All Things Conceivable: A Surrogacy Podcast with Nazca Fontes (All Things Conceivable Surrogacy Podcast)

According to the CDC, surrogacy has the highest rate of success of any fertility treatment. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported IVF with a donor egg has a success rate of 52%, which is the highest of any fertility treatment. Higher still is the rate of success with a surrogate. IVF clinics in the US have a surrogacy success rate of about 75%, and that number can increase as high as 95% for a birth once the gestational carrier is pregnant.

Dr. Brian Kaplan with Fertility Centers of Illinois has been passionately leading the way in infertility for nearly three decades in IVF, egg donation, gestational surrogacy and more. Dr. Kaplan joined our All Things Conceivable: A Podcast with Nazca Fontes to  explain what this statistic means for intended parents and surrogates embarking on a surrogacy journey.

Build your family with ConceiveAbilities: https://www.conceiveabilities.com/app/parents/register

Learn more about becoming a surrogate mother with ConceiveAbilities Surrogacy Agency: https://www.conceiveabilities.com/surrogates/become-a-surrogate-mother/

Join the Surrogacy Learning Center: https://surrogacylearningcenter.conceiveabilities.com/

Find out if you qualify to become a surrogate: https://www.conceiveabilities.com/app/surrogates/register

In honor of ConceiveAbilities 25th anniversary and National Infertility Awareness Week, New York Reproductive Endocrinologist Dr. Joshua Stewart talks infertility, the future of third party reproduction and shares his own surrogacy journey.

Learn more about surrogacy at ConceiveAbilities

Fertility Specialist Dr. Marie Werner from RMA New Jersey, one of the few IVF clinics anywhere in the country that never closed this year, breaks down a truly complete and thoughtful view of what you need to know about surrogacy in the time of COVID-19, and in the years to come.  

Learn more about surrogacy at ConceiveAbilities

Welcome to today's episode where we dive into the fascinating world of lactation, a critical topic that affects all women who have given birth. At Conceivabilities, we emphasize the importance of the fourth trimester, ensuring full and healthy recovery post-childbirth through comprehensive support packages for our surrogates.

Joining us today is Nikki Bredeson, two-time surrogate and founder of Cookies, Then Milk, a company dedicated to helping lactating women with their milk supply through delicious lactation cookies. Nikki, a mompreneur and two-time surrogate, shares her journey and passion for empowering women in their breastfeeding and pumping endeavors.

We explore the science behind lactation cookies, the importance of community support, and the challenges and triumphs of Nikki's personal experiences. From understanding galactagogues to the evolution of her successful business, Nikki provides invaluable insights for all lactating women.

Discover the rewarding aspects of Nikki's work and the incredible impact of her community, which has grown to nearly 20,000 women, offering support and education for all aspects of the lactation journey. Learn how you can optimize milk supply, navigate the fourth trimester, and find the support you need to thrive.

Join us for an inspiring conversation that highlights the power of community, the importance of self-care, and the incredible journey of lactation.

Follow All Things Conceivable: A Surrogacy Podcast for more inspiring stories about surrogacy.

Learn more about becoming a surrogate or donating your breastmilk through the Milk Bank Challenge.

Learn more about ConceiveAbilities All-In Surrogate Care and Compensation Package

Learn more about becoming an egg donor

Learn how to build your family with surrogacy and egg donation

Teale Kelley is a remarkable woman who is helping others navigate the complex world of fertility and surrogacy. With a unique perspective as an experienced egg donor and IVF nurse at Shady Grove Fertility in Denver, Teale has become a voice for others thinking about becoming a surrogate. Her passion for surrogacy and her desire to empower and educate others led her to become a TikTok surrogacy influencer.

Teale's background as an egg donor and IVF nurse gives her a comprehensive understanding of the physical and emotional aspects of the surrogacy process. She draws from her own experiences to offer invaluable advice, debunk myths, and address common concerns that intended parents and surrogates may have.

