Sarah Jefford in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Lawyer & law firm

Sarah Jefford

Locality: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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25.01.2022 Next week, I become a published author! More Than Just a Baby is available for pre-sale and will officially be available next week! Eek! Jarrad and Michael @the_real_dads_of_melbourne did me the greatest honour and reviewed the book, with their trademark generosity and heart. Whether youre considering surrogacy in Australia or overseas, this is the only guide to surrogacy for intended parents and surrogates. I cant wait to hear what you think of it! Im so thankful for the... contributions and support from the surrogacy community and I hope the book provides a support for anyone wanting to know more about the perpetual journey of surrogacy. https://sarahjefford.com/more-than-just-a-baby/ #morethanjustababy #surrogacyguidebook

25.01.2022 That feeling you get when someone you like and respect reviews your book and tells people about it . Have you purchased your copy yet? Paperback and Kindle versions are available and my Post Office is within 5 kilometres of my house so deliveries are still happening! https://sarahjefford.com/more-than-just-a-baby/

23.01.2022 Why do IVF clinics tell people that traditional surrogacy is illegal? And why does it irk me so much that they continue to perpetuate this falsehood? The answer to both those questions might be obvious - traditional surrogacy is not good for the business of an IVF clinic. And it irks me because I was a traditional surrogate, and everything I did was legal. #lawyerslikeitlegal But more importantly, the children born through traditional surrogacy shouldnt have to deal with the... stigma of people thinking their existence is illegal. It is important that their story is not shrouded in stigma and falsehoods. Their parents shouldnt have to respond to people saying "thats illegal" when they tell their story. And when clinics are perpetuating the myth that it is illegal, they are serving their own business model, and they have no reason to correct the misinformation they share with patients. Lets remove the stigma and inaccuracies, and put traditional and gestational surrogacy in the same category. Both are legal and legitimate ways to grow a family. Both rely on the surrogate exercising her bodily autonomy to decide which option she is comfortable with. And both are amazing, in their own ways. https://sarahjefford.com/is-traditional-surrogacy-illegal/

22.01.2022 Rob and his husband Mark recently returned to Australia with their son Louis, who was born through altruistic surrogacy in Canada. They were lucky enough to miss the worst of the travel restrictions and border closures due to COVID, but their introduction to parenthood has been a little isolating! Surrogacy in Canada is altruistic and gay-friendly. Rob and Mark have a lovely relationship with their surrogate and her family - so much so that theyre heading back to Canada for ...her wedding one day! Episode 91 of the Podcast is live! https://sarahjefford.com/the-surrogacy-canada-episode-91-r/

22.01.2022 We are back with another Stories Series episode of the Podcast! This time, Emma and Alex are sharing their story and letting us into their lives. Episode 89 is live! Emma and Alex live in Canberra with their son, Felix. Emma is a teacher but secretly wants to be a pastry chef , and Alex likes painting wartime figurines . Theyve been creating embryos with ovarian grafts, after Emma was treated for cancer. Find out more about Emma and Alex on the Podcast, and as always, ge...t in touch if you have any questions. https://sarahjefford.com/intended-parents-episode-89-emma-/

20.01.2022 Happy Friday! How are you? If youre new here, howdy! . . Im Sarah, and this is my team . My kids (one of them IVF, one of them not ), my partner (on the right, just) my intended parents and Miss D , the baby (toddler!) we made together. Ive been a surrogate and an egg donor and Im the only lawyer in Australia who practises exclusively in family creation (not separation! ) law. I run the Australian Surrogacy Podcast and write a lot about surrogacy and dono...r conception and have a book coming soon! #morethanjustababy. . Carrying and birthing Miss D was one of the very best things Ive ever done, and yes, we still see each other regularly (Aunty Sarah at your service!). . Surrogacy is complex and amazing and a perpetual journey. If youre interested in learning about being a donor or a surrogate, or growing your family with the help of another family, you can find lots of information on the Blog, in the Podcast, or send me a message with any questions. . #surrogacyrocks #canibeasurrogate #altrusticsurrogacy See more

19.01.2022 TGIF! I have some good news - the Kindle version of More Than Just a Baby is now available to pre-order! And soft cover books will be available to pre-order shortly. Stay tuned! You can pre-order the Kindle version at the special release price here - https://sarahjefford.com/more-than-just-a-baby/

19.01.2022 The coronavirus pandemic and travel restrictions have caused significant delays and challenges for intended parents pursuing cross-border surrogacy and IVF treatment. If you are considering importing or exporting gametes or embryos, make sure you get reliable advice about the future consequences for your child, and for you. https://sarahjefford.com/importing-and-exporting-embryos/

