Options for Single Women

Single parent IVF

Fertility treatment options for single women

Each year, an increasing number of single women undergo fertility treatment to become a mum. You may choose this option for a number of reasons. Perhaps you have not found ‘Mr Right’ and are conscious of the effect age has on fertility, or maybe you are considering freezing your eggs as ‘insurance’ for the years to come.

Whatever your reason, Queensland Fertility Group offers you the chance to become a parent through a range of treatment options. With a balance of science and sensitivity, you can rely on our team to help you start your family.

How can I get pregnant using donor sperm?

When determining which type of treatment is best for you, firstly you need to determine when you want to start your family.

If you want to fall pregnant now, your options are:

To help determine your most suitable treatment, your QFG Fertility Specialist will assess and discuss with you:

  • Your fertility level – based on your age, egg quality and quantity and reproductive health.
  • The quality of the donated sperm – all donor sperm is fully tested to determine its suitability and safety; some sperm are only suitable for IVF, while others can be used for IUI. 
  • How soon you want to become a mother – in the vast majority of cases, IVF for single women is the quicker path to pregnancy due to its high pregnancy success rates.

There are a number of options available to you if you need to access donor sperm.  Your Fertility Specialist and the dedicated donor team at QFG will carefully explain your options, they include:

  • Using sperm donated by someone you know, or
  • Accessing QFG’s Donor Programme for sperm supplied by a locally recruited or overseas donor.

It is very common to access sperm through our donor program, and we have a website to help you choose your sperm donor.  Once you’ve made your decision and seen our donor team, you will be given access to our password protected donor program website. This site holds a database of all available donors, both Australian and international. 

You can view each donor’s profile and a range of other attributes such as their hair colour, nationality, height, and occupation. You can also view questionnaires that have been completed by the donors about themselves and their family.

How can I freeze my eggs?

If you are not ready to fall pregnant now but want to preserve your fertility for the future, you may choose to:

  • Freeze your eggs:  You can undertake part of an IVF treatment cycle, where your ovaries are artificially stimulated with a course of injections to produce oocytes (eggs). These eggs are then removed in a minor surgical procedure and frozen for storage. When you are ready to use your frozen eggs, they are thawed and fertilised with sperm, either from your partner or a donor.
  • Freeze your embryos: This is similar to undergoing an egg freeze cycle however donor sperm is added to your eggs to fertilise them and create embryos, which are then frozen for later use.

What are the next steps for me?

  1. If you have questions you can call 1800 111 483 and speak to one of our fertility advisors who can answer all your questions (or contact us for more information on fertility treatment options for single women)
  2. If you are ready to book an appointment with a QFG Fertility Specialist call 1800 111 483.
  3. Once your first appointment has been booked, you will need to visit your GP to ask them for a referral to Queensland Fertility Group. You will need this referral to be eligible for any Medicare rebates.

First appointment overview and costs

Queensland Fertility Group Specialist can assist with identifying the best course of treatment – whether you want to get pregnant, or preserve your fertility to fall pregnant later. The initial consultation charge with a Fertility Specialist is on average from $220 to $350 and Medicare will reimburse approximately $95.00. 

Typically during a first appointment your specialist will assess your medical history, and will most likely recommend investigations such as blood tests (many of these are bulk billed) and an ultrasound scan. 

The results of these will help you and your Fertility Specialist determine the best next steps for your individual circumstances. You should feel comfortable in this first appointment to mention any concerns you may have and ask questions. You will then meet with QFG’s nurses, counsellors - and donor coordinators if you are accessing donor sperm - to ensure you understand the process and feel completely comfortable with your treatment pathway. 

For more information on accessing donor sperm, options for fertility preservation, or deciding which Fertility Specialist is right for you, please call 1800 111 483 or complete the form below.

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