#37 Is embryo donation right for you? an IVF mom's unique choice - Ashley Herring

The holidays can feel like the brightest spotlight on what’s missing—especially when intended parents are still waiting, longing, or grieving their path to parenthood. Scrolling through social feeds packed with family celebrations, facing sensitive questions from relatives, or enduring pregnancy announcements at festive gatherings can sting in ways few people understand. It’s exhausting to keep showing up, pretending, or shrinking yourself just to survive the season. But you don’t have to go through it alone or unprepared. In this episode, Alyssa Small Layne shares 8 practical, compassionate strategies to protect your emotional and financial wellbeing, set boundaries without guilt, and create tiny moments of comfort and control—even before your baby arrives. 🎧 Press play and discover how to make holidays survivable, honest, and even full of hope. What You’ll Learn: 02:23 — Why the holidays amplify grief, longing, and comparison for intended parents 07:14 — How to decide your level of participation and give yourself permission to opt out 08:55 — The power of having a “safe person” at every gathering 11:31 — Scripts for handling nosy, insensitive holiday questions about surrogacy or infertility 13:12 — Creating exit plans and time limits to save energy at hard events 16:27 — Handling pregnancy announcements without falling apart 19:48 — Building new traditions—even ones focused on your future child 22:00 — Special tips for navigating surrogacy during the holidays—whether matched or still waiting 24:53 — How to honor both your emotional and financial budget while building your family Resources Mentioned: BloomBridge Surrogacy App

Worried about making a mistake when choosing your surrogate? You’re not alone—one wrong decision can lead to contract battles, lost money, or broken dreams. It’s easy to get caught up in emotions and miss the subtle warning signs hiding in a profile.

Navigating surrogacy insurance is more daunting than ever in 2026. Thinking you’ve found the perfect surrogate, only to worry about the massive, unpredictable expenses hiding in her insurance? You’re not alone. As surrogacy insurance evolves in 2026, many intended parents are blindsided by exclusions, rising premiums, and devastating liens—making “insurance options for surrogacy 2026” more confusing (and essential) than ever. In this episode, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne and Sarah Paige break down every insurance option, debunk myths about surrogacy-friendly plans, and show you how to spot red flags before you match. Feeling overwhelmed? This discussion will help you take control, protect your budget, and safeguard your journey with confidence. Don’t let insurance confusion steal your peace—press play to get clarity now!

Worried about how changing abortion laws might affect your surrogacy journey? You’re not alone. In this urgent episode, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne dives into exactly how abortion laws impact surrogacy—from limiting access to IVF and restricting doctors, to threatening the very care surrogates and intended parents depend on. Even if abortion isn’t part of your plan, these laws can create roadblocks and risks for everyone trying to build a family.

Dr. Alyssa Small Layne digs into why Bloomberg’s “IVF Disrupted” resonated so widely and what it reveals about the modern fertility industry. She explains how a specialty that once covered broad reproductive care narrowed to one core product—IVF—then absorbed private-equity incentives and startup-style operations. The result can be speed over safeguards, glossy lobbies over lab quality, and patients left guessing about real risk.