No need for Prince Charming

Another fabulous season of the No need for Prince Charming podcast with another incredible 40 mums who’ve so generously shared their story – thank you! In this wrap up we hear from some of our previous guests from season 1 and 2 and get updates on life for them since the podcast. If you’re interestedContinue reading "S2:B7 – 2023 wrap up"

Before becoming a mum, Lisa had a very clear idea of the goals she needed to achieve before she was ready to go down this path. After achieving the travel, the house and the dog she was successful at becoming a mum and now lives in Adelaide with her adorable daughter Grace. In this episodeContinue reading "S2:E40 – Lisa and Grace"

Mel always thought if she wasn't a mum by the time she was 35 she would pursue becoming a mother on her own. In her late 20s she decided to bring the timeline forward, and after getting treatment in a different state she now has her gorgeous son Theo. In this episode we discuss navigatingContinue reading "S2:E39 – Melanie & Theo"

The only thing Leah ever wanted was to be a mum and at 30, when relationships hadn't worked out as planned, she pursued becoming a solo mum by choice. Leah lives in Victoria with her adorable son Dallas. In this episode we discuss dealing with a stressful pregnancy, her thoughts on siblings and donor siblingsContinue reading "S2:E38 – Leah & Dallas"

Sitting in a cafe in Iceland Carissa's friend helped her see the way for her to truely be happy was to have a baby. She came back to Australia where she had the support she wanted to become a solo mum by choice to her son Declan. In this episode we discuss the importance ofContinue reading "S2:E37 – Carissa and Declan"

Jacinta always wanted children and coming from a big family, she assumed it would be an easy journey. After an unexpected twist in her journey she now has a gorgeous son Leo. In this episode we discuss her experience with recruited and clinic donors, her cancer journey (which was only discovered as a result ofContinue reading "S2:E36 – Jacinta and Leo"

In this special bonus episode I talk to Rene from City Fertility to understand what is involved when you use a fertility clinic for conception as a solo mother. In the episode we cover the important things like cost, process, access to donor sperm via their ADDAM and EEVE apps, Medicare rebates and what healthContinue reading "S2:B6 – Interview with a fertility clinic"

Prior to Cyndi becoming a mother she was a nanny and a teacher, becoming a mother was always something she knew she was going to do. She lives in Melbourne with her son Callaway and in this episode she shares her long journey to conception, the process for being a recipient of donor embryos andContinue reading "S2:E35 – Cyndi & Callaway"

Sonya knew she wanted to be a mother as soon as her younger sister joined the family. In her late 20s, after getting her family's support, she embarked on this journey to make those dreams come true. She now has an adorable son Pippin. In this episode we discuss her considerations when selecting and potentialContinue reading "S2:E34 – Sonya and Pippin"

After bringing up her younger siblings, Sarah wasn't sure she wanted to be a mum, but once she decided, she also decided she would do it with or without a partner. After dating, what felt like half of Melbourne, she decided to go solo, and after rollercoaster journey she now has her gorgeous son Dylan.Continue reading "S2:E33 – Sarah and Dylan"

Angela spent a lot of time travelling and following her dreams, so when she didn't find the right partner to start her family with she decided to have a child on her own. She lives in NSW with her adorable son Lucas. In this episode we talk about making contact with her donor, putting herselfContinue reading "S2:E32 – Angela and Lucas"

Liza always knew she wanted to be a mum, then in her mid 30s realised she was going to have to take matters into her own hands if that dream was to become a reality. She now lives in the Sunshine coast with her 12 year old triplets! In this episode we talk about theContinue reading "S2:E31 – Liza, Oscar, Archie and Jack"

In this bonus episode I interviewed Lara who is dietician that specialises in fertility and pregnancy, especially for women trying to conceive over the age of 35. We discuss what you should and shouldn’t eat to help egg quality and your chance of conception success, as well as ensuring a health pregnancy and debunking someContinue reading "S2:Bonus 5 – Interview with a fertility dietician"

Maegan always new she wanted to be a mother and at 28, when she had no luck finding a suitable partner, she decided to embark on this journey on her own with the full support of her mother who she now lives with in regional Victoria with her son Freddie. In this episode we talkContinue reading "S2:E30 – Maegan and Freddie"

Rebecca had 3 goals in life – become a teacher, buy a house and become a mum. After achieving the first two she took matters into her own hands to make the family dream a reality. She lives in Vic with her 11 month old daughter Eden and in this episode we discuss managing gestationalContinue reading "S2:E29 – Rebecca and Eden"

After going through a transformational self development course LJ suddenly realised the thing that was most important for her was to have a child. It wasn't possible with the man she was currently seeing, so she recruited a known donor to make her dreams come true. She and Baby Z live in Victoria. In thisContinue reading "S2:E28 – LJ and Baby Z"

Libby was so clear she wanted to be a mother, she even chose her career to ensure she would be set up for them when they arrived. After achieving some significant career milestones and “career dating” with no success for 5 years she knew she'd regret it if she didn't try alone. She now livesContinue reading "S2:E27 – Libby, Ethan and Spencer"

