Choosing Motherhood

Increasing numbers of single women are seeking to have children. The options available include clinic-based donor insemination, self-insemination, sexual intercourse, fostering and adoption. Some women choose sexual intercourse with a friend, acquaintance or ex-partner, however the risks of sexually transmissible infection can be considerable. Australian adoption is very unlikely to be successful as there are few available children and priority is given to heterosexual couples. Inter-country adoption is possible, however the costs are considerable. Fostering remains a temporary solution.

Conception methods without a male partner

 1. Clinic-based donor insemination

Clinic-based donor insemination is currently available to single women in all states of Australia except Victoria and South Australia. Legislation excludes single women in these states. A number of steps are involved in this process:

Obtain a referral from a general practitioner to one of the donor insemination clinics. Many Victorian and South Australian GPs will refer to interstate clinics

 Blood testing is required by the clinic including a full blood count, rubella immunity, blood group, HIV, Hepatitis B and syphilis tests. These can be arrange by the referring GP and results forwarded to the clinic, or by the clinic itself

See the fertility doctor at the clinic to discuss the regularity and predictability of ovulation, test results, and method of insemination-either onto the cervix or through the cervix (intrauterine)

See the counsellor at the clinic for one visit. This has two purposes: the clinic must ascertain that there is nothing that would create a major barrier to effective parenting; and they provide information about the sperm donors, consent and legal issues. There is an Australia-wide shortage of donor sperm, therefore there is limited choice of donor. Some states have legislated for identity-release, in that the donor agrees that their identity can be released to any child on request, others maintain the anonymity of the donor. Sperm donors do not have any rights or responsibilities of parenting, and do not appear on the child�s birth certificate

The insemination itself occurs on the day of ovulation. It takes about 20 minutes. Some people elect to have 2 inseminations about 12 hours apart

 2. Self-insemination

Choosing a known sperm donor and self-inseminating is a safe practice if correct precautions are in place. This method is chosen for a number of reasons including a desire for the child to know his or her biological father, and a need for privacy and control. Lack of access to donor insemination clinics is also an issue, either due to specific legislation that actively excludes single women from these programs or due to the expense involved (each insemination at a clinic can cost up to $900). Safe self-insemination involves:

 Pre-pregnancy tests for the prospective mother, including a full blood count, rubella immunity, blood group

Testing the donor for sexually transmissible infections (STIs) by a urethral swab or urine test for Chlamydia and gonorrhoea, and a blood test for HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis. The blood testing must occur at least 3 months after the last unsafe activity, including unsafe sex, unsafe intravenous drug use, or occupational hazard, otherwise the test may not reveal an infection that may actually be present. Sperm testing can also be done to ensure that the donor is fertile.

Safe practices for the donor throughout the insemination period

 The self-insemination technique is straightforward, effective and safe assuming:

 Insemination occurs during the fertile part of the cycle

The time period between ejaculation and insemination is a short as practical so that sperm remains viable (optimal within the first hour)

Self-insemination with a known donor usually involves detailed negotiation with the potential sperm donor as to his degree of involvement in the family and his rights and responsibilities. Obtaining legal advice regarding the development of a written parenting contract, the situation regarding whose name is legally required on the birth certificate, and other issues is useful.

What about outcomes for the children of single mothers?

Over the last two decades, international studies of single mother families have found that children are not disadvantaged compared with two-parent families, assuming that the financial situation and social support for the family is adequate. The most important factors that influence healthy child development are consistent and loving parenting in a secure environment. Children in families without an active male parenting figure, including single mother, and lesbian couple families are as emotionally and socially well adjusted as their peers. Other findings:

• children have similar gender-identity development and gender role behaviour

• personal development such as intelligence, basic personality, self-esteem and moral judgement are no different.

• social relationships with peers and adults of either sex are no different

• relationships with parents are no different