Surrogacy in Ukraine: Reflection and Lessons from the 2022 Invasion

Join us for an eye-opening episode of Your Fertility Story, where Whitney shares her resilient journey through the world of surrogacy in Ukraine. Against the backdrop of the war, she dives into the ethical nuances and unexpected hurdles faced when choosing surrogacy abroad. With candid insights into her personal trials and triumphs, Whitney reveals how her determination, filmmaker's vision, and the unwavering spirit of Ukrainian surrogates shape her fertility journey. Get ready for a story that explores the heart of what it means to create a family against all odds.   Whitney Shefte is an intended parent, documentary filmmaker and journalist. She is currently working on a documentary film about her surrogacy journey and the state of the surrogacy industry around the world. See some of her work on her website.   Here are the key takeaways from this episode: Ethics in Surrogacy: Whitney emphasized choosing surrogacy destinations like Ukraine that provide ethical treatment and compensation for surrogates, along with legal security for intended parents. Fertility Struggles: Her story of overcoming multiple failed IVF attempts and working with several surrogates underlines perseverance in the face of challenges. Ukrainian Resilience: Whitney noted the resilience and determination of Ukrainians, especially surrogates, to continue their roles amidst the war. Support Systems: The importance of having a support network was highlighted as essential for navigating the emotional and logistical challenges of the fertility journey. Insightful Documentary: Whitney is creating a documentary to shed light on surrogacy in Ukraine, addressing ethical concerns and educating others about the journey's complexities.   Todays guest, Whitney Shefte, can be found online at: Website: https://www.whitneyshefte.com/ Blog: https://whitneyshefte.tumblr.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wshefte/   Your host, Maria Feekes, can be found online at: Website: smartpathfertlityintl.com Facebook: facebook.com/mariafeekes Instagram: instagram.com/mariafeekes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-feekes-738576127/

Join Maria Feekes in this episode of "Your Fertility Story" as she explores postpartum nutrition with expert Kameryn. Discover the importance of preparing for postpartum well-being, learn impactful nutrition strategies, and gather practical tips for a smooth recovery. Whether you're on a fertility journey or a new mom, gain valuable insights that can enhance your postpartum experience and help you prioritize self-care.   Kameryn is a devoted mother of three who champions the importance of postpartum nutrition. With children aged four, two, and six months, she expertly balances family life and self-care. Her interest in postpartum wellness, inspired by her positive experiences and her sisters' journeys, led her to establish the blog Empowered Mothers. Kameryn shares her insights and empowers new moms with valuable guidance. She further honed her expertise with a certification in postpartum nutrition from Postpartum University. Her mission is to assist mothers in creating personalized postpartum plans for optimal recovery and well-being.   Below are the key takeaways from this episode: Importance of Early Planning for Postpartum: Begin thinking about your postpartum care plan by mid-pregnancy, focusing on what support you might need in terms of meals and rest. Focus on Nutrition: Post-birth nutrition is crucial. Prioritize warm foods and calorie-dense meals, like bone broths and iron-rich foods, to aid in recovery. Avoid cold foods as they can delay healing. The 5-5-5 Rest Rule: Follow the guideline of five days in bed, five days on the bed, and five days around the bed to ensure proper rest and recovery after childbirth. Saying Yes to Help: Be open to accepting help and support from family, friends, and community. Don't hesitate to ask for assistance and involve others in your postpartum plan. Value of Rest and Self-Care: Prioritizing rest and self-care is beneficial not only for your own well-being but also for your family's. It can help reduce postpartum anxiety and depression, allowing you to be more present and capable for your loved ones.   Your host, Maria Feekes, can be found online at: Websites: mariafeekes.com & smartpathfertilityintl.com Facebook: facebook.com/mariafeekes Instagram: instagram.com/mariafeekes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-feekes-738576127/