At 30 Allison set herself a time limit where she would have a baby on her own if she hadn't met the right person. That age came, and was subsequently extended, but now she has her gorgeous son Austin. in this episode we talk about her egg donation journey post having her son, adapting toContinue reading "S2:E26 – Allison and Austin"

In this bonus episode I interview a wonderful embryo donor who has so far donated her embyos to one successful solo mum by choice. In this episode we discuss what led her to want to donate her and her husband’s embryos, the process they went through in order to find their recipient, the reactions theyContinue reading "S2:Bonus 4 – Interview with an embryo donor"

Shakira always said if she was single at 30 she would just have a baby on her own. Financially that didn't look like a viable option until Covid helped her savings increase. She now lives in NSW with her 5 month old daughter Ruthie. In this episode we talk about her reflections on reality vsContinue reading "S2:E25 – Shakira and Ruthie"

Christine sent years travelling and living a fun and very active life before pursuing solo motherhood in her 40s. After establishing double donation was her best option for success, her and her mother headed to South Africa and she now lives in Queensland with her adorable son Braydon. In this episode we talk about theContinue reading "S2:E24 – Christine and Braydon"

After being widowed in her 20s, Lauren looked for another partner to have a family with, but she couldn't replace her true love so embarked on motherhood solo. She and her gorgeous son live in Queensland. In this episode we talk about the grief journey she had to go through before embarking on this journey,Continue reading "S2:E23 – Lauren and Maxwell"

TRIGGER WARNING: In this episode we discuss domestic violence. After escaping a domestic violence relationship Meredith tried dating, but after being unsuccessful with meeting a partner to have a family with she did some research and decided to take matters into her own hands by having a baby on her own. She now lives inContinue reading "S2:E22 – Meredith & Rani"

Emily had a partner when she had her first daughter, but when the relationship didn't work out she quickly determined she wanted to expand her family and after a couple of dates realised she wanted to do it on her own. She ended up using a recruited known donor which allowed her to quickly conceiveContinue reading "S2:E21 – Emily, Daisy & Polly"

Renee knew she always wanted to be a mother. At 29 had a daughter with a partner, but the relationship didn't work out and after she turned 1 Renee knew she wanted to expand her family, but including another partner wasn't something she wanted to wait for. Renee now lives in Victoria with her daughterContinue reading "S2:E20 – Renee, Amelia, Samuel & Miles"

Is there anything better than holidays? Whether it’s a local road trip, camping or heading overseas for a beach holiday or adventure, travelling as a solo mum can seem a little overwhelming but is also one of the most magical experiences you can have with your children. In this bonus episode you’ll hear some greatContinue reading "S2:Bonus 3 – Tips for holidaying as an SMBC"

After years of travelling and enjoying life, it was at a counselling appointment in her late 30s that Bec decided what she really wanted in life was a baby. Luckily she was successful and now lives in Melbourne with her adorable son Jaime. In this episode we discuss conceiving in your 40s, lifestyle changes sheContinue reading "S2:E19 – Rebecca & Jamie"

Samantha had a premonition that she would become a mother on her own, and after leaving an abusive marriage that premonition came true. She and her two gorgeous daughters live in Queensland and hope to spend their lives with many overseas adventures. In this episode we talk about late endometriosis diagnosis, overcoming postpartum depression andContinue reading "S2:E18 – Samantha, Scarlett and Audrey"

Emilee's journey started after an unexpected discussion at a GP appointment and after a journey far longer than she anticipated, she now has her gorgeous daughter Florence. Emilee lives in Queensland and in this episode we talk about the ups and downs of her conception journey, managing a late diagnosis of severe endometriosis and navigatingContinue reading "S2:E17 – Emilee and Florence"

Having kids was never something Kylie wanted. After years of putting her career first it snuck up on her at 35 that actually, this was something she had to do to create her own little family unit which was more than just her fur babies.She lives in Melbourne with her adorable daughter Paige. In thisContinue reading "S2:E16 – Kylie and Paige"

At 41, after years of unsuccessful dating, Amanda learned the only way she could become a Mum would be with help from an egg and sperm donor. She lives in Melbourne with her adorable son Leo. In this episode we discuss navigating the world of private egg donation in Australia, travelling to Spain to conceiveContinue reading "S2:E15 – Amanda and Leo"

Lisa always knew she wanted to be a mum and after going to a fertility specialist to explore freezing her eggs she instead embarked into becoming a solo mother by choice. Lisa lives in Queensland with her adorable 10 month old daughter Riley. In this episode we talk about balancing treatment with work as aContinue reading "S2:E14 – Lisa and Riley"

In this special bonus episode I chat with Dr David Wilkinson from City Fertility in Melbourne. It’s thanks to him that I have my gorgeous daughter Alexandra and I’m so grateful he gave me his time to answer all of your pressing questions regarding the medical side of becoming a solo mum by choice. InContinue reading "S2:Bonus 2 – Interview with Fertility Specialist – Dr David Wilkinson"

In this special episode we talk to Kathryn while she is still pregnant, then again when her daughter is almost 1 year old. We chat through her journey to become a mum (which was a lot longer then she thought it would be) and how she is feeling about what motherhood will be like. ThenContinue reading "S2:E13 – Kathryn and Hallie"

