IUI as a single parent - any experiences/advice?

[Ostryga]

I’m considering this. I really want another baby, but I also don’t particularly want to start dating again.

I’m very comfortable - good job, own house outright, no debt etc.

I have a 4.5 year old daughter who is starting school in September, so only one lot of nursery fees again. Have been a single parent since she was born so very used to going it alone!

I can’t really see any huge downsides (apart from other people’s reactions - “no FATHER omg” etc) so just wanted to see if anyone else has gone down this route.

I’m 32 btw.

Hi Op,

I would say yes! You sound very grounded, having had the experience of raising your daughter by yourself and you are financially stable. Apart from family/support networks and finances, for many women, the biggest obstacles are other people's/society's prejudices or our own 'fantasies' ie. the script we have created in our minds due to societal expectations of what a family unit should look like (the 'traditional/conventional' arrangement).

Have you had any fertility checks done recently? Although they aren't definitive they can provide a screenshot of the current state of your fertility. Apologies, I don't know how familiar/knowledgeable you are with fertility investigations.

I'm a solo parent to-be (single and currently 16 weeks pregnant using IVF and a sperm donor), so I'd support any woman who is considering going down this avenue.

@anthurium thanks for your lovely reply! And congrats on your pregnancy.

I haven’t had any fertility tests yet, but the clinic I’m looking into will provide these if I want (for a cost of course!)

I’m definitely less nervous having done it before, and have amazingly supportive friends and family, and an excellent birth partner which does help.

How did you find the IVF? Did you go straight for that or try IUI first?