

• Israeli’s interesting post-mortem conception cases.

• The prohibition against known sperm donors in Israel.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Learn about Victoria Gelfand’s law firm here: https://familylawyer.co.il/home/english/

A year after getting married, Roxy Jenkins and her husband decided to grow their family. Little did they know, the next five years would be a bumpy, winding path navigating infertility. It took seven medicated cycles, two IUIs, three retrievals and fresh transfers, and one twin miscarriage until their little Coco finally made her way into the world.

The quest for a sibling has proven to be as difficult. For the past two and a half years, they have endured two retrievals, three miscarriages, one ectopic pregnancy, uterine testing, both tubes being removed, a Lupron Depot flare, and three back-to-back cycles being cancelled. Add to that a exploratory laparotomy with a resulting endo diagnosis. They have one tested embryo left on ice and that’s where their story pauses for now.

Inspired by her own family’s story and her love of art, Roxy decided to give color to a dark and painful journey. Each painting she does makes her feel less alone while navigating infertility. Every story shared of how each embryo came into existence is as unique as the embryo itself. All paths to parenthood are valid and worthy of sharing. Roxy feels honored that so many have entrusted the sweetest, most special part of their journey to her.

Listen to Roxy as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn:

• After a year of marriage, her and her spouse wanting to start a family.

• Finding the right doctor and learning they had IVF coverage.

• A rough road of being diagnosed with PCOS, going through IUI, IVF, egg retrievals and loss of a pregnancy.

• Finally, a successful pregnancy and the arrival of their daughter.

• Finding strength in carrying around her daughter’s embryo portrait while pregnant.

• Painting her daughter’s embryo portrait and discovering a meaningful gift for others.

• Starting her Etsy shop and finding her full-time passion.

• Painting as her own infertility therapy.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Check out Roxy’s artwork here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DearCocoDesign?ref=shop_sugg

Aden is founder of the Plan A podcast. Plan A follows Aden’s journey into becoming an independent parent. She talks with experts about everything from choosing a donor and navigating insurance to whether you really need to take prenatal vitamins and the difference between IUI and IVF. Along the way Aden shares her actual experience from asking questions and preparing to, hopefully, pregnancy and beyond. She explores how choosing independent parenthood can be your Plan A.

Listen to Aden as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn:

• The process of starting a family independently, including the language she prefers and advocates for (not “single mother by choice”).

• Changing employers for better fertility coverage and finding the perfect fit!

• Her sperm selection process, including the importance to her of a non-prolific donor.

• Deciding between fertility procedures and exploring the legal issues.

• Her advice: don’t wait, it’s important to investigate early!

• Starting the “Plan A” podcast: talking to others and documenting her journey.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Check out the Plan A podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plan-a/id1611983736

MaryJane is a business professor and creator of The Biggest Ask, an educational website and blog dedicated to surrogacy.

Listen to MJ as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn:

• Getting pregnant easily, but then things becoming very difficult very quickly.

• Being hospitalized at 24 weeks and being told she would be there for the rest of the pregnancy.

• Experiencing a pre-term birth and losing her child after twelve days.

• Considering surrogacy to protect herself and future child.

• Finding a potential surrogate and hope, then experience all the complex feelings when she became pregnant for herself.

• Deciding to search for an agency and having mixed feelings about agency providers.

• Matching with a surrogate and having a wonderful experience.

• Creating “The Biggest Ask” and working to provide greater information and resources to others.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Learn about ART Compass here: www.artcompass.io

Learn about The Biggest Ask here: https://thebiggestask.com

Dr. Julie Bindeman graduated from the George Washington University and is the co-owner of Integrative Therapy of Greater Washington in Rockville, Maryland. Her specialty is in the field of Reproductive Psychology, where she actively writes, lectures, and presents. She is a consultant in training in EMDR through EMDRIA. She has served on several committees within the Mental Health Professional Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and was recently elected to its Executive Committee. She served as a Board Member of the Maryland Psychological Association for over 10 years. Dr. Bindeman is a member of multiple organizations focused on Maternal and Reproductive Mental Health and was appointed by the Governor of Maryland to serve on its Maternal Mental Health Task Force. She was recently awarded the Karl Heiser Award for her legislative efforts on behalf of psychology. Dr. Bindeman has published several chapters and articles pertaining to Reproductive Psychology.

Listen to Julie as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn:

• Embracing her secondary infertility story as an infertility story.

• Receiving heartbreaking news at an ultrasound.

• Struggling with the realities of a devastating diagnosis.

• Finding comfort in her decision within her religion.

• Getting pregnant quickly again.

• Shockingly, receiving another devasting diagnosis.

• Throwing an Elephant Shower!

• Considering trying again, breaking the numbers down.

• A genetic counselor sharing her opinion that a third child is “ecologically irresponsible”!

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Trystan Reese is a transgender parent and educator based out of Portland, Oregon. He is the author of How We Do Family: From Adoption to Trans Pregnancy, What We Learned about Love and LGBTQ Parenthood, as well as co-author of the children’s book, The Light Of You.

Listen to Trystan as he discusses with Ellen and Jenn:

• The behind-the-scenes evolution of writing his first book.

• Auditioning for the audio version of his own book!

• Choosing where to go deep and where to hold back.

• Dispelling myths of fertility and the ability to carry a pregnancy after being on testosterone for an extended period of time.

• Writing about and reliving pregnancy loss.

• Co-writing a children’s book with his partner to share how transgender families are formed.

• Realigning and prioritizing what’s import in life.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Get Trystan’s Book, How We Do Family: From Adoption to Trans Pregnancy, What We Learned about Love and LGBTQ Parenthood, here: https://www.powells.com/book/how-we-do-family-9781615197569

Get Trystan and Biff’s Children’s Book, The Light of You, here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-light-of-you-trystan-reese/1139767813