Raising with the village
Raising with the Village
Because it really does take a village to raise a child — and most of us don’t have one anymore.
Raising with the Village is a podcast about the real stories of parenthood — from pregnancy to the early school years and everything in between. Each episode shares an honest, unfiltered conversation with a parent who’s been there: through the highs, the lows, the unexpected turns and the moments that change everything.
No experts. No judgement. Just real people sharing their experiences — because when we talk openly about what we’ve been through, we help someone else feel less alone.
Whether you’re preparing for your first baby, navigating the chaos of toddlerhood, or simply figuring it out one day at a time, this is your virtual village — a place to listen, relate, and remind yourself that you’re doing better than you think.
🎧 Hosted by Maeva,
Parent, storyteller, and believer that there’s power — and comfort — in sharing our stories.
Raising with the village
#10 - Liz - Choosing IVF Alone: A Raw and Honest Story of Lone Parenthood (Part 1)
In this episode of Raising with the Village, Liz shares her deeply personal journey to becoming a parent through IVF as a lone parent.
Liz takes us back to the moment she began considering IVF on her own, and the life circumstances that led her there. With honesty and vulnerability, she walks us through the IVF process step by step — from making the decision, to navigating clinics, treatment, and the emotional weight of doing it all without a partner.
This is a raw and detailed conversation that goes beyond medical explanations. Liz speaks openly about the doubts, the hope, the waiting, and the resilience it takes to keep going. If you’ve ever wondered what IVF as a single parent by choice really looks like behind closed doors, this episode offers a powerful and human perspective.
This is part one of Liz’s story. In part two, we’ll follow her into pregnancy and explore what came next.
In this episode, we talk about:
- Choosing IVF as a lone parent
- The emotional realities of fertility treatment
- Navigating IVF appointments, decisions, and uncertainty
- Identity, grief, hope, and resilience
- Why sharing real stories about IVF matters
Helpful resources mentioned or related:
- Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) – UK fertility treatment guidance
https://www.hfea.gov.uk - Single Mothers by Choice UK – support and community
https://www.singlemothersbychoice.org.uk - Fertility Network UK – information, support groups, and helplines
https://fertilitynetworkuk.org - IVF Addicts – honest conversations and peer support around IVF
https://www.ivfaddicts.co.uk
(Always consult your medical team for personalised advice.)
💛 Raising with the Village
This podcast is about real parents sharing real stories — because no one should feel alone in parenthood.
New episodes every Thursday!
🌐 Website: https://raisingwith.co.uk/
📸 Instagram: @raisingwiththevillage
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and all major platforms.
If you’d like to share your own story — about birth, parenting, or family life — get in touch via the website or Instagram DMs.