S5:E9 | Michelle & Vayda-Rae — The Long Wait, the Leap & Life on the Other Side

Michelle always knew she wanted to be a mum. What she didn't know was that the path to getting there would involve a two and a half year wait just to choose a donor.

She made her first appointment at Fertility Associates in New Zealand in 2014 at the age of 34, was told there were five donor profiles to choose from, and was promptly put on a waitlist. She spent the next two and a half years living in parallel — open to meeting someone, but keeping her eye firmly on this path. When the call finally came in 2016, she sat down with her five profiles, eliminated three for minor medical reasons and two for wanting more contact than she was comfortable with, and chose the tallest one. Vayda-Rae was born after four IUI cycles — a chemical pregnancy, a negative, an overstimulated cancelled cycle, and then a successful fourth round at 37 — partly funded by her parents.

Solo Mum by choice from the start: Nicola & Luca

Most women who come to solo motherhood have a moment — a relationship that ended, a birthday that passed, a realisation that waiting wasn't working. Nicola never had that moment. She just always knew.

From the time she was young, she never pictured a partner. She pictured kids. Solo motherhood wasn't a plan B for Nicola — it was the only plan. And what makes her story so valuable for this community is that the hard parts she navigated weren't about the decision itself. They were about trusting herself enough to actually go through with it.

From Chronic Illness to Solo Mum: Nelly’s Long Road to Violet

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of miscarriage, fertility challenges, and medical complications during pregnancy.

Season 5 continues with Nelly’s story — one of resilience, persistence, and navigating an incredibly complex path to motherhood.

Nelly didn’t grow up assuming she would have children. With a history of renal failure, transplants, and years of medical treatment, motherhood didn’t feel like a given.

But over time, that quiet desire became impossible to ignore.

Season 5 continues with Megan’s story — and her journey to becoming a solo mum by choice.

In this episode, Megan shares how she approached this decision step by step instead of focusing on the end result, and how that made the process feel more manageable.

In this episode, she talks about:

• Listening to other solo mums and how that helped her feel less alone

• Taking the process step by step instead of focusing on the end result

• Known donor conversations and why facilitated conversations are important

• Adjusting her relationship with work after becoming a mum

• Living with her mum and raising her son together

• Trusting that you will figure out parenting as you go

This conversation is thoughtful, calm, and very reassuring for anyone who feels overwhelmed by the idea of making such a big decision.

If the idea of solo motherhood feels too big to think about all at once, this episode is a really comforting reminder that you don’t have to make every decision today — you can just take the next step.

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.

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.

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 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 grueling 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.

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 realized 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.

Miranda always dreamed of being a mother, but life didn’t follow the traditional timeline she expected. After freezing her eggs at 34 and focusing on her career, it wasn’t until COVID lockdowns that she had the space to reflect on what she truly wanted. In this episode, Miranda shares her journey from egg freezing to IVF, dealing with miscarriage, and welcoming her son, Josh, into the world as a solo mum by choice.

She opens up about navigating donor selection, the emotional rollercoaster of fertility treatments, and the unexpected challenges of solo parenting, from financial pressures to balancing career ambitions. Whether you’re considering egg freezing, IVF, or embracing solo motherhood, this episode is packed with insights, real-life experiences, and inspiration.

Many women wonder if solo motherhood is possible, but Charlotte’s story proves that not only is it possible—it’s life-changing. In this episode, Charlotte shares her incredible journey from a demanding corporate career in France and Australia to navigating IVF, miscarriages, and an unexpected twin pregnancy.

Despite the challenges of fertility treatment, pregnancy during COVID, and raising three children alone, Charlotte embraced solo motherhood with strength, strategy, and a deep belief that she was making the best choice for her future.

Whether you're considering solo motherhood or already on the journey, this episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and practical tips for making it work.

From the Film Industry to Motherhood: Betty’s Inspiring Story of Resilience and Vision
In this heartfelt episode of 'No Need for Prince Charming,' Betty shares her journey from the hustle of the film industry to the joy of solo motherhood. After years of prioritizing her career and navigating relationships that didn’t align with her dreams, Betty chose to embrace motherhood on her own terms. She opens up about her decision-making process, her unique approach to manifestation and mindset, and the practical and emotional preparations she made for solo motherhood. Betty also reflects on the joys and challenges of raising her son, Opie, and the community that has supported her along the way. This episode is a testament to the power of belief, resilience, and the beauty of creating your own happily ever after.

