Single motherhood by choice. How to have a baby without a male partner?

 By Reproclinic Editorial Committee
 
Nowadays, single motherhood by choice is increasingly common. A few decades ago, bringing a child to the world without being married was a social burden linked to negative factors. Shame or dishonor were terms very associated with being a solo mom. A woman had it very difficult to start a family and raise her son alone. Years have passed, the mentality has changed and, fortunately, single motherhood by choice is no longer a stigma.

Now it is quite usual for children to have divorced parents, half siblings, stepbrothers or to be raised by one of their parents. Similarly, it is increasingly common for a woman to decide to be a solo mom.

Single motherhood by choice is an upward trend. Thanks to the assisted reproduction techniques, today's single-parent families are no longer isolated cases, but are a family model more, just like any other.

 

Why does a woman choose single motherhood?

There have always been mothers who, due to various circumstances, have raised their children alone. Whether due to pregnancies outside of marriage, widowhood, divorce or separation... with more or less support from their friends and family. Single motherhood has always existed. Nowadays, assisted reproduction helps women who wish to be assisted by conviction, to make their dreams come true.

The traditional models of family go to less, as well as the importance that is given to certain vital objectives (couple, work, money, stability). They no longer have to be linked for one to decide to become a parent.

The so-called "biological clock" usually urges women more than men. After the age of 35, women usually feel that they are at their best professional and personal moment. But many of them have not found the person with whom they would like to start a family.

As the desire to have a child grows, time passes. The decision to be a solo mom is usually very thoughtful and planned. Most have the support of friends and family.

 

Reasons to be a solo mom

A woman chooses single motherhood by choice for different reasons. We highlight:

• When the quality of the ovules falls after the age of 35. The woman doesn't want to postpone maternity more or wait for a stable partner. The more she waits, the lower the chances to get pregnant and the risks of the baby being born with a genetic disease increases.
• She has put her professional life first and has not had time for personal relationships.
• Failed relationships beforehand.
• She has not found the person with whom she would like to start a family.
• The partner does not want to have children.
• She simply wants to be a mom without a partner.

Whatever the reason, a woman should not give up love and the opportunity to be a mother. This is a very brave decision and Reproclinic will thoroughly support you need to make your wish come true.

 

What treatments are there in order to become a solo mom?

Fertility has an expiration date. Nowadays, it is usual for a woman to find stability after 40, both personal and professional. But there is a lack of general information about the fertile life of women.

After age of 35, female fertility falls drastically. After 40, the chances of getting pregnant naturally becomes extremely low. All this without mentioning that progressively increase the risks of malformations, miscarriages and genetic diseases.

There are different techniques of assisted reproduction so that women can conceive alone. Depending on your age and medical history, the specialist may recommend the best treatment. In any case, sperm from an anonymous and altruistic donor is used for fertilization.

 

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine Insemination (Artificial Insemination) is the most natural reproduction technique that exists. In the case of single motherhood by choice, fertilization occurs naturally with the sperm of a donor. This is introduced into the uterus of the woman with a micropipette and, once it fertilizes the ovum, if the embryo evolves and implants, the pregnancy occurs.

 

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

With IVF, the ovules are extracted from the ovaries by means of a simple intervention (ovarian puncture) and the ovules obtained are fertilized in the laboratory with sperm from a donor. From this point on, the generated embryos will grow and evolve within an incubator in the laboratory. Later, the best one will be selected to transfer it to the woman's uterus and increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy.

If there are surplus embryos of good quality, these will be frozen for possible use in the future. For single women who consider having more than one child, this is an option to consider, since, if we have frozen embryos, the chances of pregnancy in the future will be higher, having good quality embryos, and thus avoiding negative effect of age on oocyte quality.

 

IVF with donor eggs

You can also resort to In Vitro Fertilization with donor eggs, if the woman needs the eggs of a younger woman or better quality eggs.

 

How can we help you?

At Reproclinic you will have the support of a team of specialists who understand your needs and will provide you with the support you need from start to finish. Facing single motherhood by choice is not always easy. A woman can still be faced with many prejudices and lack of understanding in her environment and in society. But does it really matter? No, the most important thing is what you want. If you dream of becoming a mother, it does not matter how or with whom.Today, growing up without a father figure is no longer a problem. Family models have evolved and are diversified, and a single-parent family can provide a child with all the educational and emotional support to grow healthy and happy.

At Reproclinic we understand that the circumstances are diverse and the needs of future mothers as well. It is not an easy decision and we want you to find all the support and understanding you need in this new and wonderful stage.

 

And if I want to be a mother, but not now?

If you have a clear desire of becoming a mother, but feel like this is not the best time, our specialists recommend egg vitrification. With this technique you can preserve your fertility for the future, for when the right moment arrives. Your eggs will be kept frozen, maintaining the quality they had at the time of extraction. The success rate is very high. Age does not affect the uterus as it affects the ovaries, so you can use your eggs later. Just remember that the ideal age to freeze your eggs is before age 35.

A child needs love and dedication. It does not matter what the family model looks like.

 

Medical Director at Reproclinic
Specialist in Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine