Australian Solo Mothers by Choice (ASMBC)
We are a nationwide support community for women who, for a variety of personal reasons, including fertility challenges, have chosen to build their families as solo mothers by choice.
The journey to solo motherhood often brings questions about fertility treatment, donor conception, finances, parenting, relationships, and support networks. Whether you are just beginning to explore the idea or are already raising a family, you are warmly welcomed here.
Our story
ASMBC was founded in 2013 by Michelle Galea following her own journey to becoming a solo mother through IVF. Her lived experience remains at the heart of the community and the support we provide.
Since its founding, ASMBC has grown into a thriving network of more than 4,500 families across Australia and New Zealand. Michelle’s commitment to advocacy and community support has led to her recognition as Victoria’s inaugural Mother of the Year in 2024 and her appointment as a member of the Victorian Department of Health Donor Conceived People and Donor Families Advisory Group.
Trusted by families, recommended by professionals
For more than a decade, ASMBC has been the trusted support organisation of choice for solo mothers by choice. Recommended by fertility clinics, donor conception specialists, allied health professionals, researchers, government agencies, and our members themselves, ASMBC provides connection, support, information, and advocacy for thousands of families across Australia and New Zealand.
At ASMBC, we believe that solo motherhood is a valid, empowering, and joyful path to parenthood. We provide trusted information, practical resources, and peer support for women who choose to create or grow their families independently through donor conception, adoption, foster care, or other pathways to parenthood.
Our commitment to accessible support
Michelle’s commitment to accessible support is deeply personal. During her own cancer treatment, she experienced first-hand the invaluable role that not-for-profit organisations play in providing information, resources, connection, and care during times of vulnerability. This reinforced her belief that women navigating infertility, donor conception, and the journey to building a family deserve access to the same level of support, understanding, and community.
The journey to parenthood can be emotionally, physically, and financially challenging. We believe that women facing infertility or pursuing solo motherhood deserve access to trusted, unbiased support and information.
Many women begin this journey at a time of significant vulnerability, while navigating complex decisions, treatment pathways, and considerable financial pressures. Yet quality support and trusted information are often costly or difficult to access. As a registered not-for-profit organisation, ASMBC exists to ensure that women can access peer support, education, advocacy, and community regardless of their circumstances. Our focus is on empowering, supporting, and connecting women as they build their families, rather than profiting from them.
No matter where you are on your journey, you will find understanding, connection, friendship, and a community that celebrates and supports your choice.
You are not alone. You are part of a community of women who understand the unique joys and challenges of raising a family as a solo mother by choice.
Solo but never alone
What makes ASMBC unique
Genuine and safe
ASMBC is private and member-vetted, protecting the privacy of high-profile members, including judges, celebrities, police officers, and survivors of domestic violence. We only accept real Facebook profiles; no aliases, fake accounts, or placeholder profiles. It is the cornerstone of ensuring a protected, private membership.
Inclusive and welcoming
We welcome members of all races, cultures, ethnicities, genders, sexes, sexualities, and religions.
Dedicated to donor-conceived families
We proudly advocate for and educate within the donor-conceived community. We encourage children to grow up feeling fully informed, confident, and proud of their unique beginnings.
Member-led, volunteer-run
ASMBC is run entirely by volunteers, each of whom is also a solo mother.
Featured in Inconceivable
ASMBC is featured in award-winning author Alexandra Collier’s acclaimed memoir Inconceivable.
Join ASMBC
Whether you have questions, need help getting started, or want to learn more, please contact us.
Join us to support families
We are proud of who we are, what we have built, and the ASMBC community that continues to grow. Whether you are at the beginning or well along the way, ASMBC is your community: your village, your tribe, and your people.
Visit the Public ASMBC Facebook page
Before you join
We will ask you to:
- Answer all joining questions thoroughly and agree to our rules.
- Provide a real Facebook profile (not a placeholder account).
- Provide account verification via a friend request.
- Remember that membership is only for residents of Australia and New Zealand.
- Understand that our administration team members are volunteers. Although we do our best to monitor group activity, we cannot be held responsible for advice or personal posts shared by members.
How can we
help you?
In addition to overall support, we offer connection, advocacy, and a strong sense of belonging through the following services.
Peer support
Understanding, shared experience, and practical peer support from others on the path to solo motherhood.
Local and national events
As members of our Facebook community, you have access to a platform designed to help you actively foster and coordinate local connections through more than thirty like-minded subgroups across Australia and New Zealand. All ASMBC groups are supported by our dedicated, experienced team. Their many members arrange in-person get-togethers, family-friendly events, annual weekends away, and much-loved Christmas parties featuring Father Christmas and festive cheer.
Activities such as these, plus many others, actively encourage members to enjoy real-life fun well away from the phones and screens that increasingly intrude upon our existence today.
Facebook and website community
Our private, meticulously moderated, and screened Facebook group is the main hub for all who come to us.
As a member, you will find it a safe, supportive place to connect, ask questions, and obtain meaningful, useful information supported by ready access to real-time peer support from people who know exactly what you are going through.
Up-to-date online resources
Through our website and Facebook community, you can count on us to provide the information, emotional support, and advocacy tools to help you through your journey to become a solo mother by choice.