I'm a 28 year old single woman from the UK. I've known for a long time that I want children. I would prefer to do it the way that most people do it, where you meet a partner, settle down with them and then get pregnant the usual way. Unfortunately I haven't met anyone to do that with yet. I feel I am at a stage in my life where I really don't want to wait much longer. I am now in the very early stages of looking into what trying on my own would actually involve. I understand that my options are essentially using IVF with donor sperm, or doing IUI with donor sperm. I've already started researching clinics. I believe I am in as good a place in my life as I will ever be to be ready to have a baby on my own. I'm pretty comfortable financially and I feel ready physically and emotionally. I'm sure that it's what I want. I have actually spent the past few months getting as healthy as possible, and one of my main reasons for it is so that my body is in the best condition possible for conception and pregnancy. I'm looking for some advice or opinions from women who have decided to take the SMBC route to becoming a mum. I don't actually know anyone in real life who has done it.
There are a few specific things I wanted to ask about. How did you decide between IUI and IVF? I know IVF is much more expensive, but it also has far higher chance of conceiving successfully. I've seen a few stories from women who've tried IUI, but have been unable to conceive from it. They then tried IVF and were successful. If you were in my position and at my age, would you try IUI first or go for IVF straight away? Also, did you choose your sperm donor through the clinic? I think I'd prefer to do that rather than using apps or donor websites personally, but would like to hear about people's experiences either way.
On the Mumsnet Donor Conception forum, you can discuss sperm and egg donation with people in the same situation.
Donor conception
I'm single, late 20s and thinking of TTC on my own using donor sperm. Looking for advice from women who have taken the SMBC path to motherhood
HopefulSMBC · 01/01/2022 21:11
tigger2022 · 14/07/2022 14:20
I am mid-30s, currently 5 months pregnant with solo donor baby 😊 Due to past trauma I don't want to be in a relationship, I want to be independent, so this for me is Plan A, not Plan B or Plan C! I did IUI not IVF, it worked the first time for me so if there are no underlying health issues I recommend trying that first, it's a lot cheaper.
Danni02 · 20/07/2022 15:11
I am 35, ive had 1 round of ivf and am currently a week into my 12 day wait with my third transfer, i have not been successful so far but hope to be... 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞 Good luck on your journey
MRSAHILL · 20/07/2022 15:31
My friend is considering this. She's only 32 but she's just come out of an 8 year relationship and can't see herself ever trusting a man again. I keep telling her that she's got time on her side but she is desperate to become a mum. She has a good career, nice home of her own and plenty of family support. We are in the North West and don't know where to start. She had thought she'd have to have IVF but then we heard about IUI. Can anyone give me anymore information or suggest anywhere in the North West. We've googled it and there is a place in Liverpool but just wondered if anyone could recommend anywhere. She is fit and healthy and, as far as she knows, doesn't have any fertility problems.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.