On this episode the ‘Geriatric’ Mamas are joined by Victoria Fritz to discuss Selena Gomez’s recent conversation with Vanity Fair about her future journey to motherhood, Victoria’s path to surrogacy, the full surrogacy process, what to expect if you’re considering surrogacy, lactation induction, IVF in real life, Victoria’s new surrogacy app called BabyBumps™ and so much more on surrogacy life behind the scenes. All things surrogacy, all things ‘pregnancy is not my skill’, very Handmaid’s Tale... Enjoy!

Topics discussed in this episode:

2:17 For Selena Gomez, the Path to Motherhood Will Look A Little Different

5:51 Guest Victoria Fritz’s Diagnosis

7:33 Surrogacy In The Media

9:48 Welcome Victoria Fritz From The BabyBumps™ App

10:16 Victoria’s Path to Surrogacy

13:35 The Process of IVF and Surrogacy

25:23 The New Dating App For Surrogacy

Mentioned in this episode:

Selena Gomez is Considering Surrogacy or Adoption…

On September 9th, Vanity Fair’s Yohana Desta released hers and Selena Gomez’s candid chat about her evolving plans for motherhood:

“I haven’t ever said this,” Selena says, “but I unfortunately can’t carry my own children. I have a lot of medical issues that would put my life and the baby’s in jeopardy. That was something I had to grieve for a while.”

Gomez communicates this calmly and without sentimentality. “It’s not necessarily the way I envisioned it,” she says of becoming a parent one day. “I thought it would happen the way it happens for everyone. [But] I’m in a much better place with that. 

I find it a blessing that there are wonderful people willing to do surrogacy or adoption, which are both huge possibilities for me. It made me really thankful for the other outlets for people who are dying to be moms. I’m one of those people. 

I’m excited for what that journey will look like, but it’ll look a little different. At the end of the day, I don’t care. It’ll be mine. It’ll be my baby.”

Selena was diagnosed with lupus in 2013, which causes your body’s immune system to attack your own tissues and organs and can cause painful inflammation and swelling, per the Mayo Clinic. The inflammation can affect many systems throughout the body, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and even the lungs. While there is no known cure for lupus, there are a variety of treatments patients can undergo, per the Mayo Clinic. She underwent a kidney transplant in 2017.

There’s A New Dating App For Surrogacy and Here’s The BabyBumps Birth Story…

Victoria Fritz, MD is a mother-to-be via surrogacy herself and a former physician.

She and her husband went down the road of surrogacy due to medical need. Victoria found two options available when searching for a surrogate— wait months or years on an agency waitlist to be matched with an amazing woman who would carry her child, or find a surrogate on Facebook. She didn’t like either option, and BabyBumps was born.

BabyBumps’ mission is to create a fast and secure platform for parents and surrogates to match independently.  At BabyBumps, we are filled with appreciation and admiration for the amazing surrogates building families.  We prioritize surrogates first and recognize our surrogates for delivering the most precious gift.

BabyBumps is a platform for verified surrogates and parents to match independently. We are not an agency. We value your autonomy to choose your own match quickly. Rather than searching social media for a match, surrogates and parents can search for verified matches on BabyBumps. Sign-up for BabyBumps Early Access and follow them on Instagram!

Mom Reels For The Group Chat…

🤰 Should you bulk order pregnancy tests after your embryo transfer or just wait for your blood test?!

🤳 How to get your mom friends to stop putting you on speaker!

🐢 A head protection backpack for your baby; shop it here!

🍟 Really. McDonald’s is healthy compared to some things.

🎶 Teachers do have a lives outside the classroom, and they have playlists to prove it!

Reminder… Listeners can receive 20% off services at Ageless Medical Aesthetics in Westbrook, ME with Code: MAMAS2024 when you follow them on instagram!

Also… Receive a Free First Swim Class at Goldfish Swim in Portland, Maine with same code: MAMAS2024; you’ll need to call them to schedule your little one’s first class.

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Have your journey to motherhood featured on the Geriatric Mamas podcast!

So many women have kept their fertility struggles a secret, and endured their pain alone. It doesn’t need to feel so isolating.

If you or someone you know is 35+ and struggled with fertility, experienced heartbreaking fostering or adoption challenges, endured a miscarriage, or were perhaps flat out told by a doctor that you will never conceive naturally, and eventually found your happy ending by becoming a mama, your story could be what keeps another woman going on her journey to her miracle baby!

Send us your story and it could be featured on the next HOPEisode! 

xx, Sonia and Jessica

Disclaimer:

Please consult your physician for personalized medical and health advice. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition, your pregnancy, birth plan and post-partum treatments.

Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment because of something you have heard on the Geriatric Mamas podcast or website.