Today we speak to LivsAlone on her journey to solo motherhood.

https://www.instagram.com/livsalone/

Purchase Liv's book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Livs-Alone-Liv-Thorne/dp/1529344182

Eve: Tell us a bit about yourself? (1:00)

Liv: When I was in my mid 30s, I was single and I decided that I wanted to have a baby via sperm donation.

Eve: When was the moment for you when you decided you wanted to do this and to be a mum? (1:49)

Liv: I always wanted to be a mum and it was a bit of a slow burn as you expect life to pan out like it does in books or for your parents or friends where they fall in love and have a baby. By the time I was in my mid 30s and I had been single most of my adult life it became obvious that I couldn’t just sit around and wait for a cracking tinder date. It got to the point that every time someone would tell me they were pregnant my whole body would be full of sadness.

Eve: What was the process for you, how does it work? (3:28)

Liv: For me fertility is a lottery, and you don’t know what will happen. For me, they put the sperm directly in my cervix and its directly like a smear test.

Eve: Was it on the first try that you did fall pregnant? (5:05)

Liv: No, it was on the 4th try that I fell pregnant. I made the decision I would try IUI 4 times and then after that try IVF.

Eve: How was it being a solo mother? (5:50)

Liv: It was tough, I was really ill during pregnancy. There would be some nights where I would be laying on the bathroom floor being sick crying, thinking what on earth have I done. Going to the appointments alone could feel lonely, but only because you want to share your news with people.

Eve: Did you receive any negative reactions when telling people, you were pregnant and had a sperm donor? (7:20)

Liv: No, I really assumed I would, but I was really luckily, and no one has ever been negative to me. Most of my followers on Instagram are women, so I think most women understand that primal urge to become a mother.

Eve: How were the first few months after giving birth: (11:40)

Liv: I was blindsided about how tough it would be. I thought it would be just being tired, but that was not even half of the battle. For the first few weeks your body is in pain, your in physical pain.

Eve: Was it with time then that things got easier: (14:57)

Liv: Kids go through stages, one day they won’t sleep and the next day they won’t. It’s always a constant learning curve but a brilliant one.

Eve: Tell me about your book that is being launched? (19:22)

Liv: So, to me it’s really important different routes to parenthood not just motherhood, single mothers and solo mothers but adoption, surrogacy, men adoption. All of these amazing routes to parenthood should be talked and celebrated about more. The book is about my story and I’m so privilege to do it.

Eve: What does motherhood mean to you?

Liv: It means everything. Now that I have made it happen it’s been hard but amazing. I’m so glad it all worked out and my baby is healthy, and we are really good.