No need for Prince Charming

Jane’s Solo Mum Journey: IVF, Identical Twins & A Pregnancy That Changed Everything
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of pregnancy complications, pregnancy loss, premature birth, and NICU. Please listen with care and skip this episode if now is not the right time for you.

Season 5 continues with Jane’s story — and this is a story that will stay with you.

Jane always knew she wanted to be a mum, but after years of dating and never finding the right partner, she made the decision at 35 to pursue solo motherhood. What followed was a long IVF journey, big financial decisions, and learning to back herself even when the path felt uncertain.

When Jane finally fell pregnant, she received a surprise she never expected — identical twins.

But her pregnancy quickly became high-risk, and what followed was a rollercoaster of fear, resilience, impossible decisions, and navigating motherhood before her babies had even arrived.

This episode is about:

IVF and the emotional toll of trying to conceive on your own

Making big life decisions without a partner

High-risk pregnancy and how quickly things can change

Grief, fear, resilience and becoming a mother in very unexpected circumstances

The reality of doing this without a partner — but not without support

This conversation is raw, honest, and incredibly powerful — and a reminder that solo motherhood doesn’t always look the way you think it will, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth it.

Key Takeaways

You don’t have to have everything figured out to start.

IVF is often much harder than people expect.

Support networks matter more than you think.

Solo motherhood requires courage — but also community.

Even when things don’t go to plan, you can still find your way.

City Fertility Offer
I couldn't continue to make this podcast without the help of our fabulous sponsor, City Fertility. If you're looking into fertility treatment on your own, make sure you take advantage of the exclusive 20% discount for No Need for Prince Charming listeners. Learn more here.

Sounding Board Sessions
Need to talk through something that’s stressing you out, confusing you, or keeping you stuck? Book a Sounding Board Session — a one-off 60-minute coaching call to get clarity on your next step. Book your call here.

Hayley’s Solo Mum by Choice Journey: From “One Day” to Done
Season 5 continues with Hayley’s story — one that will resonate with so many women sitting in the “I know I want a baby… but when?” stage.

Hayley didn’t wake up one day suddenly certain. Instead, her journey was gradual. Thoughtful. Honest.

In this episode, she shares:

When she realised motherhood wasn’t something she wanted to gamble on

The internal shift from “maybe later” to “now”

Navigating the donor process

The emotional reality of doing this without a partner

What surprised her most about stepping into solo motherhood

This conversation isn’t dramatic. It’s grounded. Calm. Clear.

And that’s exactly what makes it powerful.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between waiting and moving forward, this episode will feel like someone gently holding up a mirror.

Key Takeaways

Clarity often builds quietly, not explosively.

Waiting can feel safe — until it starts costing you time.

Donor selection is emotional, not just practical.

You don’t have to feel 100% fearless to move forward.

Choosing solo motherhood isn’t about rejecting partnership — it’s about prioritising what matters most.

City Fertility Offer
I couldn't continue to make this podcast without the help of our fabulous sponsor, City Fertility. If you're looking into fertility treatment on your own, make sure you take advantage of the exclusive 20% discount for No Need for Prince Charming listeners. Learn more here.

The best support you could ask for when TTC or pregnant as a solo mum-to-be
Trying to conceive or pregnant and want your village? The Bump Membership is your private WhatsApp community + fortnightly Zoom Connection Calls with solo mums-to-be across Australia & New Zealand. Join the Bump here.

Solo Motherhood at 29, IVF in the USA & Raising a Donor-Conceived Child
Rhiannon didn’t spend years planning to become a solo mum. In fact, for most of her twenties she wasn’t even sure she wanted children at all.

Then one night she had a vivid dream about a baby girl named Beatrix — and the feeling never left. At 29, she decided to pursue motherhood on her own terms, travelling to the United States for IVF and gender selection. She became pregnant on her first embryo transfer and later welcomed her daughter Bunny during the COVID lockdowns.

In this episode, Rhiannon shares the surprising twists of her journey — from choosing treatment overseas, to navigating pregnancy during a global pandemic, to connecting with donor siblings across the world. She also reflects on the unexpected personal growth that came with becoming a parent, including receiving a later-in-life diagnosis of ADHD and autism.

Rhiannon’s story is funny, honest, and refreshingly real. It’s a reminder that motherhood doesn’t always arrive through the path we imagined — but sometimes the unexpected road leads exactly where we were meant to go.

Key Takeaways

A moment of clarity — how a dream about a baby girl led Rhiannon to pursue solo motherhood at 29.

IVF overseas and gender selection — why she chose to travel to the United States for treatment.

Pregnancy during COVID — the unexpected calm of experiencing pregnancy and newborn life during lockdown.

