There's no simple way to know if solo parenthood is right for you. Most people start with a conversation, not a treatment plan. It's a decision that needs clear information about your fertility, your support network, and your finances, and an in-depth conversation with a counsellor and a fertility specialist.
What questions should I ask myself before becoming a solo parent?
Before comparing treatment options, it helps to first reflect on what brings you here, your support network, finances, fertility, and readiness for the process itself.
There are no right answers, and you don't need to work through them alone. Many people find it useful to talk their initial thoughts through with a counsellor, a GP, or someone they trust before going further.
Your why
What's drawing you to this now? Maybe it's a feeling that's been building for years, or something more recent, a relationship ending, a milestone birthday, or simply realising there's no reason left to wait. If you’re not completely sure, try writing out your thoughts or speaking to someone you trust. Understanding your own motivation can make the path forward clearer, and the rest of the journey feel steadier if you keep your why in mind.
Your support network
Who is in your network that you feel comfortable talking things through with? Family, friends, or community you could lean on for the practical and emotional parts of parenting alone. You don't need a partner to do this, but it does help to feel clear about who's in your corner.
Your finances and logistics
Fertility treatment and parenting itself come with many costs. It's important to think honestly about budget, work flexibility, and things like housing and access to childcare, even in general terms at this stage.
Your readiness for the process itself
Fertility treatment can be unpredictable. Consider self care and how you'd like to be supported through appointments, waiting periods, and decisions, particularly when you're not alongside a partner at every step.
How do I start the process of becoming a solo parent?
At Genea, the process starts with a conversation with our fertility concierge, followed by an appointment with a fertility specialist. You don't need to know everything before you reach out, as our team will explain the process and answer any questions you have. At Genea, you also have the opportunity to preview our donor portal before making an appointment.
Here's what the first steps typically look like.
1. Initial conversation with our fertility concierge
This is a conversation to understand your situation and answer your early questions. Think of it as the "where do I start" chat, not a medical appointment.
2. Appointment with a fertility specialist
From here, you will meet with a fertility specialist who will talk through your health history and will likely recommend some initial fertility testing to understand your starting point.
3. Counselling
If you're using donor sperm or donor eggs, counselling is required in Australia. It’s a space to talk honestly and openly about everything from explaining your child's conception later on to any worries you may have. This happens early, before treatment begins.
4. Choosing your pathway
With clearer information about your fertility and your options, you and your specialist will work out the path that makes sense for you.
What does fertility counselling involve?
Fertility counselling in Australia is legally required for donor pathways. It's not an assessment or designed to talk you out of anything. A counsellor will usually talk with you about things like:
- Your reasons for pursuing solo parenthood and what it means for you
- What your support network looks like
- Any state-based legal considerations that apply to donor conception where you live, since these rules vary across Australia
- How you'll talk to your child about their donor conception as they grow up
Most people find these conversations supportive and helpful, and don’t approach them like a box to tick. It's a space to think out loud with someone who's supported many people through exactly this decision.
What are my options once I'm ready to look further?
Once you're ready to go deeper, the three main next steps are checking your own fertility, exploring donor pathways, and comparing fertility options such as IUI, IVF, egg freezing, and surrogacy.
Checking your own fertility
Understanding your fertility health helps clarify what pathway options are realistically available to you. It's worth noting that most clinics, including Genea, have an age limit of 45 for treatment using your own eggs, in line with lower success rates from this age. If you've frozen your eggs before this age, you may still be able to use them in a treatment cycle beyond 45, so it's worth discussing your specific situation with a fertility specialist.
Learn what fertility testing involves here:
Donor pathways
If you are using donor eggs or sperm, it helps to understand how the process works for the type of donor you need in advance.
Read everything you need to know here:
Preconception health guide: Prepare your body before you begin
The three to six months before you start trying to conceive is a powerful window. Our preconception health guide covers nutrition, lifestyle and emotional readiness.
Read the guide
You don't need to have this figured out today
No single moment or checklist tells you it's the right time to become a solo parent. If you're here, you're probably somewhere between "what if" and "where do I even start". That's a completely normal place to be. Some people have known for years. Others are only just starting to ask the question. Both are valid starting points that require more information.
Solo parenthood is a big decision that takes time. If you’re ready to look further into the pathway options, you can learn more here:
Read Siobhan's journey to solo motherhood
Siobhan froze her eggs at 39, hoping to meet a partner first, and ended up building her family solo instead, through six rounds of treatment, four failed transfers, and one piece of advice from her mum that kept her going. Here, Siobhan shares her journey to becoming a solo mum to Florence.
Support is here at every stage
At Genea, solo parenthood is supported by an entire team, from fertility specialists, counsellors and nurses to embryologists and genetic counsellors. Even though you're navigating this without a partner and are the ultimate decision maker in your path forward, you won’t be alone.
