What is it like to become a surrogate for the first time? Rebecca Deegan speaks with Cheyenne, a first-time gestational carrier who shares her twin surrogacy journey—from choosing an agency and preparing for embryo transfer to pregnancy, delivery, and recovery.

Cheyenne discusses delayed transfer cycles, fertility medications, twin pregnancy monitoring, building a relationship with intended parents from China, and the support she found through her husband, family, agency team, and fellow surrogates. She also shares what happened when she unexpectedly delivered the twins at 34 weeks and how the intended parents adjusted their travel plans.

This is an honest, first-hand conversation for future surrogates, intended parents, international intended parents, and families who want to understand the personal side of gestational surrogacy.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SURROGACY https://www.surrogatealternatives.com

ABOUT THE SURROGATE BUZZ The Surrogate Buzz is a podcast from Surrogate Alternatives, Inc., a U.S. surrogacy agency with more than 28 years of experience helping intended parents and surrogates navigate ethical, transparent, and relationship-focused surrogacy journeys. Disclaimer: This episode shares one personal experience and is not medical or legal advice.

What breast milk options are available to intended parents after a surrogacy journey?

In this episode of The Surrogate Buzz, Rebecca Deegan interviews Trish Clifford, Co-Founder of Leche, about donor breast milk, freeze-dried breast milk, surrogate-provided breast milk, and feeding options available to intended parents after birth.

This episode answers common questions including:

• Can a surrogate provide breast milk after delivery? • What is freeze-dried breast milk? • How does donor breast milk work? • Is donor breast milk safe? • How can international intended parents access breast milk? • What alternatives exist if breastfeeding is not possible? • How is donor breast milk screened and tested? • Can gestational carriers donate breast milk? • How long does freeze-dried breast milk last?

Rebecca and Trish discuss how breast milk can be stored, transported, preserved, and shared, as well as the challenges many intended parents face when creating a newborn feeding plan after surrogacy.

The conversation also explores donor screening, milk safety testing, breast milk storage, international travel considerations, and how modern breast milk preservation technology is creating more options for families.

Guest: Trish Clifford Co-Founder, Leche

About The Surrogate Buzz:

The Surrogate Buzz is a podcast created by Surrogate Alternatives, Inc. that answers real questions about surrogacy, intended parent journeys, gestational carriers, fertility, and family building through conversations with experienced professionals and members of the surrogacy community.

Learn more about surrogacy: https://www.surrogatealternatives.com

Learn more about Leche: https://itsmyleche.com

What happens during a psychological evaluation in surrogacy, and why is it required for both intended parents and surrogates?

In this episode of The Surrogate Buzz, host Rebecca Deegan, Senior Client Services Director at Surrogate Alternatives, is joined by Dr. Steven Covelluzzi, a clinical psychologist specializing in third-party reproduction, to explain how the psychological screening process works and why it plays a critical role in successful surrogacy journeys.

The psychological evaluation is one of the most important and often misunderstood steps in surrogacy. Many intended parents and surrogates feel uncertain about what is being assessed, what questions will be asked, and whether the process is something they need to "pass."

This conversation breaks down what actually happens during a surrogacy psychological evaluation, including how emotional readiness, expectations, communication, and support systems are assessed. Dr. Covelluzzi explains that this is not a pass-or-fail test, but a structured consultation designed to help identify potential challenges early and support both parties throughout the journey.

The episode also explores the emotional realities of surrogacy, including trust, control, and the relationship between intended parents and surrogates, helping listeners better understand what it truly means to move forward with a surrogacy journey.

• What a surrogacy psychological evaluation is • Why both intended parents and surrogates must complete a psych screening • What psychologists assess during the process • Emotional readiness and expectations in surrogacy • Common fears about the psych evaluation process • The role of trust and control in surrogacy • What makes a surrogate psychologically prepared • How agencies and psychologists support the journey

Intended parents considering surrogacy Women thinking about becoming a surrogate Families preparing for a surrogacy journey Anyone wanting to understand the psychological side of surrogacy

What happens during a surrogacy psychological evaluation? Is the psych evaluation a pass or fail process? Why do intended parents need a psychological screening? What are psychologists looking for in a surrogate? How does emotional readiness impact a surrogacy journey?

Dr. Stephen Covelluzzi is a clinical psychologist specializing in surrogacy and third-party reproduction. With years of experience supporting intended parents and surrogates, he helps individuals navigate the emotional, relational, and psychological aspects of the surrogacy process.

Learn more: https://www.sjcbehavioralhealth.com ABOUT THE SURROGATE BUZZ

The Surrogate Buzz is a podcast created by Surrogate Alternatives, Inc., a U.S. surrogacy agency with more than 28 years of experience helping intended parents and surrogates navigate ethical, transparent, and relationship-focused surrogacy journeys.

In this episode of The Surrogate Buzz, host Rebecca Deegan, Senior Client Services Director at Surrogate Alternatives, is joined by Adam Winder, CEO of SeedTrust, to explain how escrow works in surrogacy and why it is one of the most important parts of the process.

Surrogacy involves a significant financial commitment with payments made over time. This conversation breaks down how escrow accounts manage those funds, how payments are reviewed and released, and what safeguards should be in place to protect both intended parents and surrogates.

