SurroTales

I’m currently soaking up every moment of maternity leave, but I couldn’t wait any longer to share the story of how our sweet Lila Madeline Lehman came into the world. And who better to join me than the incredible woman who carried her—our gestational carrier (and my sister-in-law!), Maddy.

In this episode, Maddy and I relive Lila’s birth story—from the days leading up to delivery after Trav and I arrived in the U.S., to the surprise of her being eight days overdue (!), to how labor and delivery unfolded, and everything that followed.

It’s an emotional, full-circle conversation now that we’re on the other side and Lila is finally here. This episode gives me all the feels, and I’m so excited for you to listen… and selfishly, to have this as a keepsake that we’ll treasure forever.

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Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@surrotales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, I chat with Dominique as she shares her deeply personal journey through infertility. From enduring multiple rounds of IVF in both New Zealand and the USA to navigating devastating miscarriages, Dominique takes us through the emotional and physical toll of her experience.

After years of trying, her doctor eventually encouraged her to explore surrogacy—an idea she initially struggled to embrace. She opens up about the courage it took to share her story on social media and later with the NZ Herald, leading to an overwhelming response from generous women willing to help. One of the most unexpected yet beautiful moments? A childhood friend stepping forward to offer the ultimate gift.

As she moves through the approval process while preparing for another IVF cycle, Dominique reflects on the challenges of control—or lack thereof—throughout infertility and surrogacy. We also discuss her motivation to start two businesses, Lullabuy and Redroom, which have given her a sense of purpose and control outside of her fertility journey.

Throughout it all, Dominique has learned invaluable lessons about resilience, partnership, and the power of empathy. Her story is one of strength, hope, and the incredible kindness of others.

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Episode Info:

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Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@surrotales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Victoria, who shares her remarkable journey of navigating life with a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis—one that came unexpectedly as an adult during her medical training. We dive into how this life-changing event influenced many aspects of her life, including her career, her fertility and her family planning decisions...ultimately leading her to pursue surrogacy.

Victoria opens up about the emotional and practical challenges of searching for a surrogate and what inspired her to launch BabyBumps, an independent surrogacy platform designed to connect intended parents and surrogates through mutual respect and trust.

We also chat about her IVF journey, from the highs and lows of multiple rounds to the most unconventional places we've both done our injections. Victoria shares the invaluable lessons she's learned throughout her fertility experience so far and hints at what’s next for her surrogacy and family-building journey.

Victoria shares valuable insights for anyone facing fertility challenges or exploring surrogacy. Her journey reflects resilience, hope, and the innovative vision behind Baby Bumps—her inclusive platform that is sure to make a lasting impact in the surrogacy world.

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Episode Info:

BabyBumps:

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Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@surrotales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, I chat to Margaret Casey KC, a leading barrister specializing in surrogacy and reproductive law based in Auckland, New Zealand. Margaret shares her inspiring journey into this field, shaped in part by her own personal fertility story. She offers a detailed look at how New Zealand's surrogacy laws were developed, the legal processes currently in place, and the specific steps intended parents and surrogates must navigate throughout their surrogacy experience.

Margaret also dives into her work on international surrogacy, comparing legal frameworks across countries and explaining how New Zealand approaches overseas surrogacy arrangements. Lastly, she provides insights into the proposed surrogacy reform bill under review, which promises to bring significant and much-needed improvements to surrogacy law in New Zealand.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the complexities of surrogacy law, both in New Zealand and internationally, and the ongoing efforts to create more equitable and accessible paths to parenthood.

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Episode Info:

Margaret Casey

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Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@surrotales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

In this heartfelt episode, I chat with Tessa, an intended mother in the midst of her surrogacy journey. Tessa shares her extraordinary story, from the joy of welcoming her first son to the devastating discovery of a rare cancer during delivery, which ultimately led to a hysterectomy. Despite this, Tessa held onto hope, knowing her ovaries and eggs could make surrogacy an option when the time was right.

That time came when Tessa and her husband were introduced to Kelly, a mom of three, through mutual friends. Inspired by her own struggles with fertility and a desire to pay it forward, Kelly was eager to help. The two instantly connected, embarking on a surrogacy journey built on trust, gratitude, and shared vision.

At the time of this recording, Kelly was 23 weeks pregnant with Tessa and her husband’s baby boy, who has since been born healthy and thriving! Tessa reflects on her IVF experience, navigating ECART processes in New Zealand, coordinating across cities, and maintaining open communication. She also shares her deep emotional and spiritual connection to her baby, as well as their plans for the birth—letting Kelly take the lead in the delivery room.

This is a beautiful story of resilience, community, and the profound ways we can help each other grow our families.

