141. In the middle of the carpark, I blurted it out

Surrogate Retreat Reflections Co-hosts: Laura, Katie, Chelsea Some of the questions/topics we covered include: Do I need to know other surrogates before attending? Is it clicky? Will everyone else know each other? I’m looking to be a surrogate but don’t have IPs (Intended Parents), is it worth me attending? Why might Ips encourage and support their surrogate to attend a retreat? What were the main things each woman took away with her from the retreat? These podcasts were recorded as part of the free webinar series run by Surrogacy Australia. If you would like to attend one, head to our website for dates and registration links. They can also be found on our YouTube channel so you can see the photos that are described in the recordings. Follow Surrogacy Australia on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-171-surrogate-retreat-reflections/ Watch this episode on youtube Looking to find a surrogate in Australia? Consider joining SASS. Looking for an overview of surrogacy? Join us in a free, fortnightly Wednesday night webinar. Looking to chat with other IPs and surrogates in a casual setting? Join us for a monthly Zoom catch up, one Friday of each month. Looking to hear stories from parents through surrogacy and surrogates? Listen to our podcast series or watch episodes on our YouTube channel. Looking for support one-on-one? Register for SASS to connect with me - your Siri for Surrogacy, or book in for a private consultation [email protected] About me: My name is Anna McKie and I’m a part time high school senior Math teacher, single mum with two children in Adelaide, South Australia and birthed as a surrogate in September 2020 for two Dads. I’ve also been an egg donor for 3 families, and 2 of those were for surrogacy teams. I have been closely involved in the Australian surrogacy community since 2016 and am responsible for the day-to-day administration of Surrogacy Australia's Support Service (SASS). I’m passionate about the surrogacy community (the village) and that people should be able to navigate surrogacy in Australia without being on Facebook. That was part of our motivation for creating SASS, the monthly zoom catch ups and the free webinars. Within SASS we have a Mentor program, so you can be connected with a peer to meet in person and to ask questions without fear of online judgement. Contact… Facebook: @surrogacyforaustralians Instagram: @surrogacyaustralia YouTube: @surrogacy.australia Website: www.surrogacyaustralia.org Email: [email protected] Welcome to the Village 🥰

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 sibling. James' sister, Jess, offered to be their surrogate. They went through the counselling, legals and had some embryo transfers, however none resulted in a viable pregnancy. These podcasts were recorded as part of the free webinar series run by Surrogacy Australia. If you would like to attend one, head to our website for dates and registration links. They can also be found on our YouTube channel so you can see the photos that are described in the recordings. Follow Surrogacy Australia on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-170-kate-when-surrogacy-doesnt-work/ Watch this episode on youtube Looking to find a surrogate in Australia? Consider joining SASS. Looking for an overview of surrogacy? Join us in a free, fortnightly Wednesday night webinar. Looking to chat with other IPs and surrogates in a casual setting? Join us for a monthly Zoom catch up, one Friday of each month. Looking to hear stories from parents through surrogacy and surrogates? Listen to our podcast series or watch episodes on our YouTube channel. Looking for support one-on-one? Register for SASS to connect with me - your Siri for Surrogacy, or book in for a private consultation [email protected] About me: My name is Anna McKie and I’m a part time high school senior Math teacher, single mum with two children in Adelaide, South Australia and birthed as a surrogate in September 2020 for two Dads. I’ve also been an egg donor for 3 families, and 2 of those were for surrogacy teams. I have been closely involved in the Australian surrogacy community since 2016 and am responsible for the day-to-day administration of Surrogacy Australia's Support Service (SASS). I’m passionate about the surrogacy community (the village) and that people should be able to navigate surrogacy in Australia without being on Facebook. That was part of our motivation for creating SASS, the monthly zoom catch ups and the free webinars. Within SASS we have a Mentor program, so you can be connected with a peer to meet in person and to ask questions without fear of online judgement. Contact… Facebook: @surrogacyforaustralians Instagram: @surrogacyaustralia YouTube: @surrogacy.australia Website: www.surrogacyaustralia.org Email: [email protected] Welcome to the Village 🥰

