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S4:E14 - Callum & Lara - Part 1
Solo Dad by Choice: Callum’s Surrogacy Journey to Fatherhood and Baby Lara Callum shares his journey from marriage breakdown to becoming a solo dad through surrogacy in the US, and all the emotion, research, and heart that went into creating his daughter Lara. IFor the first time on No Need for Prince Charming, we welcome a solo dad by choice. In this deeply thoughtful and emotional episode, Callum shares how, after a marriage breakdown and years of soul-searching, he made the bold and intentional decision to become a parent on his own. What followed was a complex, global surrogacy journey that spanned COVID, border closures, and countless spreadsheets. Callum walks us through: Why adoption and foster care weren’t the right path for him How he chose the US for surrogacy—and why a continuing relationship with both his egg donor and surrogate was essential The risks, red flags, and research required to find the right clinic, agency, and team Why he selected a daughter—and the emotional impact of a failed transfer How he coordinated the birth from halfway around the world And how he’s making sure Lara knows exactly how loved, wanted, and intentional her creation was This episode is part one of Callum’s story—stay tuned for part two, where we explore life now as a solo dad to a thriving three-year-old. Key Highlights: Choosing Fulfilment Over Simplicity – How Callum made the decision to pursue fatherhood alone after his marriage ended. Why Adoption and Foster Care Weren’t Right for Him – And the moment he realised he needed a child of his own. The Power of Transparency in Surrogacy – What he learned about red flags, risk, and choosing the right clinic and surrogate. Selecting a Daughter – Why gender was part of the decision, and how he emotionally navigated a failed first transfer. Creating a Relationship-First Family – Why ongoing contact with both the surrogate and egg donor was non-negotiable. A Gift That Keeps Giving – How his remaining embryos helped another woman become a mum—and built an unexpected extended family. City Fertility Offer 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. Considering Solo Motherhood? Feeling overwhelmed about becoming a solo mum? The Considering Solo Motherhood course walks you through everything—from emotional readiness to finances and fertility—so you can make a confident decision. - Find out more Expecting Solo? 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 The Bump Membership Pregnant or trying to conceive on your own using a donor? Join our warm, supportive monthly membership made just for solo mums-to-be. Includes connection calls, WhatsApp group, discounts, and free resources - Find out more
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1:09:22
S4:E12 - Kate & Ivy
From Ovarian Surgery to Solo Motherhood: Kate’s Journey to Baby Ivy and Beyond After losing an ovary in her 20s, Kate knew she couldn’t wait forever. This is her story of choosing solo motherhood, IVF, and embracing newborn life with honesty, humour, and heart. In this raw, funny, and deeply relatable episode, Kate shares her journey to solo motherhood after unexpectedly losing an ovary in her early 20s. When dating didn’t pan out, she decided to take matters into her own hands—and never looked back. We talk about navigating fertility issues, enduring fibroid surgeries, and the emotional rollercoaster of IVF. Kate opens up about choosing her sperm donor, the reality of the newborn stage, what she wishes more mums would admit, and why she’d do it all again 10 times over. This episode is a love letter to her daughter Ivy—and to every woman wondering if she can do it on her own. Key Highlights: A Tumour Changed Everything – How losing an ovary in her early 20s planted the seed for solo motherhood. The Long Road to Readiness – Surgeries, endometriosis, weight loss, and a three-year fertility journey. Choosing Her Donor – From a long waitlist to just four options—why she went with someone completely different from herself. Life After Emergency C-Section – The brutal honesty of the fourth trimester, baby blues, and swearing at your newborn. A Village That Showed Up – How solo motherhood deepened her family’s bond and gave Ivy a whole tribe. City Fertility Offer 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. Considering Solo Motherhood? Feeling overwhelmed about becoming a solo mum? The Considering Solo Motherhood course walks you through everything—from emotional readiness to finances and fertility—so you can make a confident decision. - Find out more Expecting Solo? 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 The Bump Membership Pregnant or trying to conceive on your own using a donor? Join our warm, supportive monthly membership made just for solo mums-to-be. Includes connection calls, WhatsApp group, discounts, and free resources - Find out more
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43:25
S4:E11 - Updates from Lauren & Christina
What Comes Next: Solo Mum Updates from Christina and Lauren on Health, Fertility, and Letting Go In this powerful update episode, we catch up with two much-loved solo mums: Lauren (Season 3, Ep 1) and Christina(Season 1, Ep 3). Lauren shares her experience juggling parenting Daisy, co-sleeping, breastfeeding, and facing two surgeries, including a recent tumour diagnosis. She opens up about how she’s preparing Daisy (and herself) for their first-ever nights apart, and her emotional reflections on planning baby number two through a fertility clinic with her original Facebook-recruited donor. Christina brings a refreshingly honest account of trying for a second child after conceiving her first via IUI on the first go. This time? It’s been a whole different story—failed IUI cycles, IVF rounds, a lot of supplements, and even more emotion. She talks about grief, pressure, and the moment she realised her family might already be complete—and that’s okay. Key Takeaways: Facing a Health Scare While Parenting Solo – Lauren’s emotional experience of being diagnosed with a benign tumour and preparing for surgery while raising a toddler. Preparing for Nights Apart – How Lauren is supporting Daisy through their first-ever separation—and preparing emotionally herself. Revisiting Donor Conception Through a Clinic – Why Lauren is planning baby number two via IUI with her original Facebook donor, this time through a clinic. From One-and-Done to Maybe-One-More – Christina’s emotional journey of trying for a second child after an “easy” first pregnancy. Letting Go with Grace – How Christina made peace with the idea that her family might already be complete—and why she’s choosing joy and presence over what-ifs. City Fertility Offer 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. Peace of Mind: Planning for your child’s future if you’re no longer here Who would care for your child if you weren’t here? Learn how to legally and practically protect their future in this empowering webinar with expert lawyer Courtney from CDT Legal. Includes full replay + support materials. Learn more here. One and done… or time for two (or three)? - Expanding your family as a solo mum by choice. Should you expand your solo mum family—or are you complete with one? Hear real stories and advice from solo mums who’ve faced the same decision. Includes full replay + bonus resources. Find out more here. Loved this episode? Follow for more and leave a review! 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.
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50:46
S4:E10 - Meike & Lyla
What I’ve Learned Raising a Donor-Conceived Child: Meike’s Solo Mum Story and Co-Creating DCP Hub 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 City Fertility Offer 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. DCP Hub 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. Thinking About Solo Motherhood But Not Sure Where to Start? 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. Loved this episode? Follow for more and leave a review! 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.
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1:06:22
S4:E9 - Jill & Florence
Jill’s Story: Nine IVF Rounds, Known Donor Support, and the Journey to Baby Florence 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. City Fertility Offer 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. Thinking About Solo Motherhood But Not Sure Where to Start? 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. Loved this episode? Follow for more and leave a review! 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.
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1:07:41