In 2013 Fran and Kreena were both diagnosed with cancers that left them infertile. In this podcast they share their unconventional journeys to motherhood and in doing so explore surrogacy from the perspective of the girl next door.
In this episode we chat about about all the wonderful guests we've talked to this year. We discuss some of our favourite moments and what we've learned along the way. If you've enjoyed listening please give us a like/follow and leave a review. See you in season three.
In this episode we talk to Richard Anderson a professor of reproductive science at the University of Edinburgh.
In this episode we chat to Kaz Foncett founder of Wig's for Heroes and Lauren Mahon founder of Girl vs Cancer and BBC Podcast host of YouMeBigC. We talk to them about their cancer stories so far, fertility issues, cultural taboos and their thoughts on surrogacy. Happy listening.
THE SURROGACY LAWYERIn this episode we talk to Natalie Gamble one of the UK's leading fertility lawyers and also founder and director of surrogacy agency Brilliant Beginnings. We chat to her all about why having a lawyer guide you through a surrogacy journey can be really useful, how the surrogacy scene has changed over the last 15 years and what recommendations we might expect once the report on reforms surrounding surrogacy laws is published early next year.
This week we speak to Mike and Wes. They have been on a mission to help raise awareness of same sex parenting since founding TwoDadsUK and have just started their own Surrogacy agency 'My Surrogacy Journey'. They share their story and we chat all about their new and exciting project.
THE MACMILLAN NURSEBefore Azmina became a Macmillan nurse she had her own brush with cancer. We speak to her about the journey that she has been on, the invaluable work she does now and crucially the discussions around fertility options once someone has been given a cancer diagnosis
THE CHILDRENEllie and Ade were both in their mid teens when their mums decided to carry a child for a stranger. We chat to both girls about their first thoughts on their mums entering the world of surrogacy, what their friends thought, what they thought when they first met us and what advice they had for anyone who's mum decides to do the same.
THE BEST FRIENDSSophie and Em met at school and became life long friends. While Sophie struggled with fertility Em became pregnant with her first little girl. After six very difficult years of trying Em offered the most amazing gift and wrote a letter to Sophie asking whether she would be open to going on a surrogacy journey together. We chat, transfers, agreements, gender reveals and birth during a pandemic, lastly the girls give their advice on a journey with a friend.
THE SURROGATESIn Episode 2 we have the pleasure of talking to Gina (Fran's surrogate) and Kate who has been on multiple journeys. We talked about why the ladies decided to become surrogates, how they chose their IPs, the ups and downs of their journeys and why they'd do it all again in a heartbeat.
BORN THROUGH SURROGACY. Seeing our children through her eyes.We kick on Season Two with an amazing young lady. Gee was born through Surrogacy 23 years ago, and speaks so passionately about how she came to be.Gee had both of us in tears throughout our recording, not only because of her wisdom, but because one day, we hope that our children will speak so positively and eloquently about how much we wanted to bring them to life.
In this episode we're talking all about sibling journeys, finding a new surrogate and a donor. Kreena also talks about the birth of Amaala and the triplets during the pandemic.
In this episode we are talking all about the decision to go for a sibling journey and the birth of Evelyn and Grace.
In this episode we are chatting all about the pregnancies. Starting off with testing and then how are surrogates told us the results which weren't always what we wanted. Then once we had the BFPs, how we broke the news to family and friends. We chat about scans, the first kicks, baby showers and finally how did we really feel about someone else carrying our babies.
In this weeks episode we're talking about the clinics we used for the actual surrogacy process. We discuss why we chose our clinics, the meetings we had and the questions you need to ask. We talk paperwork, blood tests, counseling, added extras moving the embryos and then finally what happens on embryo transfer day!
In this episode we are chatting about our IVF experiences. We talk funding, dealing with IVF at work and the mixed emotions of creating life at a time when your mind is very much focused on preserving your own.
In this episode we are chatting all about agreements. It wasn't a particularly easy conversation at times and as expected there are some fairly contentious issues that arise. Everyone has their own opinion on these matters and as we've discovered when talking and listening to other ips and surrogates the views can often be worlds apart and very passionately held. Clearly these factors can make for some very awarkward conversations but they are also some of the most important ones anyone who embarks on a surrogacy journey will have.It's important to point out that currently surrogacy agreements are not legally binding in the UK and as the reforms underway are not due report back until 2021 they won't be anytime soon. They do however provide a detailed and extremely useful framework for discussions so in our opinion are a must for any potential match.
In this episode we chat all about the matching process. We discuss introductions and what we put in our own. Give our thoughts on the unspoken etiquette in the groups, should you DM? Should you speak to more than one surro at a time? We chat meet ups, deal breakers and also how we made our own matches. Finally we give you our top tips for matching.
In this episode we're chatting about what we already knew about surrogacy (not a lot), how we initially felt about it, our introduction into the community and why an independent route rather than one via an agency was right for us.
Fran talks openly about her own cancer diagnosis and the treatment that ultimately led her to the world of surrogacy.
Kreena was diagnosed with breast cancer at 33. Her diagnosis came as a huge shock and initially she didn't know how to deal with it. With time, Kreena learnt that she was more than Cancer, that the disease didn't define her and that she could help others by sharing her story. In a very rare and unfortunate turn of events Kreena then suffered acute Heart Failure whilst on holiday in Vancouver. With a heart muscle barely functioning, her ability to recover was very questionable, however, miraculously she pulled through. Once confined to a wheelchair, this year will trek the Himalayas for Breast Cancer Charity #Coppafeel! Her motivation? To prevent other young women from feeling as isolated as she did during her illnesses. Last year, Kreena became a mother to her daughter Amaala, born through Surrogacy, using embryos created back when Breast Cancer entered her life. It's an incredible journey of will and strength, but at times, dark. Content warning: Contains reference to cancer, heart failure and death.
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