Single women increasingly turning to IVF to have a family

Thousands of single women are increasingly turning to IVF to have a baby by themselves, with a more than 42 per cent increase in four years. Here’s why experts think the trend is occurring.

As a television reporter, Kelly Fedor is used to dealing with deadlines. However, there was one deadline she feared she would never be able to meet – her biological clock.

“I had hoped I would meet my person and that I would have a family, but that didn’t happen to me, not to do anything to do with me. I didn’t meet that person,” the 43-year-old said.

“I had a deadline, but I thought, just because I hadn’t met my person, doesn’t mean I should miss out on being a mother,” Ms Fedor said.

She’s one of thousands increasingly turning to IVF to have a baby by themselves.

Between 2020 and 2024 there has been a 42.7 per cent increase in single women doing solo IVF, according to IVF Australia.

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Dr Raewyn Teirney, one of Australia’s leading IVF specialists, has her own theories on the sharp increase.

Dr Raewyn Teirney says she is seeing more single women choosing to freeze their eggs and go it alone. Picture: Renee Nowytarger

“I think many women have been waiting for the right partner and perhaps think: ‘Bugger it, I will go solo’,” she said.

“I see women who have had a relationship break-up after being with a partner for some time or they find out that their partner doesn’t want children and they do.

“They ask: ‘Where do I go now?’. It’s very hard to find a new person, and say, by the way do you want to be a dad?” she said.

But Dr Teirney thinks the biggest reason comes down to awareness about fertility and a woman’s biological clock.

“There is a greater awareness now in women of how our increasing age will affect their fertility,” she said.

“Women are understanding a bit clearer as they’re ageing, their fertilities reduce and they don’t want to miss out on motherhood.”

The four-year spike has a lot to do with Covid, she said, and the lost dating time many women faced.

“When we had all the lockdowns people start to think about what’s life about, what’s important in life, and thinking: ‘You know what, I don’t want to miss out on motherhood’,” she said.

“If you were single, it was very hard to go out and meet men.”

For Ms Fedor, solo IVF was a way to take control.

“This was something in my situation that I could control – there are steps you can take in order to become a mother, where as when you are waiting for Mr Right, it’s a little out of your control,” she said.

Being alone has its benefits, Ms Fedor said.

“The first year of having a baby is really tough on a relationship, and you can sometimes have a little bit of resentment [towards your partner]. But I don’t have anyone to resent. It’s just me making the decisions.”

She’s not surprised by a 42 per cent increase in single women entering motherhood.

“I think there’s becoming more awareness out there that you can do it, and the stories you hear of people doing it and successfully managing their lives and having a baby,” she said.

“It is still expensive, so in that sense I think there are still barriers for a lot of people.”

According to IVF Australia, the estimated out of pocket cost for an initial cycle is $6000 – and over $5000 for every subsequent cycle.

Kelly Fedor at home in Bondi Beach with daughter Sofie. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Podcaster Rachel Corbett and baby Olivia. Picture: Cara O’Dowd

Women may choose to use a known sperm donor, who could be a friend or family member, but they must be over 18, while those over 50 are not encouraged. Or they can choose a de-identified donor, from local or from overseas.

Dr Teirney said many women have little choice but to use overseas donors, as Australian sperm donors are in short supply. She said while it’s not hard to find Australian donors, the issue “there is just so much demand right now”.

However, not every women turns to solo IVF due to a lack of partner. Some women, like podcaster Rachel Corbett, chose the solo route simply because she has always been independent.

The 43-year-old decided to become a solo mum last year, and said deep down, she “always sort of felt like this might be the way that I do things”.

“Even when I was in relationships and I was really like they were going towards the marriage and baby things and I was really happy about that. It’s just actually easier for me to do this by myself and then worry about dating if I can, later,” Ms Corbett said.

“The idea of trying to find somebody quickly to have a baby, I’m like: ‘What’s the point?’. It would be much cooler to do it on my own.”

Fiona Anderson pictured with her two-year-old son Marley who was conceived via IVF. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

For Malabar mum Fiona Anderson, 42, the decision to have son Marley through solo IVF has led to immense personal growth.

“Women are becoming proud of the way they are creating families, and getting to the stage where they go: ‘I don’t need to settle in a relationship I am not happy with to have a baby’,” she said.

“I find it a lot easier on my own. Things are done how I want them to be done. Women are realising you can have a family on your own.”

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Originally published as Single women increasingly turning to IVF to have a family