S3 E11; Known egg donation; Real stories and conversations ft. MSJ's Leanne Drewell and Debbie Evans

Welcome to My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is the UK's leading multi award winning podcast from a non profit UK surrogacy organisation.Join us for a conversation with Gee Roberts, an adult born through UK surrogacy who is now a Doctor and has recently become a mother herself. A gorgeous chat with one of the UK's ambassadors for those born via UK surrogacy. Michael and Wes are parents themselves through surrogacy to two children (Talulah is 7 and Duke is 4) they continue to advocate, campaign and strive to improve the landscape of surrogacy in the UK and globally. Addressing safety, exploitation and educating those about the real truths about safer surrogacy. Our season 3 sponsorWe have a fabulous sponsor for our Season 3 podcast. Manchester Fertility were founded in 1985 and has an exceptional team of fertility doctors, nurses, embryologists and patient support staff. Manchester Fertility remains one of the leading fertility clinics in the country to this day, delivering more than 8,000 babies.Thanks for listening! Have you subscribed yet?Guest Bios;Gee RobertsGee was born in 1998 through traditional surrogacy in the UK with the help of the agency COTS. She has always had close contact with my surrogate, half-siblings and wider surrogacy family: this is something she feels very fortunate about. Gee has been heavily involved in the Surrogacy Law Reform in the UK, speaking at national and international conferences, taking her as far as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child. She now work as a doctor in Devon and had a little girl of her own in November 2023. This podcast explores my experience of surrogacy and my visions for the future.Available wherever you get your podcasts. My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is a Talulah and The Duke Production and was recorded in London at Outset Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is the UK's leading multi award winning podcast from a non profit UK surrogacy organisation.Join us for a conversation with Gee Roberts, an adult born through UK surrogacy who is now a Doctor and has recently become a mother herself. A gorgeous chat with one of the UK's ambassadors for those born via UK surrogacy. Michael and Wes are parents themselves through surrogacy to two children (Talulah is 7 and Duke is 4) they continue to advocate, campaign and strive to improve the landscape of surrogacy in the UK and globally. Addressing safety, exploitation and educating those about the real truths about safer surrogacy. Our season 3 sponsorWe have a fabulous sponsor for our Season 3 podcast. Manchester Fertility were founded in 1985 and has an exceptional team of fertility doctors, nurses, embryologists and patient support staff. Manchester Fertility remains one of the leading fertility clinics in the country to this day, delivering more than 8,000 babies.Thanks for listening! Have you subscribed yet?Guest Bios;Gee RobertsGee was born in 1998 through traditional surrogacy in the UK with the help of the agency COTS. She has always had close contact with my surrogate, half-siblings and wider surrogacy family: this is something she feels very fortunate about. Gee has been heavily involved in the Surrogacy Law Reform in the UK, speaking at national and international conferences, taking her as far as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child. She now work as a doctor in Devon and had a little girl of her own in November 2023. This podcast explores my experience of surrogacy and my visions for the future.Available wherever you get your podcasts. My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is a Talulah and The Duke Production and was recorded in London at Outset Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is the UK's leading multi award winning podcast from a non profit UK surrogacy organisation.Trigger Warning; Pregnancy, Baby Loss and InfertilityToday's episode is more than a treat for your ears, this episode gave us all the feels and more. We're honoured to also have Senator Mary Seery Kearney join us live in the studio. Yes, and she’s also the mother of a child born through surrogacy and has an intimate knowledge of this form of assisted human reproduction as a means to build your family. The episode also features three other amazing women, Sinead Gallagher, Ciara Merrigan and Cathy Wheatley.Michael and Wes are parents themselves through surrogacy to two children (Talulah is 7 and Duke is 4) they continue to advocate, campaign and strive to improve the landscape of surrogacy in the UK and globally. Addressing safety, exploitation and educating those about the real truths about safer surrogacy. Our season 3 sponsorWe have a fabulous sponsor for our Season 3 podcast. Manchester Fertility were founded in 1985 and has an exceptional team of fertility doctors, nurses, embryologists and patient support staff. Manchester Fertility remains one of the leading fertility clinics in the country to this