Welcome to Conversations, the podcast with Surrogacy Australia.
Join Anna McKie in conversation with surrogates and parents who have navigated Australian altruistic surrogacy. Anna is a gestational surrogate, high school Math teacher and surrogacy educator working with Surrogacy Australia and running SASS (Surrogacy Australia’s Support Service).
On this page you will find episodes from gay dads. On the main podcast page you will find recent episodes and links to other categories: surrogates, straight mums, education, Katrina Hale and guests / themes.
These podcasts were recorded as part of our free, fortnightly webinar series. If you would like to attend one, check out our dates and registration links. The recordings can also be found on our YouTube channel so you can see the photos that are described in the recordings.
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James and his husband JimBob from Brisbane, became dads to their son, Rupert, in March 2023. Their surrogate, Jemma from north QLD, was previously a stranger whom they met at a Growing Families conference in June 2021. Jemma’s waters broke early at 30 weeks resulting in quick action from all families. Jemma birthed Rupert at 32 weeks via an emergency C-section but he has been strong and healthy since birth. Their egg donor, Zoe, is James’ sister and she offered to be their donor when they were teenagers.
Episode 83 – Warwick – gay dad
Warwick and Jason, from Sydney, became parents to their son (Jetson) in January 2022. Jetson was carried by their surrogate Mel who already had a connection before surrogacy, as a friend of Warwick’s sister. They navigated a journey with some distance (Sydney to Wollongong) and were able to stay near and with Mel in the weeks before and after birth. They have gone on to have another son, Jasper who was born in May 2024. Mel was their surrogate and birthed at home for the second time.
You can hear from his surrogate, Mel, in episode 84.
Shane and his partner Clinton near Newcastle, NSW became parents to their son Easton in February 2024. Their surrogate, Jennie, who lives nearby, is a friend of Shane’s sister. Their egg donor, Teneale, is Clint’s sister so there’s a whole village involved! They started their surrogacy journey in late 2021 with a previous surrogate that Shane met through the gym. They went down the traditional surrogacy path initially but that journey ended after an ectopic pregnancy in mid 2022. Surrogacy is certainly a marathon, not a sprint.
Matt, from Adelaide, and his husband, Aldo, met their surrogate, Rachel from Melbourne, in October 2020. Following their first embryo transfer in January 2022, they welcomed their son, Ari, in September of that year.
You can hear from his surrogate, Rachel, in episode 48.
Tim’s SASS team are one that we have supported from their introduction through to birth and now in this year post birth. Tim and his husband, Sasha, from Sydney became parents to their son Atticus in February 2024. Atticus was carried by surrogate Lizzy who was previously a stranger. They went to America to create embryos and have an embryo transfer and Tim has shared his story at a Growing Families conference 2 years after meeting Lizzy and the same conference where they met the medical team from the American IVF clinic!
Episode 67 – Brendan – gay dad
Brendan and Matt, from Adelaide, became Dads to their son in late September 2020. Their son was carried by their surrogate (previously a stranger) Anna (me!) who lives in SA too. Brendan has been a Mentor with SASS and has supported many new gay Intended Dads who are at the beginning of their journey. You can find them on instagram @the_real_dads_of_adelaide
Episode 62 – Sam – single gay dad
Sam is a trail blazer as one of the first men to become a single dad through surrogacy in Melbourne. His daughter, Hazel, was born in January 2023. It was traditional surrogacy, meaning his surrogate was also the egg donor. They were previously strangers but met through friends of friends during the first lockdown break of 2020 – now friends for life!
Episode 59 – Dan – When surrogacy did not work the first (or second) time
Intended Parents, Dan and Stu, did find a surrogate and began the journey with her and her family. Their surrogacy team went through the counselling and legal process, however due to a change in her family situation, the surrogate was no longer able to continue. Although it took a lot to put themselves back out there to look for another surrogate, Dan and Stu have learnt a lot about themselves and the process and want to share their story to help others.
Jay and his husband Mika from Melbourne became parents to their son Leonidas in August 2022. Their surrogate Kim, who lives in Adelaide, was previously a stranger and now a life long friend. Their egg donor, Sadie, is a family friend of both Jay and Mika.
Andrew and Sam from Canberra became parents to their daughter Paige in December 2020 and son Cole in February 2023. Bonnie, who lives on the Sunshine Coast and knew Sam from high school, was their Traditional surrogate, meaning it was her egg. The births were total opposites with Paige needing to be in the NICU for 7 weeks but Cole was a homebirth. They have been advocates for legalising Traditional surrogacy in the ACT to be legally recognised as their children’s parents.
Andrew and Sam from Canberra became parents to their daughter Paige in December 2020 and son Cole in February 2023. Bonnie, who lives on the Sunshine Coast and knew Sam from high school, was their Traditional surrogate, meaning it was her egg. The births were total opposites with Paige needing to be in the NICU for 7 weeks but Cole was a homebirth. They have been advocates for legalising Traditional surrogacy in the ACT to be legally recognised as their children’s parents.
Episode 32 – Nathan and Troy – gay dads
Nathan and Troy, from Sydney, became parents to their son (Noah) in May 2023. They are actually a SASS team and came to us already self matched. Noah was carried by their surrogate Amy, who has been friends with Nathan since high school. They navigated a journey with some distance (Sydney to the Central Coast) and moved to stay closer to Amy and her family from a month before birth to 8 months post birth. Their embryos were made in Utah using an egg donor from a clinic in the US, so they have many experiences on which to draw insights.
Dane and Ben from Newcastle became parents to baby boy Rupert in January 2022. Rupert was carried and birthed by their surrogate Chelsea who was previously a stranger and who lived on the Gold Coast. Dane’s sister is their egg donor so there is a whole village involved to create their son!
Josh and husband Cam from Brisbane became parents to baby boy Colton in June 2023. Colton was carried and birthed by their surrogate Machelle who was previously a stranger. Machelle lives near Toowoomba so they’re 2 and a half hours apart, and the distance does feel enormous when their team experienced 2 miscarriages at 6 and 10 weeks, and then a scare when 26 weeks pregnant.
Adam and Angus from Sydney became parents to baby girl Vivian in October 2022. Vivian was carried and birthed by their surrogate Kate who was previously a stranger. Adam’s sister is their egg donor and you may have seen their team featured on channel 9’s show Big Miracles. You can hear Kate’s version of their journey in episode 8.
Follow on instagram @suburban_farmdads
Tyson and Daniel from Melbourne became Dads to their daughter (London) in December 2021. London was carried by their surrogate Beth who was previously a stranger.