Dr Larisa Corda says, “If you’re thinking about using a sperm donor, you must go to a clinic that’s regulated by the HFEA [Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority] to ensure the sperm is screened for disorders, mutations and infections. A specialist will then assess your circumstances and whether you’re medically fit to be pregnant.
Finding asuitable donor can take time, and you need to consider the type of donor – anonymous or someone you know, such as a friend. In the UK, once the child reaches the age of 18, they’re allowed to seek out that information on the donor.
The more selective you want to be about your donor, the more expensive it is.
And the cost also varies depending on how you use the sperm – intrauterine insemination (IUI), where it’s injected directly into your uterus, costs £500-£1,000, while IVF, where eggs are collected and fertilised in a lab, costs upwards of £3,000.
It’s vital to be mentally prepared for fertility treatment, as well as for becoming a single mum, so I’d recommend appropriate counselling. Support from relatives and friends is important, too.”
