Join fertility therapist Jana Rupnow as she shares how to participate in International Donor Conception Awareness Day 2025 and support donor-conceived advocacy around the world.

In this special episode, fertility counselor Jana Rupnow invites Dr. Diane Tober, a medical anthropologist and associate professor at the University of Alabama, to discuss the intricate dynamics of egg donation. Dr. Tober delves into her research on egg donors and the global market for human eggs, providing insights into the experiences and challenges faced by donors. Dr. Tober shares compelling stories from her book "Eggonomics," including her eye-opening experience in a Spanish clinic observing an egg retrieval procedure, which shed light on the vulnerability and lack of recognition experienced by donors. Listeners will learn about the biopolitics of donor conception, the motivations and socioeconomic backgrounds of donors in the U.S. and Spain, and the ethical challenges surrounding donor anonymity and informed consent. The conversation emphasizes the need for better donor care and transparent practices, encouraging recipient parents to advocate for their donors and understand the long-term implications of donor-assisted conception.

In this episode, we delve into Angela’s journey as an egg donor, and crucial medical discoveries that have impacted her and the children born from her donations. Angela shares her experiences from 2010 to 2018, emphasizing the importance of informing the families of her recent hereditary condition diagnosis and advocating for better transparency in the practice of egg donation.

Host Jana Rupnow interviews Dr. Jill Maron, Chief of Pediatrics at Women’s and Infant Hospital and Professor of Pediatrics at Brown University, who shares her experience as a neonatologist and a donor-conceived individual discovering her genetic origins at 46. Dr. Maron discusses the ethical implications of DNA testing, the unregulated donor system in the U.S., and the psychological impact of genetic revelations, emphasizing the need for protecting children’s autonomy and ensuring responsible reproductive technology practices.

Lindsay, a donor-conceived individual. continues to share her perspective on International Donor Conception Awareness Day, 2024. Learn one person’s perspective on controversial issues like donor anonymity, DNA testing, health information, and emotional ramifications. She shares how genetics significantly influence our sense of self and how comprehending biological lineage can be not only revealing but also liberating. importance of early and open conversations with donor-conceived children, fostering understanding, and acceptance. This episode highlights the integral role of a donor in a recipient’s identity formation and underscores the shared responsibility of parents to acknowledge and celebrate their child’s complete genetic heritage.

n this gripping episode of the ”Three Makes Baby” podcast, Lindsay, a donor-conceived individual, shares her journey of self-discovery and conception, shedding light on shifting dynamics in donor conception discourse. Lindsay’s narrative explores years of uncertainty, familial tensions, and ethical boundaries, resonating with the quiet struggles of donor-conceived individuals and emphasizing the need for education and transparency in donor conception.

The future of donor conception is here! This episode features my special guest Danielle of The Seed Scout. She shares her and her wife's path to parenthood, including the challenges they faced with sperm banks. Danielle and her wife's path to parenthood took them through the maze of sperm banks, encountering impersonal processes that left them feeling disconnected. Fueled by this experience, they opted for a known donor, taking control of their process and creating a better way for others. We explore their challenges, shedding light on the significance of openness in genetic origins and the importance of updated medical histories for donor-conceived individuals and their families. With a deep understanding of LGBTQ+ needs, Danielle shares invaluable insights into the legal complexities of parental rights in donor conception. She addresses potential parents' concerns about privacy. Sharing how known donors can enrich your family's story without intruding on your personal life.  The Seed Scout leverages their expertise to guide clients through every step of the process, ensuring a smooth and informed journey.  Connect with them on social media @theeseedscout

In this episode of Three Makes Baby, Jana Rupnow is joined by Erin Maya to explore the world of donor conception through the lens of Erin’s groundbreaking musical, The Complete Picture. Together, they delve into the complexities of donor conception, debunking myths and discussing its impact on identity.

April 27, 2023 is International Donor Conception Awareness Day. Link to IDCAD2023: https://donorconceptionawarenessday.com/ Link to educational courses for parents and CEUs for professionals CEUS: https://three-makes-baby-preparation-and-parenting.teachable.com/p/home Fertility challenges can cause intense feelings that make you want to withdraw and hide. It’s important to understand the difference between secrecy and privacy and how the shame of infertility may live on. Secrecy is when you actively withhold information from others, often out of fear or shame. This can be detrimental to your mental health and relationships as it creates a sense of isolation and can lead to feelings of guilt and shame. It takes a lot of effort and energy to maintain a secret, and the longer you keep it, the more it can weigh you down. On the other hand, privacy is when you choose to keep certain information to yourself or within a trusted circle. This can be a healthy way to protect your personal boundaries and maintain control over your own life. It’s important to remember that you have the right to privacy, and it’s okay to set boundaries around what you share with others. If you’re struggling with fertility challenges, it’s important to find a support system that you trust and feel comfortable opening up to. This could be a therapist, support group, or trusted friends and family members. By sharing your experiences and feelings with others, you can find a sense of community and support that can help you navigate this difficult time. While it’s important to protect your privacy, it’s also important to recognize when secrecy is doing more harm than good. By opening up and sharing your struggles with others, you can find the support and understanding you need to overcome fertility challenges and move forward with your life. #IDCAD2020 #movingtips secrecy #privacy #fertilitychallenges #mentalhealth #relationships #isolation #guilt #shame #personalboundaries #supportsystem #therapist