Discover the profound resilience and unwavering determination that characterized the continuation of surrogacy programs in Ukraine amidst the unexpected invasion on February 24, 2022. In this episode, Ivanna and Maria offer a poignant reflection on navigating harrowing challenges, underscoring the steadfast commitment to safeguarding pregnancies and supporting families during a time of crisis. Gain insight into the extraordinary measures taken to overcome logistical and emotional hurdles in a story that speaks to the heart of perseverance and hope. Ivanna is the remarkable head of the coordination team for our Ukrainian surrogacy programs, including surrogacy, IVF, and donor programs. With profound resilience and dedication, Ivanna played a pivotal role in maintaining uninterrupted operations of surrogacy programs in Ukraine during the Russian invasion. Her extraordinary leadership and unwavering commitment ensured the safety and success of numerous surrogacy journeys, even amidst extraordinary challenges. Ivanna's support and coordination skills continue to inspire and facilitate families in their fertility journeys. Below are the key takeaways from this episode: The Ukrainian surrogacy programs faced significant challenges during the invasion on February 24, 2022, but demonstrated resilience in safeguarding surrogates and pregnancies. Ivanna and the team successfully navigated logistical challenges and evacuation processes to continue providing care amidst the crisis. Trust and strong support within the team and from families were vital, ensuring the safety and success of the pregnancies during this turbulent time. Flexibility and proactive problem-solving were essential strategies, allowing the team to adapt and implement effective contingency plans. The team's dedication and genuine care exceeded contractual obligations, fostering trust and stronger relationships with the families involved.   Your host, Maria Feekes, can be found online at: Website: mariafeekes.com Website: smartpathfertilityintl.com Facebook: facebook.com/mariafeekes Instagram: instagram.com/mariafeekes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-feekes-738576127/

Join us for an inspiring update on Kelly's fertility journey as she shares her experiences of welcoming a second child and embarking on the path to a third, discussing the joys and challenges of building a big family through surrogacy. Discover her heartfelt insights and practical tips for navigating international travel with a growing family. Kelly, a passionate advocate for building a big family, returns to the Your Fertility Story podcast to share updates on her fertility journey. A mother of two, with a third child on the way through surrogacy, Kelly is living her dream of expanding her family. Her recent experiences include a smooth transition home with her new son and handling the nuances of international travel while welcoming her second child born via surrogacy in Ukraine. Embracing every moment of her growing family, Kelly offers insights and heartfelt stories that inspire and encourage others on similar paths. Below are the key takeaways from this episode: Kelly and her family recently welcomed their second child, a son, and are successfully transitioning to life with a bigger family, despite the challenges like lack of sleep. Kelly confirmed their commitment to growing their family further, revealing they are already on their third journey with a little girl on the way. The experience with traveling, especially concerning logistics like airlines and passport issues, provided important lessons, suggesting the need for careful planning when booking flights. Practical advice shared by Kelly includes traveling light and taking essential items only, which eased their international travel experience with infants. Kelly emphasized the importance of teamwork and understanding between partners during the challenging phases of travel and transition, as well as maintaining a positive and cohesive family environment.   Your host, Maria Feekes, can be found online at: Website: smartpathfertilityintl.com Facebook: facebook.com/mariafeekes Instagram: instagram.com/mariafeekes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-feekes-738576127/  

Join us on an eye-opening journey with Petra as she shares her expert tips and personal experiences on navigating the challenges of traveling internationally with newborns. From choosing the right stroller to the intricacies of planning a spontaneous flight, this episode is packed with invaluable advice for new parents on the move.   Petra is a well-traveled, research-driven guest who has embarked on two successful fertility journeys with Maria’s team, becoming a mother to a four-month-old girl and a two-month-old boy. With her background as a financial mathematician, she brings a detailed, analytical approach to parenting and travel, making her a valuable source of practical advice for navigating the complexities of traveling with newborns. Drawing from her personal experience and thorough research, Petra shares invaluable insights and best practices on managing international travel logistics, ensuring a smooth and efficient journey for families with young children.   Below are the key takeaways from this episode: Thorough Travel Preparation: Petra highlights the importance of planning for travel with newborns, including creating detailed checklists and understanding travel logistics and airline regulations. Optimal Travel Equipment: Petra discusses her choice of the UppaBaby Vista stroller and considers whether to travel with a car seat or rent one, especially for premature infants. Feeding During Travel: Petra explains her strategies for managing feedings, such as using prepared formula and accommodating room temperature needs with allowances for potential travel delays. Security and Booking Tips: Tips are provided on using credit card miles for flexible bookings and applying for TSA PreCheck for quicker security processes when traveling with infants. Significance of Reliable Planning: Through her experiences, Petra underscores the importance of selecting a trustworthy agency and being well-prepared with necessary documentation for smoother international travel.   Your host, Maria Feekes, can be found online at: Website: mariafeekes.com Facebook: facebook.com/mariafeekes Instagram: instagram.com/mariafeekes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-feekes-738576127/ https://www.smartpathfertilityintl.com