day, delivering more than 8,000 babies.Thanks for listening! Have you subscribed yet?Guest Bios;Senator Mary Seery Kearney who is not only the Fine Gael Senator and party spokesperson on Children Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, but also a leading advocate for the provision of a legal framework to ensure that both intended parents have full, life long, legal relationships with their children.Cathy WheatleySpokesperson for Irish Families Through SurrogacyIFTS are an advocacy group campaigning for legislation which will give full recognition to our children and those born in the future. Their hope would be that by the end of the year (their) children and future children would have the regulation, protections and ethical safeguards in placeCiara MerriganCiara had a hysterectomy in 2014 as a result of a cancer diagnosis. This led Ciara and her husband Michael down the surrogacy pathway to create their family . They started this journey In 2015. After a few bumps in the road in August 2018 Clara and Matthew were born in the Ukraine. Finally our dream of having a family were fulfilled thanks to the most wonderful lady who carried them. In October 2020 Ciara cofounded and chairs Irish Families Through Surrogacy to campaign for surrogacy legislationSinead GallagherSinead and Mark went through 14 IVF cycles with a number of early miscarriages. They reached a point were they had no other viable option to have a family. Snead had suffered with grade 2/3 endometriosis for years, and had elements of polycystic syndrome as well as issue with her immune system. Sinead became a committee member of Irish Families Through surrogacy when she returned from Kyiv with Theo.Available wherever you get your podcasts. My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is a Talulah and The Duke Production and is recorded in Dublin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is the UK's leading multi award winning podcast from a non profit UK surrogacy organisation.Trigger Warning; Pregnancy, Baby Loss and Infertility Just in time for St Patricks Day! Today's episode is more than a treat for your ears, this episode gave us all the feels and more. We're honoured to also have Senator Mary Seery Kearney join us live in the studio. Yes, and she’s also the mother of a child born through surrogacy and has an intimate knowledge of this form of assisted human reproduction as a means to build your family. The episode also features three other amazing women, Sinead Gallagher, Ciara Merrigan and Cathy Wheatley. Michael and Wes are parents themselves through surrogacy to two children (Talulah is 7 and Duke is 4) they continue to advocate, campaign and strive to improve the landscape of surrogacy in the UK and globally. Addressing safety, exploitation and educating those about the real truths about safer surrogacy. Our season 3 sponsorWe have a fabulous sponsor for our Season 3 podcast. Manchester Fertility were founded in 1985 and has an exceptional team of fertility doctors, nurses, embryologists and patient support staff. Manchester Fertility remains one of the leading fertility clinics in the country to this day, delivering more than 8,000 babies.Thanks for listening! Have you subscribed yet?Guest Bios;Senator Mary Seery Kearney who is not only the Fine Gael Senator and party spokesperson on Children Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, but also a leading advocate for the provision of a legal framework to ensure that both intended parents have full, life long, legal relationships with their children.Cathy WheatleySpokesperson for Irish Families Through SurrogacyIFTS are an advocacy group campaigning for legislation which will give full recognition to our children and those born in the future. Their hope would be that by the end of the year (their) children and future children would have the regulation, protections and ethical safeguards in placeCiara MerriganCiara had a hysterectomy in 2014 as a result of a cancer diagnosis. This led Ciara and her husband Michael down the surrogacy pathway to create their family . They started this journey In 2015. After a few bumps in the road in August 2018 Clara and Matthew were born in the Ukraine. Finally our dream of having a family were fulfilled thanks to the most wonderful lady who carried them. In October 2020 Ciara cofounded and chairs Irish Families Through Surrogacy to campaign for surrogacy legislationSinead Gallagher Sinead and Mark went through 14 IVF cycles with a number of early miscarriages. They reached a point were they had no other viable option to have a family. Snead had suffered with grade 2/3 endometriosis for years, and had elements of polycystic syndrome as well as issue with her immune system. Sinead became a committee member of Irish Families Through surrogacy when she returned from Kyiv with Theo. Available wherever you get your podcasts. My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is a Talulah and The Duke Production and is recorded in Dublin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is the UK's leading