SurroTales

Maddy Lehman (Our Surrogate!) Round 2: Lila’s Birth Story

I’m currently soaking up every moment of maternity leave, but I couldn’t wait any longer to share the story of how our sweet Lila Madeline Lehman came into the world. And who better to join me than the incredible woman who carried her—our gestational carrier (and my sister-in-law!), Maddy. In this episode, Maddy and I relive Lila’s birth story—from the days leading up to delivery after Trav and I arrived in the U.S., to the surprise of her being eight days overdue (!), to how labor and delivery unfolded, and everything that followed. It’s an emotional, full-circle conversation now that we’re on the other side and Lila is finally here. This episode gives me all the feels, and I’m so excited for you to listen… and selfishly, to have this as a keepsake that we’ll treasure forever. ---- Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@surrotales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/surrotales/] Email: surrotales@gmail.com

Dominque Francis: Intended Mom & Founder of Lullabuy & Redroom

In this episode, I chat with Dominique as she shares her deeply personal journey through infertility. From enduring multiple rounds of IVF in both New Zealand and the USA to navigating devastating miscarriages, Dominique takes us through the emotional and physical toll of her experience. After years of trying, her doctor eventually encouraged her to explore surrogacy—an idea she initially struggled to embrace. She opens up about the courage it took to share her story on social media and later with the NZ Herald, leading to an overwhelming response from generous women willing to help. One of the most unexpected yet beautiful moments? A childhood friend stepping forward to offer the ultimate gift. As she moves through the approval process while preparing for another IVF cycle, Dominique reflects on the challenges of control—or lack thereof—throughout infertility and surrogacy. We also discuss her motivation to start two businesses, Lullabuy and Redroom, which have given her a sense of purpose and control outside of her fertility journey. Throughout it all, Dominique has learned invaluable lessons about resilience, partnership, and the power of empathy. Her story is one of strength, hope, and the incredible kindness of others. ---- Episode Info: Cryoport⁠ [https://ivf.cryoport.com/] ⁠NZ Herald article⁠ [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/kiwi-fitness-founder-on-infertility-heartache-and-search-for-a-surrogate/WHY2L3A5EZHSNN5YSJYW5M37LQ/] ⁠Love Makes A Family⁠ [https://lovemakes.family/] ⁠Lullabuy⁠ [https://www.lullabuy.co.nz/] ⁠Redroom [https://www.redroom.nz/] ---- Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@surrotales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/surrotales/] Email: surrotales@gmail.com

Victoria Fritz: Intended Mom & Founder of BabyBumps

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Victoria, who shares her remarkable journey of navigating life with a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis—one that came unexpectedly as an adult during her medical training. We dive into how this life-changing event influenced many aspects of her life, including her career, her fertility and her family planning decisions...ultimately leading her to pursue surrogacy. Victoria opens up about the emotional and practical challenges of searching for a surrogate and what inspired her to launch BabyBumps, an independent surrogacy platform designed to connect intended parents and surrogates through mutual respect and trust. We also chat about her IVF journey, from the highs and lows of multiple rounds to the most unconventional places we've both done our injections. Victoria shares the invaluable lessons she's learned throughout her fertility experience so far and hints at what’s next for her surrogacy and family-building journey. Victoria shares valuable insights for anyone facing fertility challenges or exploring surrogacy. Her journey reflects resilience, hope, and the innovative vision behind Baby Bumps—her inclusive platform that is sure to make a lasting impact in the surrogacy world. ---- Episode Info: BabyBumps: * ⁠⁠⁠Website⁠ [https://www.baby-bumps.org/] * ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/hello_babybumps/] ---- Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@surrotales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/surrotales/] Email: surrotales@gmail.com

Margaret Casey KC: Surrogacy Lawyer in New Zealand

In this episode, I chat to Margaret Casey KC, a leading barrister specializing in surrogacy and reproductive law based in Auckland, New Zealand. Margaret shares her inspiring journey into this field, shaped in part by her own personal fertility story. She offers a detailed look at how New Zealand's surrogacy laws were developed, the legal processes currently in place, and the specific steps intended parents and surrogates must navigate throughout their surrogacy experience. Margaret also dives into her work on international surrogacy, comparing legal frameworks across countries and explaining how New Zealand approaches overseas surrogacy arrangements. Lastly, she provides insights into the proposed surrogacy reform bill under review, which promises to bring significant and much-needed improvements to surrogacy law in New Zealand. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the complexities of surrogacy law, both in New Zealand and internationally, and the ongoing efforts to create more equitable and accessible paths to parenthood. ---- Episode Info: Margaret Casey [https://www.millslane.co.nz/barristers/margaret-casey-qc] ---- Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@surrotales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/surrotales/] Email: surrotales@gmail.com

Tessa Crawford: Mom via Surrogacy in New Zealand

In this heartfelt episode, I chat with Tessa, an intended mother in the midst of her surrogacy journey. Tessa shares her extraordinary story, from the joy of welcoming her first son to the devastating discovery of a rare cancer during delivery, which ultimately led to a hysterectomy. Despite this, Tessa held onto hope, knowing her ovaries and eggs could make surrogacy an option when the time was right. That time came when Tessa and her husband were introduced to Kelly, a mom of three, through mutual friends. Inspired by her own struggles with fertility and a desire to pay it forward, Kelly was eager to help. The two instantly connected, embarking on a surrogacy journey built on trust, gratitude, and shared vision. At the time of this recording, Kelly was 23 weeks pregnant with Tessa and her husband’s baby boy, who has since been born healthy and thriving! Tessa reflects on her IVF experience, navigating ECART processes in New Zealand, coordinating across cities, and maintaining open communication. She also shares her deep emotional and spiritual connection to her baby, as well as their plans for the birth—letting Kelly take the lead in the delivery room. This is a beautiful story of resilience, community, and the profound ways we can help each other grow our families. ---- Episode Info: Toni Street's Book: Lost and Found [https://www.amazon.com.au/Lost-Found-story-heartbreak-hope/dp/1988547733] ---- Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@surrotales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/surrotales/] Email: surrotales@gmail.com