18.01.2022 Society expects women to want to be mothers, to be 100% devoted to our children and enjoy motherhood every moment of the day. But what if our version of womanhood, and motherhood, is to grow babies and give them to someone else to raise? What if surrogacy is a version of motherhood - an act of unconditional love, for the child we grow and birth - to be raised by another family? Last year I presented to Melbourne Universitys Health Law and Ethics network about Surrogacy and Motherhood, and my thoughts on ethical surrogacy and expressions of bodily autonomy. This past week, Ive presented again to the Law Schools students. You can read my speech in the blog post. What are your thoughts? How can surrogacy be ethical? Did you feel that surrogacy was a version of motherhood? https://sarahjefford.com/surrogacy-as-motherhood/

18.01.2022 If you are new to surrogacy and not sure where to start, this post takes you through each step, and includes a downloadable infographic with links. Everything from finding out if you qualify for surrogacy, to finding a surrogate and the counselling and legal process to the birth, fourth trimester and the Parentage Order. https://sarahjefford.com/we-need-a-surrogate/

17.01.2022 Finding out in your teens or early adulthood that you will never be able to carry a baby is challenging and heartbreaking. Hannah was given this news at only 21 - and almost immediately, her cousin Lee offered to be her surrogate. It was another 8 years before that dream became a reality and Lee gave birth to Imara - and what a dream she is! Hannah, Imara, Lee and their families are all in South Australia. The process and the pregnancy had their challenges, but Imaras birth ...was celebrated by the entire extended family. Episode 92 of the Podcast is live! Im so excited to share Hannahs story and bring light to another MRKH journey. You can find resources and information in the post. Thanks Hannah! Photo Credit: Pardon My French Photography in Adelaide. https://sarahjefford.com/the-surrogacy-podcast-episode-92-/

17.01.2022 Im usually the interviewer, but recently I was in the hot seat, being interviewed by Lucy Dickens from the Doing Law Differently Podcast. We talked about my law practice, the Surrogacy Podcast and writing a book, and how I love my job so much that it never feels like work. You can listen at the link or on Apple Podcasts. https://www.lucydickens.com.au/sarah-jefford-on-building-h/

17.01.2022 I have a dream. That one day, all surrogacy laws shall be equal. And all intended parents, no matter where they live, shall be able to engage in surrogacy in Australia without having to cross borders to access treatment. And that no matter where the surrogate births, the surrogacy arrangement will be recognised and the Parentage Order process is smooth and efficient. Oh, to dream. Late last year there was a meeting of the Council of Attorneys General and they discussed having... uniform surrogacy laws. Im not an Attorney General, but Im just saying if they want to give me a call, Im happy to chat. Anytime. https://sarahjefford.com/uniform-surrogacy-laws-yes-please/

16.01.2022 I have given up trying to get Podcasting done without my kids interrupting. My son, Raf is introducing my latest guests, Francine and Ian, for Episode 90 of the Podcast! Raf would like you to know that he lost his first tooth today. Francine and her dog are both cancer survivors! They live in Melbourne with Francines partner Ian, and Francine is the star of the Ovarian Cancer Awareness campaign - and today shes the star of the Podcast! https://sarahjefford.com/episode-90-francine-ian/

16.01.2022 I bet you thought my book was the *only* book ever written about surrogacy, right? Surprise! There are a bunch of other amazing books written by intended parents and surrogates, for adults and kids, about infertility, donor conception and surrogacy. Ive collated a bunch of them in one post, just for you. You can find some of these authors over on Instagram, including Surro Fairy @surrofairy, Shannon Garner @shannon_garner_author, Rebecca and Leonie @littlerayofsunshineaus, B...J Barone @bjbarone and Celeste @tim.celeste.x. You can order any of their amazing books - Ive linked them in the post. Dont forget to share the love and let them know when youve bought their book and what you thought of them!. https://sarahjefford.com/books-about-surrogacy/

15.01.2022 Hayley found out that she was donor-conceived when she was 12 years old, and later went on to find her donor and several donor-conceived siblings. She was gracious and generous enough to chat with me about her experiences for the Podcast - Episode 88 is live! So what about donor conception? How does it feel to find out you are donor conceived, and that you might have many relatives you didnt know you had? What is it like to put the puzzle pieces together with DNA testing and... meeting your relations, and see the full picture when look in the mirror? What we know is that, no two donors or parents or donor-conceived people are the same, so each experience is different. Listen to Hayleys story to hear how being donor-conceived in the 1980s impacted Hayleys life. https://sarahjefford.com/episode-88-hayley/

