Should you send your surrogate and her family to Disney?

Or buy them a new car as a thank you?

It’s hard to know what’s normal in the world of surrogacy. You don’t want to come off as cheap or unappreciative. This incredible woman is carrying your child afterall. You’ve probably heard stories of lavish gifts and extravagant vacations from thankful parents, and it makes you feel that you must keep up to show you care.

Do you have to dig even deeper into your pockets to show you’re grateful?

There’s a lot of pressure and it can make you uncomfortable. So today we’re talking about gifting and surrogacy, and why it’s so problematic. Find out how to manage expectations and discover thoughtful and meaningful alternatives to grand gestures.

We dive into:

• The emotional and financial pressures of gifting in surrogacy

• Cultural and industry influences raising expectations

• Creative and heartfelt ways to show appreciation without spending a fortune

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 The truth about extravagant surrogacy gifts: Are they setting unrealistic expectations?

04:03 Surrogacy can make you feel emotionally indebted

08:01 Who’s the blame for this peer pressure to overspend on surrogate gifts?

11:56 How surrogacy agencies have normalized luxurious gift expectations

16:33 Surrogacy should be more about compassion than financial gain.

19:02 Understanding your surrogate’s “surrogate identity” enhances the surrogacy journey.

23:00 8 ways to show your appreciation to your surrogate without breaking the bank.

Simple Fact: It may feel like gifting your surrogate a car is the best way to show your gratitude. But what if the best gift doesn’t cost anything at all?

If you're feeling the strain of surrogacy gifting expectations, this podcast episode is a must-listen. It’s packed with insights and alternatives that will help you show your appreciation in heartfelt ways without unnecessary financial stress. Listen now to relieve the pressure and make your surrogacy journey more joyful and fulfilling!

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

“I love Alyssa and Surrogacy Made Simple.” <– If that sounds like you, please do me a favor by rating and reviewing the show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to have a great experience with surrogacy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Links mentioned in the episode

Surrogacy Starter Kit

BloomBridge Surrogacy App

Confused about how to pick the perfect fertility clinic for your surrogacy journey? Let’s fix that!

What you need in a clinic for regular IVF isn’t the same as a clinic for surrogacy.

Choosing the right fertility clinic can make or break your surrogacy experience—and your budget! There are some things you should look for before you commit. In today’s episode, we're diving into the nitty-gritty of picking a clinic that’s perfect for you.

Inside this episode:

• Why clinics might charge you twice for the same services and how to avoid it

• What to look for in a clinic’s surrogacy package to ensure you know exactly what you’re paying for

• Why the right embryology lab is crucial for your success

• Surrogacy coordination fees: What are you really paying for?

• Tips for working with clinics experienced in third-party reproduction

Ready to pick the right fertility clinic for your surrogacy? Hit play and let’s get into it!

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

“I love Alyssa and Surrogacy Made Simple.” <– If that sounds like you, please do me a favor by rating and reviewing the show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to have a great experience with surrogacy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Links mentioned in the episode

Surrogacy Starter Kit

BloomBridge Surrogacy App

Surrogacy Intro Session - Free intro strategy call with Alyssa

Should you risk shipping embryos for surrogacy to a new clinic? Episode #11

Finding the Right Match for Your Embryo Donation Journey

Going through embryo donation is an incredibly personal and sometimes overwhelming experience. With so many choices—whether to use an agency or pursue a private match, finding a family who shares your values, and deciding how much communication you want with the family and future child—it’s easy to feel lost.

You can begin this process full of hope but find yourself discouraged when the initial matches or agency experiences aren’t what you were looking for.

But there’s hope. What if you could hear from someone who's been through it all and can show you the ropes?

This is part 2 of our conversation with Ashley Herring, a mom who chose to donate her 12 embryos after IVF.

Think you can't find the perfect match for embryo donation? You're wrong. Hear how Ashley did it after over 300 hopeful families reached out!

Join us for practical strategies and essential tips.

Key Moments in This Episode

• 00:00 – How intuition and connection lead to meaningful matches

• 11:08 – Surprising parallels between embryo donation and surrogacy

• 14:15 – The most important details for your embryo donation profile

• 17:25 – Why Ashley chose an open relationship with her embryo recipients

• 29:27 – Honoring your values when selecting recipients

Having a successful embryo donation match is about more than finding any family; it’s about finding the right family.

Through her story, Ashley reveals how aligning values, setting clear expectations, and trusting your instincts can lead to a fulfilling and rewarding experience for both donor and recipient families.

If you're ready to learn how to approach embryo donation with clarity and purpose, tune in to this episode of the “Surrogacy Made Simple Podcast.”

Listen now and take your next steps toward a meaningful embryo donation match!

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

“I love Alyssa and Surrogacy Made Simple.” <– If that sounds like you, please do me a favor by rating and reviewing the show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to have a great experience with surrogacy. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Links mentioned in the episode

Surrogacy Starter Kit

BloomBridge Surrogacy App (iOS)
Ashley Herring - Instagram