Fertility Cafe
103 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 months ago -Who knew making a baby could be so hard?! Luckily, the fertility journey isn’t meant to be traveled alone. So grab a seat and let’s talk fertility and alternative family building with leading industry expert Eloise Drane here at Fertility Café!
Fertility Café is here to support, encourage, and educate, anyone seeking to start or complete their family and the selfless women willing to help . This weekly podcast discusses all aspects of the fertility journey experience, emphasizing alternative family forming methods. Explore modern family building through IVF, surrogacy, and egg donation, sperm donation and embryo donation . Whether you’re a straight couple, LGBTQIA+, single individual or anything in between, considering egg donation, thinking of becoming a surrogate, or dealing with infertility, you'll receive insider information.
Each week, join in-depth conversations that explore these methods from medical, legal, and financial standpoints. Learn how to empower yourselves when dealing with infertility and the unknowns of how to complete your family building. Gain understanding on how to become a surrogate or an egg donor and what you need to consider when you make your decision.
In addition to finding the best third-party providers and appropriate fertility solutions for you, learn about fertility awareness, the questions to ask and what steps you need to take to make the right decisions for you. There is so much information out there. How do you know what is fertility fact versus fiction. You’ll receive advice and tips on how to navigate the world of fertility options.
Listen to fertility experts and medical practitioners as they impart valuable wisdom about all kinds of issues related to your fertility to include unexplained infertility, fertility preservation, PCOS, and fibroids to name a few. Their professional guidance is your best bet in increasing the likelihood of getting pregnant without fearing for your health or breaking the bank.
This show is also for fertility professionals who want to widen their knowledge and expertise. By listening to fellow experts, discover brand-new information to share with your patients and improve your practice.
Host Eloise has helped hundreds of people build (and grow) their families over the last 20 years. She always speaks candidly about the processes involved in making the dream of a baby a reality right now. Eloise helps individuals become surrogates and egg donors through Family Inceptions, an agency she founded in 2008. She highlights the importance of ethical and transparent practices.
Above all, Eloise makes sure that young women who donate eggs or become surrogates are properly educated and empowered. Her reputation makes Eloise a top speaker and guest in many assisted reproduction technology events and shows. Her story and agency were even featured by OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network.
Eloise is not only a guide to surrogates and donors; she has been an egg donor six times and a gestational surrogate three times. She is a happily married mother of five who spends most of her free time with family.
Failing to get pregnant should never lead to a life of regret, self-pity, and hopelessness. With egg donation, surrogacy, and medical advancements focused on fertility, your fight is far from over. You are not a lost cause. What you need is proper information, practical tips, and valuable insights on addressing your reproductive issues. Explore all this and more on the Fertility Café.
Listen to the podcast right now at https://familyinceptions.com/fertility-cafe
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Episodes
Ep. 100 | The Future of Fertility: New Scientific Developments in Infertility Research
August 22, 2023 06:00 - 47 minutes - 65.7 MBEmbark 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 and technology that needs to be advanced for transformative and scalable change. From the progres...
Ep. 99 | Bringing Equality to Reproduction
August 15, 2023 06:00 - 50 minutes - 69.8 MBIn 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 critical conversation, illuminating the unique hurdles faced by the LGBTQ+ community in their quest f...
Ep. 98 | Debunking Myths The Truth About Fertility and Conception
August 08, 2023 06:00 - 15 minutes - 20.8 MBThis 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, sleep deprivation, weight, and substance use, is explored. The importance of fertility tests and...
Ep. 97 | Fertility in the Modern Age: IVF, Environmental Impacts, and Quality Care
August 01, 2023 06:00 - 28 minutes - 39.3 MBIn 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 extends to the critical importance of patient advocacy and education in fertility care. Emphasi...
Ep. 96 | The Baby Business
July 25, 2023 06:00 - 16 minutes - 22.2 MBOne 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 importance of understanding all aspects of surrogacy for both potential surrogates and Intended Pare...