multi award winning podcast from a non profit UK surrogacy organisation.We're back! This is a joyous episode and such an educational experience for us too. We're talking all about 'What is MRKH?' and does this condition qualify you for surrogacy? Michael and Wes are talking to Joanne, a MRKH patient and recently a new mother via surrogacy. Joining us is consultant Mr Ali Al Chami, as he explains more about the condition and what you can do if you discover you have the condition. Michael and Wes are parents themselves through surrogacy to two children (Talulah is 7 and Duke is 4) they continue to advocate, campaign and strive to improve the landscape of surrogacy in the UK and globally. Addressing safety, exploitation and educating those about the real truths about safer surrogacy. Our season 3 sponsorWe have a fabulous sponsor for our Season 3 podcast. Manchester Fertility were founded in 1985 and has an exceptional team of fertility doctors, nurses, embryologists and patient support staff. Manchester Fertility remains one of the leading fertility clinics in the country to this day, delivering more than 8,000 babies. For intended parents seeking surrogacy support, Manchester Fertility is My Surrogacy Journey’s Northern & Midlands Centre for Excellence, offering surrogacy advice and fertility treatment options for gay, bi, queer and trans men and heterosexual singles and couples, helping them to navigate their way through their surrogacy journey. Make sure you check them out.Thanks for listening! Have you subscribed yet?Guest Bios;Mr Ali Al ChamiMr Ali Al Chami is a fertility consultant. Mr Al Chami completed his postgraduate training in obstetrics and gynaecology with special interest in infertility and became a member of the RCOG. He subsequently had 3 years clinical and research fellowship training in assisted conception and reproductive medicine at University College London Hospital.Mr Al Chami is highly skilled in advanced 3D gynaecological ultrasound scanning, HyCoSy, and hysteroscopy. His special interests include fertility preservation, reproductive medicine surgery, and adjuvant treatments in IVF. He has published on luteal support in assisted conception, PCOS, and unexplained infertility. Mr Al Chami has a special interest in recurrent miscarriage.Joanne DavisA mother via UK surrogacy to Olivia, married to Matt. The pair became parents in 2022, and welcome MSJ's first baby in the Spring on 2022, just over a year of us launching My Surrogacy Journey. Joanne tells her story about MRKH and how she discovered the condition and why she needed to explore surrogacy.Available wherever you get your podcasts. My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is a Talulah and The Duke Production and is recorded in London at Outset Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is the UK's leading multi award winning podcast from a non profit UK surrogacy organisation.We're back! Next episode we're talking all about 'What is MRKH?' and does this condition qualify you for surrogacy? Michael and Wes are talking to Joanne, a MRKH patient and recently a new mother via surrogacy. Joining us is consultant Mr Ali Al Chami, as he explains more about the condition and what you can do if you discover you have the condition. Michael and Wes are parents themselves through surrogacy to two children (Talulah is 7 and Duke is 4) they continue to advocate, campaign and strive to improve the landscape of surrogacy in the UK and globally. Addressing safety, exploitation and educating those about the real truths about safer surrogacy. Our season 3 sponsorWe have a fabulous sponsor for our Season 3 podcast. Manchester Fertility were founded in 1985 and has an exceptional team of fertility doctors, nurses, embryologists and patient support staff. Manchester Fertility remains one of the leading fertility clinics in the country to this day, delivering more than 8,000 babies. For intended parents seeking surrogacy support, Manchester Fertility is My Surrogacy Journey’s Northern & Midlands Centre for Excellence, offering surrogacy advice and fertility treatment options for gay, bi, queer and trans men and heterosexual singles and couples, helping them to navigate their way through their surrogacy journey. Make sure you check them out.Thanks for listening! Have you subscribed yet?Guest Bios;Mr Ali Al ChamiMr Ali Al Chami is a fertility consultant. Mr Al Chami completed his postgraduate training in obstetrics and gynaecology with special interest in infertility and became a member of the RCOG. He subsequently had 3 years clinical and research fellowship training in assisted conception and reproductive medicine at University College London Hospital.Mr Al Chami is highly skilled in advanced 3D gynaecological ultrasound scanning, HyCoSy, and hysteroscopy. His special interests include fertility preservation, reproductive medicine surgery, and adjuvant treatments in IVF. He has published on luteal support in assisted conception, PCOS, and unexplained infertility. Mr Al Chami has a special interest in recurrent miscarriage.Joanne