Surrogacy Made Simple

The holidays can feel like the brightest spotlight on what’s missing—especially when intended parents are still waiting, longing, or grieving their path to parenthood. Scrolling through social feeds packed with family celebrations, facing sensitive questions from relatives, or enduring pregnancy announcements at festive gatherings can sting in ways few people understand. It’s exhausting to keep sh...

Worried about making a mistake when choosing your surrogate? You’re not alone—one wrong decision can lead to contract battles, lost money, or broken dreams. It’s easy to get caught up in emotions and miss the subtle warning signs hiding in a profile. In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne reveals exactly how to choose a surrogate step-by-step: what signals caution, how to interpret heal...

Navigating surrogacy insurance is more daunting than ever in 2026. Thinking you’ve found the perfect surrogate, only to worry about the massive, unpredictable expenses hiding in her insurance?  You’re not alone. As surrogacy insurance evolves in 2026, many intended parents are blindsided by exclusions, rising premiums, and devastating liens—making “insurance options for surrogacy 2026” more confus...

Worried about how changing abortion laws might affect your surrogacy journey? You’re not alone. In this urgent episode, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne dives into exactly how abortion laws impact surrogacy—from limiting access to IVF and restricting doctors, to threatening the very care surrogates and intended parents depend on. Even if abortion isn’t part of your plan, these laws can create roadblocks and...

Dr. Alyssa Small Layne digs into why Bloomberg’s “IVF Disrupted” resonated so widely and what it reveals about the modern fertility industry. She explains how a specialty that once covered broad reproductive care narrowed to one core product—IVF—then absorbed private-equity incentives and startup-style operations. The result can be speed over safeguards, glossy lobbies over lab quality, and patien...

You’ve waited, hoped, and dreamed—and now your baby is coming home. But what happens next? In this episode, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne sits down with postpartum coach and doula Jaquie Dason to talk about the emotional, physical, and mental transition that happens after surrogacy. From bonding fears and sleep anxiety to preparing your home (and heart) for life with a newborn, Jaquie shares the practica...

When you’ve been through surrogacy once, everything changes the second time around. In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne shares what she and her family are doing differently on their second surrogacy journey—and how those changes can help you avoid common setbacks, delays, and disappointments. From choosing not to rush, to using the Surrogacy First Six, to prioritizing proximity...

Double embryo transfer (DET) is often discouraged in surrogacy—but are there ever exceptions? In this follow-up to their powerful SET vs. DET conversation, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne welcomes back Dr. Erica Bove to explore the rare—but real—cases where two embryos might be transferred into a surrogate. Together, they explore age-based ASRM guidelines, the impact of embryo quality, endometriosis, faile...

Should you transfer one embryo—or two? In this episode, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne sits down with reproductive endocrinologist and OB/GYN Dr. Erica Bove to talk about one of the most emotionally charged and medically controversial decisions in IVF and surrogacy: single vs. double embryo transfer (SET vs DET). From real-life patient stories to hard NICU truths, Dr. Bove shares why many doctors are urgi...

The traditional surrogacy match system isn’t working. Whether you’re with an agency or searching independently, most intended parents are unknowingly set up to fail—or settle. From long waitlists and lack of transparency to mismatches and hidden costs, Alyssa breaks down the outdated dynamics inside both agency and independent paths. She shares why how you find a surrogate matters just as much as...

Surrogacy is an exciting and emotional journey—but it’s also complex and full of potential pitfalls. From choosing the cheapest option to rushing into the first match, there are mistakes that could cost you more than just money—they could cost you time, peace of mind, and years of waiting. In this episode, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne breaks down 5 common surrogacy mistakes that can derail your plans. S...

Ever wonder what your fertility clinic is really using to determine if a surrogate is a “yes” or a “no”? In this essential episode, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne breaks down the official ASRM guidelines —the very framework most U.S. fertility clinics use to decide what’s acceptable, what’s risky, and what’s required in surrogacy. These aren’t laws, but they shape everything from who qualifies as a surrog...