15.01.2022 Im so excited to be able to bring you another Stories Series of the Podcast, this time with Scott and Sean. They live in Melbourne with the menagerie of animals with cool names, and are egg-dating with a donor! It takes some courage and a good sense of humour to record yourself for someone elses podcast, and I think for that yall should go follow them @two_bears2014 on Instagram. Episode 93 of the Podcast is live!... https://sarahjefford.com/the-surrogacy-podcast-episode-93-/

14.01.2022 A few familiar faces celebrated by Gays With Kids!

12.01.2022 Anyone else going slightly loopy in Stage 4 Lockdown?

12.01.2022 Have you shared your story, in the hope of finding and connecting with a surrogate? I imagine it would be nerve-wracking. Many surrogacy arrangements start with existing relationships - family and friends. But to find someone, you need to start the conversation first. I know of surrogacy arrangements that have started from conversations over the water cooler at work, at the hairdressers, and at school drop-off. No one can offer to be your surrogate if you dont find the cour...age to share your story. Be vulnerable and brave, and someone might be willing to be vulnerable and brave for you. https://sarahjefford.com/sharing-surrogacy-story/

11.01.2022 The state controlling a woman would mean denying her full autonomy and full equality. What a woman. A terrible loss for the legal profession, for America, for gender equality, human rights and justice. Vale RBG.

10.01.2022 By far one of the best things about surrogacy is the community that you build around you - the other intended parents and surrogates who become part of the journey, who understand it better than anyone, and are there to offer support during the lows and to celebrate the highs. And perhaps even better, as a surrogacy lawyer, is to be able to see these journeys at the beginning, and share the anticipation and excitement, and the joy when the baby arrives. More Than Just a Baby ...is another one of those journeys that I couldnt have done without the support of other surrogates and intended parents in the community. And whats even better, today?! The paperback edition is available to order! Surprise! Go get your copy now! www.morethanjustababy.com

10.01.2022 When I gave birth as a a surrogate, I felt so many powerful and amazing emotions and wondered whether what I was feeling was normal. I remember thinking there really should be a book about this. And, now there is. You can pre-order your Kindle edition or More Than Just a Baby now! https://sarahjefford.com/book-release-more-than-just-a-baby/

09.01.2022 Pregnancy during the pandemic has been challenging for many families. For surrogacy arrangements, it has caused significant stress to make sure the intended parents can be at the birth and care for their newborn. Kirsty (surrogate) and Angela (intended mother) have joined me on the Podcast to talk about their experiences, trying to lock in arrangements for the birth, in a hotspot hospital, to make sure the intended parents can both be at the birth and Kirsty is not left holdi...ng the baby. They might have had less restrictions birthing at the AFL Grand Final, but we think weve made some headway with hospital management. Episode NINETY-SIX of the Podcast is live! If you are a pregnant surrogacy team and need some help with planning the hospital birth, give me a yell! https://sarahjefford.com/the-surrogacy-podcast-episode-96-/

08.01.2022 Lockdown in Melbourne has been dragging on for 5386 days now, more or less. How are you coping? Need some new listening material? Episode 95 of the Podcast is live! Cherie and Alex are sharing their story for the Stories Series of the Podcast, from their home in Lockdown Melbourne. Cherie is an accomplished musician but secretly loves trashy reality television. Alex is a revhead! https://sarahjefford.com/cancer-survivor-episode-95-cherie/

08.01.2022 Whats one of your surrogacy highlights? For Suz, its this moment with little Arlo, who she birthed in March. Its these very special moments that make it all worthwhile. Suz joined me on the Podcast and we talked about the absolute highs and all the challenges that come with being a surrogate. Including the post-partum hairloss - which is enough to make you want to shave your head... Episode 94 of the Podcast is live! I hope you love this episode as much as I loved chatting... candidly with Suz about her experiences as a two-time surrogate. https://sarahjefford.com/surrogate-brisbane-episode-94-sus/

08.01.2022 Bryce Cleary donated sperm when he was a young man. He was told there would be a maximum of 5 pregnancies from his donations. He has since discovered there are more than 19 children born from his donations, and the revelation has caused him a lot of pain and confusion about who he is, and who he needs to be for the donor conceived young people. I dont think morally or ethically Im responsible to do or provide anything for any of them other than I gave the sperm that conceived them. Thats my logical brain, he said. But then my heart and faith and everything else says: Hey, wait. These are human beings running around with your genes. https://www.washingtonpost.com//97b6f8de-ba65-11ea-8cf5-9c

