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.

13 Rounds of IVF and a Baby at 46: Lorena’s Story of Solo Motherhood, Setbacks, and Strength

Lorena always knew she wanted to be a mum—but life had other plans. After navigating difficult relationships, putting her heart back together, and years of unsuccessful IVF, she finally became a solo mum at 46. In this deeply personal and powerful episode, Lorena shares the highs and lows of 13 rounds of IVF, how she handled society’s judgment about being an “older mum,” and how motherhood transformed everything.

She also shares what it’s like to raise a donor-conceived child as a solo mum, how she navigates school and social questions, and how she turned her journey into a book, set for release in 2026. This episode is a reminder that no matter how long it takes or how winding the road may be, if motherhood is your dream—it’s worth fighting for.

Key Takeaways:

• Knowing She Wanted to Be a Mum, Not a Wife – Lorena always envisioned motherhood but never dreamed of marriage.

• The Moment She Chose Solo Motherhood – A quiet night on the couch, a Google search, and a powerful adrenaline rush.

• Facing IVF at 38… and Still Going at 45 – What it’s really like to keep going after round after round of failed treatment.

• Solo Mum at 46 – Navigating pregnancy, delivery, and the early years as a one-and-done mum with a strong village.

• Writing Her Story – Turning a deeply personal fertility journey into a published memoir to inspire others.

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.

Leah was a career-focused woman who didn’t even know if she wanted kids—until the experience of caring for her niece flipped her world upside down. What started as a spontaneous thought became a fast-tracked journey to solo motherhood, filled with both joy and adversity. From navigating a shock diagnosis of Meniere’s disease during pregnancy to overcoming guilt and building a support system, Leah opens up about what it’s really like raising her daughter, Lily, as a solo mum with a chronic illness.

Whether you’re unsure about motherhood or facing unexpected challenges, this episode will resonate deeply and inspire you to trust your instincts, find your strength, and build the life you dream of.

Key Takeaways:

• From Career-Driven to Baby-Focused – How caring for her niece during lockdown shifted Leah’s mindset about motherhood.

• Deciding to Fast-Track Solo Motherhood – Why she jumped in quickly after realising she didn’t want to wait for a partner.

• Pregnancy and Postpartum with Chronic Illness – Navigating a Meniere’s disease diagnosis while becoming a first-time mum.

• Learning to Ask for Help – How Leah overcame guilt and built a support network around her.

• One and Done by Choice – Why she’s confident in having one child and what donor siblings mean to her.

• Redefining What It Means to Be a Solo Mum – Embracing her unique journey with pride, power, and perspective.

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 special update episode, we catch up with two beloved past guests—Jaime and Sally—to hear how life has evolved since they last joined the podcast. Jaime opens up about parenting without a village, managing full-time work with daycare, and why she’s happy to be one-and-done. Sally shares her journey from egg donation to welcoming her third child, and the unexpected bowel cancer diagnosis that changed everything. From ADHD diagnoses to donor sibling surprises, this episode is a raw and powerful reminder of how solo motherhood can evolve in extraordinary ways.

Key Takeaways:

• Parenting Without a Village – Jaime’s reality check and how daycare became her lifeline.

• Solo Mum Time Management – Balancing work, self-care, and quality time with her daughter.

• One and Done – Why Jaime decided not to expand her family.

• Egg Donation & A New Baby – Sally’s selfless donation and welcoming baby Delaney.

• Health Scare & Cancer Diagnosis – Sally’s early-stage bowel cancer and how she advocated for her own health.

• Donor Sibling Connection – The unexpected twist: Sally and Alisha now share a donor.

• Managing Different Family Structures – Raising kids with different genetic backgrounds and dynamics.

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.

Kristy never imagined she’d become a solo mum. After spending years in a difficult marriage, she found herself rebuilding her life at 31. But after dating disappointments and a move to Melbourne, she realised she didn’t want to wait any longer. In this episode, Kristy shares how a single conversation changed everything, leading her to IVF, pregnancy at 42, and moving across states while preparing for motherhood.

She opens up about the challenges of fertility treatment, navigating pregnancy alone, and why moving back home was the best decision for her and baby Navy. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to rewrite your own story, this episode is filled with resilience, self-discovery, and inspiration.

Key Takeaways:

• Walking Away from a Marriage That Wasn’t Right – Kristy’s journey to reclaiming her independence.

• How One Conversation Changed Everything – The moment she realised she could have a baby on her own.

• Navigating IVF at 41 – Dealing with low AMH, endometriosis, and failed cycles.

• Moving Back Home While Pregnant – Preparing for solo motherhood and finding support.

• Adjusting to Life as a Solo Mum – From newborn challenges to returning to work.

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.

From IVF Setbacks to Donor Eggs: Mel’s Journey to Solo Motherhood with Lou

Mel’s path to solo motherhood wasn’t straightforward. After struggling with IVF, enduring multiple failed transfers, and facing the emotional toll of infertility, she had to make a life-changing decision—continuing with her own eggs or moving to donor eggs. In this episode, Mel shares how she navigated the mental, emotional, and financial challenges of fertility treatment, why she ultimately chose to import donor eggs into Australia, and what it was like to finally welcome her son, Lou.

If you’re in the trenches of fertility treatment or considering solo motherhood, this episode is packed with insights into IVF realities, donor conception, and how to keep pushing forward when things don’t go as planned.

• When to Consider Donor Eggs – Mel’s honest experience of shifting from IVF with her own eggs to donor conception.
• The Logistics of Importing Donor Eggs – How she made it happen in Australia and what she wishes she knew sooner.
• IVF & Multiple Failed Transfers – The mental and emotional toll of a long fertility journey.
• Solo Mum Realities – Balancing work, finances, and raising Lou on her own.
• Building a Village – How Mel found her support network, including donor siblings.

City Fertility Offer

Looking into IVF or fertility treatment? No Need for Prince Charming listeners can access an exclusive 20% discount on their fertility treatment through City Fertility. 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 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.

Get the clarity you need. Start your journey today. Learn more here.

Your support helps us reach more solo mums and spread empowering stories. Follow, subscribe, and leave a review on your favourite podcast platform!