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.

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

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

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.

• 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.

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.

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.