S9E13. Research, Representation & the Realities of Donor Conception with Laura Runnels

Laura Runnels knew from a young age that solo motherhood was a path she was willing to take. What she couldn’t have known was exactly how that path would unfold, from exploring known donation to ultimately using a sperm bank, conceiving at home, and later deciding whether to grow her family again.In this episode, Laura and I talk about her path to becoming a solo mom to two donor-conceived children, including some of the less conventional routes she explored along the way and the questions that came up when she began considering a second child.We also dig into the work Laura is doing now in the donor conception community. Through the Donor Conception Journal Club, she makes peer-reviewed donor conception research more accessible while encouraging readers to think critically about what the research can and cannot tell us. And as a co-founder of Parts of Me, she is working to expand the range of donor-conceived experiences represented in books, media, arts, and culture.In this episode, we discuss:Laura’s early certainty that she wanted to become a mother, even if she did it on her ownHer experience searching for a known donor, including using dating apps specifically for that purposeHer eventual decision to use a sperm bank and her experience conceiving through at-home inseminationHow she thought about finances, capacity, family size, and the possibility of having a second or third childWhy donor conception research can be difficult for the average person to access and interpret, and how the Donor Conception Journal Club is helping bridge that gapThe importance of seeing a much wider range of donor-conceived experiences represented in books, movies, and culture through Parts of MeResources Mentioned:Donor Conception Journal Club: www.dcjournalclub.comParts of Me: partsofme.orgThe Ones We Choose by Julie ClarkConnect with Laura:On Instagram: @laurarunnelsOn LinkedIn: Laura RunnelsYour Next Steps:Sign Up for one of our upcoming groups at https://www.singlegreatestchoice.com/community-groupsConnect with Katie on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/single_greatest_choiceBecome part of the SGC community and stay up to date by joining our newsletter. You can sign up HERE at the bottom of the page👩‍👧‍👦 The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice support you’ve been craving for every stage of your journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids.ℹ️ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Single Greatest Choice or its host, Katie Bryan. This podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical, legal, mental health, or professional advice. Every fertility, donor conception, and parenting journey is unique, and listeners are encouraged to use discernment and consult appropriate professionals regarding their individual circumstances. By listening, you acknowledge responsibility for your own decisions, interpretations, and actions.