PODCAST · kids
Surrogacy Australia Conversations
by Anna McKie
Join Anna McKie in conversation with surrogates and parents who have navigated Australian altruistic surrogacy. Anna is a gestational surrogate, high school Math teacher and surrogacy educator working with Surrogacy Australia and running SASS (Surrogacy Australia’s Support Service). These conversations were recorded as part of the free webinar series run by Surrogacy Australia. Dates and registration links on the website. To see the photos described in the recordings, find them on YouTube. Follow Surrogacy Australia on facebook and instagram.
Episodes
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170. It was time to let go - when surrogacy doesn’t work
This webinar episode is an example of a surrogacy story that didn't end with a baby. Intended Parents (IPs), Kate and her husband James, were already parents to Harriet, whom Kate was able to carry. However, due to an emergency hysterectomy after Harriet’s birth, they needed a surrogate for a...
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169. SASS Team - the wealth of knowledge is invaluable
Rin gave birth to little Jack as a surrogate in March 2026. Jack's two dads, Dan and Stu, originally from the UK but living in Sydney, were initially strangers. Rin and her partner Aeron live with their two children near Wollongong. They have been a SASS supported, self matched team for their...
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168. How do I support my surrogate?
There are many ways for IPs (Intended Parents) to support their surrogate (and her family) and they will depend on the different stages of your journey, her wants/needs, how far away from you she lives, did you know each other before surrogacy and the communication style of all team members. In...
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167. We're not a team anymore, we're a family
Alex and Carlo became dads to their daughters, Elodie in December 2024 and Arabelle in June 2026. Their surrogate, Em, previously a stranger was initially their egg donor, but became their traditional surrogate (meaning it was also her egg). They all live near each other on the Sunshine Coast.…
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166. It’s definitely a team event
Kate and Col became parents to their daughter (Alison) in June 2020. Alison was carried by their surrogate Jodie who already had a friendship with Kate before surrogacy. They navigated COVID towards the end of their pregnancy, so it was quite a journey! Both Kate and Jodie have been my SASS…
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165. It wasn’t just 9 months for them
Jodie birthed as a surrogate in Perth, WA in June 2020 for her friends, Kate and Col, that she knew prior to surrogacy. They had a little girl, Alison, and they maintain their beautiful friendship but with an extra special status of Aunty Jodie. Both Kate and Jodie have been my SASS mentors over…
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164. They needed it, I could do it, so I did.
Melissa, from Brisbane, has birthed as a surrogate twice, each time for IPs who were previously unknown to her. In 2022, she birthed a little girl for two Intended Fathers after 6 embryo transfers. She had a VBA2C and expressed milk for 3 months. As well as surrogacy, she has donated her eggs 7...
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163. Ideas for IPs (Intended Parents) in waiting #8
This series of episodes springs from my work with SASS (Surrogacy Australia’s Support Service). When Intended Parents (IPs) have completed their profile and are in the pool of IPs waiting to connect with a surrogate, I do monthly check-ins to make sure they’re still active and waiting. I like to...
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162. To watch my baby being born was the most remarkable thing
Laura and her husband who live in Canberra, but were in Sydney for the surrogacy journey, became parents to their daughter (Harriet) in October 2023. Harriet was carried by surrogate Joh, Laura's sister, and is fondly referred to as Aunty Joey. They moved to be near Joh in Bundaberg a month…
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161. Don’t dive in head first into a relationship with IPs
Rachel birthed a little girl, Daisy, as a surrogate in Adelaide in May 2022 for Kelli and Ben. Rachel and Ben had known each other since childhood but it was actually Kelli's introduction post in the South Australian Surrogacy facebook group in late 2020 that sparked Rachel's attention when she…
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160. Preparing for birth - 3 Counsellors
3 Counsellors guide us through what to expect for Intended Parents and Surrogates when planning for birth as a surrogacy team. If you’d like to arrange your own session with Narelle, Ellie or Elise, you can find them on their website, Lotus Health and Psychology in Brisbane. These podcasts were...
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159. Order of steps for surrogacy
These steps assume you have found a surrogate. If you haven’t found a surrogate, and want to hear more about that, join me in a regular, free, Wednesday night webinar. Your options are finding a known surrogate, by telling family and friends about your need for one, or finding an unknown…
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158. Lawyer - Kate Cherry
Surrogacy Legal issues with lawyer Kate Cherry. Kate has a passion for family law, having worked almost exclusively in the area since entering the legal profession in 2000 and thereafter to the High Court of Australia. If you’d like to arrange your own session with Kate, you can find her on her...
