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How A Surrogate’s Instincts Saved Twins And Shaped A Calling

1:28:34
 
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Manage episode 515744812 series 2981207
Content provided by Kenedi & Ellen Smith and Ellen Smith. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Kenedi & Ellen Smith and Ellen Smith or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

A calm first journey, a terrifying second, and a life-changing pivot into nursing—Lauren’s story reveals what surrogacy really asks of the body, the mind, and the heart. We welcome Lauren back to share how she chose agencies, navigated a Canada-to-U.S. match during COVID, and moved through a natural-cycle transfer that led to a smooth full-term birth. Then everything changed: a double embryo transfer, surging symptoms, a gut feeling something was wrong, and a hospital visit that exposed early dilation and bulging membranes. When monitors missed contractions, her voice did not. The emergency C-section that followed was chaotic and partially anesthetized, the twins headed straight to the NICU, and the aftermath raised hard questions about support, recognition, and care.
We talk candidly about the parts people don’t see: reduced compensation after a preterm birth, the emotional shock of limited updates from intended parents, and the mental health gap that too many contracts overlook. Lauren’s experience also spotlights bias in healthcare—how Black women are often dismissed, and why listening can be the difference between safety and harm. Out of that crucible, she found purpose. She’s starting nursing school with her eyes set on labor and delivery, determined to make sure no patient under her watch has to perform to be believed.
You’ll learn practical takeaways for surrogates and intended parents: how natural-cycle transfers work, what to include in contracts (postpartum therapy, communication expectations, emergency planning), and why clear, compassionate agency support matters long after delivery. It’s a story of grit, grace, and the power of advocacy—proof that intuition is data and that gratitude should never arrive late.
If this conversation moved you, follow and share the show with someone who needs it. Subscribe, leave a review to help others find us, and tell us: what would you add to a surrogacy contract to better protect everyone involved?

Send us a text

https://stopsitsurrogate.com

  continue reading

Chapters

1. Welcome And Agency Announcement (00:00:00)

2. Meet Lauren: Two-Time Surrogate (00:00:20)

3. Choosing Agencies And First Matches (00:01:44)

4. Canada Match, COVID Disruption, Rematch (00:05:24)

5. Natural Cycle Transfer And Successful Birth (00:08:54)

6. Starting Nursing School (00:12:30)

7. Twin Pregnancy Begins (00:13:20)

8. Symptoms, Rapid Growth, And Early Warnings (00:16:40)

9. Hospital Check, Cervical Dilation, Admission (00:18:52)

10. Water Breaks, Monitoring Concerns, Advocacy (00:21:02)

11. Emergency C-Section And Anesthesia Failure (00:23:20)

12. NICU Realities And Legal Transfer (00:26:45)

13. Communication Strain With Intended Parents (00:28:30)

14. Race, Bias, And Being Heard In Healthcare (00:32:10)

15. Postpartum Emotions, Compensation, And Therapy (00:36:30)

16. Boundaries, Social Posts, And Recognition (00:40:20)

17. Why Lauren Chose Nursing And L&D (00:44:10)

18. Physical Recovery And Ending Surrogacy (00:47:00)

19. Advice To Future Surrogates (00:50:10)

20. Closing Reflections And Resources (00:52:45)

145 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 515744812 series 2981207
Content provided by Kenedi & Ellen Smith and Ellen Smith. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Kenedi & Ellen Smith and Ellen Smith or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

A calm first journey, a terrifying second, and a life-changing pivot into nursing—Lauren’s story reveals what surrogacy really asks of the body, the mind, and the heart. We welcome Lauren back to share how she chose agencies, navigated a Canada-to-U.S. match during COVID, and moved through a natural-cycle transfer that led to a smooth full-term birth. Then everything changed: a double embryo transfer, surging symptoms, a gut feeling something was wrong, and a hospital visit that exposed early dilation and bulging membranes. When monitors missed contractions, her voice did not. The emergency C-section that followed was chaotic and partially anesthetized, the twins headed straight to the NICU, and the aftermath raised hard questions about support, recognition, and care.
We talk candidly about the parts people don’t see: reduced compensation after a preterm birth, the emotional shock of limited updates from intended parents, and the mental health gap that too many contracts overlook. Lauren’s experience also spotlights bias in healthcare—how Black women are often dismissed, and why listening can be the difference between safety and harm. Out of that crucible, she found purpose. She’s starting nursing school with her eyes set on labor and delivery, determined to make sure no patient under her watch has to perform to be believed.
You’ll learn practical takeaways for surrogates and intended parents: how natural-cycle transfers work, what to include in contracts (postpartum therapy, communication expectations, emergency planning), and why clear, compassionate agency support matters long after delivery. It’s a story of grit, grace, and the power of advocacy—proof that intuition is data and that gratitude should never arrive late.
If this conversation moved you, follow and share the show with someone who needs it. Subscribe, leave a review to help others find us, and tell us: what would you add to a surrogacy contract to better protect everyone involved?

Send us a text

https://stopsitsurrogate.com

  continue reading

Chapters

1. Welcome And Agency Announcement (00:00:00)

2. Meet Lauren: Two-Time Surrogate (00:00:20)

3. Choosing Agencies And First Matches (00:01:44)

4. Canada Match, COVID Disruption, Rematch (00:05:24)

5. Natural Cycle Transfer And Successful Birth (00:08:54)

6. Starting Nursing School (00:12:30)

7. Twin Pregnancy Begins (00:13:20)

8. Symptoms, Rapid Growth, And Early Warnings (00:16:40)

9. Hospital Check, Cervical Dilation, Admission (00:18:52)

10. Water Breaks, Monitoring Concerns, Advocacy (00:21:02)

11. Emergency C-Section And Anesthesia Failure (00:23:20)

12. NICU Realities And Legal Transfer (00:26:45)

13. Communication Strain With Intended Parents (00:28:30)

14. Race, Bias, And Being Heard In Healthcare (00:32:10)

15. Postpartum Emotions, Compensation, And Therapy (00:36:30)

16. Boundaries, Social Posts, And Recognition (00:40:20)

17. Why Lauren Chose Nursing And L&D (00:44:10)

18. Physical Recovery And Ending Surrogacy (00:47:00)

19. Advice To Future Surrogates (00:50:10)

20. Closing Reflections And Resources (00:52:45)

145 episodes

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