From my research, there is only the opportunity to have artificial insemination in clinics in the UK. These clinics, and I'm not yet sure of my position on this, have the say on whether or not they treat a single woman. I understand that, as health professionals, they are responsible for their actions and omissions, and if inseminate someone who turns out to abuse or neglect that child, I suppose they, technically, could be held accountable for that.
However, people choosing to have a baby the conventional way have to seek no approval whatsoever. When the mother-to-be presents to the midwife, or the GP, they do not have to prove that they are going to be good parents.
Another thing with which I am not too comfortable, is the HEFA registration. I understand fully that there is a risk, a small risk, of that child unbeknown to them, meeting and falling in love with a half-sibling. However, getting pregnant with a one night stand may also pose the same risk, greater perhaps, as the semen could be ordered from anywhere in the country; a one night stand is likely to be had nearer to home.
Also, with the child having the right to know who their birth father is when they are 18 years old, or younger of getting married, I believe, what does HEFA do? Do they send a letter out on the child's 18th birthday? Or do they let the child contact them? What if it was never the right time to tell the child? What if the child was never in the right situation to process such information?
Having thoroughly thought all this through, I have decided that using a UK fertility clinic over here is not the right route for me.
There is at least one website on the internet which matches people up; men who are willing to donate and women wishing to receive sperm. In theory, this is great. It matches those in need with men of altruistic nature. However, there is no sort of screening. I know I mentioned considering a one night stand, but I don't think it is something I would be able to go through with. I just wouldn't feel comfortable using this service.
So, I have found an alternative. Denmark still allows anonymous donation of sperm. A huge proportion of their customers come from overseas, including the UK. And they provide sperm for self artificially inseminating. I mean, this is great. They ship to the UK. The sperm itself costs a minimal amount, the delivery is the major cost. They advise the use of two straws (I assume these are the equivalent of vials) per insemination. Now, if the delivery charge is like ordering from an online store, and the delivery charge is per order, rather than per item, then this is affordable. If, however, the delivery charge is per item, then it will be cheaper to fly to Denmark and self artificially inseminate in a hotel over there. I am, however, awaiting a response.
This is something I can definitely see myself doing. However (and this may be too much information) but my periods are a bit all over the place. I think the reason, or the main reason for this, may be because I have a few stone to lose. I have decided that I will lose this over the next six to nine months, and then go ahead with my plan.