Ep. 95 | Surrogacy Health Insurance
July 18, 2023 06:00 - 46 minutes - 63.2 MBIn 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 for the cause have had on a state level, and what the future holds for surrogacy health insuranc...
Ep. 94 | Embryo Donation: Balancing Choice, Ethics, and Regulation in ART
July 11, 2023 06:00 - 19 minutes - 27.1 MBThe 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 successful babymaking, raising complex ethical and legal dilemmas. In this episode, I will take...
Ep. 93 | U.S. Surrogacy for International Parents
July 05, 2023 06:00 - 43 minutes - 59.9 MBIn 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 the attitudes surrounding third-party reproduction in the UK, and then investigating how they mig...
Ep. 92 | Navigating the Emotional Journey: Redefining Family Through Egg Donation
June 27, 2023 06:00 - 16 minutes - 22.8 MBDespite 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 explore the importance of addressing these feelings with professional support, remembering that...
Ep. 91 | Coping with the Stress of Infertility and Finding a Path Forward
June 20, 2023 06:00 - 34 minutes - 46.7 MBIn 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 treatments and infertility. A regular on-air personality and the host of the Pregnantish podcas...
Ep. 90 | How To Talk To Your Family, Friends & Employer About Becoming a Surrogate
June 13, 2023 06:00 - 18 minutes - 25.4 MBThis 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 surrogacy journey, I’ll cover talking this over with your significant other, children, parents, and ...
Ep. 89 | Why I Chose to Become A Gestational Surrogate
June 06, 2023 06:00 - 27 minutes - 37.2 MBIn 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 along the way, and advice for how surrogates can best advocate for themselves throughout this pro...
Ep. 88 | What to Look For in a Surrogacy & Egg Donation Agency
May 30, 2023 06:00 - 23 minutes - 32.2 MBThis 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 processes the agency they have in place, the kind of reviews they get, as well as their track record ...
Ep. 87 | When Fertility Treatment Doesn't Work
May 23, 2023 06:00 - 42 minutes - 58.5 MBIn 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 husband Martin have experienced in their quest to create the family they have so longed for. It’s...
Ep. 86 | Importance of Commitment as a Surrogate or Egg Donor
May 16, 2023 06:00 - 16 minutes - 22.1 MBIn 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 communication throughout the entire process in order to be successful in your role in the third...
Ep. 85 | Surrogacy for Same-Sex Couples: Carnell Roberts Tells His Story
May 09, 2023 06:00 - 42 minutes - 58.7 MBIn 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 of the IP journey that are different for a same-sex couple. Guest Bio Carnell is a medical ...
Ep. 84 | Self-Advocacy and Third-Party Reproduction: Your Voice Matters
May 02, 2023 06:00 - 14 minutes - 19.3 MBThis 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 successful as possible. Resources ● Learn more about our podcast: Fertility Cafe ...
Ep. 83 | Breaking Down the Cost Barrier to Surrogacy
April 25, 2023 06:00 - 28 minutes - 39 MBIn 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 own and would not otherwise be able to afford one. Guest Bio Zach French is an entrepreneu...
Ep. 82 | National Infertility Awareness Week 2023
April 18, 2023 06:00 - 20 minutes - 28.8 MBA lot of people in this don’t give any thought to infertility – it’s simply not on their radar. National Infertility Awareness Week is a movement that was founded in 1989 to change all of that. It’s about empowerment, community, raising awareness, and shining a light on evolving issues surrounding infertility. Host Bio I’m Eloise Drane, Founder of Family Inceptions, the first surrogacy and egg donation agency in the state of Georgia and the first Black-owned surrogacy and egg donation...
Ep. 81 | Welcome to Season 5 Intro
April 11, 2023 06:00 - 4 minutes - 6.49 MBIn this season 5 kickoff episode, we will focus on empowerment and advocacy for everyone involved in the family-building journey including surrogates, egg donors, and intended parents. Season 5 brings us to an exciting milestone, our 100th episode, which highlights new scientific developments in infertility research. Host Bio I’m Eloise Drane, Founder of Family Inceptions, the first surrogacy and egg donation agency in the state of Georgia and the first Black-owned surrogacy and egg don...