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 journey. Despite Jack arriving early and some post birth complications, their team and friendship is strong. These podcasts were recorded as part of the free webinar series run by Surrogacy Australia. If you would like to attend one, head to our website for dates and registration links. They can also be found on our YouTube channel so you can see the photos that are described in the recordings. Follow Surrogacy Australia on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-169-rin-surrogate/ Watch this episode on youtube Looking to find a surrogate in Australia? Consider joining SASS. Looking for an overview of surrogacy? Join us in a free, fortnightly Wednesday night webinar. Looking to chat with other IPs and surrogates in a casual setting? Join us for a monthly Zoom catch up, one Friday of each month. Looking to hear stories from parents through surrogacy and surrogates? Listen to our podcast series or watch episodes on our YouTube channel. Looking for support one-on-one? Register for SASS to connect with me - your Siri for Surrogacy, or book in for a private consultation [email protected] About me: My name is Anna McKie and I’m a part time high school senior Math teacher, single mum with two children in Adelaide, South Australia and birthed as a surrogate in September 2020 for two Dads. I’ve also been an egg donor for 3 families, and 2 of those were for surrogacy teams. I have been closely involved in the Australian surrogacy community since 2016 and am responsible for the day-to-day administration of Surrogacy Australia's Support Service (SASS). I’m passionate about the surrogacy community (the village) and that people should be able to navigate surrogacy in Australia without being on Facebook. That was part of our motivation for creating SASS, the monthly zoom catch ups and the free webinars. Within SASS we have a Mentor program, so you can be connected with a peer to meet in person and to ask questions without fear of online judgement. Contact… Facebook: @surrogacyforaustralians Instagram: @surrogacyaustralia YouTube: @surrogacy.australia Website: www.surrogacyaustralia.org Email: [email protected] Welcome to the Village 🥰

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 Australia we do altruistic surrogacy. So the payment for a surrogate is not a financial one made with the currency of money. Rather it’s an emotional payment and the currency is Time, Friendship and love. Check out the full episode show notes: https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-168-how-do-i-support-my-surrogate Looking to find a surrogate in Australia? Consider joining SASS. Looking for an overview of surrogacy? Join us in a free, fortnightly Wednesday night webinar. Looking to chat with other IPs and surrogates in a casual setting? Join us for a monthly Zoom catch up, one Friday of each month. Looking to hear stories from parents through surrogacy and surrogates? Listen to our podcast series or watch episodes on our YouTube channel. Looking for support one-on-one? Register for SASS to connect with me - your Siri for Surrogacy, or book in for a private consultation [email protected] About me: My name is Anna McKie and I’m a part time high school senior Math teacher, single mum with two children in Adelaide, South Australia and birthed as a surrogate in September 2020 for two Dads. I’ve also been an egg donor for 3 families, and 2 of those were for surrogacy teams. I have been closely involved in the Australian surrogacy community since 2016 and am responsible for the day-to-day administration of Surrogacy Australia's Support Service (SASS). I’m passionate about the surrogacy community (the village) and that people should be able to navigate surrogacy in Australia without being on Facebook. That was part of our motivation for creating SASS, the monthly zoom catch ups and the free webinars. Within SASS we have a Mentor program, so you can be connected with a peer to meet in person and to ask questions without fear of online judgement. Contact… Facebook: @surrogacyforaustralians Instagram: @surrogacyaustralia YouTube: @surrogacy.australia Website: www.surrogacyaustralia.org Email: [email protected] Welcome to the Village 🥰

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. They are also long term attendees of this webinar series, on over 30 occasions and twice having co-hosted. One called How to Find a Surrogate, episode 23 on the podcast series and episode 124. Alex and Carlo are the founding members of Australian Surrogacy and Donation which has included a facebook group, community events, story time for kids and a Gala Awards night to celebrate individuals and industry. These podcasts were recorded as part of the free webinar series run by Surrogacy Australia. If you would like to attend one, head to our website for dates and registration links. They can also be found on our YouTube channel so you can see the photos that are described in the recordings. Follow Surrogacy Australia on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. https://www.surrogacyaustralia.org/podcast/episode-167-alex-gay-dad Watch this episode on youtube Looking to find a surrogate in Australia? Consider joining SASS. Looking for an overview of surrogacy? Join us in a free, fortnightly Wednesday night webinar. Looking to chat with other IPs and surrogates in a casual setting? Join us for a monthly Zoom catch up, one Friday of each month. Looking to hear stories from parents through surrogacy and surrogates? Listen to our podcast series or watch episodes on our YouTube channel. Looking for support one-on-one? Register for SASS to connect with me - your Siri for Surrogacy, or book in for a private consultation [email protected] About me: My name is Anna McKie and I’m a part time high school senior Math teacher, single mum with two children in Adelaide, South Australia and birthed as a surrogate in September 2020 for two Dads. I’ve also been an egg donor for 3 families, and 2 of those were for surrogacy teams. I have been closely involved in the Australian surrogacy community since 2016 and am responsible for the day-to-day administration of Surrogacy Australia's Support Service (SASS). I’m passionate about the surrogacy community (the village) and that people should be able to navigate surrogacy in Australia without being on Facebook. That was part of our motivation for creating SASS, the monthly zoom catch ups and the free webinars. Within SASS we have a Mentor program, so you can be connected with a peer to meet in person and to ask questions without fear of online judgement. Contact… Facebook: @surrogacyforaustralians Instagram: @surrogacyaustralia YouTube: @surrogacy.australia Website: www.surrogacyaustralia.org Email: [email protected] Welcome to the Village 🥰