This week we welcome Laura Rose Thorogood to the show. Laura is the founder of the LBGT Mummies Tribe, an LBGT+ activist, a lesbian mother of two by IUI, and is currently pregnant again after 5 rounds of fertility treatment.
LGBT Mummies tribe celebrates, and reunites the LGBT community on their path to parenthood providing information and guidance on whichever route you choose to create your family and Laura spoke to us having had a manic few weeks working in her full time job and her organisation at 35 weeks pregnant.
Laura and her wife started creating their family 10 years ago. They have two children and another on the way, all from the same sperm donor from a US clinic. They’ve both carried children and have navigated failed rounds, PCOS, low ovarian reserve, and, most recently the pandemic, to get to where they are now.
This fascinating conversation discusses the common pitfalls that the LGBT+ community might face, particularly that they often come to trying to conceive later in life and often don’t consider this and the benefits, for example of preserving their fertility if they’re not ready to start a family until later. Also, the importance of researching the legalities so that all parties in the triangle are covered. We discuss the cost implications, the issues around language used by the medical profession, choosing a donor in the UK or Internationally and all that goes with these decisions.
The LGBT Mummies Tribe is a central point for information and guidance on starting a family but is also a supportive community to bring other LBGT+ families together. They have a private support group but also get together in person (when the Pandemic allows) for meet-ups.
We talk about the importance of ‘usualising’ the conversation – making LGBT families visible in our everyday. Laura talks about how it can be so confusing for the heteronormative community, which is why the LGBT community needs help and support in educating others which is what she hopes to provide.
I’d love to hear what you think of this episode as always, and please do get in touch with Laura’s organisation if you are wanting more support on building your family.
