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

What exactly is a fertility coach—and how do you know if you need one?

In this solo episode, host Eloise Drane explores the supportive, grounded world of fertility coaching. Whether you're navigating IVF, considering egg freezing, or feeling stuck in the quiet in-between spaces of family building, this episode is a gentle guide to the kind of support many people don’t know is available—and deeply need.

Eloise breaks down what fertility coaches actually do, how they differ from therapists and doctors, and why this kind of care can be invaluable when you're facing overwhelming decisions, emotional burnout, or pressure to figure everything out alone.

This isn’t about doing more—it’s about finding support that helps you feel more like yourself in the middle of it all.

• (00:00) A moment of post-appointment overwhelm many listeners will recognize

• (01:45) The invisible mental load of fertility—and why support often comes too late

• (04:55) What a fertility coach actually does (and doesn’t do)

• (10:17) How coaches differ from therapists, doctors, and even your inner circle

• (15:22) The different types of fertility coaches: emotional, logistical, holistic

• (20:05) Who fertility coaching is for—and why it’s not just for IVF

• (26:32) Who may not need coaching right now (and why that’s okay)

• (29:40) Why support doesn’t have to wait until you’re at your limit

• (32:08) Letting care be part of the plan—not just a response to crisis

Website: thefertilitycafe.com
Instagram: @fertilitycafe

• (00:00:00) - Fertility Cafe
• (00:01:23) - Fertility Coaching: What is it?
• (00:02:52) - Why Fertility Coaching Matters
• (00:04:26) - What Does a Fertility Coach Actually Do?
• (00:06:37) - What Kind of Support Would I Need From a Fertility Coach?
• (00:13:47) - Fertility Coaching: Who Does It Help?

Why are ambitious women waiting too long to think about fertility preservation, and what's the real cost?

Host Eloise Drane welcomes Dr. Suzanna Chatterjee-Morris, a dual board-certified physician in OB-GYN and obesity medicine who brings both clinical expertise and deeply personal experience to today's conversation. Dr. Chatterjee-Morris has navigated her own challenging fertility journey, including multiple egg retrievals, donor eggs, and preparing for surrogacy while maintaining a demanding medical practice. Her unique perspective as both physician and patient offers invaluable insights for women balancing high-pressure careers with family planning decisions and fertility preservation choices.

This episode explores the complex reality of fertility treatment for ambitious women in leadership roles, covering egg-freezing decisions, the challenges of coordinating IVF cycles with demanding schedules and navigating fertility clinic experiences. Discussion includes the importance of early fertility preservation, advocating for yourself in medical settings, weight-related barriers in fertility treatment, and the emotional journey of third-party reproduction. Dr. Chatterjee-Morris shares practical advice about choosing fertility clinics, understanding BMI requirements, and making informed decisions about donor eggs and gestational carriers while managing autoimmune conditions.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Dr. Chatterjee-Morris shares her complete fertility journey from residency decision to current surrogacy plans
• (08:40) The difficult transition from own eggs to donor eggs to gestational carrier due to multiple sclerosis
• (14:32) Balancing seven IVF cycles with demanding medical practice and patient care
• (20:33) Experiencing dismissive treatment and unprofessional care at fertility clinics
• (27:12) The critical importance of egg freezing in your twenties for career-focused women
• (32:34) Recognizing endometriosis symptoms early and advocating for reproductive health education
• (39:44) Navigating weight stigma and BMI requirements in fertility treatment with compassion
• (46:25) Final advice on self-advocacy and making the best decisions for your fertility journey

Share with someone who may be interested, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes!

Resources:

Instagram/TikTok: @healthyobgyn

Website: rivervalleyobgyn.com

Book a Free Consultation

Have questions about becoming a surrogate? Learn more: https://familyinceptions.com/surrogates/

Curious about how much you could make with surrogacy? Use our Compensation Calculator: https://familyinceptions.com/s...

What would you do if a Google search from your hospital bed revealed your only path to motherhood was illegal in your state?

Today Eloise welcomes Stephanie Jones, founder of the Michigan Fertility Alliance and 2024 RESOLVE Hope Award recipient for advocacy. After facing life-threatening pregnancy complications that ended her ability to carry a pregnancy, Stephanie discovered through a Google search from her hospital recovery bed that Michigan banned surrogacy contracts—her only option to grow her family. She leveraged her business expertise as an engineer and company VP to transform this personal crisis into legislative change.

