Hi Leanne, we bought our book from Hares and Hyenas online store (google hares and hyenas, and then on their website go to "parenting" on the right menu for all the books or search Rachel Pepper ). It is an American book, I don't know that theres an Australian book out though I'm sure google could help find an answer to that! There's a lot on US legislation which isn't relevant, as well as US sperm banks, but we've found everything else in it really helpful. There's ALOT about fertility and tracking/charting fertility which I really enjoyed (we used a clinic so they did most of it but at least I knew what they were doing and why).

Lol, well I'm not going to go in to the negative reactions we've gotten from family. I'll just say yes, we've had to deal with some very negative very homophobic reactions from my side of the family. It's devastating and painful but at least I know now IYKWIM? I'd rather know where I stand than live in fantasy world thinking all is fine and dandy. I am hoping what everyone says is true, and that they will come around once Bubble is born. I doubt it, I know them and they'd rather jump off a cliff than admit they could have been wrong, but I still hope.

At first we thought we were going to have some battles with health professionals, but actually we've never encountered any negative comments from anyone. There are sometimes a few people who you think might be thinking a certain way, but then they are the kind of people who would judge a young mum, or single mum, or anyone who isn't in a married heterosexual relationship so I don't take it personally. Some people just can't open their minds and consider another side of life, and thats just taking away from their life experience IMO. I used to get upset by it, but now I just let it go as their loss.
It is hard though, making that decision. Is homebirth an option? I wanted a homebirth as I was sure we'd face similar attitudes to what you are facing, but we haven't yet so I am going to the hospital. We probably would have had a homebirth had we felt unfairly targeted at any point though. Birth is such an intimate experience, and if you think that your midwives hold certain attitudes towards you chances are you won't be able to relax which isn't ideal. We also worried about Shel's involvement, though I have no fears that she'll feel less involved than any other partner during labour and birth.

Feel free to ask any more questions (oh and you can add me to MSN if you want, its on my profile page ).