Wish For a Baby

Meet the world’s leading fertility and alternative parenting experts

Fertility News & Updates

Meet Dr Ying Li, Genea Fertility

Dr. Ying Li is a highly accomplished fertility specialist, who adopts a compassionate and personalised approach. His dedication is evident in the time he invests to understand each patient, tailoring precise plans to address their unique fertility concerns and optimise their chances of successful conception.

Meet Allie Manterfield, Dreamweaver Surrogacy

Allie Manterfield is the Program Director and CEO of Dreamweaver Surrogacy. At Wish for a Baby Australia, you’ll have the chance to meet Allie in person and ask questions about your own fertility pathway. She’ll also be on a panel speaking on ‘Surrogacy: How to get it right the first time (and avoid costly mistakes)’.

Meet Dana Magdassi, Owner of Lotus Surrogacy

Dana Magdassi is the proud founder and owner of Lotus Surrogacy. She has extensive experience supporting intended parents from around the world to build their families through international surrogacy.

Thinking about international surrogacy? Here’s what to expect - Kirsten Mclennan

If you’re considering international surrogacy, Wish for a Baby Australia is a place to learn everything you need to know — from how to begin the process to understanding the legal steps involved. It’s also an opportunity to connect with others who are navigating the same path.

“Just relax”: How to navigate unsolicited advice - Kirsten McLennan

We’ve all heard it: “You just need to relax.” It comes from friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances…sometimes even complete strangers. And every time, it stings. It’s a punch to the gut. Because if there’s one guarantee, being told to relax does the exact opposite.

Meet Dr Cristin C. Slater, MD

Dr Slater is a renowned fertility specialist at the Idaho Center for Reproductive Medicine (ICRM), known for her compassionate, evidence-based approach to supporting people on their family-building journey. At Wish for a Baby Australia, you’ll have the chance to meet Dr Slater in person and ask questions about your own fertility pathway...

Surviving the Two-Week Wait: What Really Helps - Kirsten McLennan

When you’re in the thick of infertility treatment, it can feel like your life becomes one long stretch of waiting. First, you wait months just to see an IVF specialist. Then comes the endless fertility tests. Once testing is done, you start your IVF cycle medication and wait for your egg collection. After that, you wait for your embryos to be created. Finally, you have your embryo transfer. It’s waiting layered on waiting. And if you’ve been through the gut-wrenching experience of a miscarriage, there’s often another three-month wait before you’re physically – and emotionally – ready to try again.

Male infertility matters - Kirsten McLennan

Forty per-cent of infertility is due to the male. Forty per-cent! Yet, if you ask most people, they’ll still tell you infertility is mainly a woman’s issue. When a couple is struggling to conceive, the default assumption is often that the woman is the one experiencing difficulty. And unfortunately, stigma around male infertility persists. Many men feel ashamed, isolated, or even emasculated.

The weight of pregnancy announcements - Kirsten McLennan

IVF and surrogacy Mum and author, Kirsten McLennan, shares her experience with navigating pregnancy announcements. At Wish for a Baby Australia, you’ll connect with others who are walking the same path as you. And you’ll also meet experts, including wellbeing experts, who can support you on your fertility journey.

Understanding Genetic Testing in IVF - Kirsten McLennan

“About half of all miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities.” I was shocked when our IVF specialist told us. Fifty per cent felt enormous. But then he added, “We can test your embryos and only transfer the ones without abnormalities.” Now he had my full attention.

Breaking the silence around secondary infertility - Kirsten McLennan

I once heard a woman describe secondary infertility as, “the black sheep of the infertility world.” She had fallen pregnant naturally with her daughter within a couple of months. But when the time came to expand her family, and to give her a daughter a sibling, she faced infertility. Because she already had a child, she was often asked, “Why do you want another child? You already have one.” And then the guilt would set it. Yes, she already had a child. She knew how fortunate she was. Yes, she knew she had something thousands of women longed for. But did that make her selfish for wanting a second child? If only it were that simple. She adored her daughter. She loved being a Mum so deeply that she longed to experience it again. She also wanted her daughter to have a sibling. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

The most common infertility misconceptions

Infertility is a reproductive disease – a medical condition that affects millions worldwide. And yet, it is often suffered in silence and widely misunderstood. While awareness has grown in recent years, there are still many misconceptions about infertility that persist.

Our surrogacy miscarriage

If you’re thinking about surrogacy, at Wish for a Baby Australia, you’ll find out everything you need to know…from how to start an overseas surrogacy process to all the legal steps involved. You’ll also meet others walking a similar path.

Ovulation and Fertility: Myths You Should Stop Believing

Discover the truth about common ovulation myths. Learn the facts, true signs of ovulation, and how stress, irregular cycles, and timing can affect conception.

