Fertility Cafe

Thinking about surrogacy but not sure if it's the right path for you? This video breaks down everything you need to know before making a decision. We’ll explore the key factors intended parents should consider, from medical and financial aspects to emotional readiness and legal steps. At Family Inceptions, we’ve guided countless families through their surrogacy journeys, helping them navigate this...

Surrogacy can feel financially overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Fertility Café, we break down the real costs of surrogacy and show you how to budget the right way so you can make your dream of parenthood a reality. Learn how to: - Understand surrogacy costs and hidden fees - Create a realistic budget that works for you - Explore financial resources to make surrogacy more...

Surrogacy laws can feel like a maze, but understanding them is key for every intended parent and gestational carrier embarking on their fertility journey. In this episode of Fertility Cafe, we’re breaking down the complexities of modern surrogacy with legal expert Rich Geisler. With over a decade of experience in fertility and third-party reproduction law, Rich shares invaluable insights on how ev...

Family building is so much more than biology—it's an emotional journey filled with hope, questions, and transformation. In this episode of The Fertility Cafe, host Eloise Drain sits down with Dr. Linda Candelis, a reproductive health psychologist, to explore the emotional side of family building through modern surrogacy, egg donation, and third-party reproduction. Whether you're an intended parent...

Building a family is one of life’s most meaningful journeys—but choosing the right team to guide you is crucial. In this episode of The Fertility Café , host Eloise Drane dives into the essential factors in selecting the best medical, legal, and emotional support for your path to parenthood. Too often, patient care takes a backseat to efficiency and profits, leaving intended parents, surrogates, a...

When it comes to fertility treatment, most people focus on the doctors, medications, and clinics—but what about the unseen, critical work happening behind the scenes in the fertility lab ? In this episode of The Fertility Café , host Eloise Drane pulls back the curtain on the role fertility labs play in successful family building. Joining Eloise is Kenny Smalls , Director of Laboratory Services at...

In this season premiere of The Fertility Café , host Eloise Drane , founder of Family Inceptions , dives into the many paths of third-party family building —from egg donation and sperm donation to embryo donation and surrogacy . Navigating these options can feel overwhelming, but this episode serves as your refreshed guide to understanding the unique considerations, timelines, and emotional aspect...

Embark on an enthralling exploration of the future of fertility in the landmark 100th episode of Fertility Cafe. This episode delves into the challenges the fertility industry is currently facing and how they are evolving. Discover what lies on the horizon and how changes in fertility on a massive scale will shape society, culture, and perceptions of third-party reproduction. Unravel the science a...

In this thought-provoking episode of Fertility Cafe, we engage in a crucial discussion titled "Bringing Equality to Reproduction for LGBTQ+ People." We're joined by the remarkable Dr. Mark P. Leondires, the force behind Gay Parents To Be and a respected leader in the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Dr. Leondires brings his wealth of expertise and personal passion to this criti...

This episode of Fertility Cafe debunks common fertility and conception myths, focusing on topics like the overlooked role of male fertility, contributing to 20% of all infertility cases, and the clinical definition of infertility. It delves into the average time it takes to conceive and the crucial role of ovulation timing. The significant impact of lifestyle factors on fertility, such as stress,...

In this episode, the focus is on the intersection of environmental factors and fertility, discussing how elements such as pollution, lifestyle choices, and daily products can influence reproductive health. The role of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in the current landscape of reproductive care is examined, highlighting its advancements, challenges, and potential future developments. The conversation...

One of my focus areas in this podcast is destigmatizing surrogacy and setting the record straight. We live in a world with new and evolving family-building choices, yet there is still a veil of mystery, suspicion, and misunderstanding over this topic. It's time we open up the conversation and lift that veil. Join me as I take a deep dive into what surrogacy is, who it’s for, as well as the importa...

