Surrogacy Australia Conversations

⚠️ This episode is different and is very important to me 💜

This episode was written as a blog post and then recorded in May 2021, which was about 7 months after the birth of my surrobub Baker, and I wrote it as reflection on my postnatal depression. By speaking my truth, it was as though I shone a light into that corner, and it wasn’t dark anymore. I felt lighter, not ruled by my past from when I was unwell.

As mentioned in the episode, my blog is called Surrogacy Safari and you can find the written version of this episode as well as Baker’s Birth story. 

Also Katrina Hale’s guide for surrogacy teams. 

These podcasts were recorded as part of the free webinar series run by Surrogacy Australia. If you would like to attend one, head to our website for dates and registration links. They can also be found on our YouTube channel so you can see the photos that are described in the recordings.

Follow Surrogacy Australia on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. 

https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-134-my-postnatal-depression-after-surrogacy/

Watch this episode on youtube

Looking to find a surrogate in Australia? Consider joining SASS.

Looking for an overview of surrogacy? Join us in a free, fortnightly Wednesday night webinar.

Looking to chat with other IPs and surrogates in a casual setting? Join us for a monthly Zoom catch up, one Friday of each month. 

Looking to hear stories from parents through surrogacy and surrogates? Listen to our podcast series or watch episodes on our YouTube channel. 

Looking for support one-on-one? Register for SASS to connect with me - your Siri for Surrogacy, or book in for a private consultation [email protected]

About me:

My name is Anna McKie and I’m a part time high school senior Math teacher, single mum with two children in Adelaide, South Australia and birthed as a surrogate in September 2020 for two Dads. I’ve also been an egg donor for 3 families, and 2 of those were for surrogacy teams. I have been closely involved in the Australian surrogacy community since 2016 and am responsible for the day-to-day administration of Surrogacy Australia's Support Service (SASS).

I’m passionate about the surrogacy community (the village) and that people should be able to navigate surrogacy in Australia without being on Facebook. That was part of our motivation for creating SASS, the monthly zoom catch ups and the free webinars. Within SASS we have a Mentor program, so you can be connected with a peer to meet in person and to ask questions without fear of online judgement. 

Contact…

Facebook: @surrogacyforaustralians

Instagram: @surrogacyaustralia

YouTube: @surrogacy.australia

Website: www.surrogacyaustralia.org

Email: [email protected]

Welcome to the Village 🥰

Joel is a trail blazer as the first man to become a single dad through surrogacy in Tasmania. His son, Mason, was born in February 2025. His surrogate, Jess, lives in Launceston with her husband Ryan and their blended family of 8 children. They were previously strangers but connected thanks to a Facebook post he did explaining his situation, which got shared widely. His egg donor, Vanessa, is a friend from primary school. Audrey, the daughter of Vanessa and Kate, born a few months before Mason, is a genetic sibling and will know each other as cousins. Joel's journey was a long one - including a move from WA back to his home state of Tasmania, and also connections with other surrogates that didn't work out.

These podcasts were recorded as part of the free webinar series run by Surrogacy Australia. If you would like to attend one, head to our website for dates and registration links. They can also be found on our YouTube channel so you can see the photos that are described in the recordings.

Follow Surrogacy Australia on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. 

https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-133-joel-gay-dad/

Watch this episode on youtube

Looking to find a surrogate in Australia? Consider joining SASS.

Looking for an overview of surrogacy? Join us in a free, fortnightly Wednesday night webinar.

Looking to chat with other IPs and surrogates in a casual setting? Join us for a monthly Zoom catch up, one Friday of each month. 

Looking to hear stories from parents through surrogacy and surrogates? Listen to our podcast series or watch episodes on our YouTube channel. 

Looking for support one-on-one? Register for SASS to connect with me - your Siri for Surrogacy, or book in for a private consultation [email protected]

About me:

My name is Anna McKie and I’m a part time high school senior Math teacher, single mum with two children in Adelaide, South Australia and birthed as a surrogate in September 2020 for two Dads. I’ve also been an egg donor for 3 families, and 2 of those were for surrogacy teams. I have been closely involved in the Australian surrogacy community since 2016 and am responsible for the day-to-day administration of Surrogacy Australia's Support Service (SASS).