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Episode Info:

Toni Street's Book: Lost and Found

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Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@surrotales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

In this episode, I’m joined by New Zealand fertility specialist, Dr. Elizabeth Glanville, for an in-depth discussion on the world of IVF and surrogacy. Dr. Glanville guides us through every stage of the process, from preparation to transfer, and explore what happens afterward.

Dr. Glanville shares expert insights on the differences between natural and manufactured cycles, the role ECART (Ethics Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology) plays in the New Zealand surrogacy process, and the key factors that make a great surrogate candidate. We also dive into the growing popularity of surrogacy, review success rates, and offer a comprehensive guide for anyone considering or curious about this family-building option.

Whether you’re starting your fertility journey, thinking about surrogacy, or just want to learn more about the science and ethics behind it all, this episode provides expert advice and practical tips straight from one of New Zealand’s leading specialists.

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Episode Info:

YourIVFSuccess

Repromed

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Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@surrotales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Natalie is the embodiment of resilience and strength, which is no surprise considering she is a competitive triathlete! She is the step mom of three boys, and now, the proud mom of an almost two-year-old girl, Bella, via an extraordinary surrogacy journey. In this heartfelt episode, Natalie shares her inspiring story of partnering with Jess, a surrogate she met through the Love Makes a Family network.

Together, they turned a connection between strangers into a profound friendship, embarking on this life-changing journey alongside their families. Natalie opens up about enduring six pregnancy losses, navigating numerous rounds of IVF, and ultimately deciding to pursue surrogacy. She recounts the steps they took with Jess, leading up to an unforgettable delivery that sounds straight out of a Hollywood movie!

Beyond the logistics of surrogacy, Natalie delves into the emotional depths of her experience, reflecting on grief, mental health, and the lessons she learned about control, resilience, and personal growth. This episode is a powerful testament to the beauty of love, family, and perseverance.

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Episode Info:

⁠Love Makes a Family

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Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@surrotales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Lydia is the CEO of Fertility New Zealand (FNZ), a national charity dedicated to supporting, advocating for, and educating individuals facing infertility at all stages of their journey and beyond. In this episode, Lydia highlights the wide range of services FNZ offers, including in-person and online support groups, webinars, a helpline, accessible resources, and a strong community within the infertility space. She also discusses the history of IVF in New Zealand, shifts in the infertility landscape over the years, and the growing presence of surrogacy. Most importantly, Lydia shares valuable tips for navigating infertility—whether personally or with a loved one—and provides insights on how to find the best support.

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Episode Info:

Fertility New Zealand

Facebook Group: Donor Conception and Surrogacy Network NZ

The Listener Article

FNZ Hotline: 0800 333 306

*Note: Since the episode was recorded, there has been a second round of submissions (open and close) for the Improving Arrangements for Surrogacy Bill and Fertility NZ made a submission to this.

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Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@surrotales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

The time has finally come to interview a very special VIP guest...our surrogate, Maddy, who happens to be my sister-in-law! Best of all, she might have some very exciting news to share... Spoiler alert, she is 22 weeks pregnant with our baby girl (at the time we recorded this)!!! In this episode, Maddy shares her experience with being our surrogate so far. From making the most generous offer we could have dreamed of (and finding the right time to do it!), the long to do list we had to complete before even getting to the embryo transfer stage—including medical approval, psychiatric counseling, legal agreements, etc. From there, she talks through the embryo transfer process, the dreaded 10 day wait, finally getting our pregnancy news(!) and what her pregnancy journey has been like so far. She also dives into the important topic of speaking to her young daughter, and other family members and friends, about her role as a surrogate and the many lessons she's learned throughout this wild ride (so far!). This was such an exciting and heartfelt episode to record and a fun way to share our big news...we're expecting a baby girl in February and couldn't be more excited and grateful!

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Episode Info:

⁠The Kangaroo Pouch: A story about surrogacy for young children⁠

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Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@surrotales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]

Andy's story proves just how global surrogacy can be. Andy lives in Australia and has had two children via surrogacy...each in a different country! First, he shares his experience with having his son via surrogacy in Canada, followed by the story of bringing his daughter into the world through surrogacy in Argentina. He shares the many twists and turns his story took, the differences in navigating surrogacy in both countries and the amazing surrogacy community he's built along the way. He also shares helpful advice for intended parents who might be interested in going down an international surrogacy route. After such a positive experience with the agency he chose for his daughter’s surrogacy, Andy now works as a Parent Intake Coordinator for Global Surrogacy Agency, guiding others as they embark on their own surrogacy journeys.

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Episode Info:

Global Surrogacy Consulting

Andy's Email: [email protected]

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Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@surrotales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email: [email protected]