SUMMER LISTENING: The Mum Whose Embryos Went Missing on her Surrogacy Journey

This summer we've curated your Delivery Room playlist with even more birth stories from our friends at Diary Of A Birth. After years of heartache, disappointment, and countless tears, Kirsten McLennan discovered her endometrial lining was too thin to nurture a pregnancy—a devastating revelation after multiple failed IVF attempts. When specialists suggested surrogacy might be her path to parenthood, Kirsten and her husband Ryan embarked on an emotional international journey filled with both crushing setbacks and beautiful moments of hope. In today's touching episode, Kirsten vulnerably shares her difficult path to becoming a mother—from the moment when transported embryos went missing in Canada to when they finally connected with their surrogate Leigha in Utah, they found not just a carrier for their precious baby, but a compassionate friend who opened her heart and home to help create their miracle. Kirsten reflects on the beautiful complexity of surrogacy—the profound joy of those first skin-to-skin moments with Spencer, the deep bond formed while living with Leigha's family, and the overwhelming emotions they all shared in the delivery room. THE END BITS: Support independent women's media Follow Diary Of A Birth on Instagram Listen to more Diary Of A Birth here CREDITS: Host : Ksenija Lukich Birth Story: Kirsten McLennan Obstetrician & Gynaecologist: Dr Bronwyn Devine Producers : Ksenija Lukich & Ella Maitland Audio Producer: Tina Matolov Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Support the show:

You can listen to SUMMER LISTENING: The Mum Whose Embryos Went Missing on her Surrogacy Journey online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

SUMMER LISTENING: The Mum Whose Embryos Went Missing on her Surrogacy Journey is an episode from The Delivery Room by Mamamia Podcasts.

This episode is 29:26 long.

This episode was published on Dec 29, 2025.

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