Paths To Parenthub
Support and Connection for Donor Conception
Whether you are at the very beginning of your journey, or now parenting via donor conception, come and join our private space to find support, information, friendship, and a sense of community within the Paths to Parenthub.
Brought to you by DefiningMum
Embarking on a path to parenthood using a donor takes time and requires deep, emotional consideration. Making this decision isn’t just a one-off, but the start of your parenting journey, forming the very beginning of your child’s story.
Becoming a Paths To Parenthub member offers you the opportunity to find support, connection and resources so that you no longer feel alone on this journey. We want to help you feel more positive and prepared about this path to parenthood, offering hope for what the future may hold.
Embarking on a path to parenthood using a donor takes time and requires deep, emotional consideration. Making this decision isn’t just a one-off, but the start of your parenting journey, forming the very beginning of your child’s story.
Becoming a Paths To Parent hub member offers you the opportunity to find support, connection and resources so that you no longer feel alone on this journey. We want to help you feel more positive and prepared about this path to parenthood, and to offer hope for what the future may hold.
Membership
Whatever stage of your journey, Paths To Parenthub offers the opportunity to connect, share experiences, ask questions and hear from experts in the field, whilst exploring supportive resources to help you and your family understand the many facets of donor conception. The beauty of this – you can do all of these things from the comfort of your own home, within the safety of our private membership platform.
SuPPORT
Access to regular interactive webinars, live chats and support groups including a range of professionals, experiences and perspectives
CONNECTION
Make connections, share experiences, find support and chat openly within our private, members-only networking group app
RESOURCES
24/7 access to webinar recordings, personal stories, reflections, tips and guidance, as well as recommended resources
“More than two years on since first creating Paths To Parenthub I am so proud of what it has become. What began as a vision and natural evolution from DefiningMum, has developed into a thriving community, alongside a wealth of insightful conversations and perspectives all designed to help you feel less alone and better prepared on this path to parenthood. I’ve always wanted to help fill the emotional support vacuum, something I believe is an essential step when embarking on fertility treatment using a donor.
This hub is everything I would have needed and wanted back when making the decision. Even now, as a parent to children conceived with the help of an egg donor I’m continually learning, accepting and growing as a parent, as I understand how best to support my children in the future.”
Becky Kearns, DefiningMum – Founder
NEW
LGBTQ+ Paths to Parenthub
For many LGBTQ+ people, donor conception offers hope and optimism – it provides a route to parenthood that for many would otherwise not exist. However, here at Paths To Parenthub we also acknowledge that needing the help of a donor to build your family can be a confusing and challenging time too, a time filled with conflicting emotions and uncertainty. Furthermore, being part of the LGBTQ+ community can throw up some additional considerations on this route to becoming a parent.
In partnership with Hayley Darknell our conversations and resources are becoming more tailored to the LGBTQ+ community and the specific questions and challenges that can be faced, plus we are growing our community to host specific spaces to build connections with other on a similar path, all within this safe, private platform.
LGBTQ+ Paths to Parenthub
Whether you are at the start of your journey, or now parenting through donor conception, our community will provide a secure, private and supportive space to explore this multifaceted subject of donor conception from the comfort of your own home.
Here at LGBTQ+ Paths to Parenthub we will provide you with all of the resources and support you will need in order to make informed choices and decisions on your path to parenthood. From practical guidance like ‘questions to ask your sperm and/or egg bank’, to sharing the latest research from fact-finding studies, to holding online support and connection groups discussing how other LGBTQ+ families are talking to their children about their conception story.
LGBTQ+ Webinars include
Legal Parentage and Donor Conception (including considerations for LGBTQ+ families) with Family Law specialist Anest Mathias and head of BICA Angela Pericleous-Smith
Available to Watch Now
Family Building Priorities in LGBTQ+ Couples – Things to consider right at the start of your journey – with professional speaker Lisa Schuman, LCSW
LIVE January 23rd with Q&A
Being the non genetic parent in an LGBTQ+ family – exploring the common fears and emotional considerations – with Julianne Boutaleb
LIVE January 26th with Q&A
LGBTQ+ Family Building at a UK fertility Clinic – An insight into what to expect and what questions to ask – with professional speaker Angela Pericleous-Smith
Coming in March
Talking to Your Children About Being Donor Conceived in an LGBTQ+ Family – with Avital Pearlman
Coming in April
LGBTQ+ Live Chats include
Marco’s story – raised by two mums in the 80’s and 90’s – a donor conceived adults perspective
Available to Watch Now
‘Dual citizens’ Freya and Hayley – discussing what it is like being both donor conceived adults and also parents to donor conceived children within LGBTQ+ families
Available to Watch Now
Two Mums and Two Dads – Laura-Rose and Michael share their stories of becoming parents in LGBTQ Families
Available to Watch Now
Caroline Gray – Becoming a Mum via Reciprocal IVF
LIVE February 8th with Q&A
Ranae Von Melding – Building an LGBTQ+ Family in Ireland – a step closer towards equality
Coming in March
LGBTQ+ Live support groups
Monthly support groups via Zoom – facilitated by Hayley our LGBTQ+ Director. A private space to gain support, share perspectives, and connect with others who are walking a similar path.
All of this plus access to over 50 hours of pre-existing content on the hub, covering a range of helpful topics on donor conception and fertility.
Topics including –
Talking to friends and family about donor conception
Attachment and bonding
DNA testing and implications for donor conception … and so much more!!
Upcoming Webinars
Upcoming Live Chats
Live Chat with Rosie – Donor Conceived Person
Wednesday 12th April 2023 – 8pm (BST)
Rosie