I’m passionate about the surrogacy community (the village) and that people should be able to navigate surrogacy in Australia without being on Facebook. That was part of our motivation for creating SASS, the monthly zoom catch ups and the free webinars. Within SASS we have a Mentor program, so you can be connected with a peer to meet in person and to ask questions without fear of online judgement. 

Contact…

Facebook: @surrogacyforaustralians

Instagram: @surrogacyaustralia

YouTube: @surrogacy.australia

Website: www.surrogacyaustralia.org

Email: [email protected]

Welcome to the Village 🥰

Jess and husband Ryan live with their blended family of 8 children in Launceston, Tasmania. She birthed a little boy, Mason, as a surrogate in February 2025. Jess met dad, Joel, through a facebook post and reached out to offer to be his surrogate. Joel is a single dad and has moved from WA back to Tasmania to navigate surrogacy. Jess has also been an egg donor, having donated to two families with plans for more! 

An ABC article and video documenting Joel’s journey to fatherhood. 

These podcasts were recorded as part of the free webinar series run by Surrogacy Australia. If you would like to attend one, head to our website for dates and registration links. They can also be found on our YouTube channel so you can see the photos that are described in the recordings.

Follow Surrogacy Australia on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. 

https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-132-jess-surrogate

Watch this episode on youtube

Looking to find a surrogate in Australia? Consider joining SASS.

Looking for an overview of surrogacy? Join us in a free, fortnightly Wednesday night webinar.

Looking to chat with other IPs and surrogates in a casual setting? Join us for a monthly Zoom catch up, one Friday of each month. 

Looking to hear stories from parents through surrogacy and surrogates? Listen to our podcast series or watch episodes on our YouTube channel. 

Looking for support one-on-one? Register for SASS to connect with me - your Siri for Surrogacy, or book in for a private consultation [email protected]

About me:

My name is Anna McKie and I’m a part time high school senior Math teacher, single mum with two children in Adelaide, South Australia and birthed as a surrogate in September 2020 for two Dads. I’ve also been an egg donor for 3 families, and 2 of those were for surrogacy teams. I have been closely involved in the Australian surrogacy community since 2016 and am responsible for the day-to-day administration of Surrogacy Australia's Support Service (SASS).

I’m passionate about the surrogacy community (the village) and that people should be able to navigate surrogacy in Australia without being on Facebook. That was part of our motivation for creating SASS, the monthly zoom catch ups and the free webinars. Within SASS we have a Mentor program, so you can be connected with a peer to meet in person and to ask questions without fear of online judgement. 

Contact…

Facebook: @surrogacyforaustralians

Instagram: @surrogacyaustralia

YouTube: @surrogacy.australia

Website: www.surrogacyaustralia.org

Email: [email protected]

Welcome to the Village 🥰

Kelsey and her husband Aaron, became parents to their daughter, Charlotte, in March 2024. Charlotte was carried by their surrogate whom they had jointly known for 20 years. It worked first embryo transfer after 14 attempts in Kelsey. Charlotte was first to be born under the NT Surrogacy Act 2022.

These podcasts were recorded as part of the free webinar series run by Surrogacy Australia. If you would like to attend one, head to our website for dates and registration links. They can also be found on our YouTube channel so you can see the photos that are described in the recordings.

Follow Surrogacy Australia on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. 

https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-131-kelsey-straight-mum

Watch this episode on youtube

Looking to find a surrogate in Australia? Consider joining SASS.

Looking for an overview of surrogacy? Join us in a free, fortnightly Wednesday night webinar.

Looking to chat with other IPs and surrogates in a casual setting? Join us for a monthly Zoom catch up, one Friday of each month. 

Looking to hear stories from parents through surrogacy and surrogates? Listen to our podcast series or watch episodes on our YouTube channel. 