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157. Last untested embryo on the 8th embryo transfer
Sarah and her partner Matthew, from Canberra, became parents to their daughter (Summer) in November 2022. Summer was carried by Kathryn, who was a friend of a friend, and was also created using the eggs from Sarah's sister. It was a very long journey to parenthood with 22 failed embryo transfers...
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156. I slept like a surrogate whose job was done!
Jess and husband, Scott, live in South West Sydney with their 2 daughters and she has birthed 2 girls as a surrogate, Firth in April 2022 and Logan in September 2025. The two dads, Ryan and Adam, who live in the Blue Mountains, used eggs from Ryan's sister Rhiannon. It is through Rhiannon that…
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154. Looking after my surrogate was looking after my unborn child
Alannah and husband Jayden from regional Victoria, became parents to their daughter (Phoenix) in December 2022. Phoenix was carried by surrogate Tara, Alannah's best friend, and was also created using donor eggs from Alannah's sister, Angela. It was a very long journey to parenthood due to a rare...
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155. Are your names on the birth certificate?
The current process is the surrogate, and her partner if she has one, goes down on the first birth certificate as birth parent(s). The reason for this is so the parentage can be transferred from her to the IPs, the Intended Parents who are now parents. Check out the full episode show notes:...
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153. A quick and fast journey (uncommon!)
Aaron and Jake from Adelaide became parents to baby boy Xavier in December 2019 when their surrogate, and now life long friend, Amber, birthed as a Traditional Surrogate (her egg). Aaron is passionate about sharing their journey as 2 dads, supporting others who are the beginning of their…
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152. My hormones were wild
Marlena and her wife, Merrin, live in Newcastle with their 2 young sons and she birthed little boy, Ezra, as a surrogate in August 2025. She met her IPs (Intended Parents) Jamie and Kody through our Surrogacy Australia Monthly Zoom Catch Ups, of which they are all regulars. Marlena was initially...
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151. Ideas for IPs (Intended Parents) in waiting #7
This series of episodes springs from my work with SASS (Surrogacy Australia’s Support Service). When Intended Parents (IPs) have completed their profile and are in the pool of IPs waiting to connect with a surrogate, I do monthly check-ins to make sure they’re still active and waiting. I like to...
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150. Just because you could, doesn’t mean you should
Kody and his husband Jamie from Melbourne, became dads to their son Ezra in August 2025. Their surrogate, Marlena, lives with her wife and two sons in Newcastle. Their team connected through our Surrogacy Australia Monthly Zoom Catch Ups - so surrogacy with strangers really does happen. Their egg...
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149. A surrogate can’t find you if she can’t see you.
Felicity from Canberra became mum to Jackson in June 2017 and then Harper in April 2020. They were carried by their now life long friend Kristy via gestational surrogacy arrangements in the USA. Felicity suffered from infertility, miscarriage and the loss of her baby daughter Lily, before...
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148. You need to be different to make a difference
Hear from Dr Glenn Sterling (IVF Specialist and founder of Life Fertility) when he was co-host on our webinar series. ❤️ How are the eggs collected from my donor? 🧡 How are the embryos made and genetically tested? 💛 What tests will the surrogate need? 💚 How is a surrogate's menstrual cycle...
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147. Our team cheated
Brie birthed as a surrogate in Brisbane in February 2025 for her brother Brendan and his wife Laura. They had a little boy, Mason, and the journey was a long distance one with the IPs living in Penrith, NSW. Brie lives with her husband and 3 children and she has connected with many other…
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146. Do I qualify for surrogacy?
This question is relevant for both IPs (Intended Parents) and surrogates. For IPs - basically you need to not have a uterus (be a same sex male couple, or a single man, or were born without a uterus, or have had a hysterectomy), or have confirmation from a specialist that carrying a pregnancy is...
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145. Two surrogates at the same time
Michelle and her husband Jono have 2 sons through surrogacy, born 5 weeks apart. Michelle's mum, Jasmina, at the age of 52, birthed Hugo in December 2022, and Jono's sister, Sophie, mother of 3 herself, birthed Spencer in January 2023. Michelle needed a surrogate due to being born with a...
