UK Witnesses Significant Increase in Single Women Seeking Fertility Treatments

New data indicates that the number of single women in the UK undergoing IVF or artificial insemination has more than tripled over the past decade. A report from the fertility regulator reveals that between 2012 and 2022, the count of women pursuing fertility treatment independently rose from 1,400 to 4,800. Both specialists and women who have opted for single parenthood attribute this rise partly to more women delaying childbirth until later in life and not securing a stable partner. Nevertheless, numerous individuals continue to encounter financial obstacles both in accessing treatment and in raising a child alone. We interviewed several mothers who made the decision to begin a family independently to learn about their journeys. Gina recounted that her consideration of becoming a single mother became “serious” following a fertility assessment conducted in her mid-30s. Upon receiving the results, she remembered thinking, “OK, my fertility’s good for my age… this is something that I want to do”. She further stated: “I’d dated on-and-off but felt like I’d rather do it by myself than be in a relationship with someone for however long [and deal with] whether you want to have children with them or not, and whether your time runs out and whether you end up being a single parent anyway.” The community mental health nurse proceeded with an intrauterine insemination (IUI) utilizing donor sperm—a fertility procedure involving the direct injection of sperm into the womb during ovulation. This cost approximately £1,500, and she conceived in 2021. Supported by a strong family network, her sister was present at the gender scan, and her mother served as her birthing partner. She mentioned not being able to “remember having any anxiety” regarding the idea of single parenthood. She concluded, “Doing it on my own terms suited me.” After the birth of her son in 2022, who is now two years old, she relocated from Yorkshire to her home in Northumberland to alleviate the demands and expenses associated with childcare. She acknowledged, “It has its moments, it can be hard,” adding, “But I just get on with things because I don’t have anyone else to get frustrated with.” She posed the question: “If you’re at a place in your life where you want to have a child and you’ve got love and support around you, why wait for a man?” Sophie shared that she spent the majority of her 30s enjoying a “really full, fun, happy life,” but as she approached 40, anxieties about not becoming a parent began to emerge. She remarked, “You realise your clock’s ticking and it hasn’t happened as you’d imagined it might.” She opted to attempt conception independently, initially via IUI, but experienced a miscarriage. Subsequently, she froze her eggs and chose to undergo IVF by herself. In 2021, following a successful frozen embryo transfer, she was in a relationship with a same-sex partner, who is Martha’s legal parent. Despite this, Sophie, who invested approximately £30,000 in the complete process, identifies as “a solo parent.” Sophie, a member of the RAF, stated that throughout her pregnancy and the initial phases of motherhood, she did not “ever really have a panic and certainly not any regrets.” Her choice drew scrutiny from some, including a consultant who remarked: “You’re bringing a child into the world who is only going to have one parent. What if that parent dies?” Sophie responded, “I respected his view entirely but I know now that Martha is two turning three that we have the most special bond. She’s got a very stable life.” Sophie mentioned that she has already informed Martha about her conception and intends to remain “open about everything” with her as her comprehension develops. However, she acknowledged that the solo parenthood she envisioned has presented challenges. She elaborated: “You’re making all the decisions yourself, you’re doing all the worrying yourself, you don’t have someone to bounce ideas around with but …you realise how strong you are when the baby’s sick and you haven’t had any sleep.” Michelle’s path to having two children through IUI with a sperm donor commenced after the conclusion of a relationship. Michelle stated: “I had been with a partner for a long time and I always knew I wanted to have children. He was on the fence about doing so.” She explained, “When that relationship ended, I felt like ‘I’m 38 now, I don’t really have time to find a person and allow that relationship to develop in a natural way.'” Instead of postponing her efforts to have a baby, Michelle chose to put dating on hold. She reasoned: “The children part was time limited whereas your ability to find a romantic partner is not time limited.” She paid £1,800 for IUI with a sperm donor and subsequently became pregnant. Michelle recounted that prior to giving birth to her son in 2021, she stayed with her mother for an extended duration to ensure she “actually did sleep and the clothes were washed.” She commented, “There are upsides and downsides to doing it with a partner or without.” She elaborated on the challenges: “Every single thing is on your shoulders, you don’t get to go for a coffee with your friend without a baby. You’re always on.” Conversely, Michelle found herself able to “make all the decisions about names, and where we’d live and how I might raise him,” she noted. In 2023, she welcomed a daughter, conceived via the identical method. The family of three now resides in Milton Keynes, where the children attend nursery on Michelle’s working days. Although there has been a substantial increase in single women seeking fertility treatments for pregnancy, the overall figures remain comparatively low. Significant financial hurdles are evident for this path to parenthood. IUI is not typically provided by the NHS, and eligibility for IVF funding in the UK varies by patient location. Scotland, for instance, does not finance fertility treatment for single women. Dr Catherine Hill of Fertility Network UK described access in England as a “complete patchwork,” due to localized funding decisions. Furthermore, in most regions, women must self-fund a minimum of six cycles of artificial insemination before becoming eligible for NHS-funded IVF. This policy also applies to Wales. Dr Hill additionally highlighted the financial challenges of raising a family independently, noting that average weekly full-time childcare expenses in the UK can amount to hundreds of pounds. She affirmed, “But [single women opting for IVF or artificial insemination] is a growing trend,” and observed that women desiring children are becoming more cognizant of their fertility “limitations” and are increasingly taking the matter “into their own hands.” Concurrently, Dr Hill noted a decrease in the stigma associated with single parenthood. She concluded: “I think societal attitudes have changed about single mums and I think what’s needed now is for policy to catch up with those changes.”