Looking for support one-on-one? Register for SASS to connect with me - your Siri for Surrogacy, or book in for a private consultation [email protected]

About me:

My name is Anna McKie and I’m a part time high school senior Math teacher, single mum with two children in Adelaide, South Australia and birthed as a surrogate in September 2020 for two Dads. I’ve also been an egg donor for 3 families, and 2 of those were for surrogacy teams. I have been closely involved in the Australian surrogacy community since 2016 and am responsible for the day-to-day administration of Surrogacy Australia's Support Service (SASS).

I’m passionate about the surrogacy community (the village) and that people should be able to navigate surrogacy in Australia without being on Facebook. That was part of our motivation for creating SASS, the monthly zoom catch ups and the free webinars. Within SASS we have a Mentor program, so you can be connected with a peer to meet in person and to ask questions without fear of online judgement. 

Contact…

Facebook: @surrogacyforaustralians

Instagram: @surrogacyaustralia

YouTube: @surrogacy.australia

Website: www.surrogacyaustralia.org

Email: [email protected]

Welcome to the Village 🥰

We hear from 3 dads through surrogacy today - all who are part of a same sex male couple.

Check out the full episode show notes:

https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-130-how-do-you-decide-which-sperm-to-use

Looking to find a surrogate in Australia? Consider joining SASS.

Looking for an overview of surrogacy? Join us in a free, fortnightly Wednesday night webinar.

Looking to chat with other IPs and surrogates in a casual setting? Join us for a monthly Zoom catch up, one Friday of each month. 

Looking to hear stories from parents through surrogacy and surrogates? Listen to our podcast series or watch episodes on our YouTube channel. 

Looking for support one-on-one? Register for SASS to connect with me - your Siri for Surrogacy, or book in for a private consultation [email protected]

Beth, a mum of 2 boys, has birthed two children as a surrogate for dads Tyson and Dan - they were initially strangers and all live in Melbourne. She birthed their daughter London in December 2021 and son River in November 2024. They have been a SASS supported, self matched team for their 2 journeys and Beth and Dan have been Mentors with SASS helping many other who are at the beginning of their journeys. 

These podcasts were recorded as part of the free webinar series run by Surrogacy Australia. If you would like to attend one, head to our website for dates and registration links. They can also be found on our YouTube channel so you can see the photos that are described in the recordings.

Follow Surrogacy Australia on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. 

https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-129-beth-surrogate

Watch this episode on youtube

Looking to find a surrogate in Australia? Consider joining SASS.

Looking for an overview of surrogacy? Join us in a free, fortnightly Wednesday night webinar.

Looking to chat with other IPs and surrogates in a casual setting? Join us for a monthly Zoom catch up, one Friday of each month. 

Looking to hear stories from parents through surrogacy and surrogates? Listen to our podcast series or watch episodes on our YouTube channel. 

Looking for support one-on-one? Register for SASS to connect with me - your Siri for Surrogacy, or book in for a private consultation [email protected]

About me:

My name is Anna McKie and I’m a part time high school senior Math teacher, single mum with two children in Adelaide, South Australia and birthed as a surrogate in September 2020 for two Dads. I’ve also been an egg donor for 3 families, and 2 of those were for surrogacy teams. I have been closely involved in the Australian surrogacy community since 2016 and am responsible for the day-to-day administration of Surrogacy Australia's Support Service (SASS).

I’m passionate about the surrogacy community (the village) and that people should be able to navigate surrogacy in Australia without being on Facebook. That was part of our motivation for creating SASS, the monthly zoom catch ups and the free webinars. Within SASS we have a Mentor program, so you can be connected with a peer to meet in person and to ask questions without fear of online judgement. 

Contact…

Facebook: @surrogacyforaustralians

Instagram: @surrogacyaustralia

YouTube: @surrogacy.australia

Website: www.surrogacyaustralia.org

Email: [email protected]

Welcome to the Village 🥰

Beth birthed as a surrogate in Melbourne, VIC in December 2021 for a couple who were initially strangers and are now life long friends. They had a little girl, London, and her two dads are Tyson and Daniel who also live in Melbourne. Beth has been a Surrogate Mentor within SASS (Surrogacy Australia’s Support Service) and is one of the first surrogates to have been through SASS as a team, to have been paired up with a mentor for her, and then to become a mentor herself.

