Alexis & Lilian on reciprocal IVF, same sex family building, navigating heteronormative legal systems to ‘adopt’ their daughter

In this episode, Chels talks to Alexis and Lilian (@one99four & @lilianbrilliant_) who have recently welcomed their baby daughter into the world. Alexis and Lilian share their love story and journey to parenthood - from navigating reciprocal IVF to their birth story and a NICU stay, and finding their rhythm in postpartum and shared motherhood. 

Alexis and Lilian also touch on the stigmas or hurdles they’ve had to navigate as a same sex family. In Germany, where their daughter was born, only the birth mother is legally and automatically listed on the birth certificate - meaning Lilian would have to ‘adopt’ her own daughter in an arduous process which can take up to 18 months. 

Alexis and Lilian run @sapphiccircle - retreats and community events for queer women.

You can find their beautiful YouTube channel here.

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This podcast was recorded on the unceded lands of the Taungurung, Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. We acknowledge that sovereignty of the lands on which this podcast was recorded was never ceded and pay our respects to the original storytellers of this land.