A podcast about the people, experiences, and decisions that shape the surrogacy journey. Whether you're a surrogate, an intended parent, or just exploring the process, we’re here to share real conversations and insights.
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Surrogacy Process Podcasts
Building a family can be a complicated, messy, lonely, and sometimes heartbreaking process, but you don't have to navigate this challenging journey alone. Join the AllPaths Family Building community as we talk with people who are currently trying to grow their family, those whose family building journey has come to an end, and experts in the fertility and family building space. Together we'll: *Hear family stories, providing real-life perspectives that highlight the many different paths a fa ...
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Welcome to The Surrogacy Scoop: Your Guide to Surrogacy and Egg Donation, a podcast brought to you by Patriot Conceptions, a veteran-founded surrogacy agency committed to helping military families and intended parents have children through compassionate surrogacy support, where we demystify the world of surrogacy from the clinical, family and surrogate perspective.
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Families Through Surrogacy is a podcast created to support and guide parents through the incredible journey of surrogacy. Whether you’re just starting out or already in the process, we’re here to share real stories, helpful tips, and advice to make things a little easier. We’ll talk about everything - from picking the right country, clinic, surrogate, to the emotional ups and downs along the way. With insights from parents, professionals and advocates, this is a space where you’ll feel infor ...
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"Sharing the Truth in Love" is a video and audio podcast hosted by Fr. John Girotti, a Green Bay Diocese priest, exploring Church teachings on contemporary issues to inspire listeners to foster faith-filled, meaningful conversations that draw all closer to Christ, enriching the lives of all in the process.
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Rayden Solicitors are an award winning firm of family law solicitors with offices in St Albans, Berkhamsted and Beaconsfield. Our specialist team advise in relation to divorce, separation, children matters, anglo-french law, surrogacy and pre and post nuptial agreements. We also offer mediation, financial arbitration and resolution through the Collaborative Law process. Our podcasts reflect the law in England and Wales only and are correct at the time of recording but the law does change. Ou ...
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Preconceived: Five Stories of IVF and Surrogacy is a collection of conversations with women who had very different experiences going through in vitro fertilization for that one outcome: a baby. Laura went through an IVF journey because of her PCOS diagnosis and a series of miscarriages. Kate went through IVF for a reason not commonly talked about. You'll also hear three surrogacy stories: Heidi was a gestational carrier* twice, working through an agency. Her story demonstrates the unpredicta ...
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My name is Care Messer, I’m an entrepreneur, childbirth educator birth and postpartum doula and the mom of two girls. Birth stories begin before your baby is even conceived and we’re here to talk about it. Join Ashley & I as we create discussions around connection, finding and using your voice and of course, birth stories! We will release an episode each week so be sure to subscribe so you don't miss a second!
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Olivia’s Journey: Finding Answers, Playing It Forward
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58:27This episode of the AllPaths podcast features Olivia King, a Rhode Island-based singer-songwriter who, through sharing her fertility struggles on social media, has found purpose in helping others feel less alone as they navigate their own journeys. Olivia and her husband married with the immediate intention of starting a family. However, after tryi…
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Trystan’s Journey: A trans uterus is NOT an uninhabitable environment
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51:52
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51:52In this episode of the AllPaths Podcast, we speak with Trystan Reese, a father of three, advocate, educator, and an "all-around nerd" when it comes to transgender fertility and family building. Trystan shares his personal and professional journey, starting with his experience growing up in a conservative town as a transgender man without the langua…
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Alexis’ Journey: Reframing the Concept of Family
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45:54This episode of the AllPaths podcast features a conversation with Alexis Eyler, the Executive Director of On Your Feet Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting birth parents post-placement. On Your Feet Foundation, founded in 2001, addresses the historical lack of post-placement services for birth parents, recognizing that open …
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Resources When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment by Ryan T. Anderson https://www.amazon.com/When-Harry-Became-Sally-Transgender/dp/1594039615/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527007913&sr=8-1&keywords=when+harry+became+sally&dpID=51aKm5tQyvL&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch Dignitas Infinita: On Human Dignity https://pres…
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Surrogacy to Sisterhood: An Act of Love, Three Babies, and An Unbreakable Bond.