Starting Fertility Treatment? Here are my Top 10 Questions to Ask

Being told you need to see a fertility specialist can feel overwhelming. In this practical and empowering guide, private fertility nurse Stephanie Anne shares the 10 essential questions to ask at your first appointment – helping you feel more confident, informed, and in control of your next steps.

Meet Tonya Canaday: Helping You Understand Your Fertility Options

As Director of International & Domestic Third-Party Programs at the Fertility Institute of San Diego, Tonya Canaday helps patients around the world navigate egg donation and surrogacy with expert guidance and compassion. She’ll be speaking at Wish for a Baby Australia and is available for one-on-one consultations throughout the event.

Our Surrogacy Journey: From London to Texas and Back Again

When Ronnie and Richard began their surrogacy journey, they had no idea it would move so quickly – or bring so much joy. With the help of Simple Surrogacy in Texas, they welcomed twins Grace and Oliver into the world and formed a lasting bond with their surrogate and her family. A moving and uplifting story.

Building Our Family Through Adoption: Simon and Shane’s Story

From a dream shared on their second date to adopting two brothers through Barnardos, Simon and Shane share their heartfelt journey to parenthood. With warmth, honesty, and humour, they reflect on the emotional highs, unexpected turns, and the joy of becoming a family – one milestone (and one surname) at a time.

Meet Jennifer Edmonds: Founder of Element Pilates & Yoga

After a difficult fertility journey that included IVF, early menopause and pregnancy loss, Jennifer Edmonds discovered a surprising path to healing – and a second baby. Now a yoga and Pilates teacher, she helps others navigating fertility challenges. In this Q&A, she shares her story and what she's bringing to Wish for a Baby Australia.

Pregnancy Loss and the Role of PGT

Pregnancy loss is devastating – and more common than many realise. In this heartfelt piece, Kirsten McLennan shares her personal experience of miscarriage and explains how genetic testing (PGT-A) can help identify chromosomal abnormalities that often cause loss. A powerful read for anyone navigating the emotional and medical sides of fertility.

Your First IVF Cycle: What to Expect

Starting IVF can feel overwhelming, especially the first time. In this step-by-step guide, Kirsten McLennan shares what to expect during a typical IVF cycle – from stimulation and egg retrieval to embryo transfer and the two-week wait – along with honest insights from her own experience.

How We Built a Meaningful Surrogacy Relationship

Surrogacy is about more than just the pregnancy – it’s about trust, communication and shared values. Kirsten McLennan shares how she and her husband built a lasting, meaningful relationship with their surrogate through open dialogue, daily updates, and mutual respect. A heartwarming glimpse into the power of connection.

IVF: What to Expect

Starting IVF can feel like stepping into the unknown. Kirsten McLennan shares honest insights from her own experience – covering the emotional rollercoaster, common misconceptions, and the importance of self-care and advocacy. No matter where you are on your fertility journey, this article offers support, perspective, and a sense of community.

Be Your Own Advocate: Taking Control of Your Fertility Journey

Navigating infertility can feel overwhelming, but one thing you can control is advocating for yourself. Kirsten McLennan shares how asking questions, seeking second opinions, and challenging dismissive advice helped her on her journey to parenthood. Learn why speaking up is essential and how to take charge of your fertility treatment.

Infertility and Mental Health: Coping with the Emotional Toll

Infertility can be an overwhelming and isolating experience, taking a serious toll on mental health. Kirsten McLennan shares her personal journey, the emotional highs and lows, and practical strategies that helped her cope—including setting boundaries, seeking therapy, and connecting with others. Learn how to navigate infertility with self-care and support.

My Surrogacy Journey: A Story of Hope and Resilience

After years of failed IVF cycles, miscarriages, and heartbreak, Kirsten McLennan found hope through surrogacy. In this deeply personal story, she shares the emotional highs and lows of her six-year journey to parenthood. Read how she overcame obstacles, found strength, and finally welcomed her son, Spencer, into the world.

Optimizing Sperm Health: Expert Tips from Dr. Susanna J Park

Sperm health plays a crucial role in fertility, and small lifestyle changes can make a big difference. Dr. Susanna J Park from San Diego Fertility Center shares key insights on preparing for a Semen Analysis and how to boost sperm quality through diet, exercise, and stress reduction. Learn how to create the best conditions for healthy sperm.

Understanding Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT): Insights from Dr. Minoos Hosseinzadeh

When undergoing fertility treatment, selecting the healthiest embryo can significantly improve the chances of a successful pregnancy. In this expert Q&A, Dr. Minoos Hosseinzadeh from the Fertility Institute of San Diego explains how PGT helps identify embryos with the best potential, reducing the risk of miscarriage and genetic disorders.

International Surrogacy: What to Expect

Navigating international surrogacy can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance, it can be a life-changing journey. Kirsten McLennan shares her firsthand experience of having a child through surrogacy in the U.S., breaking down key steps - from choosing an agency to bringing your baby home. Find out what to expect and how to get started.

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