With a growing following of over 135,000 on TikTok, Teale uses her platform to share invaluable insights, personal stories, and guidance about her surrogacy journey. Her authentic and compassionate approach has resonated with people from all walks of life, providing them with a glimpse into the profound impact surrogacy can have on individuals and families. Teale joined All Things Conceivable: A Surrogacy Podcast to share her goal of empowering individuals to pursue their dreams of parenthood or their desire to be a surrogate.

Learn more about becoming a surrogate

Learn more about ConceiveAbilities All-In Surrogate Care and Compensation Package

Learn more about becoming an egg donor

Learn how to build your family with surrogacy and egg donation

In this episode of All Things Conceivable: A Surrogacy Podcast, host Nazca Fontes welcomes breastfeeding and pumping influencer Helen Avery to share her remarkable journey of overcoming early lactation struggles to achieve a successful milk supply. Helen offers invaluable guidance on maintaining and increasing milk supply, providing actionable tips for new moms, surrogates, and anyone supporting a lactation journey.

From essential pumping techniques, nutrition advice, and power pumping schedules to busting common breastfeeding myths, Helen’s insights empower moms to navigate challenges and build confidence. Whether you’re exclusively pumping, nursing, or exploring both options, this episode delivers the tools, encouragement, and community support you need to thrive.

🎧 Listen now to gain expert advice from Helen Avery and take the next step on your breastfeeding and pumping journey.

Get more lactation resources at conceiveabilities.com

Joseph Tito, film producer, influencer and creator of award winning blog The Dad Diaries shares his surrogacy journey to become a single gay dad of twin girls.

At 37, Joseph Tito was a jet-setting successful film and TV director and producer living his dream. One early morning, he awoke in his Dubai hotel and realized he wanted more out of life. He wanted a family. Listen as Joseph shares his amazing surrogacy journey as a gay single dad and, now, his parenting adventures raising twin daughters. 

Learn more about building a family through surrogacy or becoming a surrogate at ConceiveAbilities !

Vanessa Stepan is a military wife, mom of three, and a doula. She empowers people to have positive birth experiences through education and support with her company Birth Well Colorado Springs. She is also a first time surrogate in the homestretch of her surrogacy journey. Vanessa joined our surrogacy podcast All Things Conceivable to share her surrogacy story and why being a doula inspired her to become a surrogate.

Become a surrogate with ConceiveAbilities

Learn more about ConceiveAbilities All-In Surrogate Care and Compensation Package

Learn how to build your family through surrogacy

Learn more about becoming a doula.

It’s a historic moment for reproductive rights in Michigan—and a long-awaited victory for families across the state. As of April 2, 2025, surrogacy is officially legal in Michigan thanks to the passage of the Michigan Family Protection Act.

This groundbreaking new law not only legalizes compensated surrogacy, but also provides long-overdue legal clarity and protections for intended parents and surrogates. For decades, Michigan had one of the strictest surrogacy bans in the country, forcing families to go out of state or navigate the complexities of adoption just to establish parental rights. Now, Michigan has one of the most comprehensive surrogacy laws in the nation.

In this episode, Nazca Fontes sits down with Michigan-licensed fertility law expert Alexis Cirel to break down exactly what this law means for both intended parents and surrogates. From the legal safeguards it provides to how it paves the way for a more inclusive and accessible surrogacy process, Alexis brings critical insight into how Michigan’s reproductive future is evolving.

🎧 Thinking about becoming a surrogate or growing your family through surrogacy in Michigan? Listen now to learn how this new law affects you.

Want to learn more about surrogacy in Michigan?

Michigan’s new surrogacy law is an incredible advancement for fertility in Michigan and for families across the state. Thanks to the protections this legislation provides, thousands of families will be created.

If you’re in Michigan and considering surrogacy — whether as an intended parent or a surrogate — this new law changes everything. With clear legal protections and a supportive framework, surrogacy is now a safe, accessible, and empowering option in Michigan.

With nearly 30 years of experience in surrogacy and family building, ConceiveAbilities is here to guide Michigan families every step of the way. Surrogacy is a life-changing journey, and we’re honored to bring our expertise to Michigan, helping families grow with confidence and care.

Learn more about Surrogacy in Michigan

Interested in how to Become a Surrogate in Michigan? Learn more about the surrogacy process! Apply now to take the first step!

Is surrogacy the path to parenthood for you? Michigan intended parents can take the first step here!

In the surrogacy world, women who become surrogates share a special and unique bond as #SurroSisters. Maggie and Jessica are not only surrosisters, they are sisters in real life. After Jessica completed two successful surrogacy journeys for New York families, her sister Maggie was inspired to follow in her footsteps and become a surrogate. Jessica, a Pennsylvania resident, recently gave birth to her second 'surrobaby' on the east coast and Maggie is currently matched with her intended parents from Illinois and embarking on her first surrogacy journey in Colorado.

Nazca Fontes, founder of ConceiveAbilities, interviewed Jessica and Maggie to explore why they became surrogates, how they talked with their husbands and why matching with the right intended family is so important.

Inspired by Maggie and Jessica's story? Learn more about becoming a surrogate with ConceiveAbilities Surrogacy Agency and apply to help others build their family!

Finding the right surrogate match is essential to a surrogacy journey.

Surrogate, Emma, and Mom, Amber, share their surrogacy story, how they matched together and how they built their relationship.

Learn more about becoming a surrogate.

Ready to take the next step? Find out if you qualify to be a surrogate.

Join the Surrogacy Learning Center to connect with people in the surrogacy world.

Listen to more Surrogacy Podcasts!

Andrea Syrtash, nationally recognized relationship expert, author and founder of infertility blog Pregnantish takes us on her emotional 10-year journey to become a parent, how infertility affected her marriage, and how the decision to use a surrogate changed her life.

Learn more about surrogacy at ConceiveAbilities

Learn more about the baby formula shortage with Lindsay Groff, executive director of HMBANA.

Most shelves have infant formula, but is the baby formula shortage really over? Market research conducted in late October showed the shortage improved with 87% of store shelves having baby formula back in stock, almost 20% more than the low of 69% at the peak of the shortage.  Yet some families are still struggling to find formula.

Linsday Groff first learned about becoming a milk donor from a nurse while her baby daughter was in the NICU. Lindsay decided then she would donate her surplus of breastmilk for a year to help other babies like hers. Her full circle moment came years later when she took over the helm as Executive Director of The Human Milk Banking Association of North America that believes in a world where all infants have access to human milk through support of breastfeeding and use of pasteurized donor human milk. Lindsay joined Nazca Fontes on All Things Conceivable: A Surrogacy Podcast to talk about the infant formula shortage.

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In this deeply meaningful episode of All Things Conceivable: A Surrogacy Podcast, Nazca Fontes sits down with Kristy Miller, MSW, LSW, PMH-C—certified perinatal mental health professional and a valued member of ConceiveAbilities’ Match Experience team. Together, they explore one of surrogacy’s most challenging yet often overlooked aspects: navigating perinatal loss and grief.

Kristy shares her insights from the International Perinatal Bereavement Conference, shedding light on how she supports surrogates and intended parents through heartbreak, from failed embryo transfers to pregnancy loss. With her expertise and compassionate approach, Kristy explains why honoring grief, fostering open communication, and providing emotional support are essential for healing and resilience during a surrogacy journey.

If you’re an intended parent, surrogate, or someone supporting this unique path to parenthood, this episode is a powerful reminder: You are not alone, and every emotion is valid.

🎧 Listen now for Kristy Miller’s invaluable guidance on moving through loss, finding connection, and continuing the journey forward.

Learn more about surrogacy at www.conceiveabilities.com

Entrepreneur and Intended Mother, Arsiak Vartenian shares her surrogacy journey with Nazca Fontes. From choosing surrogacy to finding the right surrogate partner to finding the right agency, Arsiak gives an intimate look into her and her husband's surrogacy journey.

Learn more about surrogacy: https://www.conceiveabilities.com/

Find out how you can become a surrogate and help people like Arsiak: https://www.conceiveabilities.com/surrogates/become-a-surrogate-mother/

Join the Surrogacy Learning Center: https://surrogacylearningcenter.conceiveabilities.com/

Hear more about Arsiak: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmMYWFl7InPTFTbRXNTqNIg

If you have been or are planning on becoming pregnant, you know that how you eat is important for a happy and healthy pregnancy. Our All In Surrogate Care & Compensation Package includes partum care from the beginning all the way through your fourth trimester, including information on how you fuel your body. Nutrition is just as important for you, as it is for the baby you are carrying.

Kendra Aronson, founder of the newly launched Pregnant and Hungry, a subscription-based website with pregnancy-safe recipes, created a one-stop resource for everything you need to know about what to eat, and what not to eat, during your surrogacy journey.  Listen to her perspective, with Nazca Fontes, CEO of ConceiveAbilities.

Subscribe today and get your first month subscription free for ConceiveAbilities’ surrogacy community. Use the code SURROGATE at checkout for your free trial.

Learn more about becoming a surrogate and our All-In Surrogate Compensation and Care Package that extends all the way through the fourth trimester. 

Ready to begin your surrogacy journey? See if you qualify to become a surrogate.

Sam Mathews from @wearedanandsam shares her surrogacy journey and what it is like becoming a surrogate influencer.

When Sam and her husband Dan decided becoming a surrogate was the right journey for their family, they naturally shared everything from the beginning of the surrogacy process through delivery and fourth trimester recovery. Listen to Sam share what she learned throughout her surrogacy journey!

Inspired by Sam's journey? Learn more about becoming a surrogate.

Ready to take the next step? Find out if you qualify to be a surrogate.

Join the Surrogacy Learning Center to connect with people in the surrogacy world.

Listen to more Surrogacy Podcasts!

Leading OB-Gyn doctor, Dr. Aasta Mehta, joined us to talk about the importance of the postpartum Fourth Trimester. Dr. Mehta co-authored an article titled the Fourth Trimester: 12 Weeks Is Not Enough. She’s the Medical Officer of Women's Health for the Philadelphia Department of Health, practicing OB/GYN in Philadelphia and holds a Masters in Public Policy.  Listen as she shares her passion for partum care and the importance of recovery after birth.

Learn more about becoming a surrogate and our All-In Surrogate Compensation and Care Package with ConceiveAbilities Surrogacy and Egg Donor Agency! 

Jacqueline's journey has been one of resilience, marked by challenges, loss, and ultimately, immeasurable joy. Inspired by her experiences, she founded "Motherhood Intended," a supportive community where women can connect and share their stories. Through her raw and emotional fertility journey podcast, Jacqueline fearlessly discusses her infertility struggles, the pain of loss, and the profound moments of her surrogacy journey.

Today, on this special Mother's Day, we celebrate Jacqueline's newest role as a mother to Lorelei Rose, who has just entered the world through the beautiful gift of surrogacy. With six precious babies in her heart—sons Hunter and Noah, her cherished angels in heaven, and now Lorelei—Jacqueline's journey exemplifies the power of love, resilience, and the profound bond of motherhood. Join us in honoring these incredible women and the joy they bring to the world.

Follow All Things Conceivable: A Surrogacy Podcast for more inspiring stories about surrogacy

Learn more about becoming a surrogate

Learn more about ConceiveAbilities All-In Surrogate Care and Compensation Package

Learn more about becoming an egg donor

Learn how to build your family with surrogacy and egg donation

Since the inception of ConceiveAbilities 25 years ago, there have been incredible advances in third party reproduction, especially in surrogacy. More and more families are turning to surrogacy to build their families and with good reason. Not only are people more open about how surrogacy has allowed them to fulfill their dream of building a family, more women are becoming surrogates.

Dr. Ashley Tiegs with the Atlanta Center for Reproductive Medicine and winner of the ASRM 2021 Investigator Achievement award shared her own fertility journey, what inspired her to become a Reproductive Endocrinologist and how surrogacy has helped her patients build their families on our podcast All Things Conceivable: A Surrogacy Podcast with Nazca Fontes.

Read our Full Blog on Medium.com

Learn how to become a surrogate with ConceiveAbilities Surrogacy Agency: https://conceiveabilities.com/surrogates/become-a-surrogate-mother/

Join The Surrogacy Learning Center to connect with others: https://surrogacylearningcenter.conceiveabilities.com/

Take this short survey to see if you qualify to Become a Surrogate: https://www.conceiveabilities.com/app/surrogates/register

Welcome to another episode of "All Things Conceivable." Today, we dive into the early stages of the surrogacy journey, featuring Sasha Poshusta, a new surrogate from Minnesota. Sasha shares her compelling reasons for becoming a surrogate and joining the Conceivabilities family.

Living with her husband Max and two children, Louie and Lucy, Sasha also runs a popular YouTube vlog called "Family Tales," where she openly shares her family adventures and personal struggles, including miscarriage and postpartum depression.

In this episode, Sasha discusses the decision-making process, her family's support, and the steps she has taken so far, including the application, mental health assessment, and matching process. Tune in to hear her hopes for the future and what it means to be on the brink of this life-changing journey.

Follow along with Sasha on her Familytale Vlogs YouTube Channel.

Learn more about becoming a surrogate.

Learn more about ConceiveAbilities All-In Surrogate Care and Compensation Package

Learn more about becoming an egg donor

Learn how to build your family with surrogacy and egg donation

Breanna Seibel’s journey to motherhood is a profound story of resilience, healing, and hope. After facing infertility, the devastating loss of her son Teddy, and navigating her daughter Viviana’s NICU journey, Breanna turned to pumping breast milk as a way to reclaim control amidst unimaginable grief. In this emotional episode of All Things Conceivable, Breanna shares how breastfeeding became a lifeline—not only for her premature daughter’s survival but for her own healing process.

Now an ER nurse and creator with over 200,000 TikTok followers, Breanna reflects on her NICU experience, the critical role of milk bank donations, and her journey to maintaining and increasing her milk supply. She provides invaluable advice for parents navigating pumping, from power pumping techniques to overcoming common breastfeeding challenges.

Breanna’s story is a powerful testament to the strength of mothers, the impact of small acts of love, and the daily choice to find purpose in the face of grief. Tune in to hear how Breanna’s loss transformed into a mission to empower other parents and why every drop of milk—and every ounce of strength—matters.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here.

There’s much to celebrate in New York! After years of fighting to end the ban of compensated surrogacy and legal reform for the surrogacy process, the new law, effective February 15, 2021, makes dreams of a family a reality for New Yorkers! Not only is this great news for intended parents in New York, it’s also monumental for women who want to be gestational carriers to help these families. They can now become surrogates with some of the strongest protections available in the United States.

Pioneering New York fertility expert Dr. James Grifo, director of NYU Langone Fertility Center shares his perspective on what the law means for New York parents and surrogates, why the law needed to change, and why he loves practicing in NYC.

Learn more about building a family through surrogacy and becoming a gestational carrier in New York at ConceiveAbilities !

Maddie Miller is a wife and mom of five from Salt Lake City, Utah, who recently completed her first surrogacy journey. After a friend experienced infertility, Maddie began helping others: first, becoming an egg donor, then becoming a surrogate. Maddie joins ConceiveAbilities founder and host of All Things Conceivable: A Surrogacy Podcast Nazca Fontes to share her surrogacy journey from egg donor to surrogate.

Learn more about becoming a surrogate

Learn more about ConceiveAbilities All-In Surrogate Care and Compensation Package

Learn more about becoming an egg donor

Learn how to build your family with surrogacy and egg donation

In this heartfelt episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Rachelle Chapman, a quadriplegic mother who turned to surrogacy to build her family. Listen as she shares her personal story of love, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child. From the challenges she faced navigating parenthood with a disability to her decision to pursue surrogacy, this episode sheds light on the power of hope and determination. Join us for an intimate conversation that explores the true meaning of family and the extraordinary lengths people go to create one.

Inspired by Rachelle to help other women like her? Take this short survey to start your surrogacy journey today!

Learn more about becoming a surrogate.

Learn more about Rachelle: Diary of a Wheel Girl

Learn more about ConceiveAbilities Egg Donor & Surrogacy Agency.

One of the most important relationships a woman has in her life is her relationship with her OB/Gyn doctor. We have hopeful and silly conversations as well as tough and scary conversations with our doctors. When a woman is deciding to become a surrogate, she looks to her trusted obstetrician for their guidance and expert advice.