The next episode also features Beth, sharing her sibling journey for the dads. They had a little boy, River, in November 2024.

These podcasts were recorded as part of the free webinar series run by Surrogacy Australia. If you would like to attend one, head to our website for dates and registration links. They can also be found on our YouTube channel so you can see the photos that are described in the recordings.

Follow Surrogacy Australia on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. 

https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-128-beth-surrogate

Watch this episode on youtube

Looking to find a surrogate in Australia? Consider joining SASS.

Looking for an overview of surrogacy? Join us in a free, fortnightly Wednesday night webinar.

Looking to chat with other IPs and surrogates in a casual setting? Join us for a monthly Zoom catch up, one Friday of each month. 

Looking to hear stories from parents through surrogacy and surrogates? Listen to our podcast series or watch episodes on our YouTube channel. 

Looking for support one-on-one? Register for SASS to connect with me - your Siri for Surrogacy, or book in for a private consultation [email protected]

About me:

My name is Anna McKie and I’m a part time high school senior Math teacher, single mum with two children in Adelaide, South Australia and birthed as a surrogate in September 2020 for two Dads. I’ve also been an egg donor for 3 families, and 2 of those were for surrogacy teams. I have been closely involved in the Australian surrogacy community since 2016 and am responsible for the day-to-day administration of Surrogacy Australia's Support Service (SASS).

I’m passionate about the surrogacy community (the village) and that people should be able to navigate surrogacy in Australia without being on Facebook. That was part of our motivation for creating SASS, the monthly zoom catch ups and the free webinars. Within SASS we have a Mentor program, so you can be connected with a peer to meet in person and to ask questions without fear of online judgement. 

Contact…

Facebook: @surrogacyforaustralians

Instagram: @surrogacyaustralia

YouTube: @surrogacy.australia

Website: www.surrogacyaustralia.org

Email: [email protected]

Welcome to the Village 🥰

Monica Blizzard leads the KHQ Lawyers’ Family & Relationship Law team, and is an Accredited Family Law Specialist with the Law Institute of Victoria. With nearly 30 years of experience and 10 of that in surrogacy. Her work in this field aligns with her own family creation, due to needing IVF. This lived experience means she understands what it’s like to have limited options and a challenge to her fertility. 

If you’d like to arrange your own session with Monica, you can find her on her firm’s website, KHQ Lawyers.

We hear from Monica and cover questions such as:

❤️ What are reasonable expenses that we can cover for our surrogate?

🧡 Are the Agreements enforceable for surrogacy and egg/sperm donation?

💛 Do we as IPs ever get our names on the birth certificate?

💚 Is anyone ever denied a Parentage Order?

💙 What should we look for in a surrogacy lawyer (for IPs and the surrogate)?

💜 What if the relationship breaks down among the team

These podcasts were recorded as part of the free webinar series run by Surrogacy Australia. If you would like to attend one, head to our website for dates and registration links. They can also be found on our YouTube channel so you can see the photos that are described in the recordings.

Follow Surrogacy Australia on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. 

https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-127-monica-blizzard-lawyer

Watch this episode on youtube

Looking to find a surrogate in Australia? Consider joining SASS.

Looking for an overview of surrogacy? Join us in a free, fortnightly Wednesday night webinar.

Looking to chat with other IPs and surrogates in a casual setting? Join us for a monthly Zoom catch up, one Friday of each month. 

Looking to hear stories from parents through surrogacy and surrogates? Listen to our podcast series or watch episodes on our YouTube channel. 

Looking for support one-on-one? Register for SASS to connect with me - your Siri for Surrogacy, or book in for a private consultation [email protected]

About me:

My name is Anna McKie and I’m a part time high school senior Math teacher, single mum with two children in Adelaide, South Australia and birthed as a surrogate in September 2020 for two Dads. I’ve also been an egg donor for 3 families, and 2 of those were for surrogacy teams. I have been closely involved in the Australian surrogacy community since 2016 and am responsible for the day-to-day administration of Surrogacy Australia's Support Service (SASS).