Ep. 80 | First-Hand Stories from an IP
January 24, 2023 06:00 - 44 minutes - 40.9 MBWhat is it really like for intended parents? What is the experience like? How does one cope with watching another woman carry her child? How can couples come together to share this experience and make it a positive one throughout? We'll talk to one Intended Mother about her take on these questions and more. Guest/Host Bio Amy Oguntala Amy Oguntala and her husband are intended parents via surrogacy. They are currently on their third pregnancy. Resources Learn more about our podcast: ...
Ep. 79 | Infertility Increase and Media Negative Reputation
January 17, 2023 06:00 - 13 minutes - 18.9 MBInfertility is on the rise and it's leading to an increased demand for assisted reproduction technology. Unfortunately, many causes of infertility are insidious and seen as relatively harmless, such as the birth control pill. In this episode, we talked about the shocking increase in infertility and what men and women need to know if they want to have a family. Host Bio I’m Eloise Drane, Founder of Family Inceptions, the first surrogacy and egg donation agency in the state of ...
Ep. 78 | First-Hand Stories from a Surrogate
January 10, 2023 06:00 - 48 minutes - 44.4 MBWhat is it really like for surrogates? What are their motivations for being gestational carriers? What is their experience like? How do they feel about being close - or not - with their IPs? What is the most important thing that they really need from agencies and IPs? In this episode, we'll talk to Heathyr Suhr about her take on these questions. Guest Bio Heathyr suhr Heathyr is a single mom to her 7 year old best friend. She is a 2x surrogate who loves pregnancy, helping create famil...
Ep. 77 | Nitty Gritty of Compensation in 3rd Reproduction
January 03, 2023 07:00 - 17 minutes - 16.6 MBIn the egg donor community, it's known that financial compensation is often a strong motivator. But there have been many developments in recent years that impact donor and surrogate compensation. In this episode, we're diving into the nitty-gritty, perhaps uncomfortable side of egg donation and surrogacy compensation. We'll cover changes to tax law, appeals, and how compensation affects the already delicate relationship. Host Bio Eloise Drane I’m Eloise Drane, Founder of Family Incepti...
Ep. 76 | Embryo Donation
December 27, 2022 06:00 - 1 hour - 58.5 MBWhen we teach IPs about their possible pathways to parenthood, we often mention embryo donation. There are over a million embryos sitting in cryobanks around the country. But what happens to them if they aren’t used in IVF by the patients themselves? What is the embryo disposition process like; and what is the donation experience like, as a donor and recipient? In this episode we answer these questions along with others like, what is the difference between embryo donation and embryo adoption...
Ep. 75 | When IPs Don't Want a Relationship
December 20, 2022 06:00 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MBNaturally, fertility issues are a sensitive subject. Most couples never imagined that they would need to go the route of third-party reproduction in order to bring their family dreams to fruition. While all IPs are grateful for the role egg donors and surrogates play in building their family, some IPs would prefer not to have a relationship with their donors or surrogates after the process is over and a child is born. Here's what donors and surrogates need to understand about this unique fam...
Ep. 74 | Medical Records & Privacy
December 13, 2022 06:00 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBAs an egg donor or a surrogate, your medical history is seen as an open book. IPs and their medical teams want and expect to know everything there is to know about your medical past – often for good reason, but where is the line? Is it reasonable for a donor or surrogate to expect some degree of privacy, particularly for health-related issues that may not seem relevant to the task at hand? Is it OK for donors or surrogates to redact their medical history? Or should IPs only accept full medic...
Ep. 73 | Baby Bonding After Surrogacy
December 06, 2022 06:00 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBPregnancy is an important transitional time for a mother. Not only are these 9 months when her baby is developing, but also when the mother is coming to terms with the fact that she will be a mother soon... except in the case of IPs and surrogates. In this episode, we looked at how surrogacy affects an IM's ability to bond with her baby as well as things the IM and surrogate can do – either together or separately – to help the IM feel more like a mother to the baby the surrogate is carrying....
