Donor Conception Stories and Advice

Reciprocal IVF: A complete guide to shared motherhood

Sep 15, 20254 min. read

Reciprocal IVF is a unique option for same-sex couples wanting to start a family. At European Sperm Bank, we are here to guide you through the process and help you find the right sperm donor.

Pregnancy options for lesbian couples: What you need to know

Sep 15, 20255 min. read

Many couples dream of becoming parents, and modern fertility treatments make this dream easier to achieve. This blog post focuses on the different options for fertility treatment if you want to start a same-sex family.

Can a woman get pregnant without a man?

Sep 15, 20254 min. read

The short answer is ‘yes’ and if you’re a single woman considering solo motherhood, you might have thought about it already. This blog post looks at how to get pregnant without a man and your options using a sperm donor.

Solo motherhood

Statistics reveal 60% rise in solo mums by choice in the UK

Sep 11, 20254 min. read

Considering solo motherhood? More women than ever in the UK are choosing to become solo mums by choice. In fact, statistics show a dramatic rise in single women turning to IVF and donor conception to start a family on their own terms. In this article, we’ll explore who chooses solo motherhood, why, and what the numbers reveal about this growing trend.

Feeling lonely in pregnancy? You're not alone

Sep 10, 20255 min. read

Solo motherhood is an empowering journey. And while you’re excited about the life growing inside you, it's perfectly normal to sometimes feel overwhelmed. This blog post focuses on ways to cope with vulnerable moments.

The process of artificial insemination

Sep 09, 20254 min. read

There are different types of fertility treatment, and maybe you’ve come across artificial insemination. But what exactly is it? Learn more about the treatment type in this blog post.

Stories from solo mothers

Customer stories

Solo mum Pia chose the same sperm donor for all of her children

May 26, 20214 min. read

Pia Jensen from Copenhagen, Denmark, chose the same donor for her children – and thus, Anna became a big sister to not just one but two full siblings. This was possible because she chose to set up a storage solution holding donor sperm for more than one course of treatment at the sperm bank. The benefits include the possibility for your child to have a full brother or sister.

Clara left a traditional marriage and became an independent solo mum

Nov 16, 20225 min. read

Clara’s wish to have a child did not diminish after divorce. She took matters into her own hands and is now the proud solo mother of a little boy.

Pregnant through artificial insemination despite PCOS: “I never gave up hope of my miracle baby”

Mar 14, 20235 min. read

Years ago, Sarah from Germany was diagnosed with PCOS. Despite this, she is now seven months pregnant with the help of a sperm donor.

Solo motherhood

Are you ready to be a single mother? 7 survival tips for single mothers by choice

If you’re considering becoming a solo mum, you’re probably asking yourself questions like 'how will I cope with years of interrupted sleep?' Or, 'what about male role models?' Here's our guide to making life as a single mother by choice as easy as possible.

September 12, 20209 min. read

Stories from same-sex couples

Customer stories

A rainbow family's search for a sperm donor: from grey market to sperm bank

Oct 14, 20215 min. read

The German-English couple Hayley and Katja Schönberg have been on an eventful journey before they were able to welcome their little daughter. A journey with detours into a world they knew nothing about: the grey market for sperm donation.

Lesbian couple Jo and Viv travelled abroad for fertility treatment

Dec 13, 20227 min. read

Married couple Jo (25) and Viv (29) live in Poland, where LGBTQ+ people are not allowed to adopt or have children through assisted reproduction. Therefore, welcoming little Ivy into their family was quite the journey, mentally and geographically.

Michelle Kristensen's best advice: How I survived two years of fertility treatment

Jul 10, 20236 min. read

Health expert Michelle Kristensen is pregnant after two years of fertility treatment. This is how she coped.

Father to donor-conceived child: Regardless of genetics, she is my daughter

What happens when a man finds out he is infertile? In particular, a man who was so ready to realise his dream of having children? For Kristoffer Vitting-Seerup, it is the story of completely breaking down, picking himself back up and - after major considerations - choosing a sperm donor, so little Meta could be born.

June 10, 20215 min. read

Stories from donor-conceived people

Donor child: “I don’t need a relationship with my sperm donor”

May 04, 20215 min. read

Dina Winther Hansen has always known that she was donor-conceived. "The fact that I am a donor child is an important but small part of me."

Donor child on her search for half-siblings: “I was curious about the people I share DNA with”

Apr 04, 20225 min. read

22-year-old Rikke Jespersen has eight donor half-siblings, all of whom were born with the help of the same sperm donor. Here she talks about her thoughts before and during her search for half-siblings.

Podcast

Three donor children’s advice: How to tell your child they are donor-conceived

Nov 17, 20236 min. read

What is it like to find out you’re donor-conceived as a young child compared to discovering by accident when you’re adult? Three donor-conceived people share their stories and advice.

Life as a parent

Telling Your Child That They're Donor-Conceived: The Full Guide to Parents

Do you wonder when and how to tell your child that he or she is donor-conceived? In this blog post, we offer advice on how to tell your child about their donor conception including what to say when.

October 07, 20229 min. read