The conversation explores Stephanie's journey from secondary infertility through building the Michigan Fertility Alliance from scratch during the pandemic, culminating in the passage of the Michigan Family Protection Act in 2024. Listeners will gain insights into Michigan's surprising surrogacy history, the complexities of having a surrogate birth in another state during COVID, and how the nine-bill package revolutionized fertility and parentage laws for all Michigan families.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Introduction to Michigan's restrictive surrogacy laws and transformation
• (03:01) Stephanie Jones's background and secondary infertility journey
• (08:46) The Google search that started it all from hospital recovery bed
• (12:39) Michigan's surprising surrogacy history from first to banned
• (18:37) Building advocacy during the pandemic while having daughter via surrogate
• (20:50) The complicated experience of surrogacy birth in Kentucky during COVID
• (26:17) Overcoming challenges to get people to care about fertility issues
• (31:53) Balancing business executive role with intensive advocacy work
• (34:29) Breaking down the nine-bill Michigan Family Protection Act
• (38:21) Introduction to State Strong national coalition for advocacy
• (41:29) The urgent need for fertility advocates to act now
  
  Share with someone who may be interested, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes!

Resources:

Michigan Fertility Alliance: www.michiganfertilityalliance.org
State Strong Coalition: www.statestrong.org
Michigan Family Protection Act Information: www.michigan.gov/familyprotectionact
Stephanie Jones Email: stephanie@michiganfertilityalliance.org
RESOLVE National Infertility Association: www.resolve.org

Eloise Drane, host of Fertility Café and a seasoned fertility industry expert with over two decades of experience, explores the emotional transition from fertility treatments to parenthood in this insightful episode. Drawing from personal experience and professional knowledge, Eloise addresses the complex emotions that arise when the focus shifts from trying to conceive to actually becoming a parent.

The episode delves into letting go of the infertility mindset, releasing control, identity shifts after fertility journeys, and the realities of early parenthood after treatments. Eloise offers compassionate guidance for navigating feelings of uncertainty, addressing anxieties, building bonds with your baby, and embracing the messy, beautiful process of becoming a parent—however you arrived there.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Introduction to the mental shift from fertility treatments to parenthood
• (04:32) Letting go of the infertility mindset and processing mixed emotions
• (09:45) Releasing control and learning to trust your parenting instincts
• (15:20) Reclaiming identity after the fertility journey ends
• (20:48) Sponsor: The Family Blueprint event in Atlanta
• (22:17) What no one tells you about early parenthood after infertility
• (28:03) When bonding doesn't feel instant: normalizing gradual connections
• (31:45) How relationships and friendships transform after becoming a parent
• (36:30) Embracing the growth process of parenthood after fertility struggles
  
  Share with someone who may be interested, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes!

Resources:

Book a Free Consultation

Have questions about becoming a surrogate? Learn more: https://familyinceptions.com/surrogates/

Curious about how much you could make with surrogacy? Use our Compensation Calculator: https://familyinceptions.com/surrogacy-compensation-calculator/

Stay Connected

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fertilitycafe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fertilitycafe

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fertility-cafe/

Website: https://thefertilitycafe.com

More Resources

Learn more about surrogacy & fertility:

What if freezing your eggs as a college graduation gift could be the most important investment in your future family? - Dr. Susanna Park

Dr. Susanna Park, a fertility specialist from San Diego Fertility Center, joins host Eloise Drane to share her expertise on fertility testing. Board-certified in both obstetrics/gynecology and reproductive endocrinology, Dr. Park brings a global perspective shaped by her journey from South Korea to Argentina to the United States. With five-time recognition as a top fertility doctor by San Diego Magazine, she offers invaluable insights on proactive fertility assessment.

This episode explores the critical timing of fertility testing, examining why women shouldn't wait for obvious signs before understanding their reproductive health. Dr. Park breaks down key fertility tests for both women and men, optimal ages to start testing, how to interpret results, and the various treatment options available when challenges arise. Listeners will gain practical knowledge on taking control of their fertility journey before problems develop.

Dr. Susanna Park is a renowned fertility specialist from the San Diego Fertility Center. Dr. Park is double board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. She brings a unique global perspective to fertility care, with an impressive background that spans from Seoul to Buenos Aires to New York City, and now San Diego. She's been recognized as a "Top Fertility Doctor" by San Diego Magazine five times, most recently in 2023.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Eloise introduces the importance of proactive fertility testing
• (01:35) Dr. Park shares her journey to specializing in fertility medicine
• (02:53) Dr. Park's international background and global perspective on fertility care
• (06:51) At what age should people start considering fertility testing
• (09:54) Understanding key fertility tests and normal ranges for women
• (15:11) How age impacts fertility for both men and women
• (21:13) What constitutes a normal menstrual cycle and warning signs
• (26:11) Four essential components needed for natural conception
• (29:38) Best approaches for timing intercourse when trying to conceive
• (33:26) Understanding natural cycle treatments versus medicated approaches
• (38:34) The IVF process explained for women and egg donors
• (45:55) Testing approaches for same-sex couples planning families
• (51:28) How technology advancements have transformed fertility treatments
• Share with someone who may be interested, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes!

Resources: