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 fr...
Jul 01, 2025•23 min•Season 6Ep. 120
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 ...
Jun 24, 2025•52 min•Season 6Ep. 119
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 comm...
Jun 17, 2025•49 min•Season 6Ep. 118
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 doc...
Jun 10, 2025•20 min•Season 6Ep. 117
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 m...
Jun 03, 2025•51 min
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 h...
May 27, 2025•46 min
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 shift...
May 20, 2025•18 min
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...
May 13, 2025•1 hr
“It's viably gonna be one of the most intimate journeys you'll ever be on, just like your marriage, your relationship with your children. It's this infinite entanglement between you and them…” - April Whitford Today on The Fertility Cafe, host Eloise Drane is joined by April Whitford, Journey Manager at Family Inceptions with a decade of experience at the company and 25 years in family building. April, who holds an LMSW from Florida State University, shares her extensive knowledge of guiding hun...
May 06, 2025•40 min
In this episode of Fertility Cafe, host Eloise Drain discusses the complexities of the fertility journey with Dr. Camille Hammond. They explore the overwhelming nature of fertility issues, the importance of accurate information, and the myths surrounding infertility. Dr. Hammond emphasizes the need for patients to advocate for themselves, seek community support, and communicate effectively with their healthcare providers. The conversation highlights the emotional challenges faced by intended par...
Apr 22, 2025•48 min•Season 6Ep. 111
In this episode of Fertility Cafe, host Eloise Drain delves into the complexities of family building through adoption and fertility treatments. The conversation explores the evolving landscape of adoption, including domestic, international, and foster care options, while also addressing the realities of fertility treatments like IVF and surrogacy. With insights from over two decades in the fertility industry, the episode emphasizes the importance of understanding the emotional, legal, and financ...
Apr 08, 2025•29 min•Season 6Ep. 110
In this episode, Edward explores the realities of being a partner to a surrogate, in fact, he is the husband of episode 107 guest, Janelle Simm. Now you get the opportunity to hear the other side of a partnership to learn how surrogacy is a family decision, not just an individual's. Edward Simm is a father of seven in a blended family and is currently a part time fire-fighter along with owning a handyman business for the past two years. Previously he spent over 20 years in the financial world wo...
Mar 28, 2025•37 min•Season 6Ep. 109
This episode of Fertility Cafe delves into the complex issue of declining birth rates globally, exploring the multifaceted reasons behind this trend, including economic pressures, medical challenges, lifestyle factors, and cultural shifts. The conversation highlights the implications of these changes on family planning, healthcare access, and societal structures, while also addressing the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in family building. The episode concludes with actionable step...
Mar 11, 2025•47 min•Season 6Ep. 108
Thinking about surrogacy but not sure if it's the right path for you? This video breaks down everything you need to know before making a decision. We’ll explore the key factors intended parents should consider, from medical and financial aspects to emotional readiness and legal steps. At Family Inceptions, we’ve guided countless families through their surrogacy journeys, helping them navigate this life-changing process with confidence and clarity. Whether you're facing infertility, exploring fam...
Feb 26, 2025•45 min•Season 6Ep. 107
Surrogacy can feel financially overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Fertility Café, we break down the real costs of surrogacy and show you how to budget the right way so you can make your dream of parenthood a reality. Learn how to: - Understand surrogacy costs and hidden fees - Create a realistic budget that works for you - Explore financial resources to make surrogacy more affordable - Plan ahead so unexpected costs don’t derail your journey Chapters 00:00 Introduction t...
Feb 11, 2025•31 min•Season 6Ep. 106
Surrogacy laws can feel like a maze, but understanding them is key for every intended parent and gestational carrier embarking on their fertility journey. In this episode of Fertility Cafe, we’re breaking down the complexities of modern surrogacy with legal expert Rich Geisler. With over a decade of experience in fertility and third-party reproduction law, Rich shares invaluable insights on how evolving surrogacy laws affect intended parents and surrogates, highlighting everything from pre-birth...
Feb 04, 2025•40 min•Season 6Ep. 105
Family building is so much more than biology—it's an emotional journey filled with hope, questions, and transformation. In this episode of The Fertility Cafe, host Eloise Drain sits down with Dr. Linda Candelis, a reproductive health psychologist, to explore the emotional side of family building through modern surrogacy, egg donation, and third-party reproduction. Whether you're an intended parent, gestational carrier, or considering becoming a surrogate, navigating the highs and lows of this tr...
Jan 29, 2025•46 min•Season 6Ep. 104
Building a family is one of life’s most meaningful journeys—but choosing the right team to guide you is crucial. In this episode of The Fertility Café , host Eloise Drane dives into the essential factors in selecting the best medical, legal, and emotional support for your path to parenthood. Too often, patient care takes a backseat to efficiency and profits, leaving intended parents, surrogates, and donors feeling overlooked. Eloise unpacks how to advocate for yourself, ask the right questions, ...
Jan 21, 2025•28 min•Season 6Ep. 103
When it comes to fertility treatment, most people focus on the doctors, medications, and clinics—but what about the unseen, critical work happening behind the scenes in the fertility lab ? In this episode of The Fertility Café , host Eloise Drane pulls back the curtain on the role fertility labs play in successful family building. Joining Eloise is Kenny Smalls , Director of Laboratory Services at Global Fertility and Genetics, to uncover how labs combine cutting-edge technology with precise sci...
Jan 14, 2025•45 min•Season 6Ep. 102
In this season premiere of The Fertility Café , host Eloise Drane , founder of Family Inceptions , dives into the many paths of third-party family building —from egg donation and sperm donation to embryo donation and surrogacy . Navigating these options can feel overwhelming, but this episode serves as your refreshed guide to understanding the unique considerations, timelines, and emotional aspects of each path. Whether you're an intended parent, surrogate, or donor, you'll gain clarity, confide...
Jan 07, 2025•30 min•Season 6Ep. 101
Embark on an enthralling exploration of the future of fertility in the landmark 100th episode of Fertility Cafe. This episode delves into the challenges the fertility industry is currently facing and how they are evolving. Discover what lies on the horizon and how changes in fertility on a massive scale will shape society, culture, and perceptions of third-party reproduction. Unravel the science and technology that needs to be advanced for transformative and scalable change. From the progression...
Aug 22, 2023•48 min•Season 5Ep. 100
In this thought-provoking episode of Fertility Cafe, we engage in a crucial discussion titled "Bringing Equality to Reproduction for LGBTQ+ People." We're joined by the remarkable Dr. Mark P. Leondires, the force behind Gay Parents To Be and a respected leader in the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Dr. Leondires brings his wealth of expertise and personal passion to this critical conversation, illuminating the unique hurdles faced by the LGBTQ+ community in their quest for p...
Aug 15, 2023•51 min•Season 5Ep. 99
This episode of Fertility Cafe debunks common fertility and conception myths, focusing on topics like the overlooked role of male fertility, contributing to 20% of all infertility cases, and the clinical definition of infertility. It delves into the average time it takes to conceive and the crucial role of ovulation timing. The significant impact of lifestyle factors on fertility, such as stress, sleep deprivation, weight, and substance use, is explored. The importance of fertility tests and the...
Aug 08, 2023•15 min•Season 5Ep. 98
In this episode, the focus is on the intersection of environmental factors and fertility, discussing how elements such as pollution, lifestyle choices, and daily products can influence reproductive health. The role of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in the current landscape of reproductive care is examined, highlighting its advancements, challenges, and potential future developments. The conversation extends to the critical importance of patient advocacy and education in fertility care. Emphasizing...
Aug 01, 2023•29 min•Season 5Ep. 97
One of my focus areas in this podcast is destigmatizing surrogacy and setting the record straight. We live in a world with new and evolving family-building choices, yet there is still a veil of mystery, suspicion, and misunderstanding over this topic. It's time we open up the conversation and lift that veil. Join me as I take a deep dive into what surrogacy is, who it’s for, as well as the importance of understanding all aspects of surrogacy for both potential surrogates and Intended Parents. Re...
Jul 25, 2023•16 min•Season 5Ep. 96
In this episode, I interview surrogacy insurance champion, Kimberly Surratt. Kimberly talks about her legal background and how she got involved in reproductive insurance reform in the state of Nevada. She talks about the current political climate as well as workplace trends and how these things influence insurance benefits offered to women. We’ll talk about the major impact she and other warriors for the cause have had on a state level, and what the future holds for surrogacy health insurance. G...
Jul 18, 2023•46 min•Season 5Ep. 95
The multibillion-dollar fertility industry is now booming, and experimenting with business models that are changing the American family in new and unpredictable ways. Those desiring donor eggs and sperm are now able to select from detailed checklists of physical and intellectual characteristics. Meanwhile, fertility clinics are offering volume discounts, package deals, and even 100% guarantees for successful babymaking, raising complex ethical and legal dilemmas. In this episode, I will take a d...
Jul 11, 2023•20 min•Season 5Ep. 94
In this episode, we’ll be talking about what it’s like for Intended Parents from abroad to navigate third-party reproduction within the US. I interview new parents, Charlie and Tom Farrant, to talk about what their family-building journey was like, starting out at home in the UK, where paid surrogacy is not allowed. We talk about their experience, first navigating infertility issues, coping with the attitudes surrounding third-party reproduction in the UK, and then investigating how they might p...
Jul 05, 2023•44 min•Season 5Ep. 93
Despite being the most successful assisted reproductive technique, donor egg use involves complex emotions, from relief and hope to loss and grief. In navigating this uncharted territory, potential parents often grapple with feelings of guilt, jealousy, and a struggle with self-esteem and identity. Questions like "Am I less of a mother or a father because we're using a donor's egg?" are common. We explore the importance of addressing these feelings with professional support, remembering that lov...
Jun 27, 2023•17 min•Season 5Ep. 92
In this episode, I interview relationship expert Andrea Syrtash about the real toll of finding out you have infertility issues. She talks about how infertility is not just a medical journey, it’s also an emotional, relational, financial, physical, and spiritual one as well. Guest Bio Andrea is the founder of Pregnantish , the first media platform dedicated to helping people navigate fertility treatments and infertility. A regular on-air personality and the host of the Pregnantish podcast, Andrea...
Jun 20, 2023•34 min•Season 5Ep. 91
