I’ve been seeing in Facebook groups recently comments about how people who are choosing to use donor eggs, donor sperm, or donor embryo don’t want to tell their kids they are donor conceived.

To be very clear - I 1000% believe that not telling your children or future children they are donor conceived is not an option and if you feel that way then donor conception is not for you.

What I do talk about on today's episode is that a lot of these feelings come from fear and shame and when we work through those feelings, it makes all the difference.

Join me as we talk about these hard feelings, how you can navigate them and work through them so, if you decide donor is the right path for you, you will be excited and confident talking about your child(s) conception story.

Resources from this Episode:

Episode 36: Lindsay's Story: Being Donor Conceived and an Advocate for Donor Conceived People

Did your doctor just tell you that you need to use a donor?

Or, you think donor might be on the horizon but you are not sure yet?

Or, you already know you need to use a donor but you want some more help processing the idea.

Go to ⁠https://metagetman.com/crossroads ⁠to get a free copy of my guide "My Doctor Just Said Donor, Now What?"

Connect with me on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

March is Surrogacy Awareness Month and what better way to kick off the month is this episode all about surrogacy!

Today I'm joined by surrogacy expert and mom via surrogacy, Jessie Jaskulsky. Jessie experienced the devastating loss of her son at 22 weeks pregnant which led to secondary infertility and learning about her inability to carry a pregnancy to term. She chose surrogacy as the route to build her family and with the help of two beautiful surrogates she now has her two daughters. Jessie now owns Surrogacy Simplified where she helps her clients navigate all the different elements of surrogacy and helps relieve some of the stress that comes with this path to parenthood.

Jessie and I dive into all things infertility, surrogacy, what to consider when thinking about this path, and talk about resources available for you.

Connect with Jessie:

Did your doctor just tell you that you need to use a donor?

Or, you think donor might be on the horizon but you are not sure yet?

Or, you already know you need to use a donor but you want some more help processing the idea.

Go to ⁠https://metagetman.com/crossroads ⁠to get a free copy of my guide "My Doctor Just Said Donor, Now What?"

Connect with me on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

It's been all over the news and spreading through the infertility community online. The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos have the same rights as children.

In the episode today, I'm getting pretty raw and personal about my feelings on this topic. I am sharing my frustrations and speaking out about my opinions and what I think.

I'm also sharing what we can do about this. It can feel like nothing but the reality is there is a lot you and I can do to make a change and difference.

This is a raw and real episode but one I think is incredibly important to share.

Resources from the Show:

How you can get involved

Did your doctor just tell you that you need to use a donor?

Or, you think donor might be on the horizon but you are not sure yet?

Or, you already know you need to use a donor but you want some more help processing the idea.

Go to ⁠https://metagetman.com/crossroads ⁠to get a free copy of my guide "My Doctor Just Said Donor, Now What?"

Connect with me on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Today I'm sharing 4 things you should consider or keep in mind when you are thinking about or planning to switch fertility clinics.

There are a lot of reasons to switch: maybe it's not feeling quite right, maybe you want a second opinion, maybe you are moving and need to find a new provider. Regardless, keep these 4 tips in mind.

Remember: I'm not a doctor or a medical professional, these are my own opinions and thoughts. For any medical advice please talk to your personal provider.

Did your doctor just tell you that you need to use a donor?

Or, you think donor might be on the horizon but you are not sure yet?

Or, you already know you need to use a donor but you want some more help processing the idea.

Go to ⁠https://metagetman.com/crossroads ⁠to get a free copy of my guide "My Doctor Just Said Donor, Now What?"

Connect with me on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

How many times has someone said "let me know how I can help!" and you've been left thinking..."thanks but I have NO idea how you can help".

Today on the show I'm giving you 9 responses you can say when people ask how they can help you or how they can support you while you are trying to build your family. Some of these ideas may resonate with you. Some may not.

What I want you to walk away with is this - ASK for the help you need. Your loved ones who you’ve confided in WANT to help you - otherwise they woudln’t have asked. It’s a win-win - you get what will help you and they feel good about contributing and making you feel better.

Did your doctor just tell you that you need to use a donor?

Or, you think donor might be on the horizon but you are not sure yet?

Or, you already know you need to use a donor but you want some more help processing the idea.

Go to ⁠https://metagetman.com/crossroads ⁠to get a free copy of my guide "My Doctor Just Said Donor, Now What?"