40:22
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40:22A surrogate, a twin birth and a surprise pregnancy?? See how this American Surrogacy journey is truly one for the books. What happens when a surrogate and intended parent form a bond so deep, it turns into family? In this heartfelt episode of "Let’s Talk Surrogacy", host Lindsay sits down with Lindsey and Megan to share their incredible journey: ho…
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Heather's Journey: "It's not because you ate the cheese."
42:12
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42:12This episode of the podcast features Heather Smidt, owner of Wander Well Acupuncture in Lexington, MA and longtime AllPaths community member. Heather shares her family building journey, which included a late diagnosis of endometriosis, multiple losses, and the joy of her "rainbow baby" son, conceived during acupuncture school. She candidly shares t…
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Valerie’s Journey: From Hospital Gowns to Powerful Art
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46:01In this episode, we chat with Valerie Imparato, a lawyer and artist originally from Haiti, currently living in Somerville, Massachusetts. Valerie shares her often complicated journey to parenthood. She recounts her initial easy conception followed by a miscarriage in Italy during Covid, and the subsequent "excruciating" nine months of trying before…
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Embryo Q&A: Genetic Testing? State Laws? Egg Donors? Surrogacy Expert Answers It All!
18:28
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18:28The Director of Community Resources at American Surrogacy, Wade Morris breaks down embryo creation, donation costs & more in this expert, rapid-fire Q&A about embryos for "Let's Talk Surrogacy". Curious about how embryos factor into the surrogacy process? This Q&A provides clarity to some of the most common (and complex!) questions about embryos, I…
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Amanda’s Journey: Did somebody give my uterus a one-star rating?
43:47
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43:47This episode of the AllPaths podcast features Amanda Nordberg, a volunteer for the Footsteps for Family Building Walk, who shares her struggle with recurrent pregnancy loss and the emotional experience of pregnancy after loss. Amanda and her husband Andy began trying to conceive in 2020 and while they discovered that her body was "great at getting …
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Meg's Journey: From the Pain of "Barren" to the Power of “the Barreness”
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49:11On this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we invite Meg to share her continuing journey through recurrent miscarriages, unsuccessful fertility treatments, and an unflagging quest for answers. Meg, who runs "For the Barreness”, a infertility-focused blog and Instagram account, delves into her experience with seven miscarriages and eight rounds of IVF…
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S1 E7 | Contraception with Special Guest Dianne Vadney
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52:26Why does the Catholic Church teach that contraception is immoral? What is natural family planning? Dianne Vadney, Director of Campus Ministry at Marian University in Fond du Lac, WI, joins the show and shares her own journey of discovering the beauty of the Church’s teaching on sex, marriage, and raising a family. Resources: Find a medical clinic t…
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This episode features Jessica Katz, licensed clinical social worker and certified perinatal mental health therapist, and parent to an egg-donor conceived child. During our conversation, Jessica shares her deeply personal and often challenging journey to parenthood, from her early struggles with irregular periods and feeling shame around her body an…
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S1 E6 | Protecting the Environment with Special Guest Joe Meyer
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47:36Fr. John Girotti and Lucas Holt sit down with Joe Meyer, Executive Director of the Catholic Ecology Center in Neosho, WI, and discuss what it means to have a Catholic approach to taking care of the environment. What makes Catholic activity in caring for creation different from the activity of secular environmental groups? How can nature be a path f…
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Advancements in modern technology have given rise to many options to treat illnesses that could otherwise be deadly. Along with these options for treatment, there can be ethical dilemmas. In this conversation, Fr. John Girotti and Lucas Holt look at the difference between ordinary and extraordinary care, how to respond to the growing popularity of …
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S1 E2 | Abortion & the Dignity of Human Life
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48:55Abortion is an issue that is difficult to talk about. In today's culture, it is politically fraught, carries with it different philosophical beliefs, and is intensely personal yet has tremendous social implications. Where does one even begin to talk about it? In this conversation with Fr. John Girotti and Lucas Holt, we look at the Church’s teachin…
