I Want to Put a Baby in You!

Melissa Dias went through an unbelievable journey to grow her family and never gave up on her dreams of having children. She now is an active advocate for ethical surrogacy in hopes of inspiring and assisting others who are going through the same or similar journeys. Listen as Melissa talks about: • Her struggle with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) diagnosis in her early 20s which began her infertility journey. • Her many rounds of clomid, IUIs, and IVF. • The tragic decision she was forced make to save her own life. • Her traumatic pregnancy experience that let her to explore surrogacy as an option to grow her family. • Her unbelievable start of her surrogacy journey and trying to find a good surrogate match - 3rd times a charm. • Why she started the Surrogacy Agency Review Board. • Her tips on what makes a good agency versus a bad agency. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com
 Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com
Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com

Carole LieberWilkins is a renowned Marriage and Family Therapist in the West Los Angeles area. She’s been working in family building, infertility, reproductive medicine, adoption, egg donation, sperm donation and surrogacy for the past 30 years. Listen as Carole talks about: • The devastating news she received about her own infertility at the agof 30. • The adoption experience with her first son (before egg donation was even available!). • Her experience being one of the first people in the world to receive and become pregnant with an egg donor’s egg. • The amazing process back in the 80s of how egg transfers USED to be done (and how INSANELY far they have come!). • How her experience launched her mental health career. • Dealing with your and your child’s emotions when discussing their birth story, especially if they are not genetically related to you. • Practicing your family-building story when you are pregnant or when your surrogate is pregnant. • Techniques and talking points when explaining to your children about their story. • Her (strong!) opinion on the anonymity of egg/sperm donors. • Books and other resources to help you talk to your children about their birth story. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com 
Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com 
Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com
 Learn more about Carole’s practice: http://www.lafamilybuilding.com

Geina Horton has been an acupuncturist in Denver for 20 years. She holds the honor of being the first licensed acupuncturist to become credentialed to perform acupuncture in the State of Colorado in the Operating Room at the University of Colorado Hospital. She specializes in infertility. Listen as Geina talks about: • What made her change her career from being a disc jockey to touring with rock stars to helping make babies! • How she takes Western medical conditions and symptoms and translates them to Chinese medicine. • How acupuncture has way more benefits than just being good for your “blood flow”. • How she had to win over her parents on the idea of Chinese medicine. • What her schooling was like to become an acupuncturist (including 400+ acupuncture points and memorizing all of the herbs!). • Her unbelievable stories about treating rock stars. • How she helps women conceive babies. And then get them out! Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com 
Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com
Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com 
Learn more about Geina’s practice, Insight Acupuncture: http://insightacupuncture.com

Dr. Said Daneshmand is an internationally recognized fertility specialist with extensive experience providing third-party reproductive services. Listen as Dr. Daneshmand talks about: • His experience with HIV and AIDS patients in his early medical years. • How he was inspired to go into fertility as his medical specialty. • His groundbreaking published work in fertility to improve IVF rates, increasing safety and generally eliminating the risk of ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome. • Changing the protocol for PGT or PGS (Pre-Genetic Test or Pre-Genetic Screening) so it’s safer for the embryo. • His current practice and research at San Diego Fertility Center. • His amazing work with those who are HIV positive and wanting genetically-related children. • The protocol that is in place for an embryo transfer from an HIV positive person to a surrogate and how safe it actually is. • His opinion on single embryo transfers versus multiple embryo transfers. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com
 Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com
Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com 
Learn more about Dr. Daneshmand’s practice, San Diego Fertility Center: https://www.sdfertility.com

Crystal is an adaptive sports therapist. Tyler is a US Army Veteran, medically retired at the age of 23. Together they are tremendous advocates for accessible fertility treatment, especially for those who have served our country. Hear Crystal and Tyler discuss: • How Tyler was paralyzed in Afghanistan in May of 2005 and his incredible story of survival against the odds. • How Tyler’s life-changing decision to start hand cycling ultimately led him to find love. • Their struggle with infertility, including their unwillingness to give up, even after learning the VA prohibited coverage for fertility treatment. • Their lobbying efforts, victories and continued efforts. • How you can help. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com
Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com