I’m passionate about the surrogacy community (the village) and that people should be able to navigate surrogacy in Australia without being on Facebook. That was part of our motivation for creating SASS, the monthly zoom catch ups and the free webinars. Within SASS we have a Mentor program, so you can be connected with a peer to meet in person and to ask questions without fear of online judgement. 

Contact…

Facebook: @surrogacyforaustralians

Instagram: @surrogacyaustralia

YouTube: @surrogacy.australia

Website: www.surrogacyaustralia.org

Email: [email protected]

Welcome to the Village 🥰

This series of episodes springs from my work with SASS (Surrogacy Australia’s Support Service). When Intended Parents (IPs) have completed their profile and are in the pool of IPs waiting to connect with a surrogate, I do monthly check-ins to make sure they’re still active and waiting. I like to give some guidance and support along the way because the waiting game can be hard.

This series of episodes is designed as though they are a letter to the waiting IPs.As mentioned in the episode, you can find links on our website for the SASS Monthly report and a presentation about ‘How do you find a surrogate in Australia?’

Check out the full episode show notes:

https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-126-ideas-for-ips-intended-parents-in-waiting

Looking to find a surrogate in Australia? Consider joining SASS.

Looking for an overview of surrogacy? Join us in a free, fortnightly Wednesday night webinar.

Looking to chat with other IPs and surrogates in a casual setting? Join us for a monthly Zoom catch up, one Friday of each month. 

Looking to hear stories from parents through surrogacy and surrogates? Listen to our podcast series or watch episodes on our YouTube channel. 

Looking for support one-on-one? Register for SASS to connect with me - your Siri for Surrogacy, or book in for a private consultation [email protected]

Dwayne and Shane became Dads to their daughter (Zara) in August 2018. Zara was carried by their surrogate (previously a stranger) Amelia who was also a Traditional surrogate for them, meaning it was her egg.

Dwayne was also one of the original Mentors with SASS and has supported many new gay Intended Dads who are at the beginning of their journey.

These podcasts were recorded as part of the free webinar series run by Surrogacy Australia. If you would like to attend one, head to our website for dates and registration links. They can also be found on our YouTube channel so you can see the photos that are described in the recordings.

Follow Surrogacy Australia on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. 

https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-125-dwayne-gay-dad

Watch this episode on youtube

Looking to find a surrogate in Australia? Consider joining SASS.

Looking for an overview of surrogacy? Join us in a free, fortnightly Wednesday night webinar.

Looking to chat with other IPs and surrogates in a casual setting? Join us for a monthly Zoom catch up, one Friday of each month. 

Looking to hear stories from parents through surrogacy and surrogates? Listen to our podcast series or watch episodes on our YouTube channel. 

Looking for support one-on-one? Register for SASS to connect with me - your Siri for Surrogacy, or book in for a private consultation [email protected]

About me:

My name is Anna McKie and I’m a part time high school senior Math teacher, single mum with two children in Adelaide, South Australia and birthed as a surrogate in September 2020 for two Dads. I’ve also been an egg donor for 3 families, and 2 of those were for surrogacy teams. I have been closely involved in the Australian surrogacy community since 2016 and am responsible for the day-to-day administration of Surrogacy Australia's Support Service (SASS).

I’m passionate about the surrogacy community (the village) and that people should be able to navigate surrogacy in Australia without being on Facebook. That was part of our motivation for creating SASS, the monthly zoom catch ups and the free webinars. Within SASS we have a Mentor program, so you can be connected with a peer to meet in person and to ask questions without fear of online judgement. 

Contact…

Facebook: @surrogacyforaustralians

Instagram: @surrogacyaustralia

YouTube: @surrogacy.australia

Website: www.surrogacyaustralia.org

Email: [email protected]

Welcome to the Village 🥰