Emily Patel, founder of Hopeful Mama Foundation and a mother through donor eggs, joins me to share a not-so-typical path to parenthood, one that reveals the stress, doubt, and decision-making traps families face during donor conception. Emily discusses why family is more than genetics, what she’s learned from the many women who seek support through her foundation, and how to find clarity when the stakes feel sky-high.

You’ll learn

How stress can derail good decisions—and practical ways to slow down and choose well

What “family beyond genetics” looks like in real life

Themes Emily hears from women at Hopeful Mama

Resources & Links

Hopeful Mama Foundation: https://hopefulmamafoundation.org/

Follow Emily Patel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilympatel/

Building Your Family Community (courses, workshops, community):https://familybuilding.net/building-your-family-community/

10 Things Donor Conceived Children Want Their Parents To Understand (free):https://familybuilding.net/new-newsletter-page/

Contact Lisa: www.familybuilding.net

About the show The Building Your Family podcast is a free service of the Building Your Family Community. Building Your Family Community is the only expert-created educational & support community for people using donor conception, surrogacy, or fertility treatment to build their families. Educational content only; not medical or therapy advice.

In this episode of Building Your Family, we explore a bold and different approach to IVF — one focused on streamlining treatment to make it more affordable while still maintaining quality care.

Our guest explains why, for many patients, a standard IVF protocol can deliver the same results as highly customized treatments — in less time and at a lower cost. While a personalized approach that considers nutrition, sleep, and overall wellness is valuable for some, others could start treatment sooner and still achieve success without added complexity.

If you or someone you care for is considering IVF, this episode is essential viewing. It’s a powerful reminder of why it’s so important to arm yourself with the right information and understand all of your choices.

📌 What You’ll Learn:

When streamlined IVF is an effective option

How standard protocols can save time and money

Why not every patient needs an extensive customized plan

How to talk with your doctor about your treatment choices

🎧 Listen on the Building Your Family podcast or watch here to get expert insights and help you make informed decisions.

📚 Learn more about Dr. Arredondo: https://pozitivf.com/ Follow Dr. Arredondo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pozitivfertility/

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know how strongly I believe in giving people evidence-based, trustworthy information — not myths or marketing.

In this episode of the Building Your Family podcast, I introduce you to someone you probably haven’t heard of — but should. She’s a behind-the-scenes powerhouse in reproductive medicine who will walk you through what really happens in a fertility clinic lab.

🎧 You'll learn:

How decisions are made

What new technologies are promising — and what still needs evidence

The difference between hype and help when it comes to treatment success

Whether you’re going through fertility treatment or just curious how it all works, this episode is packed with insights from someone who has built many labs and is driving advances in reproductive medicine and science..

👉 Subscribe for more expert-led content: https://www.youtube.com/@buildingyourfamily 💬 Let me know in the comments — what surprised you most?

📚 Learn more about Cynthia Hudson: Tomorrow Lab Sciences: https://www.tmrwlifesciences.com/ NOVA Genomics: https://www.novagenomics.org/ Perch Fertility: https://perchfertility.com/

Are you thinking about becoming a single mom by choice? Whether you're planning, questioning, or already on the path — this episode is for you.

We’ve pulled together the most powerful moments from past interviews with:

An experienced fertility doctor and single mom by choice

Several single moms by choice

Adults raised by single mothers

Together, they answer the biggest questions we hear all the time: ✔ Can I do this on my own? ✔ What does the research say? ✔ How do kids raised by single moms feel? ✔ What are the real-life challenges — and joys?

This is your must-watch guide to single motherhood, donor conception, and building your family with confidence and clarity.

🎧 Full episode available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all platforms 📌 Visit https://familybuilding.net/ to learn more about expert-led support

What is it really like to be a surrogate?

This week on Building Your Family, we’re breaking down the myths and misconceptions about surrogacy with someone who’s lived it all. Our guest has been both an egg donor and a surrogate, and now runs her own surrogacy and egg donor agency. She shares her deeply personal story—including how it affected her husband, children, and relationship with intended parents—and the emotional and practical realities of every stage.

Whether you're considering surrogacy, donor conception, or are simply curious, this episode will give you honest, first-hand insight you won’t find anywhere else.

👂 Tune in to learn:

Why she chose to become a surrogate

What she wishes more people understood

How surrogacy can be a positive and life-changing journey for all involved

📌 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment if this episode helped you or someone you love.

🔗 Watch more episodes or learn more at: https://familybuilding.net/

📚 Learn more about Katy Encalade: https://createahappyfamily.com/ Follow Katy Encalade on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createahappyfamily/

Want to boost your fertility and take control of your reproductive health? In this episode, Dr. Natalie Crawford shares powerful insights from her upcoming book, The Fertility Formula, to help you understand your body and make informed choices that support conception and overall health.

We talk about the basics you may not have been taught in school, the impact of diet, toxins, and exercise, and what really moves the needle when you're trying to conceive. Whether you're just beginning to think about parenthood or deep into your fertility journey, this is a must-listen.

Dr. Crawford empowers people to take back their reproductive future—and this episode will help you do the same.

👍 Like this video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone who’s trying to conceive. 🔔 Subscribe for expert fertility and family-building advice every week!

Learn more about Dr. Natalie Crawford: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/ Pre Order Dr. Crawford's new book: https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book Follow Dr. Natalie Crawford on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliecrawfordmd/ Learn more about Pinnacle: https://learnatpinnacle.com/ Learn more about Fora Fertility: https://www.forafertility.com/

#FertilityFormula #DrNatalieCrawford #ReproductiveHealth #FertilityTips #TryingToConceive #WomensHealth #EggQuality #PregnancyPlanning #FertilitySupport #FertilityPodcast

In this episode of the Building Your Family podcast, Dr. Mari Mitrani—physician, researcher, and expert in regenerative health—joins us to explore the connection between lifestyle and reproductive health.

We dive into questions people often ask: – Why do doctors talk about diet and exercise during fertility treatment? – What does the research say about food, movement, and reproductive well-being? – Can healthy habits support you before, during, or after trying to conceive?

Dr. Mitrani brings her expertise in disease repair and health optimization into the fertility space, helping us understand how evidence-based choices around nutrition and exercise can contribute to overall wellness—through treatment and beyond.

📅 Subscribe for weekly expert interviews 🎙️ Listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts

📚 Learn more about Dr. Mari Mitrani : Website Follow Dr. Mari Mitrani on Instagram

Did you ever wonder what matters most for a donor-conceived child’s self-esteem or for a child born with the help of a gestational carrier to feel truly connected to their parents?

In this episode of Building Your Family, we speak with world-renowned researcher Dr. Vasanti Jadva, who shares findings from some of the most important long-term studies on families built through third-party reproduction. Dr. Jadva, a leading voice in the field, explains what really helps children thrive, emotionally, psychologically, and relationally.

Whether you’re planning to use donor conception or surrogacy, or are already parenting a child born through these paths, this episode is filled with facts, practical tips, and reassurance to help you make confident, informed decisions and support your child’s identity and well-being.

Tune in to gain clarity, confidence, and evidence-based guidance from one of the best in the field.

👉 If you want to take a deeper dive into managing conversations with your children as they grow, take a look at our Developmental Milestones video course inside the membership platform. We look forward to seeing you inside.

📚 Learn more about Dr. Vasanti Jadva: https://www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/about/people/academics/vasanti-jadva

#DonorConceived #DonorConception #Surrogacy #LGBTQParenting #FertilitySupport #FamilyBuilding #ParentingTips #TalkingToKids #InfertilityJourney