Meike started IVF at 36 and became a solo mum to baby Lyla—now, 9 years later, she’s sharing what it’s really like.

In this powerful episode, Meike reflects on her journey from a low AMH diagnosis to IVF and solo motherhood, but most importantly, what she’s learned raising her now 9-year-old daughter Lyla, who was conceived using an open-ID donor.

Meike speaks openly about telling Lyla her conception story from the start, how those conversations have changed over time, and what solo mums need to understand about supporting their donor-conceived children emotionally and developmentally. She also shares the inspiration behind co-founding DCP Hub, supporting donor-conceived people, recipient parents and parents through education and events.

Key Highlights:

• IVF and AMH at 35: How a low AMH result became the push to stop waiting and start IVF at 36

• Becoming a Solo Mum by Choice: Choosing an open-ID donor and navigating pregnancy solo

• Lyla at 9 Years Old: What Meike has learned about raising a donor-conceived child over nearly a decade

• Starting DCP Hub: How her daughter’s questions and evolving awareness inspired her to co-create education, events and support for donor-conceived people, recipient parents, donors and friends and family.

• Telling the Story Early: Why Meike has always been open with Lyla about her origins—and the age-appropriate ways those conversations have developed

• Support and Community: The importance of connection for both donor-conceived children and solo mums

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.

Started by two Melbourne solo mums, Meike and Feona, DCP Hub supports donor-conceived people, recipient parents, donors, friends and families through education, resources, books and events. Find out all the details here.

The idea of becoming a solo mum is exciting—but also completely overwhelming. Where do you even begin? Fertility treatments, donor options, financial planning, emotional readiness… it’s a lot to figure out.

The Solo Mum Society Considering Solo Motherhood course takes the guesswork out of it. It brings everything together in one place and helps you decide if this path is right for you. No more endless Googling, no more second-guessing—just clear, structured guidance so you can move forward with confidence. Learn more here.

Your support helps us reach more solo mums and solo mums to be, as well as spread stories of empowering women making their own dreams come true. Follow, subscribe, and leave a review on your favourite podcast and social platform! Plus, make sure you're following @noneedforprincecharming on Instagram.

In this emotional and inspiring episode, we meet Jill—a long-time listener who became a solo mum by choice after an extraordinary journey. From believing solo motherhood wasn’t for her, to nine gruelling IVF rounds, a family egg donor, and the gift of a known sperm donor, Jill’s story is filled with resilience, gratitude, and unwavering determination.

She opens up about fertility challenges, dealing with failed transfers, finding peace with using donor eggs, and navigating pregnancy and newborn life after years of setbacks. Jill’s honesty about grief, hope, and community will stay with you long after the episode ends.

Key Takeaways:

• Choosing Solo Motherhood Later in Life – How lockdown, reflection, and turning 41 shifted Jill’s mindset from waiting for the right partner to embracing solo motherhood.

• Fertility Challenges and IVF Resilience – The emotional rollercoaster of nine IVF rounds, including navigating low embryo conversion rates despite high egg numbers.

• Known Donor Support – How a lifelong friend stepped forward to become her known sperm donor, creating a beautiful extended family connection for Florence.

• The Gift of a Family Egg Donor – Jill’s sister’s incredible gift of donating eggs after Jill’s own egg journey ended, leading to the miracle of Florence.

• Pregnancy, NICU, and Early Motherhood – Navigating high-risk pregnancy, hyperemesis, early delivery at 36 weeks, NICU life, postpartum recovery, and finding a new identity as a solo mum.

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 idea of becoming a solo mum is exciting—but also completely overwhelming. Where do you even begin? Fertility treatments, donor options, financial planning, emotional readiness… it’s a lot to figure out.

The Solo Mum Society Considering Solo Motherhood course takes the guesswork out of it. It brings everything together in one place and helps you decide if this path is right for you. No more endless Googling, no more second-guessing—just clear, structured guidance so you can move forward with confidence. Learn more here.

Your support helps us reach more solo mums and solo mums to be, as well as spread stories of empowering women making their own dreams come true. Follow, subscribe, and leave a review on your favourite podcast and social platform! Plus, make sure you're following @noneedforprincecharming on Instagram.

In this powerful update episode, we reconnect with Nat—one of our most memorable guests from Season One. Since we last heard from her, Nat has navigated unimaginable grief, pursued her dream of becoming a midwife, and made the brave decision to try for a third child. But her journey didn’t unfold the way anyone expected.

From failed embryo transfers to a surprise pregnancy, a near-death birth experience, and an emergency hysterectomy, Nat’s story is filled with resilience, raw honesty, and unfiltered strength. She also shares the joy of life with three little boys, how she made the logistics work on her own, and the unexpected lessons of becoming a solo mum all over again.

This episode is a powerful reminder of the emotional weight solo mums carry, the importance of planning for the unexpected—and the strength it takes to choose joy even when things don’t go to plan.

Key Takeaways:

• Grief and Growth – How the sudden loss of her sister-in-law led Nat to postpone trying for a third baby and pursue midwifery as a path to healing.

• Facing Fertility Challenges – The emotional toll of two failed embryo transfers and the decision to give it one final try.

• Choosing Trust Over Fear – Navigating a high-risk pregnancy after a major bleed and declining further intervention to protect her peace.

• Birth Trauma and Hysterectomy – The unexpected turn during labour that nearly cost Nat her life and ended in an emergency hysterectomy.

• Life with Three Boys – The beautiful chaos, deep love, and practical wisdom of solo parenting three kids with purpose and joy.

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 idea of becoming a solo mum is exciting—but also completely overwhelming. Where do you even begin? Fertility treatments, donor options, financial planning, emotional readiness… it’s a lot to figure out.

The Solo Mum Society Considering Solo Motherhood course takes the guesswork out of it. It brings everything together in one place and helps you decide if this path is right for you. No more endless Googling, no more second-guessing—just clear, structured guidance so you can move forward with confidence. Learn more here.

Your support helps us reach more solo mums and solo mums to be, as well as spread stories of empowering women making their own dreams come true. Follow, subscribe, and leave a review on your favourite podcast and social platform! Plus, make sure you're following @noneedforprincecharming on Instagram.