Ep. 72 | Egg Donor Advocacy Groups
November 29, 2022 06:00 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBWe are all very "pro family" around here, no matter what your family looks like. But we also feel it's important to advocate for the egg donors and surrogates who are helping families become whole. In this episode, we talked to Liz Scheier, a member of the leadership team at the We Are Egg Donors advocacy group on issues she has seen be most prevalent in the egg donor community and how she hopes the fertility industry will evolve. Guest Bio Liz Scheier Liz Scheier is a 3x egg donor and...
Ep. 71 | International Surrogacy
November 22, 2022 06:00 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBIn Surrogacy Roadmap, we don't recommend going the international route. Here's why! In this episode, we talked about all the reasons why international surrogacy can get IPs into trouble and the few benefits that don't make the hassle worth it. Host Bio I’m Eloise Drane, Founder of Family Inceptions, the first surrogacy and egg donation agency in the state of Georgia and the first Black-owned surrogacy and egg donation agency in the United States. While I started Fami...
Ep. 70 | First-Hand Stories from an Egg Donor
November 15, 2022 06:00 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MBWhat is it really like for egg donors? What are their motivations for donating? What is their experience? How do they feel about known versus anonymous donations? We talked to one egg donor about her take on these questions. Guest Bio Rai Hyde Rai is a 6-time egg donor. Despite struggling with long-term health complications due to her donations, she is proud to be an egg donor and looks back on the process and the families she contributed to fondly. She is eager to help other donors or...
Ep. 69 | Facing Your Child's Health Issues After Egg Donation
November 08, 2022 06:00 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBWhat happens years after a child has been born from an egg donation process? In this episode, we answer this question along with others like what happens if the child has health issues and the IPs opted for an anonymous donation? What do IPs need to consider early in their IVF journey that may affect their child's health 10, 20, and more years down the road? Host Bio I’m Eloise Drane, Founder of Family Inceptions, the first surrogacy and egg donation agency in the st...
Ep. 68 | Dark Side of Surrogacy & Egg Donation
November 01, 2022 06:00 - 46 minutes - 42.5 MBWe would like to think of the fertility journey as all happiness, love, and bringing beautiful new life into this world. But the fact is that there is a dark side of legal issues, persistent medical effects, and emotional distress that many donors and surrogates don't know about before agreeing to donate or carry for IPs. In this episode, we talked to Diane Tober, Medical Anthropologist and Researcher at UCSF about her research and what issues she has seen as most prevalent within the dark s...
Ep. 67 | 10 Ways to Cut Surrogacy Costs
October 25, 2022 06:00 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBWe've done a lot of episodes on financing, insurance, etc., but not so much on the budgeting/cost-cutting side. This episode takes us through the Surrogacy Roadmap and explains the areas where you don't want to skimp (i.e., No DIY GSAs off of the internet!) and where you can realistically cut costs. Host Bio I’m Eloise Drane, Founder of Family Inceptions, the first surrogacy and egg donation agency in the state of Georgia and the first Black-owned surrogacy and egg donation agency in the...
Ep. 66 | Is There Such Thing as Anonymity Any Longer
October 18, 2022 06:00 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MBWith the emergence of the Donor Sibling Registry, 23&Me, and Ancestry.com, it's nearly impossible to be an "anonymous" donor for long nowadays. Now, federal legislators are considering requiring background checks for both egg and sperm donors, which would completely eliminate any anonymity outside of an agency arrangement. In this episode, we'll talk about whether or not it is still possible to be anonymous and, if not, what damage (if any) that can do to the third-party reproduction industr...
