A virtual event to allow you to gain perspectives, build resilience and navigate donor conception with confidence

Dr Helen O’Neill, Associate Professor in Reproductive and Molecular Genetics, will reveal the remarkable science of epigenetics and how carrying a pregnancy leaves a lasting, unique signature on your child’s DNA. Whether you’re using donor eggs, donor sperm, or donor embryos, you’ll discover how the carrying parent’s uterus, blood, and body actively shape the baby’s development from the very first weeks, an extraordinary biological connection that influences your child for life.

Julianne Boutaleb, Perinatal Psychologist from Parenthood in Mind, will guide us through the psychology of attachment and bonding in the context of donor conception. She’ll explore what attachment looks like for all parents, whether you’re carrying a pregnancy, a non-carrying parent, part of an LGBTQ+ couple, a solo parent, or using surrogacy, acknowledging that while the journey may be different, the capacity to bond is universal. Julianne will address the transition from the ‘idealised baby’ to the real baby before you, and practical steps every parent can take to support their growing attachment.

You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of the biological and emotional processes at work, validation for your concerns, and confidence in the unique and powerful bond you’re building with your child.

Julianne will explore how differing levels of readiness, grief, and hope can show up at every stage, from those early conversations about next steps, through treatment and pregnancy, and into the realities of parenting a donor-conceived child. She’ll look at what it means when one partner has a genetic connection to the child and one doesn’t, and how that can shape each person’s experience in ways that aren’t always easy to name.

The session will also touch on the decisions that don’t go away, including when and how to tell your child about their conception, and how to navigate that as a team even when your instincts or feelings differ.

When you’re pursuing donor conception solo, you’re often carrying every aspect of the journey yourself, the decisions, the emotions, the logistics, and the hopes for the future. Without a partner to share the process with, it can sometimes feel isolating, even while it is deeply intentional and joyful. Many solo parents by choice have also experienced their own form of grief or shifting expectations around family-building before arriving at this path. Alongside the excitement of moving forward, there may be moments of uncertainty, questions about choosing a donor, building your support network, navigating treatment, or how you’ll talk with your child about their origins. Drawing on their experience supporting individuals and families in this space, Mel and Natasha will explore the emotional landscape of donor conception as a solo parent, offering thoughtful insights and practical guidance to help you feel confident and supported as you move through each stage of the journey. This session is for anyone navigating donor conception as a solo parent, whether you are considering this path, currently in treatment, expecting a baby, or already parenting.

Talking to your child about their donor conception story isn’t a one time conversation, it’s an ongoing journey that evolves as your child grows. Knowing where to start, what to say, and how to respond to questions can feel daunting, even with the best intentions.

In this session, Hayley and Becky will reflect on their own experiences of talking with their children, what has worked, what they’ve found challenging, and the approaches that have helped them build confidence over time. They will share practical, real life insights into how these conversations unfold naturally within family life, rather than feeling like a single “big talk.”

Alongside lived experience, the session will highlight helpful resources and signpost to further support through Paths to Parenthub and beyond. You’ll gain practical tips for conversations at different stages, reassurance around common worries, and greater confidence in creating open, honest dialogue that supports your child’s sense of identity.