surrogacy podcast – SurrogateFirst https://surrogatefirst.com Helping families, one blessing at a time Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:19:38 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.4 https://surrogatefirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/surrogatefirst_favicon_2_32x32.webp surrogacy podcast – SurrogateFirst https://surrogatefirst.com 32 32 Surrogate Karina featured on The David Watson Podcast https://surrogatefirst.com/podcast/surrogate-karina-featured-on-the-david-watson-podcast/ Wed, 23 Oct 2024 08:56:05 +0000 https://surrogatefirst.com/?p=3425

Originally aired on The David Watson Podcast on Oct 17, 2024.

Discover the inspiring journey of one of SurrogateFirst’s surrogates, Karina Hofacker, recently spotlighted on the David Watson Podcast. Karina opens up about her motivation for becoming a surrogate, supported wholeheartedly by her husband, and reflects on her journey through three successful surrogacies. She also offers insights into her personal breastfeeding experiences and practical tips to make it easier. Listen to the podcast here.

Stay tuned to the SurrogateFirst blog for more updates and discussions on surrogacy-related topics.

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]]> NPR’s 1A Podcast’s Surrogacy Interview with Ashley Mareko https://surrogatefirst.com/podcast/nprs-1a-podcasts-surrogacy-interview-with-ashley-mareko-2/ Wed, 13 Jul 2022 02:02:14 +0000 https://surrogatefirst.wpenginepowered.com/?p=726

As we enter into the second half of 2022, we are happy to announce our first surrogacy interview with National Public Radio’s (NPR) 1A (First Amendment) Talk show.

How the Pandemic Reshaped Surrogacy

In a 1A podcast interview, SurrogateFirst’s Ashley Mareko joined an expert panel to explore how the COVID‑19 pandemic has reshaped the surrogacy landscape—affecting supply, costs, and health protocols.

NPR surrogacy interview with ashley mareko

The show is produced by WAMU 88.5 servicing the Washington DC metro.

In this long-ranging interview about the strain the pandemic is putting on the surrogacy industry, our very own Program Director, Ashley Mareko, was invited to speak about her experience as a fourth-time surrogate!

Ashley is joined by:

Dr. Deepika Garg, MD

OBGYN; professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the Yale University School of Medicine

Melissa Brisman, Esq.

Reproductive lawyer and founder of Reproductive Possibilities.

Key Highlights from the NPR 1A Interview:

  • Surrogacy Trends: According to the CDC, gestational surrogates gave birth to over 18,400 babies in the U.S. between 1999 and 2013—highlighting steady growth in the use of surrogacy as a family-building option.
  • Pandemic-Induced Surrogacy Shortage: The New York Times reported a 60% drop in available surrogates during the COVID-19 pandemic. This caused longer wait times and significantly higher costs for intended parents.
  • Vaccine Hesitancy vs. Parental Requirements: Many potential surrogates were hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine, while intended parents increasingly required it—especially given research showing that vaccinated mothers pass protective antibodies to their babies in utero.
  • Increased Emotional and Legal Strain: Guests discussed the emotional toll on both surrogates and intended parents, as well as the legal uncertainties caused by travel restrictions and evolving public health policies.
  • Voices from the Field: The panel included SurrogateFirst’s Ashley Mareko, an OBGYN, and a reproductive lawyer—offering firsthand insight into how agencies and families adapted during a volatile time for surrogacy.

The interviewer additionally asks about the state of surrogacy from a legal standpoint, international surrogacy, and the high costs to hire a surrogate to start a family in the United States.

Listen to the full surrogacy interview here

Why SurrogateFirst?

At SurrogateFirst, we’re more than a matching agency—we’re your support system.

Surrogatefirst support team

Start your journey today:

AS A SURROGATE
AS INTENDED PARENT(S)

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]]> Radio Health Journal: Legalizing Commercial Surrogacy https://surrogatefirst.com/podcast/our-surrogacy-interview-by-radio-health-journal-2/ Thu, 30 Jun 2022 01:09:57 +0000 https://surrogatefirst.wpenginepowered.com/?p=723

Each season, the SurrogateFirst team expands to new frontiers, all with the goal of informing the wider public about the world of surrogacy!

This month, our very own Surrogate Program Director, Ashley Mareko, guest featured on a commercial gestational surrogacy panel for Radio Health Journal.

Given declining fertility rates, many are seeking out gestational surrogates to help steepen worldwide birth rates. In this interview, Ashley is joined by:

Each were asked about the ethical implications of gestational surrogacy in this insightful surrogacy interview.

You may listen to the interview in its entirety below or read the transcript on Radio Health Journal here:

Congratulations to Ashley for the wonderful feature and for adding to discourse in the world of surrogacy.

Stay tuned to the SurrogateFirst blog for more updates and discussions on surrogacy-related topics.

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]]> Surrogate Perspectives: Selecting a Surrogacy Agency https://surrogatefirst.com/liveevents/surrogate-perspectives-selecting-a-surrogacy-agency-2/ Wed, 25 Aug 2021 07:40:45 +0000 https://surrogatefirst.wpenginepowered.com/?p=690

Experienced surrogates share their Top 5 must ask questions when selecting a surrogacy agency. You don’t want to miss this interesting discussion about evaluating what type of agency is right for you. 