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144. Surrogacy is worth it
Deb and her husband, from Canberra, became parents to their daughter (Hannah) in December 2019. Hannah was carried by Rachel, who is the wife of Deb's brother, and they live in QLD. They have two older boys through fostering but it was a very long journey to parenthood with 3 stillbirths,...
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143. From the tip of my nose to the tip of my toes
Rachel birthed as a surrogate in Cairns in December 2019. She carried for her husband's sister and brother in law who lived in Canberra at the time, and they had a little girl, Hannah. Rachel has been an active member of the surrogacy community and you can hear from the mum she carried for, Deb…
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142. Surrogacy is stretching the friendship to a new level
When Cheyne and Chris, from QLD, decided to start their family, friend and former neighbour Laura stepped up with an incredible offer to carry their child. While she originally offered to be a traditional surrogate, a close friend joined the journey as an egg donor, allowing the couple to create...
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141. In the middle of the carpark, I blurted it out
Laura birthed as a surrogate on the Sunshine Coast in August 2025 for a couple who were previously her neighbours 10 years ago. They had a little boy, and his dads are Cheyne and Chris who also live in QLD. Laura is a member of the Surrogacy Australia Board, has hosted our Zoom monthly catch ups...
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140. How to find a surrogate
This episode is a recording from a presentation that I (Anna McKie) gave at the annual Growing Families conference in June 2021, in Brisbane. How do I find a surrogate in Australia? The answer is TIME 🕰 An investment of time 🗣 into talking about surrogacy among your friends and family. And An...
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139. Ideas for IPs (Intended Parents) in waiting #6
This series of episodes springs from my work with SASS (Surrogacy Australia’s Support Service). When Intended Parents (IPs) have completed their profile and are in the pool of IPs waiting to connect with a surrogate, I do monthly check-ins to make sure they’re still active and waiting. I like to...
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138. I will never feel that high again in my life
Anna and husband, Sam, live in Brisbane with their 2 young daughters and she birthed little girl, Amelia, as a surrogate in February 2025. She met her IPs (Intended Parents) Hannah and Toby through a QLD facebook group and offered to be their traditional surrogate - meaning it was her egg. These...
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137. Cherish your current life
Hannah and her husband Toby became parents to their daughter, Amelia, in February 2025. Their surrogate, Anna, previously a stranger was their traditional surrogate (meaning it was also her egg). Hannah needed an egg donor due to having Mosaic Turner Syndrome and then also a surrogate due to her...
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136. $120,000 and 4 years
Will and David became parents through Australian altruistic surrogacy when Megan (David's cousin) carried and birthed their little boy, Harrison, in December 2021. It took 3 previous embryo transfers for this 4th one to stick, with the egg coming from their generous friend Karla. Will is…
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135. Accept there will be exceptions
Megan was a surrogate for Will and David and they previously knew each other with Megan and David being cousins. Throw in a lot of love and time, a supportive husband of Megan's, and this team has a recipe for success. It took 3 previous embryo transfers for this 4th one to stick, with the egg...
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134. My postnatal depression after surrogacy
⚠️ This episode is different and is very important to me 💜 This episode was written as a blog post and then recorded in May 2021, which was about 7 months after the birth of my surrobub Baker, and I wrote it as reflection on my postnatal depression. By speaking my truth, it was as though I shone…
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133. Pay for the photographer
Joel is a trail blazer as the first man to become a single dad through surrogacy in Tasmania. His son, Mason, was born in February 2025. His surrogate, Jess, lives in Launceston with her husband Ryan and their blended family of 8 children. They were previously strangers but connected thanks to a...
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132. You left something in my vagina
Jess and husband Ryan live with their blended family of 8 children in Launceston, Tasmania. She birthed a little boy, Mason, as a surrogate in February 2025. Jess met dad, Joel, through a facebook post and reached out to offer to be his surrogate. Joel is a single dad and has moved from WA back…
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131. My mental health was at an all time low
Kelsey and her husband Aaron, became parents to their daughter, Charlotte, in March 2024. Charlotte was carried by their surrogate whom they had jointly known for 20 years. It worked first embryo transfer after 14 attempts in Kelsey. Charlotte was first to be born under the NT Surrogacy Act 2022....
