What happens when the dream of helping create a family through surrogacy turns into a nightmare? In this powerful and deeply troubling episode, we speak with a brave surrogate who finds herself caught in what's become one of the most shocking surrogacy scandals in recent memory.

At 34 weeks pregnant, our anonymous guest reveals how she carefully researched surrogacy for a year before matching with what seemed like a legitimate couple. What began as a journey to help create a family has transformed into something unimaginable—the intended parents have been arrested after authorities removed 21 children from their home, with at least 10 more surrogates still pregnant.

The story unfolds like a thriller, with subtle red flags that only became clear in hindsight: communication funneled through "assistants" with suspicious email addresses, strange payment arrangements, and odd requests. The devastating truth emerged when our guest discovered through social media that her intended parents had allegedly created fake agencies to recruit multiple surrogates simultaneously.

Now facing the birth of a baby with no legal precedent for what happens next, our guest shares her emotional struggle, the financial uncertainty, and the extraordinary stress of this situation. Healthcare providers, legal experts, and child protective services are all grappling with an unprecedented case.

Despite everything, our guest demonstrates remarkable resilience and concern for the innocent life she carries. Her story serves as both a cautionary tale and a testament to the strength of the human spirit when faced with extraordinary circumstances.

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US Surrogacy’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/us_surrogacy?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

What happens when personal struggle transforms into professional purpose? Dawn Baker, founder and CEO of US Surrogacy LLC, takes us behind the scenes of her remarkable journey from experiencing secondary infertility in her twenties to building an ethical surrogacy agency that has helped create nearly 400 families from 21 different countries.

Dawn's perspective is uniquely powerful - she understands the heartache of fertility challenges firsthand while bringing 11+ years of agency leadership to the conversation. She shares candidly about the delicate art of matching surrogates with intended parents, revealing a thoughtful approach that prioritizes compatibility over convenience. Rather than simply matching based on waiting time, Dawn's team carefully considers communication styles, expectations, and even who should see whose profile first to protect everyone's emotional wellbeing.

The conversation tackles the false dichotomy between compensated and altruistic surrogacy, with Dawn eloquently explaining how both motivations coexist in successful journeys. "You deserve the moon. You don't ever get paid what you're worth," she tells surrogates, while acknowledging financial realities for most intended parents. Her approach to benefits packages demonstrates remarkable transparency, encouraging surrogates to review and request changes before finalizing matches.

Most fascinating is Dawn's insight into international surrogacy dynamics and how current U.S. regulatory challenges are reshaping global family-building options. She discusses the careful development of ethical programs in other countries while emphasizing the importance of maintaining stringent standards wherever surrogacy takes place.

Whether you're considering surrogacy, are a current surrogate, or simply curious about how families are built across borders, this episode offers a masterclass in ethical third-party reproduction. Connect with Dawn's wealth of knowledge at US-Surrogacy.com to learn more about creating families with both heart and integrity.

Have questions or stories to share? Reach out to us on Instagram @stop.sit.surrogate or email [email protected].

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Rachel’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelgoldbergtherapy?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Step into the emotional landscape of surrogacy with licensed therapist Rachel Goldberg as she pulls back the curtain on the psychological aspects of gestational carrier journeys. What many surrogates fear as judgment—psychological evaluations—are actually thoughtful assessments designed to ensure everyone's wellbeing throughout this profound experience.

Rachel reveals why joint counseling sessions between surrogates and intended parents should be standard practice before contracts are ever signed. These facilitated conversations create safe spaces to discuss difficult topics like selective reduction, communication boundaries, and post-birth relationships. As she shares, "We're building the foundation so that when cracks happen, they remember there's a foundation first."

The most compelling insight? Nearly everyone initially resistant to these sessions later expresses profound gratitude for the experience. Through real examples from her practice, Rachel illustrates how these sessions prevent misunderstandings and establish authentic connections between parties who might otherwise struggle to navigate their different communication styles and expectations.

We explore what really happens in psychological screenings (hint: they're looking for human, not perfect), how agencies are increasingly including mental health benefits in surrogacy contracts, and why even experienced surrogates benefit from professional facilitation of difficult conversations. 

Whether you're considering becoming a surrogate, seeking to build your family through surrogacy, or simply curious about this unique journey, this conversation offers invaluable perspective on the human elements that make surrogacy journeys successful beyond the medical procedures.