TOP 5 QUESTIONS TO ASK A SURROGACY AGENCY

  1. Agency & Staff History – who are they and what are their core values?  
  2. Support & Availability – is someone always available for emergencies? 
  3. Red Flags – in-house lawyers and escrow? Why are these potential Red Flags?  
  4. Screening Requirements – why pre-qualification is a must!   
  5. Compensation & Benefits – transparency and what items are clearly stated in agreement? 

These are just some of the key questions of many more that should be asked and verified about any agency or provider that you consider to partner with. Surrogacy journeys can take up to 12-18 months to complete so selecting a strong and competent partner is crucial. Make sure you tune in for this informative webinar. 

This event is now passed, but you can still watch the recording here.

Webinar Surrogate finding agency

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]]> SurrogateFirst’s Wellness Program with “Strength & Grace” https://surrogatefirst.com/surroblog/surrogatefirsts-wellness-program-with-strength-grace/ Tue, 26 Jan 2021 21:52:46 +0000 https://surrogatefirst.wpenginepowered.com/?p=614

SurrogateFirst’s Wellness Program, created specifically with surrogates in mind, encompasses every stage of your journey from pre-conception, each trimester, and three months postpartum (“4th” trimester).  We provide a holistic approach consisting of nutrition, fitness and relaxation guidance from passionate professionals at Strength & Grace. Meet them below!

Listen to the full webinar about our Surrogacy Wellness Program below:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

 

What is our surrogate wellness program?  

Our wellness program is a 12-month plan run by wellness experts Corry Matthews, M.S in Sports Medicine and Stacia Kelly, PhD in Holistic Health and Hypnosis.  We provide fitness and nutrition programming for pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and 3 months post-delivery.  

The wellness program’s main objective is to assist surrogates in having a healthy journey, and to get you back to your regular life as fast as possible post-birth. 

What are the benefits of becoming a surrogate with us?  

All of our surrogates are granted access to the below programs:

  • Fitness and Nutrition Programming for Pre-Pregnancy, During Pregnancy and 3 Months Post Delivery
  • Access to all of Strength & Grace’s recipes, blog posts and downloadable meditations
  • Monthly “Wellness Chat’s” that are a LIVE Q&A format open to all surrogates
  • Ability to interact directly with Corry & Stacia – the wellness experts behind Strength & Grace via email, text, posts in the Surrogate First FB Support Group* and by Scheduling a live call.
  • All surrogates are offered an initial goal setting session to cover their current health and wellness, and discuss goals for pre-conception, pregnancy and both delivery.
  • Weekly emails with fitness & nutrition tips along with healthy recipes

*For fastest response, surrogates are asked to tag Corry or Stacia within the FB group with their health and wellness questions. 

Steps to access the Surrogate Wellness Program?  

Here is how surrogate’s will access our exclusive wellness program!

  • You will receive an initial email upon signing a contract with SurrogateFirst
  • Next, you will receive an assessment form from the Strength and Grace team
  • We will set up an initial call to kick off the program
  • We will also schedule monthly Zoom calls with you to discuss your wellness and progress

We will also be available as needed for scheduled calls, or, if you have impromptu questions, you can always reach us in the FB group.

 
Ready to get started? Begin here.

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]]> Feat. on Surrogacy Podcast “I Want To Put A Baby In You” https://surrogatefirst.com/podcast/surrogatefirst-on-surrogacy-podcast-i-want-to-put-a-baby-in-you/ Sat, 14 Mar 2020 05:06:19 +0000 https://surrogatefirst.wpenginepowered.com/?p=582

Our very own surrogacy expert Ashley Mareko was featured on the acclaimed surrogacy podcast “I Want to Put a Baby in You!”. In episode 76, she described her surrogacy journey and shared about how she found her perfect match intended parents.

“Born and raised on the big island of Hawaii, Ashley Mareko knows the value of “ohana” (family), whether by blood or friendship. This strong tradition has been a guiding principle to Ashley as a 3-time(!) surrogate and through a career providing support to the surrogate community and intended parents. She feels blessed to be doing what she loves making a difference in people’s lives.

Listen to Ashley as she discusses with Ellen and Jenn:

  • Her background and famous relative.
  •  How she got involved in surrogacy.
  •  Her first surrogacy journey experience.
  •  Finding a new agency to try again.
  •  The difficulties she faced because of her termination beliefs.
  •  Discovering the Intended Parents became pregnant on their own!
  • Carrying her experience into her job now.
  •  Her advice on mourning and the worst-case scenarios involved in surrogacy.
  •  Advise to future surrogates and intended parents.
  •  What to look for in an agency.

To listen to the whole episode, click here to visit their surrogacy podcast page.

Why SurrogateFirst?

At SurrogateFirst, we’re more than a matching agency—we’re your support system.

Surrogatefirst support team

Start your journey today:

AS A SURROGATE
AS INTENDED PARENT(S)

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