‘I CHOSE TO BE A SINGLE MUM’
‘We picked our favourite profiles’
Emma Grey Williams, 41, lives in Berkhamsted with her daughter Mia, 2. Growing up, I saw my mum and dad’s perfect relationship and imagined the same would happen for me. But after travelling the world and building a successful career in marketing, it never did.
In 2015, at the age of 34, my biological clock was ticking, so I decided to freeze my eggs at a cost of £7,000. It was a lot of money, but I had savings and I felt as though I was buying myself time to meet the right man.
I continued to date, but after three years, I realised I’d rather be happy by myself than force a relationship in order to become a mum.
In March 2018, aged 37, I made the decision to start trying for a baby…alone.
My parents were supportive, and my sister Sara, then 34, was delighted. The London Women’s Clinic helped me navigate the process, and Sara attended the appointments with me.
In September 2018, I made dinner for Mum, Dad and Sara, and we picked our favourite profiles from the sperm bank.
I’d whittled them down based on height, weight, eye and hair colour – even hobbies and interests – and we all agreed on the same one.
The following month, I underwent intrauterine insemination (IUI), where the sperm is injected directly into the uterus, so I didn’t need to use my frozen eggs.
It was nerve-racking, but two weeks later, a test showed I was pregnant. It was amazing!
Mum, Dad and Sara accompanied me to my seven-week scan, and throughout my pregnancy, I never felt alone.
At 20 weeks, I found out I was having a girl, but scans showed a problem with my baby’s oesophagus, and she’d need surgery as soon as she was born.
Sara was my rock, and when I went into labour in July 2019, she was by my side.
Mia was born after a long, complicated labour, but holding my baby, with her dark hair and deep-brown eyes, was incredible. I couldn’t believe I’d made this precious little girl all by myself.
After a quick cuddle, Mia was taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU.) It was scary, but my family’s support helped me through.
Thankfully, Mia’s surgery was a success, and when she was 18 days old, I was able to bring her home.
Mia is now a healthy two-year-old, and I’m still happily single.
It cost another £4,000 to get my little miracle, but it was worth every penny to become Mia’s mum.
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