S4:E6 - Leah & Lily

S4:E6 - Leah & Lily

From Workaholic to Solo Mum: Leah’s Unexpected Path to Motherhood and Living with Chronic Illness

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.

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.

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(200)

S5:E33 - Merry, Sullivan & Sinclair

S5:E33 - Merry, Sullivan & Sinclair

She does both, and solo is easier. Merryn grew up thinking life would look a certain way. Her parents together, her aunties and uncles together, everyone partnered, everyone staying. She figured the s...

12 Loka 1h 1min

S5:E32 - Sam & Bubba

S5:E32 - Sam & Bubba

She always knew Sam walked into a fertility clinic at 24 with her friend as her fake partner, because she assumed single women weren't allowed to do this alone. When the counsellor handed her a bookle...

5 Loka 39min

S5:E31 - Fertility Counselling & Donor Conception — What Solo Mums Actually Need to Know

S5:E31 - Fertility Counselling & Donor Conception — What Solo Mums Actually Need to Know

Every woman going through donor conception at a fertility clinic in Australia is required to attend implications counselling. And almost every one of them turns up expecting to be assessed, judged, an...

28 Syys 59min

S5:E30 - Claire & August

S5:E30 - Claire & August

The Plan Always Had a Next Step Claire always knew she'd be a mum. She told her mum at 18 that if she didn't find someone, she'd do it on her own. Her mum said she wouldn't need to. Claire filed that ...

21 Syys 51min

S5-E29 - Brooke & Mia

S5-E29 - Brooke & Mia

The wake up call Brooke spent most of her 30s in a relationship with a man who already had a child and didn't want more. She told herself she was okay with that. She spent 10 years telling herself tha...

14 Syys 1h 4min

S5:E28 - Alex, A & Ollie

S5:E28 - Alex, A & Ollie

From the Very First Try to Six Months In Some women come to this decision with a clear plan. Alex came with a deadline: if I'm still single at 30, I'm doing it on my own. She hit 30. She went to Bali ...

7 Syys 1h 22min

S5:E27 - Alisha & Alexandra - part 2

S5:E27 - Alisha & Alexandra - part 2

Four and a Half Years Later — Alisha's Update A note: this episode mentions the loss of Alisha's son Jeremy, who was stillborn 12 years ago today. She shares it with gratitude and without distress — b...

31 Elo 1h 2min

S5:E26 - Kate & Amelia

S5:E26 - Kate & Amelia

She never gave up! Some journeys are long. Kate's is one of the longest we've shared on this podcast — and one of the most quietly remarkable. Kate came to solo motherhood later than she planned, and ...

24 Elo 1h 15min