Surrogacy Made Simple

Navigating surrogacy can feel like chasing breadcrumbs across the internet—time-consuming, frustrating, and overwhelming. You’ve waited long enough to grow your family. That’s why Surrogacy Made Simple exists. Hosted by Dr. Alyssa Small Layne, a board-certified OB-GYN and mom through surrogacy, this podcast has become the go-to resource for unbiased, practical advice. And after 42 episodes, we’re...

Need to pack your hospital bag for your surrogacy journey without losing your mind? Let’s face it—packing for the hospital as an intended parent is not quite like other parents. There’s so much to think about when you’re expecting a baby in this way. Plus, hospital stays can be longer and more unpredictable than expected, leaving you drained if you’re unprepared. But here’s the good news: you don’...

Choosing a surrogacy agency is one of the most critical decisions you'll make on your journey to parenthood. With so many options out there, how do you narrow them down? How do you avoid the delays, unexpected costs, and stress that can come from picking the wrong agency? **Keep all your questions together with the Surrogacy Smartsheet In this episode of Surrogacy Made Simple , we dive into th...

What if you could save $50,000 on surrogacy while still having a safe, successful journey?  Choosing independent surrogacy might just be the answer. But is it the right fit for you? In this episode, we’ll explore the pros and cons of independent surrogacy, helping you decide if it’s the path to making your dreams of parenthood a reality. You’ll hear: The major benefits of independent surrogacy, in...

Should you send your surrogate and her family to Disney? Or buy them a new car as a thank you? It’s hard to know what’s normal in the world of surrogacy.  You don’t want to come off as cheap or unappreciative. This incredible woman is carrying your child afterall. You’ve probably heard stories of lavish gifts and extravagant vacations from thankful parents, and it makes you feel that you must keep...

Confused about how to pick the perfect fertility clinic for your surrogacy journey? Let’s fix that!  What you need in a clinic for regular IVF isn’t the same as a clinic for surrogacy.  Choosing the right fertility clinic can make or break your surrogacy experience—and your budget! There are some things you should look for before you commit. In today’s episode, we're diving into the nitty-grit...

Finding the Right Match for Your Embryo Donation Journey Going through embryo donation is an incredibly personal and sometimes overwhelming experience. With so many choices—whether to use an agency or pursue a private match, finding a family who shares your values, and deciding how much communication you want with the family and future child—it’s easy to feel lost.  You can begin this process full...

What do you do with extra embryos? Your family’s finally complete, and it took a tremendous journey to get here, didnt it? Yet, there's one more decision looming over you. A deeply personal one that could impact your family’s life for years to come. What will you do with the extra embryos? Ashley Herring was once in your shoes, facing this exact decision. Now… What would you do with 12 remaini...

Surrogacy-friendly insurance isn’t enough. Finding insurance to cover surrogacy expenses can be tricky and “liens” make it worse. If you pick wrong, you could end up with a mountain of bills.  A surrogacy lien is where you have to pay money back to the insurance company because they covered health expenses for a surrogate.  This might leave you wondering, "What's the point of using these...

What you need to know about surrogacy insurance liens  We’re on the heels of another Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period. Open enrollment starts November 1st and closes January 15th. Missing this window makes it tough to get a good policy for surrogacy if you need one.  Does your surrogate need surrogacy-friendly insurance? Now’s the time to find her a plan. If you’re taken our Surrog...

Traveling Home with Your Newborn: Drive or Fly? Are you feeling overwhelmed deciding how to travel home with your newborn right after surrogacy? You’re not alone. Most of us have surrogates who aren’t local.  Choosing between flying and driving can feel daunting. There’s a lot of logistics and safety concerns. Plus, the big unknowns and the added pressure of making the “right” choice. It can leave...

Is paying more for a surrogate really worth it? Choosing the right surrogate isn't an easy job. Like all intended parents, you want the best chance of having a healthy baby.  So when you find an agency offering "premium" surrogates that meet extra requirements, it’s tempting. Even though it costs more, how can you put a price on something like this? You might feel pressured to stretch your budget...