DavisA mother via UK surrogacy to Olivia, married to Matt. The pair became parents in 2022, and welcome MSJ's first baby in the Spring on 2022, just over a year of us launching My Surrogacy Journey. Joanne tells her story about MRKH and how she discovered the condition and why she needed to explore surrogacy.Available wherever you get your podcasts. My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is a Talulah and The Duke Production and is recorded in London at Outset Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is the UK's leading multi award winning podcast from a non profit UK surrogacy organisation.Thanks for downloading us again, Wes is talking to Leanne and Debbie from MSJ and today we're talking about the wonder that is Known Egg Donation. Another fascinating and insightful episode exploring the reasons behind egg donation and the treatment protocols. A wonderful episode if you are considering egg donation, or whether you're wanting to become a known egg donor yourself - this episode is for you.Michael and Wes are parents themselves through surrogacy to two children (Talulah is 7 and Duke is 4) they continue to advocate, campaign and strive to improve the landscape of surrogacy in the UK and globally. Addressing safety, exploitation and educating those about the real truths about safer surrogacy. Our season 3 sponsorWe have a fabulous sponsor for our Season 3 podcast. Manchester Fertility were founded in 1985 and has an exceptional team of fertility doctors, nurses, embryologists and patient support staff. Manchester Fertility remains one of the leading fertility clinics in the country to this day, delivering more than 8,000 babies. For intended parents seeking surrogacy support, Manchester Fertility is My Surrogacy Journey’s Northern & Midlands Centre for Excellence, offering surrogacy advice and fertility treatment options for gay, bi, queer and trans men and heterosexual singles and couples, helping them to navigate their way through their surrogacy journey. Make sure you check them out.Thanks for listening! Have you subscribed yet?Guest Bios;Debbie Evans qualified as an Registered General Nurse in 1985. She specialised for 25+ years on fertility management and previously worked with Herts & Essex Fertility Centre as Director of Nursing & Clinical Services, where she took ownership of the day to day clinical management of the Centre with direct responsibility for 40+ members of staff. Her senior role did not change her approach or work ethos; she is as passionate about patient care as when she first joined the nursing profession. Debbie was a founding member of SING (Senior Infertility Nurse Group) and held the positions of both secretary and Chair. SING was set up to support nurses in the fertility industry by providing peer support, guidance, and encouragement to its members, but it quickly became recognised as a major stakeholder within the industry, providing guidance on policy and practice. Debbie has been working with MSJ since January 2023 joined us as Clinical & Compliance Director.Leanne DrewellLeanne is MSJ's Surrogate and Know Egg Donor Lead and has been employed since 2021. Leanne has also been an egg donor herself multiple times resulting in children being born from her donation. Her invaluable experience means our known egg donors are guided throughout their journey, knowing we have experience of the full processAvailable wherever you get your podcasts. My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is a Talulah and The Duke Production and is recorded in London at Outset Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is the UK's leading multi award winning podcast from a non profit UK surrogacy organisation.Thanks for downloading us again, next week Wes is talking to Leanne and Debbie from MSJ and we're talking about the wonder that is Known Egg Donation. Another fascinating and insightful episode exploring the reasons behind egg donation and the treatment protocols. A wonderful episode if you are considering fertility treatment with egg donation, or perhaps you're wanting to become a known egg donor yourself - this episode is for you. Listen to this brief episode with the full version available next week.Michael and Wes are parents themselves through surrogacy to two children (Talulah is 7 and Duke is 4) they continue to advocate, campaign and strive to improve the landscape of surrogacy in the UK and globally. Addressing safety, exploitation and educating those about the real truths about safer surrogacy. Our season 3 sponsorWe have a fabulous sponsor for our Season 3 podcast. Manchester Fertility were founded in 1985 and has an exceptional team of fertility doctors, nurses, embryologists and patient support staff. Manchester Fertility remains one of the leading fertility clinics in the country to this day, delivering more than 8,000 babies. For intended parents seeking surrogacy support, Manchester Fertility is My Surrogacy Journey’s Northern & Midlands Centre for Excellence, offering surrogacy advice and fertility treatment options for gay, bi, queer and