The Backup Plan

I’m wrapping up The Backup Plan as a podcast and moving the project fully to YouTube. As a single mom by choice, raising my child through IVF with my gay best friend’s sperm and living multi-generationally with my mom, I’ll be sharing the next chapter of this journey in video form.

👉 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@backupplanpod
👉 Access the podcast archive: https://www.patreon.com/cw/backupplanpod

For those who don’t know me yet: I’m a single mother by choice. I went through IVF using my gay best friend’s sperm, and now I’m raising my child while navigating multi-generational living with my mom. This podcast has been such an important part of my journey, and I’m so grateful for everyone who’s listened along the way.

But this isn’t goodbye. The full archive of podcast episodes is available on Patreon, and the future of The Backup Planlives on YouTube with new weekly videos about single motherhood, IVF, LGBTQ+ family building, and multi-generational living.

Thank you for being part of this chapter — I can’t wait to share what’s ahead. 💜

Hello Bello
20% off for new customers with code “MEREDITHB“

Kindred Bravely
15% off nursing and maternity wear with code “Meredith15“.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

---

CONNECT WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Website: https://backupplanpod.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/backupplanpod
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/backupplanpod

CONNECT WITH MEREDITH
Instagram: https://instagram.com/meredithk8

WORK WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Visit https://backupplanpod.com/work-with-me for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Meredith's mom, Janey,  joins this week's conversation to discuss the way they're reshaping their family, their co-parenting plans, and how they're growing together in this new chapter.

Hello Bello
20% off for new customers with code “MEREDITHB“

Kegg Fertility Tracker
Support The Backup Plan by purchasing Kegg Trackers at the above link.

Kindred Bravely
15% off nursing and maternity wear with code “Meredith15“.

Mosie Baby
Support The Backup Plan by purchasing Mosie kits at the above link.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

---

CONNECT WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Website: https://backupplanpod.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/backupplanpod
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/backupplanpod

CONNECT WITH MEREDITH
Instagram: https://instagram.com/meredithk8

WORK WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Visit https://backupplanpod.com/work-with-me for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Travel back in time to MARCH 2023, the month that Meredith got serious about having a baby on her own. This week tackles her first OBGYN appointment, exploring acupuncture for fertility, and an unexpected message from her future baby's daddy.

Hello Bello
20% off for new customers with code “MEREDITHB“

Kegg Fertility Tracker
Support The Backup Plan by purchasing Kegg Trackers at the above link.

Kindred Bravely
15% off nursing and maternity wear with code “Meredith15“.

Mosie Baby
Support The Backup Plan by purchasing Mosie kits at the above link.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

---

CONNECT WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Website: https://backupplanpod.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/backupplanpod
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/backupplanpod

CONNECT WITH MEREDITH
Instagram: https://instagram.com/meredithk8

WORK WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Visit https://backupplanpod.com/work-with-me for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Picture this: college pals, a heartening bond, and an unusual dream that leads to an extraordinary journey. Meredith is your guide through this delightful adventure. Learn about her friendship with Michael, her gay best friend, and how his dream about the two of them having a baby together became a real-life decision.

This episode sets the stage for future chats with experts, individuals who’ve treaded similar paths, and folks thrilled to initiate their families on their terms. Welcome to The Backup Plan.

Hello Bello
20% off for new customers with code “MEREDITHB“

Kegg Fertility Tracker
Support The Backup Plan by purchasing Kegg Trackers at the above link.

Kindred Bravely
15% off nursing and maternity wear with code “Meredith15“.

Mosie Baby
Support The Backup Plan by purchasing Mosie kits at the above link.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

---

CONNECT WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Website: https://backupplanpod.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/backupplanpod
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/backupplanpod

CONNECT WITH MEREDITH
Instagram: https://instagram.com/meredithk8

WORK WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Visit https://backupplanpod.com/work-with-me for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

I’ve finally had an emotional breakdown about my IVF journey. GRATEFUL for the mental health work I’ve done along the way to keep me afloat.

Progesterone in oil shots start soon and I’m hoping that I’m nearing the end of my journey!

Support the show

---

CONNECT WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Website: https://backupplanpod.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/backupplanpod
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/backupplanpod

CONNECT WITH MEREDITH
Instagram: https://instagram.com/meredithk8

WORK WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Visit https://backupplanpod.com/work-with-me for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Donald Trump is promising free IVF if he gets elected. As someone who is deep int he middle of an IVF journey myself, I share thoughts and feelings about how I think it'd work (spoiler alert: I don't think it will).

REGISTER TO VOTE
https://vote.gov

FACTS AND FIGURES

• Trump says he wants to make IVF treatments paid for by government or insurance companies if elected, NBC News
• Insurance Coverage by State, Resolve
• France drafts law to extend IVF to lesbians, single women, AP News 
• More than half of European countries prohibit access to assisted reproduction for lesbians and almost a third do so for single women, Civio 
• A Global View of IVF Treatment and Access, GE 
• The Parents Who Want Daughters—and Daughters Only, Slate

ALSO MENTIONED
Our Little Gay Life: https://www.instagram.com/ourlittlegaylife/

Support the show

---

CONNECT WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Website: https://backupplanpod.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/backupplanpod
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/backupplanpod

CONNECT WITH MEREDITH
Instagram: https://instagram.com/meredithk8

WORK WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Visit https://backupplanpod.com/work-with-me for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Progesterone in oil has arrived! I’m prepping for my frozen embryo transfer as a single mom by choice, and the first step is receiving medication.

TOPICS
00:00 Intro
01:30 The DL on Meds
04:13 Unboxing!

ITEMS MENTIONED
Pineapple Bandages: https://amzn.to/471WLPC

OTHER VIDEOS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Catch Up Video from Last Week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRC4G66OfM0
Embryo Reveal Party: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQhlUQk5iho
Breast Cancer Scare Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxp3GXS_QBdLaLptiBf6zgfBZr14hsM4o

—

Hey, I'm Meredith! I'm becoming a single mom by choice using a known donor; I'm so stoked to be having a baby with my gay best friend. After a few tries with the turkey baster in 2023, I turned to IVF in Spring of 2024.

CONNECT WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Website: https://backupplanpod.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/backupplanpod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@backupplanpod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backupplanpod

CONNECT WITH MEREDITH
Instagram: https://instagram.com/meredithk8

WORK WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Visit https://backupplanpod.com/work-with-me for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Created, produced and hosted by Meredith Kate.

Support the show

---

CONNECT WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Website: https://backupplanpod.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/backupplanpod
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/backupplanpod

CONNECT WITH MEREDITH
Instagram: https://instagram.com/meredithk8

WORK WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Visit https://backupplanpod.com/work-with-me for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Becoming a single mother by choice is difficult! I've been preparing for a baby for two years and making content about the process for a year, so I figured it was worth doing a recap video to catch y'all up on where we've been together.

Support the show

---

CONNECT WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Website: https://backupplanpod.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/backupplanpod
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/backupplanpod

CONNECT WITH MEREDITH
Instagram: https://instagram.com/meredithk8

WORK WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Visit https://backupplanpod.com/work-with-me for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

My IVF journey was abruptly halted last month when a breast cancer scare got in the way. In the last part of my cancer scare series (YAY), I share how a surgery consult turned into a lumpectomy in less than 24 hours.

RELATED VIDEOS:

• Breast Cancer Scare, Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DOScCIxkF8
• Breast Cancer Scare, Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozMicBT8LlM

Support the show

---

CONNECT WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Website: https://backupplanpod.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/backupplanpod
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/backupplanpod

CONNECT WITH MEREDITH
Instagram: https://instagram.com/meredithk8

WORK WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Visit https://backupplanpod.com/work-with-me for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Sharing my stereotactic breast biopsy in chair experience at Hoag Hospital Newport Beach.

In the middle of IVF treatment, I felt something a little strange in my left breast and decided to get it checked out before my frozen embryo implantation. I’m SO GRATEFUL that my doctor at Kindbody get my set up with the Hoag team so quickly.

Also talking about mental health and maintaining support expectations during a health crisis.

00:00 Introduction
00:56 The Biopsy
09:02 Aftercare & Emotional Breakdowns
13:22 Next Steps

RELATED VIDEOS:
My cancer scare in the middle of IVF. https://youtu.be/9DOScCIxkF8

Support the show

---

CONNECT WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Website: https://backupplanpod.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/backupplanpod
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/backupplanpod

CONNECT WITH MEREDITH
Instagram: https://instagram.com/meredithk8

WORK WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Visit https://backupplanpod.com/work-with-me for brand partnerships and business inquiries.