If you’re about to undergo GYN surgery, you need to know what could happen to your fertility.  I needed a surrogate because fibroids and a myomectomy stole my fertility. Too many times, women aren't fully informed about the risks tied to fibroid removal, endometriosis surgery, endometrial ablation, and other invasive procedures. But what if you learned the full scope of your options before making...

What's the right type of surrogacy relationship? Are you feeling pressured to have a relationship in surrogacy that isn’t what you really want?  When expectations aren’t met, things can fall apart.  If your relationship and communication styles don’t match your vision, it can lead to anxiety and frustration, potentially causing a breakdown in your surrogacy journey. But you can prevent this! L...

Are you nervous about independent surrogacy? Uncertain about managing it all yourself? Afraid you'll miss a crucial step?  Or maybe you’re wondering if this is a barely legal, out of the box thing that puts you and your baby at serious risk.  You’re not alone in feeling this way because most people don’t know the truth about independent surrogacy.  Plus there’s a whole industry designed to kee...

Thinking about breastmilk? You know breast milk has so many benefits, and you want baby to have it.  But it seems so hard to give breast milk after surrogacy. A big part of that is having to pump at work. It can be overwhelming, especially if your job isn't supportive. If you're a surrogate thinking about pumping or an intended mother inducing lactation, these concerns have likely been on...

Need surrogacy baby bonding tips that actually work? Having a baby through surrogacy can feel like loss on top of loss. The loss that made you turn to surrogacy The loss of being able to carry a pregnancy. The loss of little kicks and late night cravings.  And when you think about bonding with your baby, you may be worried about missing those first 9 months.  Thankfully, you can still have a stron...

--> Worksheet download: The exact tool I give my coaching clients to help vet a surrogate from the first meeting. ⁠Surrogate Vetting Essentials Are you feeling overwhelmed trying to find the right surrogate?  Picking a surrogate is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make.  The wrong choice can mean a broken match, lost time, wasted money and hard feelings How you screen and vetting a surrogate...

Safe Surrogacy - 6 tips to avoid scams and pitfalls: Watch the video What happens when the fertility industry turns a blind eye? The desire to have a child can be overwhelming, sometimes driving us to overlook potential red flags. But sometimes the people and systems we trust to guide us are the ones that let things slip by.  What happens when this industry, meant to help us build families, seemin...

How long does surrogacy take? If you're feeling overwhelmed by how long it’s taking to have a baby, you're not alone.  Like you, so many others have had their parenthood timelines turned upside down. It’s natural to wonder… and worry that your surrogacy journey might take longer than you want. The truth is, surrogacy does take a long time. And, if you don’t play your cards right, delays an...

If you're thinking about having your friend carry your baby for free, we get it—it seems like the perfect solution! Imagine bypassing agency fees and jumping into the fast lane to having your baby. But have you considered all the hidden costs and potential pitfalls? It sounds great on the surface, but surrogacy, even with a friend, is more complex when you go deeper. There are important things...

Are you considering surrogacy, but wondering how does surrogacy even work?. Asking yourself questions like, "How does a surrogate get pregnant?" or "Can I really become a parent through surrogacy?"  It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed by these uncertainties—they can definitely hold you back from taking the next step. Thinking about starting the surrogacy process without...

Have you ever worried about where your money goes when you pay surrogacy fees? If not, you might want to start thinking about it now. Not to scare you but… Imagine finding out that the escrow company you trusted with thousands of dollars has been siphoning money away. You’re not just losing finances; you’re losing trust and hope.  This isn't a hypothetical scenario—it's a reality faced by intended...

Is your money for surrogacy safe?  The real people devastated by the SEAM escrow scandal need a voice.  Arielle Mitton came to surrogacy after hyperemesis gravidarum, and complications of Asherman’s syndrome. She matched with an amazing surrogate and her excitement grew when the pregnancy test was positive. But then the most unexpected thing happened.  The company that was supposed to keep her mon...

If you’re considering becoming a surrogate, understanding the potential risks and complications is crucial. What questions do you need to ask the fertility clinic or your agency about your risks? Listen as Alex shares her eye-opening journey through surrogacy, including life-threatening complications.  But at the end of the day, she still champions surrogacy and wholeheartedly recommends it to oth...