S4:E7 - Lorena & Bonnie

13 Rounds of IVF and a Baby at 46: Lorena’s Story of Solo Motherhood, Setbacks, and Strength

Lorena always knew she wanted to be a mum—but life had other plans. After navigating difficult relationships, putting her heart back together, and years of unsuccessful IVF, she finally became a solo mum at 46. In this deeply personal and powerful episode, Lorena shares the highs and lows of 13 rounds of IVF, how she handled society’s judgment about being an “older mum,” and how motherhood transformed everything.

She also shares what it’s like to raise a donor-conceived child as a solo mum, how she navigates school and social questions, and how she turned her journey into a book, set for release in 2026. This episode is a reminder that no matter how long it takes or how winding the road may be, if motherhood is your dream—it’s worth fighting for.

Key Takeaways:

• Knowing She Wanted to Be a Mum, Not a Wife – Lorena always envisioned motherhood but never dreamed of marriage.

• The Moment She Chose Solo Motherhood – A quiet night on the couch, a Google search, and a powerful adrenaline rush.

• Facing IVF at 38… and Still Going at 45 – What it’s really like to keep going after round after round of failed treatment.

• Solo Mum at 46 – Navigating pregnancy, delivery, and the early years as a one-and-done mum with a strong village.

• Writing Her Story – Turning a deeply personal fertility journey into a published memoir to inspire others.

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.

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