trans men and heterosexual singles and couples, helping them to navigate their way through their surrogacy journey. Make sure you check them out.Don't forget to listen to the full episode next week!Guest Bios;Debbie Evans qualified as an Registered General Nurse in 1985. She specialised for 25+ years on fertility management and previously worked with Herts & Essex Fertility Centre as Director of Nursing & Clinical Services, where she took ownership of the day to day clinical management of the Centre with direct responsibility for 40+ members of staff. Her senior role did not change her approach or work ethos; she is as passionate about patient care as when she first joined the nursing profession. Debbie was a founding member of SING (Senior Infertility Nurse Group) and held the positions of both secretary and Chair. SING was set up to support nurses in the fertility industry by providing peer support, guidance, and encouragement to its members, but it quickly became recognised as a major stakeholder within the industry, providing guidance on policy and practice. Debbie has been working with MSJ since January 2023 joined us as Clinical & Compliance Director.Leanne DrewellLeanne is MSJ's Surrogate and Know Egg Donor Lead and has been employed since 2021. Leanne has also been an egg donor herself multiple times resulting in children being born from her donation. Her invaluable experience means our known egg donors are guided throughout their journey, knowing we have experience of the full processAvailable wherever you get your podcasts. My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is a Talulah and The Duke Production and is recorded in London at Outset Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is the UK's leading multi award winning podcast from a non profit UK surrogacy organisation.Today Wes is in London studio with our three guests from the prestigious legal firm Mishcon De Reya If you listened to our previous episodes we spoke about surrogacy in the USA, well today's episode is a great addition to that collection. So what should you know, and why is immigration advice so key. Wes is talking to family lawyers, Antonia and Alice and immigration specialist Natalie. Michael and Wes are parents themselves through surrogacy to two children (Talulah is 7 and Duke is 4) they continue to advocate, campaign and strive to improve the landscape of surrogacy in the UK and globally. Addressing safety, exploitation and educating those about the real truths about safer surrogacy. Our season 3 sponsorWe have a fabulous sponsor for our Season 3 podcast. Manchester Fertility were founded in 1985 and has an exceptional team of fertility doctors, nurses, embryologists and patient support staff. Manchester Fertility remains one of the leading fertility clinics in the country to this day, delivering more than 8,000 babies. For intended parents seeking surrogacy support, Manchester Fertility is My Surrogacy Journey’s Northern & Midlands Centre for Excellence, offering surrogacy advice and fertility treatment options for gay, bi, queer and trans men and heterosexual singles and couples, helping them to navigate their way through their surrogacy journey. Make sure you check them out.Thanks for listening! Have you subscribed yet?Available wherever you get your podcasts. My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is a Talulah and The Duke Production and is recorded in London at Outset Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is the UK's leading multi award winning podcast from a non profit UK surrogacy organisation.Coming up is in London studio with our three guests from the prestigious legal firm Mishcon De Reya If you listened to our previous episodes we spoke about surrogacy in the USA, well today's episode is a great addition to that collection. Michael and Wes are parents themselves through surrogacy to two children (Talulah is 7 and Duke is 4) they continue to advocate, campaign and strive to improve the landscape of surrogacy in the UK and globally. Addressing safety, exploitation and educating those about the real truths about safer surrogacy. Our season 3 sponsorWe have a fabulous sponsor for our Season 3 podcast. Manchester Fertility were founded in 1985 and has an exceptional team of fertility doctors, nurses, embryologists and patient support staff. Manchester Fertility remains one of the leading fertility clinics in the country to this day, delivering more than 8,000 babies. For intended parents seeking surrogacy support, Manchester Fertility is My Surrogacy Journey’s Northern & Midlands Centre for Excellence, offering surrogacy advice and fertility treatment options for gay, bi, queer and trans men and heterosexual singles and couples, helping them to navigate their way through their surrogacy journey. Make sure you check them out.Thanks for listening! Have you subscribed yet?Available wherever you get your podcasts. My Surrogacy Journey - The Podcast is a Talulah and The Duke Production and is recorded in London at Outset Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.