How Claire Embraced Solo Motherhood, Overcame IVF Hurdles, and Balanced Life as a CEO and Mum

In this episode of 'No Need for Prince Charming,' Claire shares her inspiring story of becoming a solo mum to her son, Ralph. From her role as CEO of a global technology company to the moment she decided to pursue motherhood alone, Claire’s journey is filled with resilience, adaptation, and humour. She delves into the challenges of the IVF process, the joy of raising Ralph, and the experience of balancing a startup business she co-founded with her best friend with the demands of solo motherhood. Her story is a testament to the power of determination and redefining what it means to have it all.

From Doula to Mum: How Candace Balanced Work, IVF, and Found Community as a Solo Mother

In this episode of 'No Need for Prince Charming,' Candace shares her remarkable journey to solo motherhood. A fertility expert and doula, she decided to have a child on her own after years of helping others create families. Candace opens up about the unique challenges of selecting a known donor, balancing her multiple businesses, and the deep emotions of bringing her daughter Maisie into the world. Her story offers valuable insights into navigating solo motherhood with resilience and love.

Overcoming Medical Hurdles, Embracing Solo Motherhood, and the Unconditional Love of Raising Her Daughter

In this episode of 'No Need for Prince Charming,' we meet Stacie, a dedicated early childhood educator and single mum by choice to her daughter, Vivienne. Stacie opens up about her journey to solo motherhood, from overcoming an unexpected medical diagnosis in her 20s to realizing she could pursue motherhood alone. She shares her path through fertility treatments, her bond with Vivienne, and the joy and challenges of being a solo parent. Stacie’s story is filled with resilience, empowerment, and the unique love that only solo motherhood can bring.

How Kathryn Embraced Solo Motherhood, Navigated IVF and Found Joy in Raising Her Son While Exploring the World"

In this episode of 'No Need for Prince Charming,' Kathryn returns to share her inspiring journey of becoming a solo mum by choice. From tackling IVF to travelling across Europe with her young son, James, she opens up about the joys and challenges of motherhood on her terms. Kathryn’s story is filled with resilience, adventure, and the freedom of raising her son independently.

From IVF Setbacks to Planning Adventures: Kathryn’s Inspiring Journey to Solo Motherhood

In this episode of 'No Need for Prince Charming,' Kathryn shares the first part of her journey to solo motherhood, reflecting on the challenges of IVF, navigating the grief of lost expectations, and ultimately choosing to embrace motherhood on her terms. Kathryn discusses her high-risk pregnancy, her choice to travel with her baby, and the empowering freedom of solo parenting. This episode offers inspiration for anyone considering or currently navigating solo motherhood.

From Life as a City Accountant to Solo Motherhood: How Rebecca’s Dream of Having a Family Came True

In this episode of 'No Need for Prince Charming,' Rebecca shares her inspiring path to solo motherhood. From her career as an accountant and her love of travel to navigating multiple rounds of IVF, Rebecca opens up about the challenges and triumphs of pursuing motherhood independently. With the support of her family, she now raises her daughter, Emma, cherishing each moment as they create memories together. Rebecca’s story highlights resilience, family support, and the empowering decision to embrace solo motherhood.

How Theresa Navigated IVF, Embraced Her Faith, and Found Joy in Motherhood with Trixie

In this episode of 'No Need for Prince Charming,' Theresa shares her remarkable journey to motherhood through donor embryos after years of navigating fertility treatments, embracing her Christian faith, and overcoming challenges. Her story is one of resilience, faith, and love as she welcomed her daughter, Trixie, at age 51. From her decision to pursue motherhood alone to balancing faith with science, Theresa’s journey inspires women considering motherhood on their terms.

Navigating Uterine Cancer, Choosing Donor Conception, and Raising Children with Resilience and Support

In this episode of 'No Need for Prince Charming,' Claire shares her profound journey to motherhood after a uterine cancer diagnosis threatened her dreams of having children. Determined to pursue motherhood, Claire chose donor conception and faced numerous challenges along the way, including the premature birth of her son. Her inspiring story covers everything from treatment decisions and choosing a donor to building a resilient family with love and support. Claire’s strength and determination to embrace motherhood, even under difficult circumstances, is a powerful reminder that women can create families on their own terms.