"Alot of times, donors are just viewed as genetic material." Melissa, an egg donor for two years, shares her experience with anonymous donation. Now that she has children she wonders what happened with her donations. She wonders if the kids are alright. She expresses her willingness to be open and connect with the recipient parents and children, while also respecting boundaries. If you'd like to learn more about how to prepare to connect, I've got some resources for you! Making Contact is a how-to guide to prepare for contact whether you are a donor, donor conceived person or recipient parent. Link for more: https://three-makes-baby-preparation-and-parenting1.teachable.com/p/making-contact

Ever wondered what it would be like to meet the donor you used to conceive? A recipient parent, Romi, and her previously unknown sperm donor, meet and share their experience with Jana Rupnow on this episode of Three Makes Baby.

Dave Berry, featured on Good Morning America and the New York Times, bravely shares a difficult discovery about his biological origins. His biological father was his mom's fertility doctor, who used his sperm without her consent to conceive him. There are some even darker details in this episode, as well as moments of once in a lifetime happiness. If you think it's rare for biological siblings in different families to bump into each other, you may be shocked by the story he tells about his sisters. Dave's resiliency and compassion to help others is truly inspiring. He is speaking out to create a safe space for fertility patients in all 50 states. Listen to this episode of @threemakesbaby on Apple podcasts or use the link in my bio. Watch for Dave's story to be featured in a future Dateline episode.   #donorconceivedperson #dcp #dcpvoice #fertilityfraud #daveberry #BiologicalFather #Doctor #fertilitydoctor #Siblings #DNATest #DNADiscovery #LateDiscovery  

In this episode of @threemakesbaby, she shares how her relationship with a growing number of half-siblings has evolved over time, including some of the joys and challenges. Ally shares what it's like to learn of new siblings and how she copes with not knowing how many more are out there. We also confront the idea that bumping into an unknown half-sibling is rare and discuss why limiting the number of families that use a single donor is important.   I know you will enjoy her honest and thoughtful perspective as always!   Parents, if you wonder how your donor conceived child may experience half-sibling relationships in adulthood, you won't want to miss this episode.   It was so great to talk to Ally of @halfofmepodcast again and after two years, she has a special announcement about her podcast!   #donorconceivedperson #dcp #dcpvoice #Siblings #DNATest #podcast #DNADiscovery #threemakesbabypodcast #DonorConceivedRights #DonorConceivedPersonRights #ThirdpartyReproduction #donorconceivedfamily #twomoms #twodads #deivfbaby #donoreggsivf #donorspermivf #SMBC

Jana Rupnow talks to the woman behind @satricaldonorconception, a lesbian and donor conceived adult.  We discussed one of her posts that caused a stir in the LGBTQ community and talk about some of the complex issues about family building using purchased donor gametes. She confronts the idea of a two parent household as being "revolutionary" and challenges new ways of looking at family building to within her community, especially to consider the needs of donor conceived people, like herself.  

I spoke with the founder of RISE Collaborative, @stacytaubman, about her late discovery of being donor conceived. She is in contact with her biological father, a prominent plastic surgeon, and writing a book about her experience. If you haven't told your child, adult or younger, if they are donor conceived, Stacy encourages it. (You could plan to do it on IDCAD, April 27, 2022)   Listen to our conversation, episode 70 of @threemakesbabypodcast.  

Kiara shares her experienced being raised by a single mom and what it was like being told about her story from the beginning.  She found her donor as an adult and has a relationship with siblings conceived using the same donor. She is open and willing to share her story with others. Connect with her on social media: @kiararaeschuh   *I use the terminology the dc person wishes to use.

Emma, New Zealand native, embodies her bio father's motto "Curiosity, Perseverance and Happiness" as she shares her story of being donor conceived and the reason for her advocacy work.    

Uprooted offers a personal view of the consequences of secrecy in the practice of donor conception. A prominent CEO, Peter Boni, uncovers a family secret that both validates and disrupts his life. Combing his extensive research of the early practice of donor insemination with his own genetic discoveries, Boni reveals the questions, uncertainties and confusion he faced, as well as the exhilaration of connecting with genetic kin.   Boni provides a detailed history of the practice of donor conception, walking us through the social, legal and religious climate that encouraged secrets in reproductive technology and stunted the advancement of our social narratives.   Secrets are no match for personal determination and the universal need for self-discovery, no matter what age. Boni doesn’t stop his search until his deceased parents’ secret comes to light.

Tiffany shares her story of paternal loss, how it has shaped her life and how it fuels her advocacy work for donor conceived people.