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130. How do you decide which sperm to use?
We hear from 3 dads through surrogacy today - all who are part of a same sex male couple. Check out the full episode show notes: https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-130-how-do-you-decide-which-sperm-to-use Looking to find a surrogate in Australia? Consider joining SASS. Looking for...
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129. Practise saying no to your surrogate
Beth, a mum of 2 boys, has birthed two children as a surrogate for dads Tyson and Dan - they were initially strangers and all live in Melbourne. She birthed their daughter London in December 2021 and son River in November 2024. They have been a SASS supported, self matched team for their 2…
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128. It takes a village to make a child in surrogacy
Beth birthed as a surrogate in Melbourne, VIC in December 2021 for a couple who were initially strangers and are now life long friends. They had a little girl, London, and her two dads are Tyson and Daniel who also live in Melbourne. Beth has been a Surrogate Mentor within SASS (Surrogacy...
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127. Surrogacy Legal issues with lawyer Monica Blizzard
Monica Blizzard leads the KHQ Lawyers’ Family & Relationship Law team, and is an Accredited Family Law Specialist with the Law Institute of Victoria. With nearly 30 years of experience and 10 of that in surrogacy. Her work in this field aligns with her own family creation, due to needing IVF.…
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126. Ideas for IPs (Intended Parents) in waiting #5
This series of episodes springs from my work with SASS (Surrogacy Australia’s Support Service). When Intended Parents (IPs) have completed their profile and are in the pool of IPs waiting to connect with a surrogate, I do monthly check-ins to make sure they’re still active and waiting. I like to...
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125. The one thing I would change - our journey was fast
Dwayne and Shane became Dads to their daughter (Zara) in August 2018. Zara was carried by their surrogate (previously a stranger) Amelia who was also a Traditional surrogate for them, meaning it was her egg. Dwayne was also one of the original Mentors with SASS and has supported many new gay...
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124. If in doubt, counsel it out
Alex and Carlo became dads to their daughter, Elodie in December 2024. Their surrogate, Em, previously a stranger was initially their egg donor, but became their traditional surrogate (meaning it was also her egg). They all live near each other on the Sunshine Coast and are planning a sibling...
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123. I will never be a surrogate again - I obviously lied
Em and husband, Kurt, live in Brisbane with their 2 children and she has birthed 2 children as a surrogate, with plans for a 3rd! The first girl, Alice, was born in March 2022 in Perth for a couple who were friends of Em's mum. She then offered to be an egg donor for Alex and Carlo, but moved to...
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122. Where can I find support?
One of the 'main' facebook groups in Australia for surrogacy is called Australian Surrogacy and Donation (ASD). It is open to Intended Parents (IPs) and surrogates who live in Australia, and who are navigating either domestic or overseas surrogacy. It is a growing group with 600+ members. If…
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121. Surrogacy for Midwives
Hear from 3 midwives who have supported surrogacy teams Guests: Julie, Rachel and Ashlee PREGNANCY * When assigned a surrogacy team, what were your initial thoughts / concerns? * Is the schedule of appointments the same/different? * The woman who births a child is usually also the parent - but...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Join Anna McKie in conversation with surrogates and parents who have navigated Australian altruistic surrogacy. Anna is a gestational surrogate, high school Math teacher and surrogacy educator working with Surrogacy Australia and running SASS (Surrogacy Australia’s Support Service). These conversations were recorded as part of the free webinar series run by Surrogacy Australia. Dates and registration links on the website. To see the photos described in the recordings, find them on YouTube. Follow Surrogacy Australia on facebook and instagram.
HOSTED BY
Anna McKie
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Surrogacy Australia Conversations have?
Surrogacy Australia Conversations currently has 168 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Surrogacy Australia Conversations about?
Join Anna McKie in conversation with surrogates and parents who have navigated Australian altruistic surrogacy. Anna is a gestational surrogate, high school Math teacher and surrogacy educator working with Surrogacy Australia and running SASS (Surrogacy Australia’s Support Service). These...
How often does Surrogacy Australia Conversations release new episodes?
Surrogacy Australia Conversations publishes regularly with 168 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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You can listen to Surrogacy Australia Conversations on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Surrogacy Australia Conversations?
Surrogacy Australia Conversations is created and hosted by Anna McKie.
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