08.01.2022 Are you growing your family with the help of a donor? What relationship will you, and your children, have with their donor? How will you share the story of their creation with your children? Donor conception is no longer anonymous, even if you have chosen an anonymous option. Consumer-DNA testing has changed donor conception. Many young people have discovered their donor heritage through DNA testing. In the words of one donor-conceived person, "Celebrate the connections, don...t fear them or create shame. These people are pivotal to who we are." https://sarahjefford.com/donor-conception-end-of-anonymity/

08.01.2022 How many babies does it take to write a book? (3?). How many times can I dance around my kitchen/toilet/bedroom to celebrate print copies arriving? . Orders are being filled from my house (screw Amazon btw). www.morethanjustababy.com #morethanjustababy #published #arrived

05.01.2022 Calls to make the surrogacy process easier in New Zealand, which has a similar structure to Australia. https://i.stuff.co.nz//surrogacy-what-is-the-process-and-w

05.01.2022 COVID restrictions in hospitals have impacted surrogacy births, with intended parents refused entry to hospital and surrogates told they must care for the baby. Healthcare providers need to recognise that giving birth and parenting are two separate acts. And, it turns out, quoting human rights legislation can sway a hospital to recognise a surrogacy arrangement.

04.01.2022 We Are Donor Conceived is a resource for donor conceived people around the world. WADC ran a survey of donor conceived people in 2020 and the results are interesting and worth considering for anyone who has been assisted by a donor, or intends to conceive a child with the help of a donor. https://www.wearedonorconceived.com//2020-we-are-donor-c/

04.01.2022 This is me holding a paperback edition of my book More Than Just a Baby . I cannot tell you how amazing it feels to hold this in my hot little hands. It feels like childbirth. My fourth baby. Two years in the making I gestate longer than an elephant . I had hoped to be telling you that you could now buy the paperback version from today. But the printers are in Melbourne! And Stage 4 lockdown means the printing press has shut down for at least 6 weeks. Wah! Talk about ba...d timing. But watch this space I promise it will be available and Im grateful for your patience! However! The Kindle version is on sale. If you pre-ordered the Kindle version and got a cancelled order email Im sorry! We had some epic glitches this week. But the Kindle version is definitely back online, and you can order it at www.morethanjustababy.com. #elephantpregnancy #morethanjustababy

02.01.2022 South Aussies! Today the new Surrogacy Act comes into effect. Hip hip hooray! Congratulations on granting access to surrogacy for singles, and making it clearer and easier to navigate surrogacy in your lovely State. Intended parents can seek fertility treatment outside South Australia. Surrogates who carry for South Australian intended parents need to be over 25 years old. Your lawyer can be from anywhere in Australia! Hopefully the clearer laws will make surrogacy more acce...ssible for South Aussies. https://sarahjefford.com/surrogacy-in-south-australia/

02.01.2022 In the past few months Ive had clients impacted by the coronavirus pandemic at all stages in their surrogacy arrangement. This includes intended parents being denied interstate travel to be at their babys birth, or having to quarantine for 14 days, and others not being allowed to attend the birth. Other teams have had treatment delayed. And of course, its hard to meet a surrogate or intended parents when you cant leave your house. One question that has popped up numerous ...times is whether embryos can be transported to the state where the surrogate lives, rather than waiting for borders to open. There are some requirements for the embryo transfer to occur in the state where the intended parents live. Many fertility specialists dont know this, but it is a requirement for the Parentage Order in Victoria, ACT and Western Australia. I completely understand the frustration of delays and extra hurdles. But waiting it out might be a better option than being pregnant in a pandemic, particularly if it means you can be near each other during the important surrogacy milestones. https://sarahjefford.com/interstate-surrogacy-and-travel-r/

01.01.2022 "She opened the door and knew who I was straight away. For a while we stood there looking at each other, tears running down our faces. We hugged and I knew I was home."

01.01.2022 Im locked down in Melbourne. Its lucky that I love my kids and my husband, because theyre the only people Ive seen for 5 months. Ive forgotten how to have a conversation that doesnt start with "youre on mute!" Meanwhile, Queenslanders in my newsfeed: its lucky we love you too. My family was meant to be on holidays in your sunny State next month. Ill just have to satisfy myself with gazing at your photos of blue skies and beaches for awhile longer. Not to mention the ...photos of you sitting in cafes and hosting birthday parties - what is that like anyway? . Queensland boasts some good surrogacy laws! Easy process, accessible treatments, less bureaucracy. You can read more about it on the blog. Just dont brag about it too much. https://sarahjefford.com/surrogacy-in-queensland/