Dr. Heather Carlson with the Mankato clinic as cared for surrogates and delivered many surro-babies in her 15 years servicing her community. Nazca Fontes, founder of ConceiveAbilities, interviewed Dr. Carlson on our new show All Things Conceivable: A Surrogacy Podcast to talk about her expert experience caring for her surrogate patients and busting surrogacy myths.

Learn more about becoming a surrogate with ConceiveAbilities Surrogacy and Egg Donor Agency! 

COVID-19 Vaccine and Pregnancy: What Surrogates and Women Who Want to Be Pregnant Need to Know Now with Dr. Jennifer Hirshfeld-Cytron

Pregnancy and the COVID-19 vaccination is a hot topic in our fertility world today. The US Food and Drug Administration has granted full approval to the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for people age 16 and older. The CDC encourages all pregnant people or people who are thinking about becoming pregnant and those breastfeeding to get vaccinated to protect themselves from COVID-19. And the American Society for Reproductive Medicine says while all women should be strongly encouraged to receive COVID-19 vaccination when pregnant or attempting pregnancy, clinics should strongly consider requiring vaccination for gestational carriers and advise intended parents to include the requirement of vaccination of gestational carriers in their contracts.

How do you take all of that information and apply it to pregnancy and surrogacy? As we navigate the pandemic and new variants, we've been hearing a lot about the questions and concerns from all parties regarding how that impacts surrogates and our intended parents. Dr. Jennifer Hirshfeld-Cytron is board certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility with Fertility Centers of Illinois answered our questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and surrogacy on our podcast All Things Conceivable: A Surrogacy Podcast with Nazca Fontes.

Learn more about how to become a surrogate with ConceiveAbilities here.

Take this survey to see if you qualify to be a surrogate.

Join us on "All Things Conceivable: A Surrogacy Podcast with Nazca Fontes" for an inspiring interview with Tayler Lewis, a military spouse turned surrogate. In this heartfelt conversation, Tayler shares her journey from growing up as a military brat to becoming a devoted military spouse. With 28 years of experience within the military community, Tayler discusses the profound impact of military life on her values of service, resilience, and purpose.

Discover how Tayler's passion for serving others led her to embark on a surrogacy journey with ConceiveAbilities. Through her own experiences, Tayler provides invaluable insights into the unique intersection of military life and surrogacy and how surrogacy provided Tayler with a fulfilling sense of purpose and validation.

Whether you're considering surrogacy or simply seeking inspiration, Tayler's story will leave you feeling uplifted and empowered. Tune in to this episode to hear firsthand how one military spouse found profound purpose and fulfillment through the extraordinary gift of surrogacy.

Follow All Things Conceivable: A Surrogacy Podcast for more inspiring stories about surrogacy

Learn more about becoming a surrogate

Learn more about ConceiveAbilities All-In Surrogate Care and Compensation Package

Learn more about becoming an egg donor

Learn how to build your family with surrogacy and egg donation

A surrogate is a woman who carries a child for someone who cannot. Listen and learn more about what a surrogate is and the surrogacy process with a panel of pregnancy and surrogacy experts, an experienced three time surrogate and an intended mother who used surrogacy to build her family.

Learn more about becoming a surrogate.

Ready to take the next step? Find out if you qualify to be a surrogate.

Join the Surrogacy Learning Center to connect with people in the surrogacy world.

Listen to more Surrogacy Podcasts!

In this episode of "All Things Conceivable," host Nazca Fontes delves into the critical issue of compassion fatigue, particularly affecting healthcare professionals. The conversation spotlights the impact of constant exposure to others' trauma and introduces the #EmpowerNursesChallenge aimed at building resilience among nurses.

Special guest Barbara Rubel, an expert in compassion fatigue and traumatic stress, shares insights from her extensive work and offers practical strategies using her "FABULOUS" framework. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the healthcare industry seeking to understand and combat compassion fatigue, while fostering a supportive and resilient work environment.

Learn more about joining the #EmpowerNursesChallenge

Learn more about Compassion Fatigue Expert Barbara Rubel