Ep. 65 | Postpartum After Surrogacy
October 11, 2022 06:00 - 16 minutes - 16 MBPostpartum depression is, unfortunately, quite common in women. However, the way society, mental health professionals, and medical professionals react to postpartum depression is vastly different for surrogates than mothers who birth their own children. In this episode, we normalize postpartum depression, talk about the unique challenges surrogates face with the condition, and offer ideas and resources to help surrogates through this tough chapter. Host Bio I’m Eloise Drane, Founder o...
Ep. 64 | Terminating a Pregnancy
October 04, 2022 06:00 - 46 minutes - 42.3 MBWe often think of terminating a pregnancy as an issue parents have to face. But in the world of third-party reproduction, we also have to consider the impact on the surrogate. In this episode, we answer questions like, what happens if the IPs and surrogate disagree? What factors are most important and should be triaged accordingly? And, how can IPs and surrogates move forward to try again after terminating a pregnancy? Guest Bio Julie Bindeman Dr. Julie Bindeman graduated from the Geor...
Ep. 63 | Meeting My Egg Donor Baby
September 27, 2022 06:00 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MBAs a six-time donor and three-time surrogate, I've helped many families become whole. But only once have I had the opportunity to meet one of the children born from my multiple egg donation cycles. In this episode, I share what the experience of meeting my egg donation baby was like, what she has shared with me about how she feels about being born of assisted reproduction, and what donors need to think about long-term before making the decision to donate. Host Bio I’m Eloise Dra...
Ep. 62 | The Overturning of Roe v Wade Impact On the Fertility Industry
September 20, 2022 06:00 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MBHow does Roe v Wade affect the Fertility industry? How does it impact egg donation and freezing eggs? How does it affect freezing embryos? There is so much more detail that seems to have been missed when making the decision to overturn Roe v Wade. In this episode of Fertility Cafe, we cover these questions and more about how Roe v Wade affects the different situations that people face when choosing to explore their fertility option. Learn about how it affects surrogates who end up with a mul...
Ep. 61 | Welcome to Season 4: Egg Donors, Surrogates & IP Relationships
September 13, 2022 06:00 - 3 minutes - 3.52 MBAs the first episode of the season, we dive into a high-level discussion of this season's theme, including: The issues surrogates face The issues egg donors face Things IPs need to keep in mind to have a good relationship with their egg donors and surrogates In the episode, host Eloise Drane discusses the emotional burden, physical ramifications, and an overview of the commonly overlooked issues donors and surrogates need to be aware of. Host Bio I’m Eloise Drane, Founder of Family...
Ep. 60 | Carrot Fertility: Employer Provider Benefits with Brooke Bartholomay Quinn
January 28, 2022 07:00 - 30 minutes - 69.9 MBEp. 60 | Carrot Fertility: Employer Provider Benefits with Brooke Bartholomay Quinn Episode Summary In this episode of Fertility Café, Eloise gets to talk with Brooke Quinn of Carrot Fertility about the inclusion of employee benefits that offer fertility care and family building support such as adoption and surrogacy. It's important for both employers and employees to understand the advantages and costs of including fertility care and benefits packages. We want to encourage employe...
Ep. 59 | Advocacy Groups: Highlighting Important Organizations
January 21, 2022 07:00 - 31 minutes - 73 MBEp. 59 | Advocacy Groups: Highlighting Important Organizations There are so many charitable organizations out there, it can be hard to know which ones to turn to in times of need, or in times of abundance when you are looking to share your generosity. On today’s episode, Eloise highlights 12 non-profit organizations that are changing lives in the infertility, reproductive health, and trying-to-conceive community. From large-scale national organizations to more localized support group...
Ep. 58 | Embryo Donation - From the Donor Perspective with Anna Flores Locke
January 14, 2022 07:00 - 50 minutes - 115 MBEpisode Summary On this episode of Fertility Café, Eloise gets to talk to Anna Flores Locke about her experience with embryo donation and her journey of infertility as a Latina woman. Anna struggled for years with infertility in isolation and heartbreak, not knowing where to turn. Since her experience, thankfully, many changes have been made to provide women with counseling and support to assist them in the process of fertility treatment and embryo donation in particular. We hope thi...
