This is Infertility is a bi-weekly podcast where we fuse narrative storytelling with experience and science to give you a new perspective on what it’s really like to go through a family building journey. Each episode dives into the emotional, physical, and financial burdens carried by those who experience infertility on their path to parenthood. Be it IVF, IUI, egg freezing, surrogacy, adoption, etc., the path is never the same and it can be long, painful, and lonely. It’s our mission to give those struggling a platform to be heard, a community connection, and an opportunity to raise awareness of the 1 in 8 who, for many reasons, struggle with infertility.

Episode 16: LGBTQ+ Family Building: One Voice that Changed a Company’s Paternity Leave Policy for Same-Sex Parents

While many companies are striving to improve their maternity leave policies for their female employees, there is also a vast need for expanding paternity leave policies. This can be extremely detrimental for recent fathers, and especially for same-sex male couples, creating additional barriers for LGBTQ+ individuals trying to build their families.  

In this episode, we hear from Jason Rudman, who shares his experience of navigating family expansion options, including egg donation, surrogacy, as well as adoption. Jason and his husband Alvin ended up utilizing a gestational surrogate to start their family, and then, two years later, utilized another one to grow their family. Along the way, Jason used his voice to change his employer’s paternity leave policy and ended up helping more than just his immediate family.

Guest: Jason Rudman 

Host: Salaia DaCruz, Senior Account Manager at Progyny 

If you missed it, we released a few episodes on family building for same-sex couples:

Episode 5: Katie & Hilary: Changing the Plan

Episode 6: Benjie & Jimmy: Becoming Daddy and Papa

Episode 7: Family Building & Equality for Same Sex Couples

Episode 8: Lindsey & Chrissy: Better Benefits, Clearer Decisions

For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Progyny’s Education page for LGBTQ+ family building options.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, @ThisisInfertilityPodcast and use the #ThisisInfertility. 

Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com. 

Host

Salaia Da Cruz, Senior Account Manager at Progyny

Salaia has worked at Progyny for four years. She started her career as a Patient Care Advocate where she was able to assist members at each stage of their fertility journey. In her second year she managed the relationship for Progyny’s largest corporate account. In year three, Salaia joined the Account Management team where she currently works with large self-insured employer groups. Her commitment is to ensure the benefits teams she works with, and their members, understand and enjoy the Progyny family building experience. Salaia has spent her entire career working in the fertility space and is truly passionate about Progyny’s solution and how it is changing lives.

Guests

Jason Rudman, Senior Executive at Key Bank

Jason who grew up in England, and Alvin McCray, who hails from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, met in 1998 in New York City. Twelve years later, and five years before the Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality, they tied the knot legally in Connecticut. Both looked forward to having children but wanted to have a biological connection. Surrogacy offered that opportunity.

Music From This Episode:

Artist: Dr. Turtle
Track: Always The Teasmade Never The Tease
URL: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Doctor_Turtle/none_given_1561/Doctor_Turtle_-_Always_The_Teasmade_Never_The_Tease1

Artist: Steve Combs
Track: A Vital Piece of Music for All Your Soundtrack Needs
URL: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Steve_Combs/Jaw/Steve_Combs_-_Jaw_-_01_A_Vital_Piece_of_Music_for_All_Your_Soundtrack_Needs

Artist: Jahzzar
Track: Curves
URL: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/handmade/Curves