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What is the Church’s teaching on divorce? What is an annulment? If someone is divorced, can he or she receive Holy Communion? How can a pastor exercise discernment when meeting with couples who are struggling? Fr. John Girotti and Lucas Holt discuss these questions and more. Resources Retrouvaille: Hope for a Better Marriage: https://helpourmarriag…
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S1 E4 | Racism with Special Guest Fr. Alvan Amadi
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51:44Fr. Alvan Amadi, a Nigerian priest in the Diocese of Green Bay, joins Fr. John Girotti and Lucas Holt to look at the issue of racism. Topics include: What is racism? What is God’s vision of race? How can we as Catholics be advocates for the dignity of the human person – both in our relationships and in broader society? Plus, Fr. Amadi shares person…
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If children are made possible by in vitro fertilization, why does the Catholic Church teach that it is immoral? What is the difference between IVF and surrogacy? In this episode, Fr. John Girotti and Lucas Holt look at the processes involved in IVF and surrogacy, what the Church teaches and why, NaPro technology, and ways to accompany couples who c…
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Lisa’s Journey: A Safe Space to Say the Unsayable
50:22
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50:22In this episode we welcome Lisa Rosenthal, President of the AllPaths Family Building Board of Directors. Lisa shares her deeply personal and often challenging six-and-a-half year journey through infertility, which began when she was 26 and "very naive" about conception. She recounts undergoing extensive fertility treatments, including being one of …
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Why I Became a Surrogate: The Real, Raw & Beautiful Journey
37:55
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37:55In this powerful first episode of the "Let's Talk Surrogacy" podcast, Meg, an experienced surrogate, opens up about her surrogacy journey, giving birth for two other families. Meg is a mom of four and two-time surrogate. She shares her incredible journey into surrogacy from what sparked her interest, to navigating IVF, dealing with miscarriage, set…
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Bruce’s Journey: "Whose Tummy Did I Come Out Of?"
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40:46This episode of the AllPaths podcast features Bruce, an attorney in the Boston area. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Bruce and his husband built their family through surrogacy with gamete donation, going through the process twice with different surrogates in different states. After leaving his previous career to become a stay-at-home parent, his own fa…
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Annika’s Journey: “My wife knocked me up.”
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45:23In this episode, we welcome Annika, an attorney specializing in assisted reproductive technology (ART), who offers a unique perspective as both a professional in the field and someone who built her own family through reciprocal IVF. Annika shares her personal journey with her wife, including the decision to use reciprocal IVF (her wife's egg, Annik…
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Will’s Journey: An IVF Insider’s Path to Parenthood
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30:01In this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we speak with Will Baird, a father of three who grew up with a unique perspective on family building. Will shares how his father, a PhD in animal sciences who began working in human IVF in the late 80s/early 90s, exposed him to the lab environment from a young age. He and his twin sister, conceived through I…
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Hey everyone! Welcome back to the second episode of our chat with Jamilah. Last week, we heard both of her birth stories and now we're moving into her incredible journey towards surrogacy. Her own births led Jamilah birth photography, putting her want for being a doula on the backburner for a whole other profession. It was at a networking event tha…
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This episode features speaker and author Jodi Mitchel Tolman, who shares how she and her husband navigated multiple paths over six years to build their family after facing challenges with fertility. Their family ultimately consisted of three children: one genetic child from a previous marriage, one adopted daughter, and one son born via donor egg. …
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We are excited to introduce you to Jamilah in today’s show. Ashley and I just had our headshots taken by Jamilah and her story is just too good not to share! Jamilah is almost due with her surrogate baby and we are discussing the backstory as to why she moved towards surrogacy. In this show, Jamilah shares the inspiring stories of her two birth exp…
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Surrogacy in America | Families Through Surrogacy
