In the UK, the number of single women seeking IVF to become mothers is on the rise. Last year alone, 3,548 single women underwent IVF, marking an 82% increase compared to 2019. This trend highlights a growing acceptance of single parenthood and non-traditional family structures.
While heterosexual couples still constitute the majority of IVF patients (90%), single women are increasingly choosing to embark on their motherhood journey independently. Elizabeth Morris, 32, embodies this growing trend. She has always envisioned children in her future but, being single in her thirties, she feels the traditional path may not be viable. While she hopes to find a partner, she acknowledges the reality of her situation and doesn’t want to miss out on motherhood. She is exploring donor insemination and has even taken steps to assess her egg count.
Dr. Sami Almusawa, a leading fertility consultant, attributes this rise to evolving societal norms, increased financial independence among women, and greater awareness about fertility treatments. He has witnessed a nearly twofold increase in single women seeking IVF advice in the past three years.
Some women, like Danielle Buttle, who owns her own dance school, have chosen to prioritize their careers and education, resulting in them pursuing motherhood later in life. Danielle, single at 30, opted for IVF, spending £3,000 to have her baby boy, Robin. She considers it the best decision she ever made.
Elizabeth, too, is independent and self-sufficient, and feels confident in her ability to raise a child on her own. She has witnessed the challenges her friends face with partners who aren’t fully invested in co-parenting and welcomes the sole responsibility.
While IVF is becoming more common, access to treatment, particularly NHS funding, remains a hurdle for single women. The NHS has restrictive criteria for funding, which Ashley James, a former Made In Chelsea star, has criticized as unfair. She argues that paying taxes entitles her to access IVF, particularly since she is a single woman seeking a planned, desired child.
Others argue that single women should not be eligible for NHS funding because their situation doesn’t constitute a health issue. NICE guidelines for NHS-funded IVF cycles include age limits, fertility testing, and other criteria, such as not having children from previous relationships. The number of NHS-funded cycles has decreased over the past decade, with regional variations in availability.
Dr. Almusawa highlights several barriers to accessing fertility treatments in the UK, particularly for single women. These include the cost of egg freezing, IVF, and other treatments when NHS funding isn’t available, inconsistent policies across clinics, and social stigma.
Despite the challenges, Dr. Almusawa encourages single women to explore their options early in their thirties to assess fertility and make informed decisions. He emphasizes the importance of equality in reproductive rights, ensuring access to fertility treatment regardless of marital status.
The rising number of single women seeking IVF reflects a shift in societal attitudes towards single parenthood. It also highlights the need for greater access and support for single women navigating their fertility journeys.
