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.

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.

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.

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.

Laura never expected to walk the path of solo motherhood. After the heartbreaking loss of her daughter Emilia due to a chromosomal abnormality, she found herself navigating grief, timelines, donor selection and the pressure of changing legislation around donor sperm.

In this episode, Laura shares how she moved from devastation to determination — pushing through delays, unexpected clinic issues, multiple rounds of IVF, genetic testing, and intense time pressure due to new donor-family limits coming into effect.

She also describes the powerful signs she felt from her daughter Emilia throughout the process, including how the start and end of her IVF cycle aligned with the anniversaries of Emilia’s due date and her father’s passing — and the moment the name “Celeste” arrived unexpectedly, long before she had even confirmed she was pregnant.

It's a deeply emotional, insightful conversation about loss, intuition, timing, and choosing yourself even when the path is nothing like you imagined.

Kristi didn’t follow a traditional path to motherhood. After leaving a lrelationship, rebuilding her mental health and reaching 40 believing she had missed her window, she eventually found the courage — and the right medical support team — to pursue solo motherhood.

In this powerful and vulnerable episode, Kristi shares her experience with depression, the fear of postpartum relapse, and the detailed medical advice she received to continue her mental health medications safely through conception, pregnancy and breastfeeding.

She also opens up about using an overseas donor, how she first located donor siblings, and her evolving views on DNA, family, and chosen connections. Later in the episode, Kristi talks through her shocking diagnosis of multiple brain tumours, how she prepared Imogen for the return of chemotherapy, and why her daughter's resilience and creativity continue to anchor her through every challenge.

This interview is raw, insightful, and full of heart — a testament to strength, self-advocacy and solo motherhood in the real world.

In this inspiring episode, Alisha chats with Jessica, a proud solo mum who shares her powerful story of courage, resilience, and self-belief. At just 30, Jessica decided she wasn’t waiting any longer for “the right person” to build her family — and began her IVF journey that would lead to her beautiful son, August.

From choosing her donor and facing a high-risk pregnancy, to surviving severe morning sickness, preeclampsia, and sleepless newborn nights, Jessica opens up about every part of her journey with raw honesty and humour. With the unwavering support of her sister, family, and newfound solo mum village in Newcastle, she’s created a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and deep pride in what she’s achieved.

Jessica’s story is a reminder that solo motherhood isn’t a backup plan — it’s a bold, empowering choice. Her message? You’re not failing by doing it alone — you’re leading the way.

In this heartfelt episode, Alisha chats with Verity, a solo mum who shares her powerful story of resilience, self-trust, and love. Once told she’d never carry a baby, Verity began her solo motherhood journey at 37 after setting herself a deadline—and ended up with her beautiful son, Leo.

Together they’ve faced huge highs and lows: a diagnosis of autism and anxiety, homeschooling, perimenopause, and caring for Verity’s mum with dementia—all while building a joyful, adventurous life filled with travel, laughter, and chicken nuggets.

Verity opens up about finding her donor through Monash IVF, establishing contact with him and Leo’s donor siblings, and why solo motherhood has filled a lifelong void she once thought only a partner could. Her message is clear—trust your gut, take the leap, and you’ll never regret it.

In this powerful two-part episode of No Need for Prince Charming, Lisa takes us through her journey from preparing to become a solo mum to life with her daughter Bonnie at nine months old. As a GP, Lisa approached the process with research and logic, but nothing could fully prepare her for the emotional highs and lows of donor selection, IVF, and solo pregnancy.

In this heartfelt episode of No Need for Prince Charming, Bel shares her powerful journey to solo motherhood. From navigating a severe endometriosis diagnosis, heartbreak at 30, and unexpected IVF complications, to finding her perfect donor and welcoming her daughter Aura, Bel’s story is one of courage, resilience, and unconditional love. She opens up about the challenges of pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and the joy of building her own village as a solo mum by choice.

Her wisdom for women considering this path? Trust your heart—and do it.

Tash shares her empowering journey to solo motherhood — from selecting a donor and falling pregnant via IUI, to managing hyperemesis, making informed birth choices, and thriving as a working solo mum. Packed with inspiration and practical tips, this episode is perfect for anyone considering or navigating solo motherhood.

From IUI plans and donor list hiccups to IVF with genetic testing, a breech baby, and ten weeks of carefully organised support—Bunny’s story is one of persistence, planning, and proving that solo motherhood can be full of joy.

She always wanted to be a mum. After years of travel and teaching, Bunny decided she wasn’t going to wait for the “right” relationship. Starting with IUI, donor complications pushed her to pivot into IVF at Melbourne IVF, where she qualified for Medicare and created five embryos. Her very first transfer worked. Pregnancy was smooth, but a calcified placenta at 36 weeks and a breech baby meant a planned C-section at 38 weeks. Recovery was tougher than she expected, but the village she organised—ten straight weeks of family and friends rotating through—made the newborn stage manageable. Breastfeeding worked, Frank slept through most nights, and Bunny embraced hacks, humour, and support. Now thriving with her son, she’s excited about the future and clear in her advice: “Go for it—and have fun.”

Alex always planned to parent solo. After IVF with genetic testing, an emergency C-section for cord prolapse, reflux and a brutal newborn phase led to postpartum anxiety and depression—made worse by a CPS threat that shut down help-seeking. Reflux meds, Tresillian and returning to work at 9 months turned things around. Now, with Lucy nearly four, Alex is thriving (and even dating).

From Heartbreak to Solo Mum: Roni’s Journey Through Donor Drama, Failed Transfers, and Finding Herself Again

She nearly gave it all up for love—twice. But in the end, she backed herself. Roni’s story is a raw, relatable reminder of how strong women really are.

After a divorce in her early 30s, Roni spent years travelling, dating, and living a vibrant single life. But deep down, she always wanted the chance to become a mum. Her journey into solo motherhood was anything but linear—from a known donor who pulled out just before fertilisation, to falling hard for someone else who wasn’t ready, to freezing her eggs at 40, switching clinics, and navigating IVF on her own. In this deeply honest episode, Roni opens up about the emotional toll, the post-birth reality no one warned her about, and the surprising joy she’s found raising Leon solo.

Georgia first considered becoming a solo mum at 15—and she meant it. After years of dating men who didn’t want children, she took action, navigating IVF during Melbourne’s lockdowns and eventually choosing a known donor. But her journey didn’t stop there. In this raw and powerful episode, Georgia shares the highs and heartbreaks of solo motherhood—from co-living with her best friend, to surviving postnatal depression and building an unshakeable village around her and Elliot.