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4:54This podcast from "Families Through Surrogacy" offers a guide for intended parents considering surrogacy in the United States, highlighting the advantages of the U.S. such as strong legal frameworks and high medical standards. Key information includes the principle of birthright citizenship, detailed cost estimates for the process and surrogate com…
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Matt’s Journey: "I'm doing everything I possibly can to make sure her name never gets lost"
42:22
42:22
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42:22In this episode of the AllPaths Podcast, Matt Smith, founder of Wandering Soul Beer Company, shares his personal experience with stillbirth and how this profound loss directly inspired the creation of his brewery and its flagship beer, Melody Maker. Matt and his wife Abby were expecting their first child and had just purchased their first house whe…
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074: Kasondra and Zach’s Natural Birth Story
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47:04
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47:04The video for YouTube and Spotify will be up shortly! For now, please enjoy our audio version. In this episode, we have a birth story featuring Zach and Kasondra, a couple who recently welcomed their newborn into the world. In Hypnobirthing class we learned about their love of surfing and always being in the water. Kasondra is also an opera singer …
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Shannon’s Journey: "This Is Your Body, This Is Your Life"
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53:22In this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we welcome guest Shannon Cook to share her journey. Shannon recounts her experience navigating fertility struggles, including early attempts at conception, misdiagnoses like hydrosalpinx and stage three endometriosis, and multiple miscarriages. Despite feeling defeated at times, she emphasizes the importance…
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073: Doulas - The Art of Holding Space and Allowing
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45:01In this episode, Ashley and I are talking about the sacred aspects of being a doula and how the ultimate role is to 'hold space' for birthing families.What IS holding space? Since it’s different for everyone - we want you to define it for yourself and how it works for each family you serve. We have found over the years that it’s incredibly hard to …
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Lauren C's Journey: IVF Finds a Way to Humble You
53:00
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53:00This episode features Lauren Hart Clancy, a perinatal advocate, AllPaths peer group leader, parent through IVF, and co-chair of the 2025 Footsteps for Family Building Walk. Lauren shares her journey through multiple IVF cycles, a delayed male-factor infertility diagnosis, and health complications after an egg retrieval. Throughout the conversation,…
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072: Embracing the Intensity of Labor
1:06:18
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1:06:18This episode is a workshop-style conversation designed to help you tackle your fears and equip yourself with the tools and mindset needed for a positive birth experience. I’m not gonna lie - this conversation got juicy with ideas and information to reshape your thoughts about pain and gathering the courage to use your abilities to become what you h…
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Lauren D’s Journey: Our family is now complete to what WE define as complete
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46:52In this episode, we speak with Lauren Delaney, a co-chair for AllPaths’ annual Footsteps for Family Building Walk. Lauren shares about the roads she and her husband Ryan travelled to build their family. Ryan faced significant health issues including two kidney transplants, so together Lauren and Ryan navigated fertility preservation, fertility trea…
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Global Perspectives on Surrogacy with Dr. Said Daneshmand
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36:46In this episode of The Surrogacy Scoop, we sit down with Dr. Said Daneshmand, renowned fertility specialist, podcast host, and global advocate for family-building through surrogacy. Dr. D shares how a pivotal med school rotation led him to reproductive endocrinology and discusses how science, culture, and compassion come together in his internation…
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071: Surrendering: Hannah and Cooper's Hypnobirthing Story
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54:17In today’s show, I interview with Hannah and Cooper, former Hypnobirthing students, to talk about their incredible birth story. From navigating fears of low pain tolerance and the unknowns of labor, Hannah shares her powerful experience of surrendering to the birth process. Low pain tolerance comes up A LOT when women talk about wanting to have a n…
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Dr. Styer’s Journey: It's a privilege to be part of my patients' stories.