Donor sibling connections — how meeting families who used the same donor created a global extended family.

Parenting and self-discovery — how raising Bunny led to a late ADHD and autism diagnosis and a deeper understanding of herself.

City Fertility Offer
I couldn't continue to make this podcast without the help of our fabulous sponsor, City Fertility. If you're looking into fertility treatment on your own, make sure you take advantage of the exclusive 20% discount for No Need for Prince Charming listeners. Learn more here.

Expecting a baby on your own, or trying to?
Pregnant or TTC as a solo mum? The Expecting Solo course is designed for your first trimester—helping you feel informed, confident, and supported from the start. Includes 2 live sessions + expert resources - View the next course dates

From Car Accident to IVF: Carly’s Solo Mum by Choice Journey
Carly always knew motherhood was non-negotiable. Marriage? Optional. A partner? Nice, but not essential. But children? Absolutely.

After a serious car accident in 2020 forced her to stop and re-evaluate everything, Carly realised she couldn’t keep waiting for “someday.” What followed was a journey through public hospital waitlists, donor shortages, IUI disappointment, IVF pressure, and the emotional intensity of choosing a donor in a system where options are limited and timing is everything.

In this episode, Carly shares:

The breakup that made her confront her fertility timeline

The moment her dad said, “There are many ways to have a child.”

Being hit by a car on the way to a first date

Why donor selection was far harder than she expected

The stress of donor availability disappearing in seconds

Losing “her donor” and getting him back

The emotional impact of failed IUIs

Why IVF ultimately changed the trajectory

This episode is honest, grounded, and full of perspective for any woman considering solo motherhood.

Key Takeaways

Motherhood can be non-negotiable, even when partnership isn’t.

Public fertility systems can involve long waitlists and limited donor access.

Donor shortages are real, particularly for Caucasian donors and IUI cycles.

Extended genetic screening can reduce stress during donor selection.

IUI success rates are low (around 10–15% per cycle).

IVF may feel more clinical, but it can provide reassurance through embryo grading and higher success rates.

Emotional resilience is just as important as medical readiness.

City Fertility Offer
I couldn't continue to make this podcast without the help of our fabulous sponsor, City Fertility. If you're looking into fertility treatment on your own, make sure you take advantage of the exclusive 20% discount for No Need for Prince Charming listeners. Learn more here.

Free Download: 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Solo Mum
If you’re at the very beginning of your journey and wanting clarity, confidence and a calm starting point, this free guide is a must-read. It will save you hours of Googling and help you understand what actually matters when you’re deciding whether to go it alone. Download your copy here.

From IVF Loss to Solo Motherhood: Bec’s Honest Journey to Becoming Liam’s Mum
Season 5 begins with one of the most raw and honest conversations yet.

In this first episode of the new season, Alisha sits down with Bec, who never imagined becoming a solo mum — until fertility timelines, life circumstances, and a quiet realisation changed everything.

Bec shares how a routine fertility check planted the seed that ultimately led her toward donor conception, and the emotional process of choosing motherhood without waiting for the “right” partner.

But this story doesn’t stop at pregnancy success.

Bec opens up about:

navigating IVF and miscarriage

the emotional complexity of pregnancy after loss

an unexpected early birth and emergency caesarean

the realities of newborn life as a solo parent

postnatal depression and the bond that took time to grow

learning to ask for help — and why no one should do this alone

This episode is honest, grounding, and deeply reassuring for anyone wondering whether solo motherhood is possible — or what life actually looks like on the other side.

Season 5 begins with a reminder that there is no single way to become a mother — and no single way to feel once you arrive there.

Key Takeaways

Solo motherhood is often not a lifelong plan — but a path discovered along the way.

Fertility conversations and medical guidance can shift life decisions dramatically.

IVF journeys are rarely linear and often involve emotional resilience.

Pregnancy after loss can feel anxious rather than joyful.

The newborn stage doesn’t always bring instant bonding — and that is normal.

Asking for help is essential, even when choosing solo motherhood.

Community and support networks are critical for solo parents.

Motherhood can fundamentally change identity and perspective.

Many solo mums experience overwhelming strength alongside vulnerability.

City Fertility Offer
I couldn't continue to make this podcast without the help of our fabulous sponsor, City Fertility. If you're looking into fertility treatment on your own, make sure you take advantage of the exclusive 20% discount for No Need for Prince Charming listeners. Learn more here.

Considering Solo Motherhood?
Feeling overwhelmed about becoming a solo mum? The Considering Solo Motherhood course walks you through everything—from emotional readiness to finances and fertility—so you can make a confident decision. - Find out more