Subscribe to hear more conversations that bring transparency and education to the world of surrogacy. Have questions or stories to share? Reach out to us on Instagram @stop.sit.surrogate or email [email protected].

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Sara’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/surrornsara?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

This week we spoke with Sara, a first time surrogate!

Sara is also a registered labor and delivery nurse who first found out about surrogacy when she was 10 years old watching Phoebe Buffay become a surrogate for her brother on the famous 90's show "Friends".

 She details her beautiful first journey and the long road to to getting it started. Also, how her labor and delivery team were like a second family, making the experience even more special for everyone involved.

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Baby Bumps Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_babybumps?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

This week we have a lovely returning guest, Victoria, an intended mother on her journey and founder of Baby Bumps.

Victoria is giving us an update on where Bump Bumps, originally an app for matching, has now landed. Also, how you can find your perfect match and compensation that you are looking for.

Baby Bumps is a unique and new way to meet your perfect match! Victoria helps surrogates with the entire beginning process, from medical records to creating your profile to matching. Once matched then you and your couple are referred to an agency, but everything is already set, including compensation. 

Meet your match on your terms and really get to know the other person before committing to the one of the most intimate journeys in your life.

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Sara’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/surrornsara?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Brittany’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pavinourway?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==


The 4th trimester, also known as postpartum, is a very untalked about thing??? Why!?!?

It seems almost taboo to talk about postpartum, or at least it use to. This week we are speaking with 2 surrogates who had very different postpartum journeys.  One is an L&D nurse and one who is a doula, and they both give us some great advice and tips!

There is so much about postpartum that isn’t talked about and it really should be. As a community of women we can help each other by starting the awkward and uncomfortable conversations and 100% of the time at least one other woman will be able to relate and feel seen/heard.

Postpartum is very much a rollercoaster ride, but hopefully by starting this conversation more will come and nothing will be “weird” because birth and postpartum is all “normal”.


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Pelvic Floor Momma’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pelvicfloormomma?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

This week we had the lovely honor of speaking with Becca Boeving, a Pelvic Floor Coach.

Being a mama herself and having had some hiccups in her own journey, she realized she wasn’t alone and that pelvic floor therapy IS NOT talked about!

She quickly started the conversation and built a beautiful community of ladies. Helping them get rid of pregnancy pains that we have been told are “normal”. Also, helping mamas in their postpartum era recovery more smoothly.

If you are pre-pregnancy, in the middle of pregnancy, or post pregnancy, there is help for everyone. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain including strength and bladder control! 

Check it out:

linktr.ee/pelvicfloormomma

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Sophia’s Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/sophiaawohl?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Sophia’s Surrogacy Journey Continued:

Part 1 of Sophia’s story was about her journey of being pregnant with Surro babe.

Part 2 of Sophia’s story is about breast milk and pumping after Surro babe is born and intended parents no longer need the supply.

Pumping has no light switch to turn it off the next day. It’s a whole process to stop producing, and Sophia wasn’t ready to wean. So she looked to social media to see if she could help others who were looking for milk supply.

Sophia eventually created a community which is listed below and helped over a dozen babies.

If you are curious about pumping after Surro babe, DEFINITELY give this podcast a listen!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1539397000257341/?ref=share&mibextid=adzO7l

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Sophia’s Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/sophiaawohl?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

This week we spoke with Sophia, a first time surrogate!

She details her amazing journey and how that actually led her to help people even after her journey ended with her IPs.

This podcast is an our first two part podcast and that is because there is a lot of good and informative information that we couldn’t Jam Pack it all into an hour.

This part 1 is about Sophia’s journey and experience with surrogacy.

Stay tuned for part 2 next week where she explains how she formed a community and was able to help over a dozen families after her journey “ended”.

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Grace’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graces_surro_journey?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Kari’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karihernandez82?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Leslie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslie_kay_w?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==


What does it mean to pump after you delivery a surrogacy baby?

We cover that and how to help donate or pump for another family, ways to help stop your milk supply, and the benefits pumping has, not just for the baby but for your body and healing.

If you have never breastfed or pumped then you’re like my mom and I and this podcast is insanely eye opening! 

If you have breastfed or pumped then you might me able to relate to some these lovely girls stories and have tips and tricks you could share with the rest of us. 💕 


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