When her marriage ended, Emma felt like her dreams of starting a family were dashed. However, a heartfelt chat with a friend inspired her to consider intrauterine insemination (IUI) at TFP Fertility in Glasgow.
Emma, a 38-year-old nurse educator, can’t quite remember the moment she realized that becoming a mother on her own was possible. After her divorce, she leaned on her family and friends for support and even attempted dating again. But the desire for a baby lingered—“How fair is it to the guys I meet?” she wondered, feeling she was sizing them up as potential dads right from the start.
In 2017, while sharing drinks with a male friend, she finally voiced her longing to have a baby solo, despite her fears of judgment. Her friend’s response was illuminating: “Why does it matter what anyone else thinks?”
With that encouragement and the knowledge that there are nearly three million single-parent families in the UK, Emma began researching fertility clinics around Glasgow. She found TFP Fertility, where the staff were wonderfully welcoming and familiar with her situation. “The moment I stepped into the clinic, I felt at ease,” she recalls. “They took the time to know me, and I never felt rushed.”
After undergoing some fertility tests and counseling, Emma explored options with the European Sperm Bank. “I was literally sitting in my car, ordering sperm!” she laughs. Selecting the right donor was a huge decision, but with some help from her close circle, she narrowed it down to two candidates who had no family health issues and shared thoughtful notes about their lives.
Once she made her choice, Emma placed her order quickly to avoid losing her donors. By February 2018, she was ready for treatment. “I had just started a new job and wanted to keep things balanced,” she states. Her mother even helped with the initial injections. After a week of medication and monitoring, Emma was ready for her IUI.
“I remember the procedure felt like taking a driving test—you don’t want to tell anyone until you’ve passed,” she shares. Only her mother and three close friends knew. After the nerve-wracking two-week wait, Emma received the call she had been hoping for: she was pregnant!
Despite some minor complications, her son was born healthy, and Emma felt complete. However, she realized she wanted him to have a sibling, especially since she had sperm stored at TFP Fertility.
Fast forward to December 2021, Emma decided to pursue another IUI. This time, she was more prepared and quicker with her injections. After some ups and downs, including a heartbreaking false start, she finally got the news she was waiting for—she was pregnant again!
Her family and friends were thrilled when she shared the news of her daughter’s arrival, and Emma learned to embrace her unique family story. “I don’t disclose everything right away, but when the conversation comes up, I proudly talk about how my kids were conceived through donor sperm,” she explains. Her son confidently tells his friends that he doesn’t have a dad, but he’s surrounded by love from family and friends.
Reflecting on her journey, Emma emphasizes the importance of not worrying about others’ opinions. “The world has all sorts of family dynamics. As long as your child is loved, that’s what matters,” she concludes.
If you’re interested in understanding more about the aftermath of childbirth, check out this article about why some new mothers may experience bloodshot eyes. To explore at-home insemination options, consider looking into this artificial insemination kit. And for comprehensive information on IVF and other treatments, the NHS provides an excellent resource.
Summary
Emma’s journey to motherhood as a solo parent using donor sperm highlights the importance of support and self-advocacy in navigating fertility treatment. With the help of friends and a supportive clinic, she successfully welcomed two children into her life, embracing her family’s uniqueness along the way.