Hello and welcome to the Fairfax Cryobank Family Forum!
The forum has a new look and the Fairfax Team is so excited to create the best experience for our users.
To Note:
Private Donor Groups and Private Sibling Connection Groups are now located under the category "Groups". Search the donor number in the search box and you should find exactly what you're looking for!
Questions about your forum access? Email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com
Follow these steps to join a private donor group:
1) Press "Join" at the right of the group
2) Once prompted to confirm your request please list this information so we can verify your information:
Name (under which the vial was purchased)
Email
Clinic Name
Donor number
Child Date of Birth
*If you are looking to start a private group for a PRS donor please email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com with the above information and that you are looking for a PRS group*
If you have any questions about the verification process please email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com
The forum has a new look and the Fairfax Team is so excited to create the best experience for our users.
To Note:
Private Donor Groups and Private Sibling Connection Groups are now located under the category "Groups". Search the donor number in the search box and you should find exactly what you're looking for!
Questions about your forum access? Email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com
Follow these steps to join a private donor group:
1) Press "Join" at the right of the group
2) Once prompted to confirm your request please list this information so we can verify your information:
Name (under which the vial was purchased)
Clinic Name
Donor number
Child Date of Birth
*If you are looking to start a private group for a PRS donor please email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com with the above information and that you are looking for a PRS group*
If you have any questions about the verification process please email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com
At the beginning
fubbles03
Junior Member
When I was in my 20's I'd joke about using sperm donation to start a family. Now, I'm almost 40 (yikes), and the joke has turned into a realistic proposition. I've always wanted children, but haven't met anyone with whom I wanted to have one. So, here I am, seriously considering artifical insemination. One day I'm absolutely certain this is what I want to do. The next day I have a billion questions and concerns; everything from where would I put the crib? to can I really be a single mom? Is this normal, or am I nuts? I've rad a lot about the process, but it's still daunting. What's it like?
Please help.
Please help.
Comments
I've only been a single mom for 7 1/2 months, but I can tell you I don't regret it for one second. It's hard. It is definitely hard, but when he looks at me and smiles and reaches his arms out and snuggles with me? So worth every bit of it. I have a lot of support from family and friends, and I've found a great babysitter (this is a must!). I waited until I was 42 to do this - and I can tell you, the fertility doctors will scare you to death about how old you are. From their perspective, they deal with infertility, and see many "older" moms who cannot conceive. However, I am fertile, so got pregnant immediately. But you have to prepare yourself both for the possibility that you will succeed and be a single mom... and for the possibility that you will not be able to conceive. Or, if you do, that you will lose the baby. I lost mine the first time... it just didn't grow past 7 weeks. However, got pregnant again the next time I tried IUI, and this time, the baby grew and he's now the joy of my life. But the miscarriage after waiting so long to try and then conceiving and feeling so lucky? That was hard. But I knew I was willing to have several miscarriages in order to try to have a child.
I know there will be hard times as a single mom - but my son is worth it. And he was so wanted and is so loved, I hope that as we tackle the 'why don't I have a daddy' issue, he will handle it with relative ease because he was so wanted and is so loved. That remains to be seen of course...
But, I don't regret doing this for one minute.
Or I could show you this...
...and then say that it doesn't matter where you put the crib (my son turns 2 next week and still sleeps in bed with me) and that you can absolutely be a single mom!!! Nothing in my 42+ years of life holds a candle to being his mom. Nothing comes anywhere close.
Good luck & let us know what you decide.
Wow, great stories from all of you...so wonderful to hear from other women on the same journey as myself and my son. I too agree with all of you, single motherhood is super hard - as I like to say "tears and cheers" and so utterly worth every minute. My son is 22 months, I had him when I was 42 years old and he is the love of my life. Don't worry about the crib, and all the other stuff...it all works out, it is amazing how much people pitch in. I also tried 7 times with 1 miscarriage after 7 weeks, it was devistating but I had good friends to keep me going. I only told two of my good friends I was trying, I didn't want people asking me every month if it 'worked'. Then when I was 4 months pregnant I let everyone know and I was lucky that I had good support. The journey when you first get started can be long and sad if you miscarry - keep going, I didn't want to have regrets when I was in my 50's simply because the trying got hard.
When your beautiful baby opens his arms up and yells mama and smiles....money, exhaustion, time [free time to pee!] - nothing matters to that awesome moment and then you know, you were meant to be together. Good luck.
Today I got my AF and have been crying all day. Your responses reminded me what this is all about and why I am so upset -- because I want this soooo much. Seeing your words (and picture) is giving me the courage to do round 3!
Thanks,
~Keri
I ordered today. It's nice to know I am not alone
~Keri
Wish me luck as I wish all of you luck!