What happens when kids grow up watching their parent carry a baby for someone else? We open the door to our homes and hearts to explore how surrogacy shapes children’s understanding of empathy, science, and the many ways families are made. With Sarah—a labor and delivery nurse, twin mom, and second-time surrogate—we trade honest stories about timing the conversation, answering tough questions, and turning complex ideas into clear, age-appropriate truths.

We share how we explained IVF and embryos with simple analogies and real facts, why meeting intended parents early makes the mission feel human, and how transparency helps kids process big feelings during the ups and downs of a journey. From nausea and pump parts to the quiet heroism of persistence, our kids learned that sacrifice can be ordinary and love can be deliberate. We also talk about failed transfers, showing sadness without shame, and the surprising moments that taught our children to comfort, advocate, and step up.

Beyond birth, we highlight the power of continuing relationships—photos, short videos, and first birthdays that replace goodbye with connection. The conversation widens to inclusivity: same-sex parents, single parents by choice, and heterosexual couples, all seeking a path through infertility. Our kids traced the ripple effects—parents becoming grandparents, cousins finding cousins—and saw how surrogacy can expand a family tree in every direction. If you’re wondering when to tell your kids, what to say, or how to keep it grounded, you’ll leave with practical scripts, tools, and the reassurance that children can hold both facts and feeling with grace.

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A DM match, a parking‑lot handshake, and a transfer day “gift” in cash—then silence. Hallie joins us to share how a seemingly straightforward surrogacy journey morphed into a tangle of red flags: minimal medical clearance, a contract fight over termination language, a hard push to keep escrow with the intended parents’ attorney, and months with the agency acting as the only conduit to the family. When a July email warned that the matching entity was tied to an ongoing investigation and that a pre‑birth order might not arrive before delivery, everything shifted. We talk through the panic, the legal limbo, and the practical fallout when escrow funds stop and medical bills don’t.

We walk step‑by‑step through the choices that helped Hallie hold the line—why third‑party escrow mattered, how to frame non‑negotiables, and what to look for in termination clauses and monitoring protocols. She also shares the human side: taking her grandmother to transfer, the shock of contradictory family details revealed minutes before the procedure, and the eerie quiet that followed. This isn’t fear‑mongering; it’s a candid look at how trust, transparency, and process protect everyone in surrogacy—surrogates, intended parents, and the child.

If you’re considering becoming a surrogate or building your family through surrogacy, you’ll find practical safeguards you can use today: identity‑verified matching (not DMs), evidence‑based medical screening at the transfer clinic, specialized attorneys on both sides, independent and adequately funded escrow, and a written communication plan. We end by pausing at 36 weeks, with part two on the way—covering the pre‑birth order scramble, hospital planning, and what to do when professionals say “we don’t know.”

If this conversation helps you or someone you love, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review with the safeguard you wish every journey used. Your stories and questions are welcome on Instagram and email—we’re listening.

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Liz’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizzzlooobes?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Dive into the raw, unfiltered journey of Liz, a three-time surrogate who brings a unique perspective as both a surrogate mother and a fertility clinic medical assistant. Her story takes us through the highs of creating families for others and the lows of failed transfers and loss, all while maintaining remarkable positivity and resilience. Liz's path to surrogacy began unexpectedly while working in fertility medicine, where she gained invaluable knowledge about the process before embarking on her own surrogate journey. She shares candid insights about agency selection, describing how finding the right support system made all the difference after a disappointing first experience. What makes this conversation particularly powerful is Liz's willingness to discuss the aspects of surrogacy rarely talked about in public forums. From the dramatic moments during delivery when her surrogate baby wasn't immediately breathing, to the emotional devastation of a miscarriage while on vacation, to the hurt when an intended parent failed to check in after a loss. These honest revelations provide a window into the complex emotional landscape surrogates navigate. Despite experiencing seven medical cycles in three years and multiple setbacks, Liz's enthusiasm for surrogacy remains undiminished. Her advice to those considering becoming surrogates is beautifully simple yet profound: "Just do it." This episode captures the essence of surrogacy as not just a medical process but a deeply human connection requiring communication, empathy, and resilience from all involved. Whether you're considering surrogacy, are an intended parent, or simply curious about alternative family-building paths, this conversation offers authentic insights into what the journey truly entails beyond the medical procedures and legal agreements. Connect with us on Instagram @stop.sit.surrogate or email [email protected] to share your own stories or questions. 

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The harrowing journey of surrogates caught in the Mark surrogacy scandal continues to unfold with stunning new revelations. One surrogate, now 38 weeks pregnant and days away from delivery, finds herself navigating treacherous legal waters without proper representation after her attorney abruptly switched sides to represent the intended parents instead.

What started as a beautiful journey of helping create families has transformed into a nightmare of legal manipulation, with the surrogate now facing pressure to sign 16 pages containing 59 amendments to her contract just before giving birth. The intended parents, currently under investigation with their existing children removed from their care, are making dubious claims about regaining custody while attempting to secure rights to this new baby.

Most shocking is the revelation that approximately 20 surrogates are connected to these same intended parents, with babies that may all be biological siblings. These women have formed their own remarkable support network, sharing information, resources, and even baby supplies as they prepare for the possibility of bringing these children home themselves rather than surrendering them to a questionable situation.