Mitchell and Stephen are fun to listen to -- and not just because they have adorable Australian accents. They are also a power couple fighting to improve the lives of individuals and families in Australia. Mitchell has been a social worker for 10 years, specializing in children, mental illness and domestic violence. Stephen is a renowned lawyer focusing on family law. He handled his first surrogacy case in 1998! Hear Stephen and Mitchell discuss: • Their love story — from meeting to marriage, and hopefully to baby carriage in the not-too-distant future. • Where their gestational surrogacy journey is now – embryos, carriers, and more! (including best friends and family members raising their hands to help). • No gender reveal parties in Australia but Baby-B-Ques! • The thorny legal environment for surrogacy in Australia. • The complications of Australian couples going to the US (or other countries) for surrogacy. • The fascinating first case determining when “conception” happens. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com
 Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com
Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com

Andrea Syrtash is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of pregnantishTM, the first online lifestyle magazine dedicated to helping people navigate their fertility. She’s been on Oprah and The View. She’s also a renowned author and dating and relationship expert. Hear Andrea’s amazing story as she discusses: • Her 10 year fertility journey while juggling a very public career. • Her major surgery, miscarriages, and intense fertility procedures before turning to another option. • How she had to fake it on national television while injecting herself with fertility drugs between takes. • The latest update on her journey. • How and why she started pregnantishTM and what it’s all about. • Advice on what to say and what not to say to those dealing with infertility. • Her nomination for a WEGO Health Award as a Patient Leader Hero. There are a couple days left to endorse her! Nominations close August 17, 2018 (https://awards.wegohealth.com/nominees/award/2018-wego-health-awards-patient-leader-hero?utf8=%E2%9C%93&search%5Bkeywords%5D=syrtash&search%5Bwith%5D%5Baward_ids%5D=) Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com
 Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com
Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com
 Learn more about pregnantishTM: www.pregnantish.com

Ida Parisi is a lawyer in Italy specializing in fertility law and family law. She assists couples and singles to build their families through assisted reproductive technology. She also acts as an independent consultant for fertility centers and sperm and egg banks. Hear as Ida discusses: • How she got interested in fertility law. • Her background studying comparative ART law and working for an ART-specialized firm in Los Angeles. • Explaining how the striking differences between the Italian system and US system. • The case of an Italian couple banned from screening their embryos for genetic disease takes their fight all the way to the European Court of Human Rights. • Embryo mix ups. The Italian solution is very different than the American one. • What the “Spring of Rainbow Right” is. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com Learn more about Ida’s law firm: avvocatoidaparisi.com

Jessica is the Chair of the Walk of Hope in Colorado, a fundraiser for the national organization RESOLVE, which raises awareness and provides support for those experiencing infertility. Jessica has also walked that long road of infertility. Hear as Jessica discusses: • Her husband and their high school love story beginnings. They started off not liking each other! • Their infertility journey — starting with an ectopic pregnancy and emergency surgery. And learning firsthand the importance of advocating for yourself. • The unsuccessful rounds of Clomid and IUI and the endless testing. • Their tough decision to not do IVF, which started their conversation around adoption. • How they picked their adoption agency and their adoption journey so far. • Where they are now in their adoption journey. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com Learn more about the the Colorado Walk of Hope here: classy.org/event/colorado-walk-of-hope/e164098. Join or donate to our team, Fetal Attraction, here: classy.org/team/167014

Eric, a preeminent New York matrimonial and family law attorney, has been on the frontlines of the fight for legal recognition of non-traditional families. Hear Eric discuss: • The hoops he and his husband had to jump through to adopt their two children. • His most exciting case and how it has changed the way New York courts now recognize parents. • A messy (I mean, really messy!) case with a UK same sex couple involving multiple countries, a surrogacy, a divorce, a new boyfriend, a fraudulent adoption ….and MORE drama! • A case where a court recognizes three people all as parents to one child (and how in New York there are five ways to become a legal parent!). Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com Learn more about the law firm Eric is Partner at here: wbny.com/eric-wrubel

Maya and Noah are the stars (or “subjects” as they like to say) of a documentary providing a very personal and in-depth look at infertility. One More Shot (check it out on Netflix!) gives you a front row seat into their four year journey to have a baby. We get the behind-the-scenes scoop. Hear from Maya and Noah as they share: • How they met and fell in love (despite their opposite personalities). • Their initial idea of shooting a short 5 minute clip about their IVF procedure and how it turned into so much more. • How they dealt with their very private moments on film (i.e. the bathroom scene!). • The numerous medical procedures they’ve endured. • Their thoughts on anonymity with donor gametes (they have lots of thoughts!). • How Maya’s pregnancy and the birth went (unfortunately…it was not nice and calm). • Postpartum depression - dealing with it, specifically when you’ve had infertility issues. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com Learn more about One More Shot: onemoreshotfilm.com or facebook.com/OneMoreShotFilm/ Check out Maya’s site: mayagrobel.com