Lauren always knew she wanted to be a mother and just assumed that she'd meet someone, get married and it would all work out like in the movies. In her early 30s she realised life wasn't going to pan out that way for her, so she embarked on a lot longer journey than she anticipatedContinue reading "S2:E12 – Lauren and Lola"

On a holiday in Thailand with her son from a previous relationship Emma realised she really wanted to add a sibling to her little family, she didn't want another relationship, so embarked on conceiving using a donor. She was successful, adding a daughter to their little family that lives in Melbourne. In this episode weContinue reading "S2:E11 – Emma, Jay and Taya"

When Jaime got closer to 40 she realised the only thing that mattered was for her to become a mother. After a dramatic journey she was successful at 44 and now lives in WA with her adorable daughter Charli. In this episode we talk about dealing with pregnancy and birth after medical trauma, finding yourselfContinue reading "S2:E10 – Jaime and Charli"

Natasha always knew she wanted a baby, but realised she didn't always imagine herself doing it with a partner. After her last relationship didn't work out she decided to do it on her own and she now lives in Melbourne with her gorgeous son Theodore. In this episode we talk about the realities of whatContinue reading "S2:E9 – Natasha and Theodore"

Laura started her journey to motherhood by focusing on her health, then once she felt more confident in herself she tried dating seriously hoping to meet someone. After 2 years she didn't find anyone she wanted to start a family, with so on 1 Jan 2019 she took the plunge and put an ad onContinue reading "S2:E8 – Laura and Liam"

Tiffany was diagnosed with severe endometriosis at 21 and was told she would need IVF if she ever wanted a family. After not finding a partner when she moved back to Australia in her early 30s she embarked on IVF with a donor. After a very long journey she now lives in Queensland with herContinue reading "S2:E7 – Tiffany, Wyatt and Reeve"

Ally always knew she wanted to be a mum and pursued solo motherhood at the same time as dating to ensure her dream came true no matter what. She lives in Melbourne and has just published her memoir, “inconceivable”, which details her journey to become mum to her gorgeous son Quinn. In this episode weContinue reading "S2:E6 – Ally and Quinn"

In Australia if you use a fertility clinic there is no such thing as an “anonymous” donor – all donors are able to be contacted when a resulting child turns 18 (and potentially earlier by agreement). It is a very regulated environment, primarily to protect donor conceived children, so if they want to know aboutContinue reading "S2:Bonus 1 – Interview with an “anonymous” donor"

Jess knew from when she was a child that she wanted to be a mum and having her family thanks to a donor was something she considered from her early 20s. She always assumed she would use an “anonymous” donor, but due to an unexpected turn of events she ended up having her two children,Continue reading "S2:E5 – Jess, Gwen and Freddie"

Sarah went to a seminar at a Melbourne IVF clinic to learn about freezing her eggs, but after talking to a specialist, realised having a child with a donor was going to be the best way for her to achieve her dreams of becoming a mother. After multiple rounds of treatment and 3 donors, sheContinue reading "S2:E4 – Sarah and Noah"

TJ had an amazing life, but at 46 had a sudden realisation that she was meant to be a mother. She pursued all avenues, and was eventually successful at 48 with a donor embryo. She and her gorgeous daughter live in NSW. In this episode we discuss the challenges of being an older mum, howContinue reading "S2:E3 – TJ and Baby Star"

At 35 Carly realised that her dream of becoming a mother might not eventuate if she didn't take matters into her own hands and she now lives in Melbourne with her adorable son Lennon. In this episode we discuss her fertility journey, choices she made to set herself up for success and her thought processContinue reading "S2:E2 – Carly and Lennon"

Try as she might, Billie had no luck finding Prince Charming, so at 36 she took matters into her own hands and made her dreams of becoming a mother a reality. She and her gorgeous 17 month old daughter Luna live in NSW. In this episode we discuss adjusting back to work as a soloContinue reading "S2:E1 – Billie and Luna"

That’s a wrap on season 1! What an amazing ride it has been and what a fabulous range of stories and journeys we’ve had over the first 40 episodes. Thank you to all my amazing quests who have shared what they went through to fulfil their dreams of becoming a mother when they took motherhoodContinue reading "Bonus Episode 4 – Reflections & advice"

That’s a wrap on season 1! What an amazing ride it has been and what a fabulous range of stories and journeys we’ve had over the first 40 episodes. Thank you to all my amazing quests who have shared what they went through to fulfil their dreams of becoming a mother when they took motherhoodContinue reading "Bonus Episode 4 – Reflections & advice"

Meagan's mum originally seeded the idea of her becoming a mum using a donor and after trying without luck to find the right partner she decided to go it alone. She now teaches pilates and lives near the beach in Queensland with her gorgeous son Jed. In this episode we talk about what she wentContinue reading "Episode 40 – Meagan and Jed"

Meagan's mum originally seeded the idea of her becoming a mum using a donor and after trying without luck to find the right partner she decided to go it alone. She now teaches pilates and lives near the beach in Queensland with her gorgeous son Jed. In this episode we talk about what she wentContinue reading "S1:E40 – Meagan and Jed"