The Backup Plan

Meredith Kate

Thousands of women joke about getting knocked up by their gay best friend when they get fed up with dating. Follow my decision to ACTUALLY do it: learning about the single mother by choice community, failed DIY attempts, to choosing IVF.

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Top 10 The Backup Plan Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Backup Plan episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Backup Plan for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Backup Plan episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

7: It's So Sci-Fi (w/ Austin Fremont)

The Backup Plan

09/20/23 • 55 min

You know that feeling when you meet someone on the road of life who's just a *little* bit further down the boulevard than you? Austin Fremont is that for Meredith - her son Felix is nearly a year old and was conceived with the help of Austin's friend, Stephen. The gals chat about their decision to go this route and how sci-fi it feels to be choosing their own motherhood destiny.
In New York City? Fremont Blue specializes in the development and execution of events in the visual arts, architecture, design, lifestyle and cultural communities.

Hello Bello
20% off for new customers with code “MEREDITHB“
Kegg Fertility Tracker
Support The Backup Plan by purchasing Kegg Trackers at the above link.
Kindred Bravely
15% off nursing and maternity wear with code “Meredith15“.
Mosie Baby
Support The Backup Plan by purchasing Mosie kits at the above link.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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I'm becoming a single mother by choice using a known donor; I'm so stoked to be having a baby with my gay best friend. After a few tries with the turkey baster in 2023, I turned to IVF in Spring of 2024.
Watch video versions of The Backup Plan on YouTube!

CONNECT WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Website: https://backupplanpod.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/backupplanpod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@backupplanpod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backupplanpod

CONNECT WITH MEREDITH
Instagram: https://instagram.com/meredithk8

WORK WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Visit https://backupplanpod.com/work-with-me for brand partnerships and business inquiries.
Created, produced and hosted by Meredith Kate, co-produced by Julian Hagins.
Visit https://backupplanpod.com for show notes, transcripts, partner links, and our newsletter.

35: Chick-Pickin' (with Nana)

The Backup Plan

05/29/24 • 45 min

Nana is back in California! They’re discussing Meredith’s Day 5 4BB and Day 7 4BA embryos (better known at Chip & Dale); the nail-biting wait on genetic test results, whether or not to learn the sex, and if so, WHEN?

TOPICS COVERED

0:00 - Introduction and Catch Up
04:09 - Should I find out the sex of my embryos?
16:10 - “The Parents Who Want Daughters and Daughters Only” by Emi Nietfeld
22:30 - The Birth of the BLASTOSHOWER
23:56 - Survival Rates of Female/Male Embryos
33:34 - Processing Grief Over Lost Eggs and Embryos

ARTICLES DISCUSSED

The Parents Who Want Daughters and Daughters Only, Emi Nietfeld for Slate
Survival of the Fetus: Why Males Have it So Rough, LiveScience
Female embryos less likely to survive to birth, University of Oxford
Embryo quality, ploidy, and transfer outcomes in male versus female blastocysts, National Institutes of Health

PLACES MENTIONED

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Instagram: https://instagram.com/meredithk8

27: Navigating Family Leave (w/ Diane Gatza)

The Backup Plan

03/20/24 • 40 min

Meredith is joined by Diane Gatza to discuss family leave (or maternity leave, or paternity leave...whatever floats your boat). Diane is revolutionizing the way parents-to-be approach the maze of benefits available to them. Whether you're in California or beyond, her insights are invaluable for anyone looking to strategically plan and secure the support they deserve as they embark on the journey of starting a family. This episode has actionable advice for expecting parents who want to arm themselves with knowledge and achieve financial ease during this life-changing experience.
In this episode, we cover:
01:36 - Personal IVF Updates
09:28 - Helping Diverse Families
12:00 - Negotiating for Better Benefits
19:00 - Working with Human Resources
26:39 - Avoiding Pitfalls in Planning
32:48 - 3 Steps to Maximize Family Leave
38:29 - Freelance Benefits
Products Mentioned:
Buzzy Vibrating Ice Pack - https://amzn.to/3vqhoXl
Pineapple-Shaped Bandages - https://amzn.to/48WxwO8
Silicone Mats - https://amzn.to/4ajjBTw
Read the full blog post for this episode - https://backupplanpod.com/27-navigating-family-leave-w-diane-gatza/

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Instagram: https://instagram.com/meredithk8

41: Frozen Embryo Transfer Plans

The Backup Plan

07/17/24 • 13 min

Meredith is sharing news from her fertility doctors at Kindbody this week - her frozen embryo transfer (FET) has been scheduled! She goes over the process, why her and her doctor chose a controlled FET and plans for her BLASTOSHOWER - an embryo sex reveal.
TOPICS COVERED
00:53 Getting the physical PGT-A results and planning the BLASTOSHOWER!
02:23 Scheduling the FET
04:02 Explaining what an FET is
05:09 Choosing a natural or a controlled FET and preparation
09:18 What happens after a frozen embryo transfer?
10:25 Getting Excited
MEREDITH’S FIT THIS WEEK
Sleeveless Suit And Wide Leg Pants Set: https://amzn.to/3Y1usOZ
ARTICLE REFERENCES
NYU Langone Health https://nyulangone.org/locations/fertility-center/in-vitro-fertilization-egg-freezing-embryo-banking/in-vitro-fertilization
Ovoclinic, Embryo Transfer: Natural or Artificial Cycle? https://ovoclinic.net/embryo-transfer-natural-or-artificial-cycle-ovoclinic/?lang=en
VIDEO REFERENCES
Embryo Transfer | Santa Monica Fertility https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvQZA7EWwmk
Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago, Embryo Transfer During IVF https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAfworG82Xo

