What happens when you’ve done everything right — but your path to parenthood still feels impossible?

In this episode, Maria Feekes sits down with Irina to share her deeply personal story of infertility, surrogacy across Ukraine and the United States, and building a family through uncertainty.

If you’re navigating:

• fertility struggles and loss of control
• surrogacy in Ukraine vs USA
• uncertainty and emotional challenges during IVF or surrogacy
• questions about resilience, timing, and trust in the process

— this conversation offers both perspective and reassurance.

Irina shares:

• How she navigated surrogacy across two countries, including Ukraine and the United States
• What it was like pursuing multiple paths to parenthood in parallel, especially during COVID and global uncertainty
• The emotional reality of infertility, including grief, loss of control, and managing expectations
• What life looks like raising three young children and a teenager after surrogacy
• How shifting from control to gratitude and acceptance changed her experience
• How technology and AI can support fertility journeys, from research to emotional support

This is a powerful and honest fertility and surrogacy story, showing that even when the journey is unpredictable, it can still lead to something meaningful.

If you are in the middle of your fertility or surrogacy journey, this episode will remind you that you are not alone — and that hope can take unexpected forms.

Irina is a mother of multiple children, including babies born through surrogacy, whose journey has spanned both Ukraine and the United States. She shares an honest and reflective perspective on infertility, resilience, and building a family across borders.

1. Fertility journey and loss of control: building trust and support systems [00:02:09]
2. Surrogacy in Ukraine vs USA: navigating multiple paths during COVID and global uncertainty [00:06:11]
3. Life after surrogacy: raising three toddlers and a teenager [00:10:04]
4. Letting go of perfectionism: gratitude, resilience, and meaning in fertility struggles [00:14:01]
5. How AI and technology support fertility journeys and decision-making [00:32:02]

Your host, Maria Feekes, can be found online at:

Website: smartpathfertilityintl.com

Website: mariafeekes.com

Facebook: facebook.com/mariafeekes

Instagram: instagram.com/mariafeekes

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-feekes-738576127/

What is it really like to have twins through surrogacy — and should you transfer two embryos?

In this episode, Maria Feekes sits down with Stacie and Iran to share their real-life experience of having twins through surrogacy, including the emotional decision behind double embryo transfer, the risks involved, and what life looks like raising twins.

If you’re researching:

• can you have twins through surrogacy
• double embryo transfer risks and success rates
• IVF twins pregnancy risks for surrogate and babies
• single vs double embryo transfer decision
• what it’s like raising twins after surrogacy

— this episode gives you both practical insight and real-life perspective.

Stacie and Iran share:

• How they approached the decision to pursue double embryo transfer
• The emotional and medical considerations behind hoping for twins
• Honest discussion of the risks and ethical questions surrounding twin pregnancies
• What daily life actually looks like raising twins — from routines to the unique bond between siblings
• How they supported their older child and navigated family dynamics
• Their advice for intended parents on resilience, partnership, and self-care

This is not just about twins — it’s a real, unfiltered look at surrogacy decisions and family life after IVF, helping intended parents understand both the hope and the responsibility that comes with transferring two embryos.

If you are considering surrogacy and embryo transfer options, this episode will help you think through one of the most important decisions in your journey.

Stacie and Iran are parents to three children, including twin girls born through surrogacy after years of fertility treatments and setbacks. They share an honest perspective on the realities of twin pregnancy, family dynamics, and the lessons they learned advocating for their journey.

1. Double embryo transfer decision: emotional and medical considerations for twins [00:38]
2. Risks of twins in surrogacy: medical, ethical, and practical realities [02:08]
3. Raising twins after surrogacy: routines, challenges, and sibling bond [12:22]
4. Family dynamics with twins: supporting older children and transitions [19:13]
5. Advice for intended parents: resilience, self-care, and partnership [22:20]

Your host, Maria Feekes, can be found online at:

Website: smartpathfertilityintl.com

Website: mariafeekes.com

Facebook: facebook.com/mariafeekes

Instagram: instagram.com/mariafeekes

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-feekes-738576127/

What happens when your fertility journey doesn’t follow the plan you’ve worked so hard to create?

In this episode, Maria Feekes sits down with Keena to share a deeply personal story of infertility, loss, and ultimately finding hope through surrogacy.

If you’re experiencing:

• fertility struggles and emotional ups and downs
• grief after loss or failed treatments
• stress around timelines and feeling out of control
• comparison to others on their fertility journey

— this conversation will resonate on a very real level.

Keena shares:

• What it felt like to move from control and planning into uncertainty during her fertility journey
• How she navigated grief, setbacks, and emotional challenges along the way
• The shift from focusing on timelines to embracing acceptance and perspective
• The importance of support systems, community, and sharing your story
• How resilience is built by focusing on what you can control — and letting go of what you can’t

This is a powerful and honest conversation about infertility and surrogacy, offering reassurance, perspective, and emotional support for anyone walking a similar path.

If you are in the middle of your fertility or surrogacy journey, this episode will remind you that you are not alone — and that hope can take unexpected forms.

Keena shares her personal fertility and surrogacy journey, offering honest insight into the emotional challenges of loss, the pressure of timelines, and the transformation that comes with letting go of control.

1. Letting go of control during fertility and surrogacy: why timelines create stress [06:00]
2. Emotional challenges in infertility: grief, loss, and finding support [10:19]
3. Gaining perspective during fertility struggles: gratitude and avoiding comparison [12:21]
4. The importance of community in the fertility and surrogacy journey [15:30]
5. Building resilience through acceptance and navigating uncertainty [27:37]

Your host, Maria Feekes, can be found online at:

Website: smartpathfertilityintl.com

Website: mariafeekes.com

Facebook: facebook.com/mariafeekes

Instagram: instagram.com/mariafeekes

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-feekes-738576127/