In this episode, I interview surrogacy insurance champion, Kimberly Surratt. Kimberly talks about her legal background and how she got involved in reproductive insurance reform in the state of Nevada. She talks about the current political climate as well as workplace trends and how these things influence insurance benefits offered to women. We’ll talk about the major impact she and other warriors...

The multibillion-dollar fertility industry is now booming, and experimenting with business models that are changing the American family in new and unpredictable ways. Those desiring donor eggs and sperm are now able to select from detailed checklists of physical and intellectual characteristics. Meanwhile, fertility clinics are offering volume discounts, package deals, and even 100% guarantees for...

In this episode, we’ll be talking about what it’s like for Intended Parents from abroad to navigate third-party reproduction within the US. I interview new parents, Charlie and Tom Farrant, to talk about what their family-building journey was like, starting out at home in the UK, where paid surrogacy is not allowed. We talk about their experience, first navigating infertility issues, coping with t...

Despite being the most successful assisted reproductive technique, donor egg use involves complex emotions, from relief and hope to loss and grief. In navigating this uncharted territory, potential parents often grapple with feelings of guilt, jealousy, and a struggle with self-esteem and identity. Questions like "Am I less of a mother or a father because we're using a donor's egg?" are common. We...

In this episode, I interview relationship expert Andrea Syrtash about the real toll of finding out you have infertility issues. She talks about how infertility is not just a medical journey, it’s also an emotional, relational, financial, physical, and spiritual one as well.   Guest Bio Andrea is the founder of Pregnantish , the first media platform dedicated to helping people navigate fertility tr...

This episode is all about discussing surrogacy and sharing the journey with your loved ones. Like any big conversation, talking about becoming a surrogate has some weight, so it’s best to be prepared to educate your family, listen to their concerns, and clear up any misconceptions as you ask them for your support. Whether you’re deciding to become a surrogate, or sharing that you have begun a surr...

In this episode, I interview two-time surrogate, Jessica Adams. As a mom with small children at home, Jessica talks about not only what the surrogate journey has been like for her, but for her husband and kids as well. She talks about the relationships she developed with the Intended Parents whose children she carried. She discusses her motivation for choosing this path, issues that have come up a...

This episode is all about doing your due diligence to vet any third-party reproductive agency you are considering working with. Since there is no federal oversight or comprehensive set of standards egg donation and surrogacy agencies must adhere to, it’s up to you to determine what kind of ethics and standards they have. In addition, you’ll want to find out all you can about the staff, the process...

In this episode, I interview Arvis Carmichael-Smith who gets raw and real about the emotional trials and tribulations of struggling with infertility and third-party reproduction for over 20 years. She shares some of the medical struggles she has gone through and how she learned to advocate for her mental and physical health along the way. She also talks about the ups and downs of all she and her h...

In this episode, I’ll explore the fundamental types of commitment essential for anyone who aspires to become an egg donor or a surrogate, including physical commitment, accountability, communication, and time commitment. I will delve into the benefits of staying dedicated to the process – for everyone involved. I’ll also offer tips to establish and sustain a consistent level of commitment and open...

In this episode, I interview podcast host and Intended Parent Carnell Roberts. Carnell shares what the family-building journey was like for him and his husband, Gavin. He talks about the mindset that enabled them to jump through all of the emotional and financial hoops to finally get their baby girl. He shares about his surrogate and the special bond they formed with her. We also touch on aspects...

This episode is all about taking the reins by advocating for yourself. Self-advocacy is the ability to speak up for yourself and ask for what you need, allowing you to have control over important decisions that affect your life. I’m going to talk about why everyone in the 3PR process – Intended Parents, surrogates, and egg donors – need to advocate for themselves to ensure the entire journey is as...

In this episode, we will focus on the lack of access to surrogacy, the prohibitive cost of it, and the need to raise awareness around this issue. I will interview Zach French, co-founder of Gift of Surrogacy. The goal of this non-profit organization is to gift grants that cover the full cost of a surrogate journey to someone with a medical diagnosis that prevents them from having children on their...