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Instagram: https://instagram.com/meredithk8

48: Trump's "Free IVF" Plan

The Backup Plan

09/04/24 • 18 min

Donald Trump is promising free IVF if he gets elected. As someone who is deep int he middle of an IVF journey myself, I share thoughts and feelings about how I think it'd work (spoiler alert: I don't think it will).
REGISTER TO VOTE
https://vote.gov

FACTS AND FIGURES

ALSO MENTIONED
Our Little Gay Life: https://www.instagram.com/ourlittlegaylife/

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Instagram: https://instagram.com/meredithk8

24: Sweet Home Alabama

The Backup Plan

02/28/24 • 24 min

It’s a wild time to start IVF right now, so Meredith’s got a stream of consciousness for y’all this week, from rage about Tommy Tuberville’s thoughtlessness to Backup Plan listener reactions.
In this episode, Meredith covers:
00:39 - Where she’s currently at in her conception timeline
05:09 - Personal Feelings on the IVF Ruling in Alabama
Read the full blog post for this episode.
Articles about the ruling...

CONNECT WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Website: https://backupplanpod.com
YouTube: https://www.www.youtube.com/@backupplanpod
Instagram: https://instagram.com/backupplanpod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@backupplanpod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backupplanpod
CONNECT WITH MEREDITH
Instagram: https://instagram.com/meredithk8
WORK WITH THE BACKUP PLAN
Visit https://backupplanpod.com/work-with-me for brand partnerships and business inquiries.

Support the show

CONNECT WITH MEREDITH
Instagram: https://instagram.com/meredithk8

6: Baby's First Vanderpump Rules Binge (w/ Shaina Goelman)

The Backup Plan

09/13/23 • 40 min

Meet Shaina Goelman, a brand new solo mom and licensed marriage and family therapist living in the suburbs of Los Angeles. The gals chat about dating in LA, how they each came to the decision to have kids on their own, and Shaina shares tips with Meredith on conception, pregnancy, and how to overcome the hurdles of postpartum with the assistance of Vanderpump Rules.
Interested in therapy with Shaina? Check out her website or Psychology Today profile.

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Instagram: https://instagram.com/meredithk8

8: Don't Be a Kevin (w/ Whitney Warren)

The Backup Plan

09/29/23 • 43 min

Whitney has been a real one since 2003 proving that some of the weirdos you meet in the Theatre Department are truly worth keeping around. As Meredith is deep enough in her own story to sometimes gloss over details, Whitney plays host and asks some of the questions that the audience might have.
Meredith also gives a stirring summary of the 2011 film, WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN.

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Instagram: https://instagram.com/meredithk8

1: An Introduction

The Backup Plan

08/13/23 • 9 min

Picture this: college pals, a heartening bond, and an unusual dream that leads to an extraordinary journey. Meredith is your guide through this delightful adventure. Learn about her friendship with Michael, her gay best friend, and how his dream about the two of them having a baby together became a real-life decision.

This episode sets the stage for future chats with experts, individuals who’ve treaded similar paths, and folks thrilled to initiate their families on their terms. Welcome to The Backup Plan.

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42: Embryo Reveal

The Backup Plan

07/24/24 • 26 min

IVF success isn’t just getting pregnant - it’s a lot of steps along the way. In her journey to becoming a single mom by choice, Meredith decided to celebrate her embryos after they passed preimplantation genetic screening with an EMBRYO REVEAL PARTY - a modern twist on a traditional gender reveal party.

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FAQ

How many episodes does The Backup Plan have?

The Backup Plan currently has 50 episodes available.

What topics does The Backup Plan cover?

The podcast is about Lgbt, Society & Culture, Parenting, Kids & Family, Motherhood, Personal Journals, Pregnancy, Family and Podcasts.

What is the most popular episode on The Backup Plan?

The episode title '2: First Steps Towards Solo Mommyhood' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on The Backup Plan?

The average episode length on The Backup Plan is 29 minutes.

How often are episodes of The Backup Plan released?

Episodes of The Backup Plan are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of The Backup Plan?

The first episode of The Backup Plan was released on Aug 13, 2023.

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The Backup Plan

Meredith Kate

Top 10 The Backup Plan Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does The Backup Plan have?

What topics does The Backup Plan cover?

What is the most popular episode on The Backup Plan?

What is the average episode length on The Backup Plan?

How often are episodes of The Backup Plan released?

When was the first episode of The Backup Plan?

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