The YMyHealth Podcast | Wellness and Healthcare Insights for Millennials

What does it really take to build a family through surrogacy? In this episode of the YMyHealth Podcast, Co-Host Melissa Schenkman talks with Zach French, Executive Director of The Surrogacy Foundation, who pulls back the curtain on the emotional, financial, and often misunderstood realities of the surrogacy journey. From navigating the entire process from embryo creation to finding a surrogate to childbirth and breaking down barriers to challenging the stigma surrounding surrogacy, this conversation offers an honest look at what it means to create family in today’s world — and why access to that surrogacy matters more than ever.

The conversation also highlights the unique work that The Surrogacy Foundation is providing to make surrogacy understandable, accessible, and affordable. Zach and his wife Alexandra (from YMyHealth Podcast Episode 101) are on a mission through their foundation to "propel surrogacy into the mainstream."

🎧Tune in now to learn the six steps of the surrogacy journey, resources, and what today's landscape looks like in the U.S. for family building for millennials and beyond.

Highlights: 
  • (00:00) Introduction to Surrogacy and Family Building
  • (02:45) Zach French's Journey and Background
  • (05:46) Understanding the Surrogacy Process
  • (08:28) Building Relationships in Surrogacy
  • (11:15) The Role of Escrow in Surrogacy
  • (14:09) Current Landscape of Surrogacy in the US
  • (17:13) Misconceptions and Awareness of Surrogacy
  • (20:00) The Need for Better Research in Fertility
  • (23:40) The Rising Costs of Surrogacy
  • (26:21) Understanding Infertility and Its Impact
  • (27:31) Barriers to Accessing Surrogacy
  • (30:10) Innovative Solutions for Education and Support
  • (34:50) Overcoming Financial Barriers in Surrogacy
  • (42:34) Addressing Stigma Surrounding Surrogacy
Links:
Are you a millennial interested in learning more about healthcare issues specifically related to your generation? Start here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/ and follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ymyhealth_/

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Learn more about this episode's guest, Zach French here: linkedin.com/in/zachhfrench

*Learn about The Surrogacy Foundation here.
*Follow The Surrogacy Foundation on Instagram @thesurrogacyfoundation and on their LinkedIn and Facebook pages.

Organizations Zach highlighted in the episode: 
 
Interested in sponsoring the YMyHealth podcast? We'd love to partner with brands and organizations that align with our mission of providing healthcare education to millennials. Contact us at ymyhealthpodcast@gmail.com for sponsorship opportunities.

Learn about YMyHealth's Podcast Co-Host, Melissa Schenkman here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/team/melissa-schenkman

Thanks again to our sponsor, Dr. Sarah Diekman, Director of Diekman Dysautonomia! If you’d like to learn more about our sponsor and her practice that provides care to patients with POTS and Long COVID, go to https://dysautonomiaexpert.com

What is The YMyHealth Podcast | Wellness and Healthcare Insights for Millennials?

A podcast by millennials, for millennials, covering health challenges unique to Gen Y. Get expert insights, practical patient advice, and inspiring survivor stories to help you make informed healthcare choices. Empower your journey with YMyHealth!