Why I Chose Surrogacy After My Brain Disorder Diagnosis ft. Jordana Brewster cover art

Why I Chose Surrogacy After My Brain Disorder Diagnosis ft. Jordana Brewster

Why I Chose Surrogacy After My Brain Disorder Diagnosis ft. Jordana Brewster

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For years, Jordana Brewster quietly lived with a life-altering diagnosis that few people knew about. After suffering a seizure at 28, she learned she had a cavernous malformation (CVM), a rare vascular condition in her brain that made carrying a pregnancy dangerously high-risk. While continuing a successful acting career, she privately managed her condition, navigated fertility treatments, and ultimately chose gestational surrogacy to grow her family.In this candid conversation, Jordana joins Mary Alice Haney to share the emotional realities behind IVF, infertility, surrogacy, and the difficult decisions that come with protecting both your health and your dream of becoming a parent. She also opens up about undergoing awake brain surgery, overcoming the stigma of living with a neurological condition, healing from disordered eating, and how divorce, blended family life, and finding love again gave her the courage to embrace a completely new chapter.Subscribe to SHE MD Podcast for expert tips on PMOS, endometriosis, fertility, hormonal balance, mental health, and more. Share with friends and visit SHE MD website and Ovii for research-backed resources, holistic health strategies, and expert guidance on women’s health and well-being.SponsorsProlon: Visit ProlonLife.com/SHEMD to claim your 15% discount and your bonus gift. Talkiatry: Head to Talkiatry.com/sheMD to complete the short assessment and get matched with an in‑network psychiatrist in just a few minutes.Alaya Naturals: Visit www.alayanaturals.com/SheMD and enter code SheMD at checkout for 20% off your order.Tuckernuck: Visit tnuck.com and use code SHEMD for 15% off your first purchase.Square: You can get up to $200 off Square hardware at square.com/go/shemdWhat You’ll LearnWhat a cavernous malformation (CVM) is and how it can affect pregnancy and neurological healthHow Jordana's first seizure led to a diagnosis that changed the course of her lifeWhy doctors advised her against carrying a pregnancyThe emotional and physical realities of IVF that aren't often discussedWhat the gestational surrogacy process actually looks like, from choosing a surrogate to legal agreements and deliveryWhy infertility evaluations should always include both partnersCommon misconceptions and stigma surrounding surrogacyWhat it's like to undergo awake brain surgery while doctors monitor language and brain functionHow Jordana managed a seizure disorder while building a demanding acting careerThe long-term impact of disordered eating and learning to build a healthier relationship with food and exerciseHow becoming a mother reshaped her perspective on control, trust, and vulnerabilityNavigating divorce, blended families, co-parenting, and finding love again after major life changesWhy speaking openly about women's health experiences helps break stigma for future generationsKey Timestamps00:00 Why Surrogacy Is Only Legal In 3 Countries01:03 Meet Jordana Brewster, Actress, Mom And Survivor03:39 When Jordana Decided She Wanted To Be A Mom04:36 The Brain Diagnosis That Changed Everything06:30 Living With A Seizure Disorder In Hollywood09:03 The Breakthrough Seizures That Forced A Decision10:11 What Awake Brain Surgery Actually Feels Like12:08 Six Years Seizure Free After The Surgery12:36 Overhauling Her Entire Life In 202015:43 The Stigma Around Surrogacy And What People Get Wrong17:02 Finding The Right Surrogate And Trusting Your Gut19:36 The IVF Journey And Why It Is Never A Slam Dunk22:08 The Hardest Part Of Surrogacy Nobody Talks About24:44 The Birth Story And Being In The Delivery Room26:29 Why She Didn't Take Maternity Leave And Regrets It27:37 Stop Ignoring The Man's Role In Fertility31:43 Finding Love Again And Blending A Family Of Six34:34 How To Successfully Navigate A Blended Family46:37 Losing Paul Walker And How She Honors His Legacy48:19 What She Would Tell Her Younger SelfKey TakeawaysA cavernous malformation (CVM) is a vascular condition in the brain that can cause seizures and may make pregnancy high-risk for some patientsIVF and gestational surrogacy are complex medical processes that often require multiple specialists, legal protections, and emotional resilienceFertility evaluations should include both partners, as male-factor infertility is a significant contributor to difficulty conceivingAwake brain surgery allows surgeons to monitor critical brain functions, such as speech, while safely removing lesions located near essential areas of the brainOpen conversations about infertility, surrogacy, neurological conditions, and mental health can help reduce stigma and encourage others to seek careGuest Bio: Jordana BrewsterJordana Brewster’s beauty and natural screen presence has etched her a permanent place in Hollywood in both film and television. Jordana can most recently be seen in the independent feature THE PIRATE KING, which premiered at the 2026 SXSW Film Festival. She will next be seen as ‘Kat' in the upcoming Prime Video series BISHOP. ...
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