Ep. 57 | Unique Populations of Intended Parents: Single, LGBTQIA+, over 50, HIV+ Parents
January 07, 2022 07:00 - 41 minutes - 94.5 MBEp. 57| Unique Populations of Intended Parents Families come in all shapes and sizes these days. The notion of a “traditional” family makeup with a mom, dad, and 2.2 children is becoming the exception rather than the rule. In today’s episode, host Eloise Drane takes a look at what it takes to navigate fertility when you don’t quite fit the mold of what society thinks a traditional family should look like. How can third-party reproduction help single intended parents? LGBTQ+ intended ...
Ep. 54 | Disparities in Fertility Care for Minority Populations with Dr. Tia Jackson-Bey
December 17, 2021 07:00 - 37 minutes - 86 MBEp. 54 | Disparities in Fertility Care for Minority Populations with Dr. Tia Jackson-Bey Episode Summary In this episode of Fertility Café, Eloise gets to talk with Dr. Tia Jackson-Bey to discuss disparities in fertility care in minority populations. There are particular barriers to caring for and noticeably poor treatment outcomes for black and brown women. We're highlighting health disparities that prevent family building through fertility, diagnostics, gynecological surgery, f...
Ep. 53 | Aftermath of Infertility (PTSD)
December 10, 2021 07:00 - 42 minutes - 96.2 MBEp. 53 | Aftermath of Infertility (PTSD) Episode Summary In this episode of Fertility Café, Eloise focuses on infertility, pregnancy loss, and mental health issues like PTSD, anxiety, and postpartum depression. If you feel that any of these topics would contribute to negative feelings or upset, go ahead and skip this one. I know it’s a heavy topic right around the holidays, but I also feel strongly that through education and open discussion about these difficult topics, we can help...
Ep. 52 | Fertility Journeys for Women with Demanding Careers with Dr Hala Sabry
December 03, 2021 07:00 - 58 minutes - 134 MBEp. 52 | Fertility Journeys for Women with Demanding Careers with Dr. Hala Sabry Episode Summary In this episode of Fertility Café, we get to talk about a topic with a very special guest: fertility journeys for women with demanding careers. Every fertility journey is a process of getting to know ourselves. A process where new fears, doubts, and unknowns pop up that we didn't know we had until now. The stress of wanting to grow a family while maintaining a career can add to the difficu...
Ep. 50 | Fertility Insurance with Jason Smith
November 19, 2021 07:00 - 54 minutes - 124 MBEp. 50 | Fertility Insurance with Jason Smith Episode Summary In this episode of Fertility Café, Eloise gets to talk with Jason Smith, the Founder and President of International Fertility Insurance. He and his team now provide hopeful parents, as well as agencies, with the solutions required—with unparalleled service. We dive into what surrogates and intended parents should look out for with insurance plans, and how to ensure adequate coverage throughout the entire pregnancy. Jaso...
Ep. 49 | Social Surrogacy
November 12, 2021 07:00 - 32 minutes - 75.3 MBEp. 49 | Social Surrogacy Episode Summary Today we're going to dive into the nitty-gritty of the topic: what is social surrogacy? Who could this be right for? If anyone. And what are the real ethical concerns about the topic? On this episode of Fertility Café, Eloise talks about a subject that she’s never really spoken about, social surrogacy. Gestational surrogacy is an amazing opportunity for intended parents who are otherwise unable to have a baby of their own. It's a form...
Ep. 48 | Kellee Stewart on Fertility Awareness & Egg Advocacy
November 05, 2021 06:00 - 50 minutes - 115 MBEp. 48 | Kellee Stewart Episode Summary In this episode of Fertility Café, Eloise gets to talk with Kellee Stewart about proactive fertility, egg freezing, and the importance of checking your fertility status. Kellee will also be discussing the unknowns and the remaining challenges to a fully claimed proactive family-building experience. With the advent of egg freezing and more widely available modern fertility testing, women may now take a more proactive approach to their fert...