The Australian Surrogacy Podcast Episode 84: Crystal. Crystal was a surrogate for friends Martin and Paul, whom she met through the online surrogacy community. You might like to listen to Martin and Paul’s episode 73 as well, as this team has some great advice from all their perspectives. Crystal is a single parent living in Queensland, whilst her intended parents are in Victoria.

Crystal and I recorded this interview during the COVID pandemic, when she was about six months’ post birth. The pandemic meant that the Parentage Order was made in the Judge’s chambers, and that Crystal couldn’t travel to see Martin, Paul and Zac for the planned hearing and celebration. Crystal reflects on the hormonal roller-coaster post-birth and the fourth trimester, and her experiences of maintaining the relationship and connections when they can’t be in each other’s company.

During this episode, we talked about setting expectations and Katrina Hale’s advice about the fourth trimester. We also talked about how Crystal and Martin and Paul found each other and Crystal’s advice for connecting with intended parents or surrogates.

I have published a book, More Than Just a Baby: A Guide to Surrogacy for Intended Parents and Surrogates, the only guide to surrogacy in Australia.

Sarah is the only lawyer in Australia practising exclusively in surrogacy and donor conception, or ‘family creation’ law. Sarah has been a surrogacy lawyer for many surrogacy arrangements in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Ipswich and North Lakes, Far North Queensland and across Queensland.

Sarah can assist with Parentage Order applications for Queensland surrogacy arrangements, and offers full service or do-it-yourself parentage order packages.

You can find more information in the free Surrogacy Handbook, reading articles in the Blog, by listening to more episodes of the Surrogacy Podcast. You can also book in for a consult with me below, and check out the legal services I provide.