The emotional toll is palpable as our surrogate reveals she and her husband have named the baby Sophia Ray, torn between preparing a nursery and protecting herself from heartbreak. Meanwhile, attorneys seem compromised or inaccessible, leaving these women without adequate representation during their most vulnerable moment. One surrogate in another state has already been granted temporary custody of her baby pending further investigation, offering a glimmer of hope.

This episode serves as a powerful reminder of the critical importance of proper legal protection in surrogacy arrangements and the extraordinary resilience of women supporting each other through unprecedented circumstances. Whether you're considering surrogacy or simply care about reproductive rights and child welfare, this conversation offers crucial insights into what happens when the system fails those it should protect.

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

In this gripping continuation of Ashleigh's surrogate story, we witness a journey that defied medical odds and revealed the profound resilience of human connection. After two successful surrogate pregnancies, Ashleigh' embarks on a third journey with the same intended parents, carrying their final embryo and last hope for completing their family.

What begins as a routine pregnancy quickly spirals into a medical nightmare when genetic testing yields a false positive for trisomy 13, followed by ruptured membranes at just 16 weeks gestation. Doctors deliver the devastating news: prepare for imminent loss. Yet somehow, against all medical expectations, the pregnancy continues.

Ashleigh's candid account takes us through six weeks of home bedrest, three weeks hospitalized an hour from her family, and the heart-wrenching reality of being unable to care for her own children while fighting to save someone else's baby. The story beautifully highlights the village that forms around her – a devoted mother-in-law stepping in as full-time caregiver, an intended mother providing unwavering support, and medical professionals navigating uncharted waters alongside them.

The dramatic birth story itself – complete with a failed induction, a baby who flips breech during labor, and an unplanned unmedicated delivery – serves as the climactic final challenge before the miracle arrives: a healthy 7-pound baby boy born at 36 weeks.

Perhaps most touching is the deep bond formed through shared adversity, culminating in the intended parents naming their son after Ashleigh– Asher, meaning "blessed" or "lucky one" in Hebrew. This powerful testament to human connection reminds us that surrogacy isn't simply a clinical arrangement but a profound journey of trust, vulnerability, and love.

Ready to hear more extraordinary surrogacy stories? Subscribe to Stop Sit Surrogate wherever you get your podcasts, and join our community on Instagram @stop.sit.surrogate to continue the conversation about the beautiful complexity of creating families through surrogacy.

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

Ashleigh’s path began with an unexpected source of inspiration – the TV show "Friends" – and quickly evolved into a calling that would change multiple lives forever. With remarkable candor, she shares how her first surrogate pregnancy unfolded during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring creativity and flexibility from everyone involved. Despite the challenges, this experience only strengthened her resolve to help more families.

The most powerful moments come when Ashleigh describes her second and third journeys for a family with a devastating backstory. After the intended mother suffered life-threatening complications and lost her baby during the pandemic, she found Ashleigh through social media in what can only be described as a destined connection. Their relationship transcended the typical surrogate arrangement, culminating in a breathtaking birth where the intended mother herself delivered her baby from Ashleigh’s body – a moment of profound healing and redemption.

Throughout her story, Ashleigh offers invaluable insights about the medical, emotional, and practical aspects of surrogacy. From navigating clinic requirements to advocating for appropriate care during pregnancy complications, her experiences highlight both the challenges and the tremendous rewards of this path. Now working as a perinatal mental health therapist, Ashleigh brings professional expertise alongside her personal journey to this conversation.

Whether you're considering surrogacy, supporting someone through this process, or simply curious about this path to parenthood, Ashleigh’s story will move you with its raw honesty and beautiful moments of human connection. Listen as she demonstrates how strangers can become family through one of life's most profound gifts.

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Paying It Forward Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/payingitforward_surrogacy?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Beth Moskowicz journey through surrogacy began over a decade ago when she and her husband faced fertility challenges. After failed IVF transfers and a heartbreaking miscarriage, they turned to surrogacy—a path that would not only build their family but eventually shape Beth's career and life purpose.

What started as her personal quest for parenthood evolved into a profound mission to help others. Beth candidly shares the dramatic birth of her daughter, where a rare umbilical cord complication led to moments of terror before joy. Three years later, after unsuccessful transfer attempts with their first surrogate, they matched with another surrogate who carried their son to term. These experiences gave Beth unique insight into both the emotional rollercoaster and practical realities of surrogacy journeys.

The technological advancements Beth witnessed between her children's births—just three years apart—highlight how rapidly the field evolves. Genetic testing of embryos, unavailable during her daughter's journey, became standard practice by the time her son was conceived, fundamentally changing success rates and risk factors.

Today, as founder of Paying it Forward Surrogacy, Beth deliberately maintains a boutique approach, personally managing no more than seven cases at once. This allows her to provide the kind of attentive support she valued during her own surrogacy experiences. Her background as both a newspaper reporter and law school graduate equips her with exceptional communication skills and legal understanding—though she's quick to clarify she doesn't write contracts herself.

Beth offers valuable perspective on the changing landscape of surrogacy compensation and state legislation, particularly regarding pregnancy termination rights. Her balanced approach acknowledges both surrogate worth and the financial realities faced by intended parents. Above all, she emphasizes the critical importance of thorough research, clear communication, and addressing concerns promptly rather than letting them fester.

Connect with Beth at payingitforwardsurrogacy.com to learn how her uniquely personal approach might support your surrogacy journey.

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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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