In this solo episode of Fertility Café, host Eloise Drane breaks down one of the most buzzed-about topics in modern fertility: egg freezing. Once considered a niche medical intervention, egg freezing has become a mainstream option for those seeking to preserve their fertility, but what does it really involve?

Eloise takes you through the entire landscape, from the medical process and emotional considerations to the financial realities and cultural shifts. She unpacks how egg freezing evolved from a last-resort treatment to a proactive choice, what it actually looks like to go through a cycle, and why access remains unequal despite growing interest.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered:

• “Is egg freezing right for me?”

• “What’s the real cost, and not just financially?”

• “How does this intersect with identity, access, and equity?”

Whether you're exploring your options or simply trying to understand the conversation more deeply, this episode offers real talk, grounded insights, and the kind of honesty that Fertility Café is known for.

Mentioned Resources:

• American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM.org)

• FertilityIQ.com

Tune in for a thoughtful guide through the myths, facts, and nuances of egg freezing, because your timeline, your body, and your decisions deserve clarity and care.

What happens when every path to parenthood seems to close? For Erica Ferraro, the answer was egg donation—a deeply emotional and empowering decision shaped by a long, painful battle with undiagnosed endometriosis. In this powerful episode, Erica joins host Eloise Drane to share the real story behind her journey: the years of misdiagnosis, the trauma of IVF failure, and the healing that came from choosing donor conception.

You’ll hear:

-What it’s really like to receive an endometriosis diagnosis after two decades

-Why Erica believes egg donation is a form of organ donation—and not “less than”

-Honest insights on grieving genetic loss, finding the right donor, and parenting after donor IVF

-How her new book, Moving Mountains for Motherhood, became the U.S.'s first professionally published infertility survival guide

Whether you’re navigating your own fertility journey or supporting someone who is, this episode is a raw, real, and hopeful reminder that love—not biology—defines family.

Moving Mountains for Motherhood is available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more.
Connect with Erica on Instagram @eri.ferraro

Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share this episode to support more honest conversations about modern family building.

#FertilityCafe #EggDonation #EndometriosisAwareness #DonorIVF #InfertilitySupport #ModernParenthood

• (00:00:00) - Fertility Cafe
• (00:00:58) - Egg Donor: Moving Mountains for Motherhood
• (00:02:04) - I Got A Mother's Endometriosis Diagnosis
• (00:07:27) - The Secret to Managing Endometriosis in Your 20s
• (00:11:26) - Egg Donation After IVF
• (00:16:05) - Donor Eggs For Couple's Baby
• (00:21:47) - The Donor Selection in My Egg IVF
• (00:23:55) - The Decision Between Anonymity & Open ID
• (00:28:32) - Janet on Frozen Eggs vs. Fresh IVF
• (00:35:15) - Why I Don't Share My Egg Donor Story
• (00:41:06) - The Journey to Parenthood: Third-Party Reproduction
• (00:42:20) - The Book Moving Mountains For Motherhood
• (00:46:58) - E egg donation in the United States
• (00:50:16) - Where Can People Get A Copy of Moving Mountains For Motherhood?

In this heartfelt episode, Ashley Hengston opens up about her deeply personal path from infertility to motherhood through surrogacy. She shares the emotional highs and lows—from the grief of infertility to the complex decisions involved in choosing surrogacy. Ashley walks us through the process of matching with a surrogate, navigating medical and legal steps, and managing the emotional terrain of pregnancy and birth.

This conversation sheds light on the importance of trust, preparation, and communication in the surrogacy journey. Ashley candidly discusses the emotional impact of the birth, her experience with postpartum depression, and how intended parents can stay connected throughout the process. She also shares the value of community and support groups for those navigating the often isolating road of infertility.

Whether you’re considering surrogacy or supporting someone who is, this episode offers raw insight and real encouragement.

Have questions about your surrogacy journey?

Speak with our expert team today: https://familyinceptions.com/intended-parents/

Stay Connected

Instagram: @fertilitycafe

Facebook: @fertilitycafe

Website: https://thefertilitycafe.com

More Resources

Learn more about surrogacy & fertility: https://familyinceptions.com/

All information shared is for educational purposes and subject to change. Always consult with a medical or legal professional for personalized advice.

• (00:00:00) - Fertility Cafe
• (00:01:09) - Ashley Hingston on Becoming a Parent Through Surrog
• (00:02:10) - Ashley Hingstown on Her Infertility
• (00:02:59) - The Process of Introspective surrogacy
• (00:05:53) - The Parents Who Used Surrogacy
• (00:08:12) - The Joy of Surrogacy
• (00:10:54) - When Did You Choose To Use an Agency or Go Independent?
• (00:11:59) - A Couple's Matching Experience
• (00:14:28) - The Family Blueprint
• (00:15:41) - The Surrogate's First Meet the Parents
• (00:18:25) - The Secret to Getting A Mother's Love
• (00:21:19) - The Secret to Surrogacy
• (00:22:37) - After Having a Surrogate Baby,
• (00:25:03) - The Surrogate's Relationship With Her Partner
• (00:32:54) - The Day My Surrogate Was Born
• (00:35:51) - The Surrogate's Postpartum Depression
• (00:43:28) - "I'm Not In Love With My Parenting"
• (00:44:32) - In the Elevator With Infertility Support Group
• (00:45:40) - Pregnant Woman on Her Journey
• (00:46:56) - Ashley on Rage Against Infertility
• (00:48:11) - Surrogacy 101