In this deeply personal and insightful episode of the Paths to Parenthub Podcast, we speak with Sarah from Toronto, a mum to three children, each conceived in a different way.

Sarah shares the story of how she and her husband navigated medical diagnoses, complex decision making, and the emotional realities of fertility treatment and donor conception. With honesty and warmth, she reflects on the path that led them to building their family, a path that wasn’t linear, but one that ultimately brought them three much loved children.

We explore:

1. How medical diagnoses shaped their family building decisions
2. The emotional process of moving towards donor conception
3. What donor selection was like in practice
4. Navigating different conception stories within one family
5. How they are talking to their children about their origin stories
6. Why openness and honesty matter in their home

Sarah speaks candidly about raising children who each have slightly different conception stories, and how, despite those differences, they are loved, supported and valued in exactly the same way. This episode is a powerful reminder that there is no single way to build a family, and that children thrive in homes grounded in honesty, security and love.

If you are navigating medical diagnosis, considering donor conception, or thinking about how to talk to your children about their story, this conversation offers reassurance, perspective and thoughtful insight – especially for those seeking insight into a family of mixed genetics.

Season 4 of the Paths to Parenthub Podcast is proudly supported by Ovacy Egg Bank, who support a range of family types and pathways for those using donor eggs - You can learn more Ovacy by visiting their website www.ovacy.com

In this episode of the Paths to Parenthub podcast, Hayley and Becky sit down to explore the questions they believe can be helpful for intended parents to ask their egg or sperm bank, or fertility clinic, when considering donor conception.

Rather than focusing on the usual “how to choose a donor” conversation, this episode looks at some of the less obvious questions that can shape long term experiences for families. Drawing on their many years of working in this space, and the insight gained from supporting parents, donors and donor conceived people, Hayley and Becky reflect on what they have learned along the way, and how perspectives often change over time.

This episode is not intended as a definitive or “must ask” checklist. Instead, it offers a gentle introduction to topics and considerations that may help you feel more informed and confident as you make decisions that are right for your family.

The conversation follows on from Becky and Hayley’s recent visit to Cyprus to OVACY Egg Bank, who are also supporting Season 4 of the podcast, and includes reflections inspired by what they saw and discussed during their time there. You can find our more about OVACY Egg Bank and their donors via their website at www.ovacy.com.

This episode mentions one of our most popular free downloadable resources, available via our website. Get your copy at www.pathstoparenthub.com/free-resources/

‘Top Questions to Ask Your Egg and Sperm Bank’

In this special episode, Hayley and Becky are joined by an egg donor, sharing her story under the alias “Snow”.

This conversation brings together three lived perspectives on donor conception. Hayley, a donor conceived person, Becky a mum through egg donation and ‘Snow’ an egg donor herself.

Together, they explore what motivates someone to donate, what the donation process is really like, and how donors think about the people and children who may exist because of their decision. “Snow” also takes the opportunity to ask Hayley and Becky questions, opening up an honest, two way conversation that is rarely heard in fertility spaces.

With increasing numbers of donor gametes being imported for treatment in the UK, this episode offers a valuable opportunity to hear directly from someone with lived donor experience, alongside recipient and donor conceived voices. It is a thoughtful, human discussion that highlights the importance of openness, reflection and understanding in donor conception.

This episode is supported by Ovacy Egg Bank, for more information about their donors and treatment options please see their website, www.ovacy.com. For more information about the support on offer at Paths to Parenthub, including specific webinar content that discusses donor motivations and associated research see www.pathstoparenthub.com.