Building your family

Surrogacy, Adoption & Modern Families: Pedro Andrade on “Somewhat Familiar"

Journalist Pedro Andrade joins me to talk about his new documentary series Somewhat Familiar – a global journey through surrogacy, adoption, foster care and modern LGBTQ+ families, including his own path to fatherhood with his husband and their daughter via surrogacy.
From “illegal” same‑sex parenthood in Italy to adoption in Korea and foster families in the U.S., we explore how love, law and culture shape who gets to be a family.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why Pedro created Somewhat Familiar and how it changed his view of becoming a parentWhat he learned from same‑sex parents whose families are not legally recognizedThe emotional reality of surrogacy, adoption, foster care and independent parentingHow legal systems and social norms can make some families invisible or “illegal”What really matters most in building strong family relationships across culturesThis conversation is for anyone building a family through IVF, donor conception, surrogacy, adoption, foster care or on their own – and wondering where they fit.
📺 Watch Somewhat Familiar with Pedro Andrade(Streaming details may vary by region.)
📩 Free support for your journeyIf you want a simple 10‑minute reset for the hardest days of treatment, DM me “ZOOM” on Instagram or leave a comment here, and I’ll send you my free Zoom Out Theory ebook + guided meditation.
Follow Pedro Andrade on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pedroandradetv/

IVF, Donor Conception & Surrogacy: Best Insights of 2025 For Your 2026 Fertility Journey

This special Best of 2025 Learn episode brings together the most powerful insights on IVF, donor conception, and surrogacy to help you feel more prepared, informed, and less alone in your 2026 fertility journey.
Inside this episode, we revisit key moments from conversations with leading voices in reproductive medicine, psychology, and lived experience. Using my Zoom Theory (regulate vs learn), this is the Learn episode:
Part 1 – New Insights• IVF: how to think about your cycle and when to pursue treatment• Donor conception: talking about donors, identity, and long‑term implications for you and your future child• Surrogacy: the experience of a surrogate
Part 2 – What You Need To Remember• Core truths to hold onto when you feel discouraged or behind• Frameworks to use on your journey• How to keep learning without overwhelming yourself
This episode is for anyone using IVF, donor conception, or surrogacy to build their family, and for professionals who support them.
🔍 Resources mentioned:• My free “Zoom Out” ebook on regulating first, then learning in manageable steps: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2qiyompkg6cowwk18waj6/Year-End-e-book.pdf?rlkey=hrz9uan0c87pnobh3qm1w2scv&st=5bvv3zpx&dl=0• Workshops on [DONOR CHOICE / PARENTING / SURROGACY] and ongoing support: https://familybuilding.net/• Listen to the full podcast on audio platforms: https://familybuilding.net/podcast/
If this helped you, please subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone on this path. No one should have to navigate third‑party reproduction and fertility treatment alone.
#IVFjourney #DonorConception #SurrogacyJourney

PCOS & Embryo Testing: PGT‑A, PGT‑M & PGT‑P Explained | Dr Steven Palter

Struggling with PCOS and trying to understand your fertility options – and all the talk about PGT‑A, PGT‑M and PGT‑P?
In this episode, fertility specialist Dr Steven Palter walks through how he approaches PCOS treatment and lifestyle, then explains the differences between PGT‑A, PGT‑M and PGT‑P in IVF embryo genetic testing.
I frame this as a kind of “second opinion” conversation – not to replace your own doctor, but to give you another way of hearing the information so you can ask clearer questions at your own clinic.
Learn more about Dr. Steven Palter: https://www.goldcoastivf.com/Follow Dr. Steven Palter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenpaltermd/

The Zoom Out Theory: 10‑Minute Reset For IVF, Donor & Surrogacy Overwhelm

In this episode I share The Zoom Out Theory: a 30‑minute reset to calm your nervous system and regain perspective during IVF, donor conception, or surrogacy. You’ll learn why your brain spirals during treatment, how to “zoom out” in the hardest moments, and a simple way to come back to yourself when it all feels like too much.Free companion ebook + guided meditation: DM me “ZOOM” on Instagram and I’ll send it to you.

Chosen Family in Donor Conception & Surrogacy: Grief, Genetics, and Defining Your Family

Many people using donor conception or surrogacy feel “different” and quietly wonder what family really means when genetics aren’t shared in the way they expected.
In this episode, I talk about chosen family in the context of donor conception and surrogacy: how to see yourself not as “other,” but as part of a growing, very real type of family.
We’ll explore:• How the concept of family has changed – and where you fit in• Why grief about not using your or your partner’s genetics is natural• How grief about genetics and your bond with your child often get conflated (and why they’re different)• How to think about who is in your “inner circle” • How to decide what to share with close family and friends, and what to keep private• Why doing both the inner work (your own feelings) and the external work (how you talk to others) can help you feel more prepared for the future
If you’re building your family with donor sperm, donor eggs, embryos, or surrogacy, you are not alone – and you are not less of a family. There are ways to navigate grief, boundaries, and conversations that honor you, your partner, and your child.
💬 Want more support?Inside my membership, I offer:• Weekly live workshops on choosing donors, talking to donor‑conceived kids, and navigating surrogacy relationships• A growing library of replays, including topics like this one• A community of people building families through reproductive medicine
Learn more or join here: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/
🔔 New episodes every week on donor conception, surrogacy, and parenting in these families. Subscribe so you don’t miss them.
#donorconception #donorconceived #surrogacy #chosenfamily #modernfamily #infertilitysupport #thirdpartyreproduction #intendedparents #lgbtqfamily #fertilityjourney