Connect with me on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

I didn’t realize until recently how important knowing where you came from was. I’m not donor conceived. I have had the privilege to grow up and be around my family. I had heard from donor conceived people how important that was or how jarring of an experience it was to not be around people genetically connected to them but I had never really connected the dots. I’ll never know what it really feels like because that is not my experience. However, I did have an experience in my recent past that I think gave me some insight into what this could be like for my girls.

On the episode today I'm sharing with you the experience I had and how it has shaped my view of having contact with or being able to help your children or future children contact their donor.

Did your doctor just tell you that you need to use a donor?

Or, you think donor might be on the horizon but you are not sure yet?

Or, you already know you need to use a donor but you want some more help processing the idea.

Go to ⁠⁠https://metagetman.com/crossroads ⁠⁠to get a free copy of my guide "My Doctor Just Said Donor, Now What?"

Connect with Meta on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

Today we're exploring the power of advocacy within the infertility community. In the politically charged U.S., I won't dive into politics, but let's discuss supporting bills and laws for positive change. After overcoming my fears, participating in Resolve's Advocacy Day in May 2023 empowered me, showcasing that anyone can make a difference with zero experience.

Infertility often strips us of control, leaving us feeling powerless. Engaging in advocacy not only helps regain control but also contributes to increased happiness and wellbeing. Even if you're not comfortable sharing your story publicly, you can discreetly support bills that matter to you through Resolve Advocacy.

Resources from this Episode:

Did your doctor just tell you that you need to use a donor?

Or, you think donor might be on the horizon but you are not sure yet?

Or, you already know you need to use a donor but you want some more help processing the idea.

Go to ⁠⁠https://metagetman.com/crossroads ⁠⁠to get a free copy of my guide "My Doctor Just Said Donor, Now What?"

Connect with Meta on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

This week we are diving into a topic we can all relate to - feeling left out. I share some personal stories of feeling left out and how those feelings get exacerbated while we are struggling to build our families.

I also share with you why we say “my feelings are hurt” and what is actually happening in our brains when we are left out of events, groups, or life events - like everyone around us having babies and we are not. At the end, I will give you 4 easy strategies you can use to help you navigate these feelings that you can implement right away.

Resources from this Episode:

How Your Brain Processes Rejection

Did your doctor just tell you that you need to use a donor?

Or, you think donor might be on the horizon but you are not sure yet?

Or, you already know you need to use a donor but you want some more help processing the idea.

Go to ⁠https://metagetman.com/crossroads ⁠to get a free copy of my guide "My Doctor Just Said Donor, Now What?"

Connect with Meta on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Today, we're diving into a topic many of you have messaged me about—secondary infertility and the decision to pursue donor conception for a second child. It's a journey filled with complexities and considerations.

In this episode, we explore key questions: How does bonding differ with a donor-conceived child? Will your second pregnancy be different? How to talk to your biological child about their half-sibling? Plus, we touch on potential family and social perceptions. It's a quick but insightful guide for those at the crossroads of secondary infertility and donor conception.

Resources from this Episode:

7 Common Reasons for Secondary Infertility

Episode 5: Five Ways to Come To Terms With Using a Donor

Meta's Recommended Books on Donor Conception

Today I’m joined by Miraya Gran, a fertility warrior and patient advocate who has taken her fertility story and brought it to the Minnesota State Capitol! Miraya and her husband have gone through multiple treatments and eventually had their daughter but not without a lot of heartache and costs. Miraya shares her story, her passion for helping others as they navigate their infertility journey and her deep commitment to brining insurance coverage to all Minnesotans who need it for their infertility diagnosis.

We also dive deep into the Minnesota Building Families Act that is currently going through the Minnesota Legislature. We talk about the bill, what it would provide for Minnesotans and how you can get involved either here in Minnesota or in advocacy and legislation in your own state.

This is a must not miss episode!

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Sign up for RESOLVE Action Network emails

Register for MN Advocacy Day February 14, 2024

Minnesota Building Families Coalition on Instagram

Minnesota Building Families Coalition on Facebook

The Minnesota Building Families Act

Reproductive Outcomes for Survivors of Childhood Cancer - National Library of Medicine

RESOLVE Infertility Statistics

RESOLVE State Advocacy Toolkit

Connect with Meta on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