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47:18
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47:18In this episode, we welcome Dr. Aaron Styer, a reproductive endocrinologist, medical director of CCRM Boston, and AllPaths Board Member. Dr. Styer shares his professional journey into fertility medicine, sparked by his grandmother and mother who were both nurses, and a desire to build meaningful relationships with patients. The discussion covers wh…
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070: Processing Fears: Nikki's Fertility Journey
1:12:10
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1:12:10I begin with a mini disclaimer about the audio and video quality due to the last day of Mercury retrograde. Despite the production challenges, we have an important and heartfelt conversation for you today. I want you to meet Nikki, who is joining my Hypnobirthing series, and this is our first face-to-face talk. Nikki shares her deeply personal and …
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Erin and Stephen's Journey: For Some People, It's Not a Straight Line From A to B
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48:44This episode featuring Erin, a longtime AllPaths group leader, and her husband Stephen offers a raw and unfiltered look at their decade-long struggle with infertility and it’s emotional toll. From the early days of excitement and expectation to the stark realization that building their family would not be as straightforward as they had hoped, Erin …
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In this episode, I welcome April to share her labor denial birth story and the journey of overcoming fears related to pregnancy. April opens up about her past struggles with an eating disorder and how it impacted her initial fears of weight gain during pregnancy. This is an issue that many women face in pregnancy and isn’t talked about enough in my…
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Annie and Gene’s Journey: From Infertility to Innovation
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32:36Annie and Gene Carelli, a married couple and licensed Pharmacists from the Philadelphia area, join us to share their family’s story and the inspiring way they turned their challenges into a resource for others navigating fertility treatment. After unsuccessfully trying to conceive on their own, Annie and Gene were diagnosed with unexplained inferti…
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068: Courtney's Induction Birth Story: From Hypnobirthing to Life Skills for Parenting
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45:20I can’t wait for you to hear Courtney’s incredible birth story. From her experiences with pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, to raising her seven-year-old, Courtney's journey is filled with resilience and practical life skills. Courtney shares her initial vision of a natural birth with a midwife, through her unexpected medical diagnoses of gestation…
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Rebecca’s Journey: “This is right for me and right for my family.”
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27:05In this episode of the AllPaths podcast, we’re joined by Rebecca Daddio, LCSW PMH-C and AllPaths peer group leader to hear about her personal and professional journey through the complexities of family building. Rebecca shares her experiences with unsuccessful fertility treatments, pregnancy loss, the path that led to donor conception and, after th…
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067: Hannah and Greg's Inspiring Natural Birth and NICU Journey
1:08:05
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1:08:05In this episode, we have an incredible birth story for you. This is a story where Hannah’s natural birth was quickly overshadowed by an extensive NICU stay with their son. Hannah and Greg took my Hypnobirthing class early in her pregnancy and did extensive preparation. What started as a planned birth center birth became a hospital transfer due to t…
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Karen’s Journey: “I was so focused on being pregnant that I lost sight of wanting to be a mom.”
36:42
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36:42This episode features an in-depth discussion with Karen about her journey through infertility and adoption. She openly shares the challenges she faced, including the emotional toll of successful fertility treatments, the impact that family building struggles can have on relationships, and how she determined adoption was the best path for her family…
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066: Sierra's Birth Story: From Surprises to Standing Firm
1:02:27
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1:02:27I'm excited today as we have Sierra to share her incredible birth story with us. If you are watching on YouTube you can see her adorable little one. Sierra took my Hypnobirthing class from her work location and her partner joined from home. A definite advantage of attending an online childbirth series! In this episode, Sierra dives into the nitty-g…
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Marissa’s Journey: Reproductive plans should never be small talk
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38:59In this episode, Marissa Hathaway, MPH, Doula, and owner of The Lemon Grove, delves into her background and her transition from global health to becoming a full-time doula. Recounting her challenges with infertility, including the grief of losing pregnancies while supporting other families during their births, Marissa highlights the importance of h…
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Dr. Potter on the Realities of Surrogacy: Science, Ethics, and Stories
40:28
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40:28On today's episode, we sit down with Dr. Daniel Potter, MD, FACOG of HRC Fertility Newport Beach and Fullerton. We explore Dr. Potter's history, dispell common myths, and offer guidence for future intended parents and surrogates. Patriot Conceptions is a veteran-founded surrogacy agency committed to helping military families and intended parents ha…
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065: What Goes On My Birth Plan? Creating Effective Birth Preferences
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30:57In this episode, we dive into the topic of birth plans, or as we prefer to call them, 'birth preferences.' This is a more energetic view of how to create an plan that fits your family and what's important to you. The internet is filled with templated plans - but how to you keep it specific without overwhelming yourself and the staff? We emphasize t…
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Lea’s Journey: “I hadn't felt like I had belonged in the infertility community before.”
40:16
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40:16Today’s episode features AllPaths volunteer Lea, a Boston-based biotech professional and leader of our Trying for Another Peer Support Group. After months of trying to conceive, Lea was diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve, which cast doubt on her ability to have biological children. She recounts navigating her options, including IVF and adopt…
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