In this poignant Christmas Day episode of "Your Fertility Story," host Maria Feekes delves deep into the emotional highs and lows of the fertility journey. She shares powerful stories of families receiving the gift of new life and others coping with heartbreaking news. Through her reflections on hope, prayer, and perseverance, Maria underscores the unwavering courage it takes to pursue the dream of parenthood. Tune in to be inspired and reminded of the miracles that can happen when you hold onto faith and give your dreams a chance.   Below are the key takeaways from this episode: Miracles and Belief: Maria emphasizes the importance of believing in miracles during the holiday season, regardless of one’s religious affiliation, and how this belief can provide hope in the fertility journey. Emotional Highs and Lows: The episode highlights the contrasting emotions experienced in fertility journeys, illustrated by stories of one family receiving the joy of a miracle birth on Christmas Eve and another family facing the heartbreak of a non-viable pregnancy. Commitment to Families: Maria stresses her and her team's unwavering commitment to support families through every step of the fertility process, including the emotional investment they make in their clients’ successes and failures. Giving a Chance: A profound message shared is about the importance of giving embryos a chance, regardless of the potential outcomes, to avoid future regrets about not trying. Prayer and Support: Maria consistently underlines the power of prayer and communal support, encouraging families to have faith and seek strength from their support systems throughout their fertility journeys.   Your host, Maria Feekes, can be found online at: Website: mariafeekes.com Facebook: facebook.com/mariafeekes Instagram: instagram.com/mariafeekes https://www.smartpathfertilityintl.com  

In this heartwarming episode, Kelly shares her unique journey of expanding her already big family through surrogacy, the unexpected twists, and the sheer determination that made her dream a reality. Discover how Kelly and her husband navigated financial challenges, international decision-making, and the arrival of not one but two new bundles of joy. Tune in for a story of resilience, love, and the lengths one will go to make a dream come true.   Below are the key takeaways from this episode: The journey to their baby girl was swift and filled with determination. Even after an initial attempt with their own eggs and embryos failed, they did not give up and moved forward with the egg donor quickly. Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, Kelly and her husband chose a Ukrainian clinic due to financial considerations and found their experience to be positive and well-supported by the clinic's staff. Kelly and her husband are expecting another baby boy in January through surrogacy, which means their two youngest children will be 5 months apart. This decision stems from their deep desire to have a large family. Kelly advises families to be proactive and resourceful, sharing that finding a job with surrogacy benefits helped them financially. Her key message to other parents is not to give up on their dreams and to actively search for solutions to make their dreams of parenthood a reality.   Achieving Dreams with Determination: "Just do not give up because if it's meant to be, it's gonna happen and you just have to look for it. It's not just gonna come to you.” - Kelly   Your host, Maria Feekes, can be found online at: https://www.smartpathfertilityintl.com

In this heartfelt episode, Lori and Scott share their inspiring journey of embracing parenthood at age 50, navigating societal judgments, and finding extraordinary joy through surrogacy. Lori reveals how her late mother's handwritten notes influenced her dream of passing down family traditions, while the couple discusses the immense support they've received from friends and loved ones. Tune in to hear how they challenge perceptions of age and parenthood, and why they're more excited than ever for their upcoming baby girl.   Below are the key takeaways from this episode: Celebrating Late Parenthood: Lori and Scott highlight the positive aspects of having a baby later in life, emphasizing financial stability, fulfillment, and immense happiness brought by their decision to become parents at age 50. Support and Encouragement: Both Scott and Lori discuss the overwhelming support from friends, family, and loved ones, including their church community, which has been crucial in their journey to parenthood. Challenging Societal Norms: The guests address societal perceptions and judgments around age and parenting, emphasizing that age should not prevent anyone from being a good parent or pursuing their dreams. Faith and Legacy: The episode stresses the importance of faith and legacy, with Lori influenced by her late mother's desire to pass down family traditions, highlighting how personal dreams and family heritage can drive life decisions. Empowerment and Overcoming Beliefs: Scott and Lori encourage listeners to overcome limiting beliefs and societal expectations, advocating for making the most out of the present and pursuing individual dreams regardless of age.   Your host, Maria Feekes, can be found online at: Website: mariafeekes.com Facebook: facebook.com/mariafeekes Instagram: instagram.com/mariafeekes YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCWSEMH4ce2qkzW4mf4o0I6A SMARTPath Fertility International: https://www.smartpathfertilityintl.com