Dominque Side is the Founder and Director of Surrogacy Escrow Account Management. They specialize in escrow management for surrogacy and egg donation arrangements. Hear from Dominique as she shares: • Her personal connection to this field and how she got involved in assisted reproductive technology. • Her experience as first an egg donor and then a gestational surrogate (not just once)! • What escrow is and what the purpose of it is (it’s not just for buying and selling real estate!). • A horror surrogacy story - an independent match gone terribly wrong - and how escrow potentially saved the relationship. • Her advice for those starting the egg donation or surrogacy process. • The MUST ASK questions for any escrow company you are considering. • Her opinion on contract language - where confusion comes in on different terms such as “bedrest” and “activity restricted.” Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com Learn more about Surrogacy Escrow Account Management: http://www.surrogacyaccount.com

Lanie Wolff is a clinical physicians liaison for Conceptions Reproductive Associations of Colorado. She has a wonderful personal story to share about how her sister Tessa helped her start her family. Hear from Lanie and Tessa as they share their story: • How they went from instant family (including an incident of classic sibling blackmail) to long-distance pen pals.. • Lanie and her husband confronting an only 5% chance of IVF working with her eggs and her husband’s sperm. • Tessa’s blunt (and amazing) offer to Lanie! • Tessa’s kids’ reactions to hearing about Tessa’s offer (one thought it was like Jurassic Park and one thought she was going to make her breakfast!) • The 3 week trip to Colorado - the bonding, the shots (in restaurants and movie theaters!), and the doctor’s appointments. • The procedure and the disappointing results. • The fairytale that Lanie tells the kids about their birth story (and how she handled the “how babies are made” talk with her oldest). • How Lanie’s story led her to her current career at Conceptions Reproductive Associations of Colorado. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com Learn more about Conceptions Reproductive Associates of Colorado: conceptionsrepro.com

Danielle Kitson is an attorney and partner at an international law firm. She is also a mother (proving that you can have it all!), but took a long and unique road to get there. Hear from Danielle Kitson as she shares her story: • Her plan in her twenties to throw an artificial insemination party if she didn’t find Mr. Right. • How her ex-husband helped her pick out her sperm donor?! • Failed IUIs, surgery, and IVF cycles (oh my!). • The challenges of being a single mother and being in a unique family situation and how she talks to her kids about it. • Her serious pregnancy complications and how they affected the babies. • What she decided to do with her remaining embryos. • Meeting and keeping in touch with the “diblings” of her children! • How the heck she’s doing all this while winning multi-million dollar trials. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com

Dr. Althea O’Shaughnessy is a Reproductive Endocrinologist at Concep-tions Reproductive Associates of Colorado, one of the top clinics in Colo-rado. Dr. O’Shaughnessy won the Castle Connolly Top Doctor Award for 7 of the last 8 years. She’s originally from New York City and has recently moved to Colorado. While she had dreams of being a professional tap dancer, she put those dreams on hold to pursue her medical dreams (thankfully for those whom she’s helped get pregnant!). Hear from Dr. O’Shaughnessy as she discusses: • Uncovering the mystery of infertility and coming up with a personalized plan. • The trend of people waiting longer to get pregnant — why it’s happening and what it’s affecting. • The story of a young woman who went in for a laparoscopic procedure for an ectopic pregnancy and found something unexpected and life changing! • The importance of patients being educated and being their own advocates…getting second and third opinions (and talking to your uterus, if necessary). • Uterine transplants, swapping genetic material, changing genes within chromosomes, chromosomal testing, and more (oh my). • The recommendation on how long you should try before seeking help for infertility. • The oldest patient she’s helped get pregnant with her own eggs and the oldest with donor eggs (guesses? no…it’s not 70). Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about our podcast: iwanttoputababyinyou.com Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: brightfuturesfamilies.com Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: trachmanlawcenter.com Learn more about Conceptions Reproductive Associates of Colorado: conceptionsrepro.com Tune in next week when we speak with Danielle Kitson, a partner at an International Law Firm.