The Myth Of Donor Family Limits: What Parents Really Need To Know

If you’ve been reassured that your donor will only create a “small number” of families, or even that they’re effectively “just for you,” this episode is important.
In this conversation, I unpack:– What clinics and banks usually mean when they talk about “family limits”– Why those limits often don’t work the way intended in real life– How donor siblings can appear over time, even when you were told the donor wouldn’t donate again– Why spending a fortune trying to secure an “exclusive” donor is rarely the best way to protect your child– What is in your control: planning to tell your child about their donor conception so they understand there may be donor siblings now or in the future
I also talk about openness: when having more access to a donor can be helpful for medical or emotional reasons, and why it’s still possible to raise a healthy, secure child with a non‑open donor. The goal is to replace scary myths with realistic expectations and practical steps you can take as a parent.
If this brought up questions for you, there are two free workshops that can help:
    Choosing a Donor: What Clinics & Websites Don’t Teach You – for people still in the donor decision or selection process    Talking To Your Donor‑Conceived Child: Where & How To Begin – for parents thinking about how to start these conversations
You can see dates and register for both at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1976369301784?aff=oddtdtcreator, or via the links in the show notes.
#donorconception #donoreggs #donorsperm#donorsiblings #familylimits #thirdpartyreproduction#fertilitytreatment #fertilitysupport #fertilitypodcast

When IVF Stops Working & It’s Time For Donor Eggs (With Dr. Moomjy)

If you’re in IVF and quietly wondering, “How many more rounds can we do before we have to think about donor eggs?” this conversation with Dr. Moomjy is for you.
In this episode, we talk about:– Why IVF fails for some people even when everything looks “normal”– How many tries – at different ages – actually make sense before you seriously consider donor eggs– When donor eggs are one option vs when they’re realistically the only path to a baby
This is not vague reassurance. We walk through what the research and real‑world data actually say, so you can have a more informed discussion with your own doctor and feel more grounded in whatever you decide next.
If you’re considering donor conception and want structured, research‑based guidance, you can learn more in our community. https://familybuilding.net/services/donor-conception-explained/
Learn more about Dr. Maureen Moomjy: https://www.drmoomjy.com/
 
#ivf #ivfjourney #donoreggs #donorconception #fertilitytreatment #fertilitysupport #ttccommunity #fertilitypodcast #reproductivemedicine

Luteal Phase Defect & Progesterone: When It Matters, When It Doesn’t | Dr Parry Explains The Research

Luteal phase defect is one of the most hotly debated topics in fertility right now. Do you actually have it? And do you really need progesterone support… or not?
In this episode, I sit down with reproductive endocrinologist and researcher Dr. Parry to unpack what the science actually says about luteal phase defects, progesterone supplementation, and fertility treatment.
We cover: what a luteal phase defect is (and what it isn’t), when a short luteal phase or low progesterone is worth taking seriously, and when adding more progesterone doesn’t change outcomes. We also talk through the differences between progesterone support in natural cycles, IUI, IVF, and early pregnancy.
If you’ve been told you might have a luteal phase defect, are wondering whether to push for progesterone, or just want a clear, calm breakdown of the research… this episode is for you.
Next steps & support:If you’re using reproductive medicine, donor conception, or surrogacy to build your family and want expert‑led education and emotional support, you can learn more about my platform here: https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/
Subscribe for more evidence‑based conversations on fertility, donor conception, and surrogacy.
This episode is for information and education only and is not individual medical advice. Always discuss your own situation and treatment options with your doctor or fertility specialist.
#lutealphasedefect #progesterone #fertility #ttccommunity #ivfjourney #iui #recurrentmiscarriage #infertility #fertilitysupport #reproductivemedicine

Evidence‑Based Intimacy and Sperm Health When You’re TTC | Dr. Rena Malik

Intimacy and sperm health made clear—Dr. Rena Malik, MD explains sex and intimacy while you're trying to conceive, evidence‑based lifestyle factors, timing, when to seek urology care, and how to think about next steps across IVF, IUI, and at‑home TTC. 
Confusion around intimacy and “sperm quality” stalls a lot of TTC journeys. In this episode, Dr. Rena Malik, MD (urology and sexual health) breaks down:
What “sperm health” actually means and how poor sperm quality can be an indication of poor healthEvidence‑based habits and treatment paths (when to consider a urology consult)How intimacy challenges show up while TTC—and practical ways to handle themA stepwise way to reignite your desire and performance while TTCFree Fertility Intimacy Toolkit (PDF). Tap the link, enter email, download instantly.
Disclaimer: Educational only, not medical advice. Confirm with your clinician.
Learn more about Dr. Rena Malik: https://www.renamalikmd.com/Follow Dr. Rena Malik on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RenaMalikMD
#TTC #SpermHealth #RenaMalik #SexualHealth #FertilityEducation #IVF #IUI #MaleFertility #Intimacy #ReproductiveMedicine

Surrogacy Contracts: Alignment vs. Agreement (Testing & Termination)

In this episode, we make legalese usable. You’ll get the operating rules to protect your surrogacy/donor journey when things get messy, so decisions are fast, fair, and aligned.
What you’ll learn fast:
Alignment vs Agreement: principles first, everything else second, so contracts don’t crumble under stress.
The Two Buckets: value essentials vs detail clauses, and why mixing them derails deals.
Contract Decoder: translate dense terms into “if X, then we do Y” rules your team can follow.
Scripts for agencies/clinics: “We’re aligned on X and Y; here’s how we’ll handle Z.”
Red flags + escalation: exactly when to pause matching and how to restart clean.
#Surrogacy #DonorConception #Fertility #IntendedParents #LGBTQFamily #SingleParentByChoice #IVF #SurrogacyContract #WomenHealthcare