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

An episode of [SHE MD](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1731012409), 30 Jun 2026, 52 min.

Audio: https://pdst.fm/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/369/www.claritaspod.com/measure/arttrk.com/p/DM22A/arttrk.com/p/ARTS0/rss.art19.com/episodes/ec707965-52a8-44ec-8729-556b08f8fc7e.mp3?rss_browser=BAhJIhVJbnZpc2libGVOZXR3b3JrBjoGRVQ%3D--0761ee75eb25694efc17849092f8583c07f6c68b

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. Sponsors Prolon: 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/shemd What You’ll Learn • What a cavernous malformation (CVM) is and how it can affect pregnancy and neurological health • How Jordana's first seizure led to a diagnosis that changed the course of her life • Why doctors advised her against carrying a pregnancy • The emotional and physical realities of IVF that aren't often discussed • What the gestational surrogacy process actually looks like, from choosing a surrogate to legal agreements and delivery • Why infertility evaluations should always include both partners • Common misconceptions and stigma surrounding surrogacy • What it's like to undergo awake brain surgery while doctors monitor language and brain function • How Jordana managed a seizure disorder while building a demanding acting career • The long-term impact of disordered eating and learning to build a healthier relationship with food and exercise • How becoming a mother reshaped her perspective on control, trust, and vulnerability • Navigating divorce, blended families, co-parenting, and finding love again after major life changes • Why speaking openly about women's health experiences helps break stigma for future generations Key Timestamps 00:00 Why Surrogacy Is Only Legal In 3 Countries 01:03 Meet Jordana Brewster, Actress, Mom And Survivor 03:39 When Jordana Decided She Wanted To Be A Mom 04:36 The Brain Diagnosis That Changed Everything 06:30 Living With A Seizure Disorder In Hollywood 09:03 The Breakthrough Seizures That Forced A Decision 10:11 What Awake Brain Surgery Actually Feels Like 12:08 Six Years Seizure Free After The Surgery 12:36 Overhauling Her Entire Life In 2020 15:43 The Stigma Around Surrogacy And What People Get Wrong 17:02 Finding The Right Surrogate And Trusting Your Gut 19:36 The IVF Journey And Why It Is Never A Slam Dunk 22:08 The Hardest Part Of Surrogacy Nobody Talks About 24:44 The Birth Story And Being In The Delivery Room 26:29 Why She Didn't Take Maternity Leave And Regrets It 27:37 Stop Ignoring The Man's Role In Fertility 31:43 Finding Love Again And Blending A Family Of Six 34:34 How To Successfully Navigate A Blended Family 46:37 Losing Paul Walker And How She Honors His Legacy 48:19 What She Would Tell Her Younger Self Key Takeaways •…

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