This episode is your all-access pass to the real surrogacy questions people are too afraid to ask—or don’t know they should. From choosing a clinic and evaluating surrogates to understanding rematch policies, legal logistics, and even inducing lactation—Dr. Alyssa Small Layne brings her unique perspective as both an OB/GYN and a two-time intended parent through surrogacy. You’ll hear real question...

Ever wonder what your fertility clinic is really using to determine if a surrogate is a “yes” or a “no”? In this essential episode, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne breaks down the official ASRM guidelines —the very framework most U.S. fertility clinics use to decide what’s acceptable, what’s risky, and what’s required in surrogacy. These aren’t laws, but they shape everything from who qualifies as a surrog...

When is the “right time” to tell your child they were donor conceived? And how do you talk about it in a way that builds connection—not confusion? In this powerful follow-up to Episode 53, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne speaks with Wendy Kramer , co-founder of the Donor Sibling Registry and parent of a donor-conceived son. Together, they tackle the big questions: how early to start the conversation, what...

What happens when your child starts asking about their biological roots—and you realize you don’t have all the answers? In Part 1 of this thoughtful two-part series, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne explores why donor-conceived children often seek connection to their genetic identity, how families can prepare for these questions, and the pros and cons of platforms like the Donor Sibling Registry (DSR). Whet...

What happens when a baby born via surrogacy in the U.S. is suddenly left in legal limbo—unable to get a passport, unable to go home? In this urgent and eye-opening conversation, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne sits down with attorney and former intended parent Lesa Slaughter to explain the fast-changing legal landscape around birthright citizenship . They unpack what the Trump-era executive order could mea...

When you're searching for a surrogate, it’s easy to focus on personality, values, or past experience—but there’s one key factor many intended parents overlook: BMI . In this episode, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne shares what BMI really means for surrogacy, why fertility clinics and agencies have strict BMI cutoffs, and how to approach the topic with compassion and clarity. This is the conversation Alyssa...

When it comes to IVF for surrogacy, not all fertility clinics are created equal. And the wrong choice can lead to delays, surprise restrictions, and missed chances at parenthood. In this episode, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne shares four often-overlooked—but crucial—factors to consider when selecting a fertility clinic. From restrictive agency requirements to embryo thawing policies, this honest conversa...

Should you work with two surrogates at once? What does it take—mentally, emotionally, and logistically—to grow your family through a dual surrogacy path? In this vulnerable and empowering episode, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne speaks with Carly Joseph , a mom of two babies born via two separate surrogates just months apart. Carly shares what led her to pursue surrogacy after eight IVF cycles and six preg...

What if your insurance actually helped you build your family? In this conversation, surrogacy attorney and longtime advocate Ryan Ferrante joins Dr. Alyssa Small Layne to break down how Illinois is setting a national standard for inclusive, patient-centered fertility coverage. They discuss how advocacy, state legislation, and redefined infertility standards are expanding access for LGBTQ+ families...

PGT-A testing has been promoted as a breakthrough—promising fewer miscarriages, faster time to pregnancy, and better IVF outcomes. But what if those claims aren’t fully backed by science? In this follow-up conversation, fertility attorney and IVF mom Allison Freeman returns to discuss the pending class-action lawsuits filed against embryo testing labs. She and Alyssa break down what patients are b...

PGT-A testing is marketed as a smart, science-backed way to improve your chances of a healthy baby. But what if it’s not giving you the full story? In this eye-opening conversation, fertility attorney and IVF mom Allison Freeman joins Alyssa to unpack the science, marketing, and legal implications behind preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A). From personal IVF loss to class-action...

Wondering why surrogacy agency fees are so expensive—and what they actually include?  You’re not alone. When you're already spending six figures to grow your family, a $40,000+ agency fee can feel impossible to justify—especially when you’re not sure what’s really included.  In this conversation, we unpack the real value of agency support, what services the fee does (and doesn’t) cover, and ho...

Wondering how much surrogacy actually costs these days? Prepare yourself for sticker shock.  In this conversation, we break down why prices are rising faster than inflation—and what’s changed since 2020. From agency fees and surrogate pay to IVF and insurance costs, we walk through where your money really goes and how you can plan ahead without feeling blindsided.  Whether you're just starting or...