{"href":"http://player.captivate.fm/services/oembed?url=http%3A%2F%2Fplayer.captivate.fm%2Fepisode%2F306db955-2926-49b3-ba64-fbfe1b792f7b","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Captivate.FM","provider_url":"https://www.captivate.fm","width":600,"height":200,"type":"rich","html":"","title":"LGBT Mummies with Laura Rose Thorogood","description":"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.\r\n \r\nLaura\u2019s organization supports, celebrates, and reunites the LGBT community on their path to parenthood providing information and guidance on whichever route you choose to create your family.\r\n \r\nLaura has had a crazy few weeks of awareness days and months and is balancing this with being 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\u2019ve both carried children and have navigated failed rounds, PCOS, low ovarian reserve, and, most recently the pandemic, to get to where they are now.\r\n \r\nLaura talks about the common pitfalls that the LGBT+ community might face, particularly that they often come to trying to conceive later in life and often don\u2019t consider this and the benefits, for example of preserving their fertility if they\u2019re not ready to start a family until later. Also, the importance of researching the legalities so that all parties in the triangle are covered. Some couples find private fertility treatments inaccessible and may choose to seek a known donor. Laura explains the importance of seeking legal guidance and whilst there are financial implications involved, it is likely to be less costly than should there be any legal challenges in the future.\r\n \r\nLaura explains the difference in access to information from sperm back nationally and internationally. In the US and Europe, you have access to more information about the donor whereas in the UK the information is limited to height, hair color, nationality, etc. Sometimes the difficulties in accessing sperm donors in the UK will force couples to use unregulated donors and in some circumstances, this can be dangerous. However, there are organizations such as CoParents and Pride Angle that are regulated and offer a professional service.\r\n \r\nThe 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.\r\n \r\nLaura talks about her interaction with medical services and the microaggression she\u2019s experienced. How, as a lesbian woman, you have to \u2018come out\u2019 time and time again. Comments like \u2018Who had the baby?\u2019 \u2018How did that work then?\u2019 \u2018So, you\u2019re the other Mother\u2019.\r\n \r\nNatalie asks Laura about the guidance she offers on talking to children to help them understand the make-up of their family. It\u2019s about sitting down as a couple and deciding on how best you address this. It\u2019s very individual and personal, but best done at various age-appropriate sections of their lives.\r\n \r\nLaura tells us how the healthcare arena is very heteronormative and the main area where she sees disparity and lack of inclusivity. She hopes that they can one day get to a place where campaigning is not required but is currently working with the NHS and Government to support them in understanding the community better, dispel the stigma and discrimination against them, and \u2018usualise\u2019 \u2013 making LGBT families visible and the everyday. Laura talks about how she can understand how confusing it is for the heteronormative community and that the LGBT community needs help in the education so that they are better supported. Laura says the NHS and the fertility clinics she\u2019s working with have been proactive in changing for the better.\r\n \r\nLaura\u2019s final advice is to take your time, explore all paths to parenthood, join support groups, research, listen to other people's lived-in experiences, and investigated how LGBT inclusive your narrowed down choice of clinics are.\r\n \r\nFind out more about Laura:\r\n \r\nSOCIALS:\r\nLGBT Mummies \r\nI...","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/c7a2ad11-73e8-4046-a90a-cb99f5c66cbd/cover-image-koo932zr-thefertpod.png"}