Surrogacy Australia Conversations

​Fiona birthed as a surrogate in NSW in April 2021 for a couple who were initially strangers and are now life long friends. They had a little girl, Ari, and her two dads are Josh and Jack who were in Sydney and are now in Canberra.

You can hear from one of the dads she carried for, Josh, in the previous episode 93. 

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. 

Check out the full episode show notes:

https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-94-fiona-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 🥰

Josh and Jack, originally in Sydney and now in the ACT, became Dads to their daughter (Ari) in April 2021. Ari was carried by their surrogate (previously a stranger) Fee who lives in Newcastle, NSW. Josh has been a Mentor with SASS and has supported many new gay Intended Dads who are at the beginning of their journey. 

You can hear from his surrogate, Fiona, in the next episode number 94.

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. 

Check out the full episode show notes:

https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-93-josh-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 🥰

Julie is heading for retirement as a surrogate - again! She has been in the community for 10 years, had 11 embryo transfers for 3 different IPs, 100s of blood tests and ultrasounds, 1000s of hours invested resulting in 2 beautiful girls and life long friends with surrogates and parents. Julie birthed Ottilie in May 2019 creating a sibling for that family (Leah, James and Alyza) and then retired as a surrogate aged 42. She had built a friendship with Trudy from the community, came out of retirement and offered to carry a sibling for Trudy, Tom and Bonnie. She birthed Lily in August 2024 aged 48 - and she's also a midwife!

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. 

Check out the full episode show notes:

https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-92-julie-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 🥰

Melissa and her husband Harry lived in Adelaide when they became parents to their son Harvey in August 2024. Harvey was carried by surrogate Rachael, who was previously a stranger, and who lives in Goolwa, regional South Australia. Melissa has MRKH (being born without a uterus) and it was a long journey to motherhood - initially being part of uterus transplant trials, a move from Sydney and then a couple of years in the surrogacy community before Rachael found them. A very determined mother!

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. 

Check out the full episode show notes:

https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-91-melissa-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 🥰

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 a List of Expenses on our website.

Check out the full episode show notes:

https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-90-ideas-for-ips-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]

Mitchell and Stephen from Brisbane expanded their family when their close friend carried and birthed their little girl, Elizabeth, in July 2019. Mitchell is a passionate advocate for surrogacy and the promotion of same-sex parents. He has written three children’s books to date ‘Lizzy’s Day at the Zoo’, ‘Lizzy’s Day at the Beach’ and ‘Lizzy’s Christmas Day’.

You can find him on instagram @gaybrisbanedad

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. 

Check out the full episode show notes:

https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-89-mitchell-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 🥰

Michelle and husband, Glenn, live in Wollongong with their 2 children and she has birthed 2 children as a surrogate, Alice in March 2019 and Isaac in November 2020. Michelle works as a nurse at IVF Australia and that is where we met one of the dads - Dr Shadi Khashaba. She has also donated her eggs 10 times to help 5 families, as well as supporting many people through surrogacy - both through her work and part of the wider surrogacy community.

You can hear from one of the dads she carried for, Shadi, in episode 44. 

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. 

Check out the full episode show notes:

https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-88-michelle-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 🥰

Sarah Bevan Family Lawyers are experts in surrogacy, having assisted many Australian and international intended parents and surrogates. Sarah led the team responsible for the landmark NSW decision for the first same-sex couple to be registered as parents on their child’s birth certificate, after that child was born through a surrogacy arrangement.

If you’d like to arrange your own session with Sarah, you can find her on her website, Sarah Bevan Family Lawyers.

We hear from Sarah 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. 

Check out the full episode show notes:

https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-87-sarah-bevan-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 🥰

No. A surrogate does not want your baby. In fact, many surrogates fear that the IPs (Intended Parents) will not take the baby once she gives birth and she will be left holding the baby …. literally!

Check out the full episode show notes:

https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-86-will-the-surrogate-want-to-keep-the-baby

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]

James and his husband JimBob from Brisbane, became dads to their son, Rupert, in March 2023. Their surrogate, Jemma from north QLD, was previously a stranger whom they met at a Growing Families conference in June 2021. Jemma's waters broke early at 30 weeks resulting in quick action from all families. Jemma birthed Rupert at 32 weeks via an emergency C-section but he has been strong and healthy since birth. Their egg donor, Zoe, is James' sister and she offered to be their donor when they were teenagers.

You can hear from his surrogate, Jemma, in episode 11.

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. 

Check out the full episode show notes:

https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast//episode-85-james-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: @surrogacyforaustraliansInstagram: @surrogacyaustraliaYouTube: @surrogacy.australiaWebsite: www.surrogacyaustralia.orgEmail: [email protected]

Welcome to the Village 🥰