In this heartfelt episode, Kristi Campbell shares her journey as a mother to a child with special needs, exploring the ethics of prenatal testing and the beauty of embracing differences. Tune in to hear her inspiring insights and the powerful impact of early intervention and community support. Kristi Campbell is a devoted mother and advocate who has embraced and celebrated the unique journey of parenting a child with special needs. When her son was diagnosed with speech and language processing issues and sensory processing challenges, Kristi embarked on a path of understanding and support that has positively impacted many. She collaborates with Adonis Fertility International, driven by her passion for the topic, and shares her experiences through a widely-read blog. Kristi is committed to highlighting the importance of early intervention and cherishing the beauty of differences, offering invaluable support and insights to other parents navigating similar paths. Below are the key takeaways from this episode: Embracing Differences: Kristi Campbell emphasizes the beauty of life with different abilities, sharing how her son's unique journey with speech, language, and sensory processing issues has led to his growth and success. Importance of Early Intervention: Kristi stresses the critical role of early intervention services, advocating for parents to trust their intuition and seek help for their children when they notice developmental differences. Navigating Ethical Decisions: The episode delves into the complexities of prenatal and genetic testing, discussing the ethical and emotional implications of selecting traits and the challenges of defining "typical." Support and Community: Kristi shares her experience of overcoming initial loneliness by starting a blog and connecting with other parents of children with special needs, highlighting the value of community support and shared experiences. Personal Journey and Acceptance: Kristi reflects on her emotional journey of accepting and appreciating her son's uniqueness, illustrating the importance of respecting individual differences and the collective human experience to become better people.   Todays guest, Kristi, can be found online at: Finding Ninee Blog: https://findingninee.com/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/FindingNinee/   Your host, Maria Feekes, can be found online at: Website: mariafeekes.com Facebook: facebook.com/mariafeekes Instagram: instagram.com/mariafeekes YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCWSEMH4ce2qkzW4mf4o0I6A https://www.smartpathfertilityintl.com

Discover the heartfelt journey of Michelle, a surrogate mother who turned her love for pregnancy into a lifeline for a hopeful couple. From the intricacies of matching and medical screenings to the emotional highs and lows of embryo transfer day, Michelle shares her transparent and inspiring story. Michelle had always cherished the experience of pregnancy, finding it to be a remarkable and special journey. After having two children, with her youngest being around two years old at the time, the desire for another child started to grow within her. However, her husband felt their family was complete, and Michelle had to come to terms with this decision. Despite accepting they wouldn’t have more children of their own, Michelle’s love for being pregnant didn't fade. She realized that surrogacy could be the perfect way to fill the void she felt, allowing her to once again experience pregnancy. Surrogacy felt like a natural fit, as it would not only let her enjoy the incredible journey of carrying a child but also help other families fulfill their dreams of parenthood. Michelle’s story highlights her deep appreciation for the unique and amazing experience of pregnancy, and her thoughtful consideration of how to continue enjoying this phase of life while positively impacting others.   Below are the key takeaways from this episode: The Surrogate's Journey: Michelle shared her experience of becoming a surrogate, from initial communications to the embryo transfer and subsequent pregnancy, emphasizing the emotional fulfillment and lack of physical discomfort during the transfer process. Choosing Intended Parents: Michelle highlighted her criteria for selecting intended parents based on personality, lifestyle, and their humble, appreciative nature, which helped form a strong, supportive relationship. Communication and Openness: Emphasizing the importance of transparency, Michelle maintained limited public information about her surrogacy but was open with close family and children, involving them in milestones like transfer day and the positive pregnancy test. Delivery and Emotional Experience: Michelle described her experience of delivering the baby for the intended parents, preparing for the hospital delivery, and the heartfelt, positive emotions associated with not holding the baby immediately, showcasing the mutual gratitude and bond formed. Support and Legal Aspects: Discussing the necessary legal procedures, Michelle detailed the importance of negotiating contracts, the pre-qualification and matching processes, and the psychological support crucial for both surrogates and intended parents throughout the journey.   Your host, Maria Feekes, can be found online at: Website: mariafeekes.com Facebook: facebook.com/mariafeekes Instagram: instagram.com/mariafeekes YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCWSEMH4ce2qkzW4mf4o0I6A https://www.smartpathfertilityintl.com