Beginning to give up.

[Babycakes321]

Hi all.
I hope I'm posting in the right place for starters..
A bit of back info - I'm a 30 year old woman who has been single for most of my life. My last relationship which ended this year sadly was one I thought was "the one" after such a long time longing for security, loving, a family and all the things that come with a relationship.
I work full time and have a mortgage on a lovely new build apartment.

I have been wanting to be a mother ever since I can remember and how I feel now is that I don't have the energy anymore to connect with another man. I feel so drained by the thought of "getting back on the market " and grafting my way through. I've been doing it on and off for years and now I'm done. Officially done!

I have always had a plan b in that if I did not secure a stable relationship with one that could grow eg marriage, kids etc.

I am now at the stage where plan B will materialise. But I need some help..
Reading this forum has been so lovely and warming knowing that I'm not alone and there are others in my situ.
I just need some advice on -
where to go, how do I pick a donor - do I go to a clinic and do It way or privately.., is there any tests other than the obvious ones that I need to do to prepare for the insemination?

Oh I'm in London but able to travel.

Any advice on how to start would be much much appreciated.

Sorry for the long post and sorry I rambled but hope you got the jist of it all.

Thank you

Hiya, I am 32 and in a similar situation I'm going at it alone. I researched different clinics within a radius too me. I looked at the websites and rung a few to get a general idea of what to expect and costings etc. I have decided to go ahead with a clinic that I felt more relaxed with when speaking to the nurse and ladies on reception.
As I am doing it alone I have to find a donor which they gave me websites which they have used before and I am at the stage where I need to choose a donor. This is harder than it used too be thanks to COVID less donors. with regards to the donor the only advice I am following for myself is that trust yourself when your looking at profiles of the donors. Get a pen and paper so when you speak to your clinic you can ask the right questions when your looking at your best options and is there anything you need to look for specifically in a donor.
If you ever want to chat I am here, both on same journey. Good Luck

My first steps were reading books about Solo Motherhood - I'd suggest reading "Going It Alone: A Guide for Solo Mums in the UK" by Emily Engel, plus joining the UK Donor Conception Charity and searching the HEFA website for stats on your nearest clinics and then contact them about their open days/q and a sessions and prices.

There are websites like Pride Angel etc where you could meet private sperm donors but it can be riskier as well as legally woolly doing it that way in the UK, so I personally decided to go the official clinic route - after a long time trying, I'm currently 32 weeks pregnant. Good Luck!