Are you one of thousands of women who are considering having a child on your own? At 37, Mel Johnson decided to do just that in the safe hands of Manchester Fertility

In her own words, she explains her experience

When I decided to go through fertility treatment on my own, the predominant emotion I experienced was loneliness. I wasn’t actually alone as I have a great network of friends and family around me. However, I did feel like I was the only person in the world who needed to go through IVF because I didn’t have a partner to try naturally with.

I’ve recently seen this situation in the media named social infertility. The term used to describe women who are struggling to conceive naturally thanks to their single status coupled with their age, as opposed to those who have difficulty conceiving thanks to health or biological issues. It seems to be a scenario getting ever more common.

During my treatment, I wasn’t sure where I fitted into the fertility community, a place others were finding great support.

I was going through IVF due to lack of access to sperm as a result of having no partner, rather than any specific identified fertility issue. I worried that other women battling with fertility issues felt like my situation was different or less important and wondered whether I was welcome in this community. I felt like I didn’t fit in anywhere. It’s important to point out that this was to do with my own anxieties, as opposed to anything anyone else had said or done. I’m sure I was totally welcome, I just sometimes felt like an outsider.

Following my treatment and the birth of my daughter, I decided to set up The Stork and I, to provide support to women in the same situation

I’ve realised that there are many women all around the world who are in the same position I was. It’s incredibly common for them to feel quite alone and they find real comfort from joining a community of women in very similar circumstances.

The Stork and I website has a section called solo mum stories. This space is designed to encourage women to share their stories of their journey to solo motherhood. I find it’s so comforting reading about others who have gone through similar experiences.

Many women feel anxiety when they are approaching their mid 30s or 40s and are not in a position to start trying for a baby as they are single. The issue is that they are unaware whether they will face challenges to conceive if and when they meet someone to start trying with. This unknown fertility can cause huge anxiety which in turn can make it harder to meet someone. Watch out for the second episode which explores the role of grandparents.

If you or someone you know is currently considering embarking on fertility treatment as a single woman, for fear of missing out on motherhood altogether if they wait any longer to meet a partner, then point them in the direction of The Stork and I. 

The key for me, is a real sense of community and the support that comes from that. It’s so comforting to know there are others who really understand what you are going through and are there to offer advice and reassurance. If you are in this situation, or you know someone who is considering this route, the great news is that there is a really positive, supportive community who are there to lend an ear, share their experiences, or offer a shoulder to cry on and words of encouragement. Head over to The Stork and I for more information.

So how does the process work for a single woman? We asked the team at Manchester Fertility

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) are fertility treatment options available to single women. The choice between IUI and IVF depends on various factors, including the individual’s health, fertility diagnosis, and preferences.

The process of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) for a single woman typically involves several steps:

(Keep in mind that the specific details may vary based on individual circumstances and the policies of the fertility clinic. At Manchester Fertility patients will go through the following steps:)

Initial Investigations & Scans: The first step is for the patient to attend the clinic for a fertility assessment, which consists of a series of investigations to assess their fertility status, this is referred to as a Fertility Assessment. It includes an AMH blood test to check the patient’s ovarian reserve, a pelvic ultrasound scan, and BMI and blood pressures checks.

Consultation with a Fertility Specialist: Your IVF consultant will take the results of the fertility assessment and the patient’s full medical history and discuss the results of your tests to personalise the IVF cycle for the best chance of success.

Ovulation Stimulation: To increase the chances of a successful IVF cycle, the woman undergoes ovulation stimulation. This involves the use of fertility medications to encourage the development of multiple eggs in the ovaries.

Egg Maturation: A ‘trigger’ injection of fertility medications is administered to assist with the final maturation of eggs and loosening of the eggs from the follicle walls.

Egg Retrieval: When the eggs are mature, a minor surgical procedure called egg retrieval is performed. A thin needle is inserted through the vaginal wall to retrieve eggs from the ovaries.

Sperm Preparation: Donor sperm prepared in our laboratory.

Fertilisation: The retrieved eggs are then combined with donor sperm in a laboratory dish for fertilisation. This can be done through traditional insemination or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.

Embryo Culture: The created embryos are placed in an incubator where they grow in the lab for the next two to five days. Manchester Fertility’s embryologists keep patients updated on the progress of their embryos and advise when they are ready for transfer.

Embryo Transfer: Healthy embryos are selected by our embryologists for transfer, under ultrasound guidance, into the woman’s uterus. This is typically done a 3-5 days after the egg retrieval.

Pregnancy Test: About two weeks after the embryo transfer, a blood test is performed to determine if the woman is pregnant.

The process of Intrauterine insemination (IUI) for a single woman typically involves several steps:

Initial Consultation: Schedule an initial consultation with a fertility specialist or reproductive endocrinologist. During this appointment, you’ll discuss your medical history, undergo fertility testing, and explore the suitability of IUI as a treatment option.

Ovulation Monitoring: Your menstrual cycle will be closely monitored to determine the optimal time for IUI. This typically involves tracking your menstrual cycle and, in some cases, using ovulation predictor kits or ultrasounds to pinpoint ovulation.

Sperm Donor Selection: If you haven’t already chosen a sperm donor, you’ll work with the fertility clinic to select a donor. You may consider factors such as physical characteristics, medical history, and other relevant details.

Sperm Preparation: The donor sperm is processed in the laboratory to separate healthy, motile sperm from the seminal fluid. This concentrated sperm sample is then used for the IUI procedure.

Insemination Procedure: On the day of the procedure, the prepared sperm is introduced directly into your uterus through a thin catheter. This process is relatively quick and involves minimal discomfort.

If you would like more information, you can get in touch with the team at Manchester Fertility by clicking here. 

“I cannot imagine life without her.”

Mel Johnson (@thestorkandi) discusses her experience of having IVF as a single woman and being a solo parent to her daughter, who is now five years old.

Read more: https://t.co/v4GqT7oGzp

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