You'll learn why independent escrow matters, what risks to avoid, and how transparency and structure create a safer, more stable journey.

If you're asking "Is my money safe in surrogacy?" this episode gives you a clear, straightforward answer.

How escrow works in surrogacy Where surrogacy funds go How payments are managed and released Why independent escrow matters What financial risks to avoid How both intended parents and surrogates are protected

What should intended parents and surrogates understand about the legal process of surrogacy before beginning a journey?

In this episode of The Surrogate Buzz, host Rebecca Deegan, Senior Client Services Director at Surrogate Alternatives, is joined by surrogacy attorney Brian Klein of Klein Fertility Law to explain the legal foundations of gestational surrogacy in the United States.

Surrogacy involves contracts, medical procedures, and court orders that establish parental rights and protect both intended parents and gestational carriers. Brian breaks down how surrogacy contracts work, how parental rights are established through pre-birth and post-birth orders, and the legal protections that exist throughout the journey.

They also discuss common legal mistakes intended parents should avoid and why communication between agencies, attorneys, and surrogates plays a critical role in successful surrogacy journeys.

This conversation is designed to help intended parents and prospective surrogates better understand the legal framework behind surrogacy so they can move forward with clarity and confidence.

About Our Guest

Brian Klein is a surrogacy attorney and founder of Klein Fertility Law, where he represents intended parents and surrogates in assisted reproduction and fertility law matters.

Learn more about Brian Klein and Klein Fertility Law: https://www.kleinfertilitylaw.com

Learn More About Surrogate Alternatives

https://www.surrogatealternatives.com

Choosing a surrogacy agency is one of the most important decisions intended parents and surrogates will make during the family-building journey. Understanding potential warning signs early can help prevent unnecessary stress, risk, and financial uncertainty later.

In this episode of The Surrogate Buzz, host Rebecca Deegan, Senior Client Services Director at Surrogate Alternatives, is joined by Senior Case Manager and experienced surrogate Nicole to discuss red flags to watch for when evaluating a surrogacy agency.

The conversation explores how medical screening, communication practices, financial protections, and agency experience can impact both safety and overall outcomes throughout a journey.

This episode is designed to help intended parents and prospective surrogates feel more informed, confident, and prepared when researching agencies. WHAT THIS EPISODE COVERS

• Why medical record review is critical before matching • Communication policies that may signal concern • How agency experience affects outcomes when challenges arise • The importance of independent trust accounts and escrow protection • Financial transparency for intended parents and surrogates • What trustworthy agencies consistently do differently • Questions to consider when evaluating an agency WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR Intended parents researching surrogacy Women considering becoming a surrogate Families comparing agency options Anyone seeking clearer guidance on third-party reproduction

Surrogate Alternatives https://www.surrogatealternatives.com

Become a Parent: https://www.surrogatealternatives.com/intended-parents

Become a Surrogate: https://www.surrogatealternatives.com/become-a-surrogate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saiagency TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sai.agency Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saicorp The Surrogate Buzz is the official podcast of Surrogate Alternatives, Inc., a U.S. surrogacy agency with more than 28 years of experience supporting intended parents and surrogates through ethical, transparent, and relationship-focused journeys.

Matching is one of the most important decisions in the surrogacy journey, yet it's also where many people realize they didn't ask the right questions early enough.

In this episode of The Surrogate Buzz, we walk through what intended parents and surrogates should be asking before they match. From reviewing profiles to the first match call, we discuss the questions that shape communication, expectations, and long-term success.

Our host, Rebecca Deegan, Lead Client Services Director at Surrogate Alternatives, is joined by Surrogacy Journey Coordinator Allie to share real-world insight from years of guiding successful matches.

Topics include embryo considerations, lifestyle expectations, communication preferences, support systems, and why honesty early in the process protects everyone involved.

Whether you are an intended parent exploring surrogacy or a prospective surrogate preparing for a match, this episode is designed to help you approach the matching process with clarity, confidence, and realistic expectations.

You've submitted a surrogate application. What happens next? Who reviews it, how does screening work, and what should you expect during this stage?

In this episode of The Surrogate Buzz, Rebecca, Senior Client Services Director, sits down with Jennifer, Surrogate Intake Director at Surrogate Alternatives, Inc., to walk through what actually happens after a surrogate application is submitted.

Jennifer explains how applications are reviewed by real people, what the intake call is truly for, why screening is intentionally thorough, and why timelines can vary based on medical records and safety considerations.

This episode is designed to clarify the process, reduce anxiety for surrogates, and give intended parents a behind-the-scenes look at how careful screening protects everyone involved.

In this episode, we answer common questions such as:

• Who reviews a surrogate application?

• What is the intake call, and what is it not?

• Why do some applications move forward while others are asked to pause?

• Why is medical, psychological, and background screening so detailed?

• What is normal to feel during this stage of the process?

Whether you are considering becoming a surrogate or are an intended parent seeking reassurance about the screening and safeguards in place, this episode provides clear, honest insight into how the process works and why it matters.

Learn more about surrogacy and becoming a surrogate: https://www.surrogatealternatives.com