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

What do you do with extra embryos?

Your family’s finally complete, and it took a tremendous journey to get here, didnt it? Yet, there's one more decision looming over you. A deeply personal one that could impact your family’s life for years to come. What will you do with the extra embryos?

Ashley Herring was once in your shoes, facing this exact decision.

Now… What would you do with 12 remaining embryos?

That’s what our guest, Ashley Herring’s, was faced with.

Listen as she shares:

• Her journey with PCOS, IVF and the challenges faced along the way

• The 3 main options available for extra embryos and how she made her decision

• Advice on finding the right fit when working with agencies and online communities

06:34 Infertility struggles, shame, financial hardship

16:47 What it feels like to finally complete your family

19:47 Embryo donation - the road less traveled

23:55 The difference between embryo donation and embryo adoption

26:59 Clinics and agencies that weren't aligned with her values

32:03 Being overwhelmed with hundreds of hopeful parents for her embryos

If you believe embryo donation is the right path but feel uncertain about the process, then tune in to uncover Ashley’s incredible story.

This podcast episode is a must-listen. Hear Ashley Herring’s story and gain insights that can guide you through this complex process. Don't miss out on this invaluable advice—tune in now!

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

Surrogacy-friendly insurance isn’t enough.

Finding insurance to cover surrogacy expenses can be tricky and “liens” make it worse. If you pick wrong, you could end up with a mountain of bills.

A surrogacy lien is where you have to pay money back to the insurance company because they covered health expenses for a surrogate.

This might leave you wondering, "What's the point of using these insurances at all?"

Well, thankfully, there are options to avoid these costs, and that's what we're talking about today.

This is part 2 of our chat with Sarah Paige of ARTRisk. She’s sharing everything you need to know about surrogacy insurance liens.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

00:00 - States with great surrogacy laws but costly liens.

06:14 - Why more intended parents are avoiding California

10:32 - Details about the new bill that could change insurance for surrogates, affecting millions in California.

17:09 - If you want to fight back against insurance liens, then join this Alliance

25:03 - A special program for independent matches looking for insurance guidance

If you want to avoid financial pitfalls in surrogacy, then you must understand these lien policies.

Don't miss out on this episode—hit play and discover how to make your surrogacy journey smoother and more affordable! 🎧

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

ART Risk Solutions

IAE Alliance website

What you need to know about surrogacy insurance liens

We’re on the heels of another Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period. Open enrollment starts November 1st and closes January 15th. Missing this window makes it tough to get a good policy for surrogacy if you need one.

Does your surrogate need surrogacy-friendly insurance?

Now’s the time to find her a plan.

If you’re taken our Surrogacy Blueprint course, done your research, or have a stellar agency, then you’re probably waiting for this time.

But here’s the catch: not all insurance is suitable for surrogacy.

Some plans come with hidden restrictions called liens. Surrogacy insurance liens might cost you an extra $40,000 or more!

In the worst-case scenario, you could pay double your surrogate’s compensation.

As more insurance companies add these surrogacy insurance liens, this problem is growing. If you’re entering open enrollment hoping to find the right plan, you need to listen up.

Today we’re sitting down with Sarah Paige from ART Risk to for expert tips on what these liens really mean for your surrogacy experience

• 05:29 How the risks of different insurance effect you

• 12:28 What happens if you don’t tell insurance about surrogacy

• 19:37 If you find lien language, then this type of plan may be better

• 22:44 The difference between “compensation” and “reimbursement” in the eyes of insurance

• 27:47 How to challenge and negotiate liens

Don’t let hidden costs and liens derail your plans. Listen to this episode for essential guidance and expert advice going into ACA open enrollment period

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

ART Risk Solutions

Traveling Home with Your Newborn: Drive or Fly?

Are you feeling overwhelmed deciding how to travel home with your newborn right after surrogacy? You’re not alone. Most of us have surrogates who aren’t local.

Choosing between flying and driving can feel daunting.

There’s a lot of logistics and safety concerns. Plus, the big unknowns and the added pressure of making the “right” choice. It can leave you feeling stressed out.

Worry not; I’ve got you covered!

In this episode, you'll discover how to make stress-free travel decisions for you and your baby, based on practical advice and real-life experiences of intended parents like you.

In this episode, you'll hear:

00:00 Choosing the safest travel route for your newborn.

08:55 The quickest way to travel home with your baby

10:42 Drive away germ worries with road travel strategies.

13:17 Enjoy ultimate flexibility: Tailoring your drive for baby’s needs.

19:05 How baby slings and carriers make airports less hectic

22:53 Secrets to successful long car trips with your baby.

28:13 The most important safety gear for bringing your baby home

31:23 The travel options you’re totally overlooking

The choice between flying and driving with a newborn after surrogacy boils down to balancing safety, comfort, and logistical ease.

Ready to learn practical travel tips and make the best decision for your family? Let’s transform your travel jitters into a confident plan and bring your baby home safely after your surrogacy journey.

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

HealthyChildren.org - Car Seat Safety

Is paying more for a surrogate really worth it?

Choosing the right surrogate isn't an easy job. Like all intended parents, you want the best chance of having a healthy baby.

So when you find an agency offering "premium" surrogates that meet extra requirements, it’s tempting. Even though it costs more, how can you put a price on something like this? You might feel pressured to stretch your budget for that so-called peace of mind.

Is this a big fat lie or extra security?

And then there’s the other side, the surrogates labeled “basic”, meeting different criteria.

The question is, what do these labels really mean?

This episode breaks down the reality behind these marketing tactics and helps you make informed decisions to protect your journey and your finances.

In this episode, you'll discover:

04:41 Finding a trustworthy surrogate can be overwhelming

06:58 Choosing unqualified surrogates risks pregnancy complications

12:02 Surrogacy risks: Lower fees, Facebook groups, dubious agencies

15:56 Who really has final say on a surrogate

19:29 The sneaky ways agencies are creating false exclusivity to charge higher fees

22:24 The real guidelines to qualify a surrogate

25:23 How to use your power as an intended parent

29:23 Find helpful tools for your surrogacy journey

What’s influencing your decision to pick a surrogate?

Because you deserve to know the truth.

Listen now.

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

ASRM Surrogacy Recommendations (PDF)

#15 Surrogacy Requirements Decoded: What You Need to Know Now!
Surrogate Vetting Essentials