Since 2007, doctors have been allowed to provide fertility treatment to single women in Denmark. It also means that single women today have the same rights in terms of receiving free fertility treatment in the public system as women in relationships have.

Over the years, it has become more and more common with single mothers. The latest figures from the Danish Fertility Society show that in 2019 a total of 4461 children were born with help from fertility treatment. 377 of those children were born to women without a partner. This corresponds to almost 12 out of 100 children. Therefore, if you are considering - or starting to have a child alone - you should know that you are not alone. 

What requirements do you have to live up to as a single person if you want fertility treatment?

In Denmark, couples, singles and lesbians have the right to free fertility treatment in the public sector. However, there are some caveats: Fertility treatment in hospitals is only offered to women who are referred before the age of 40, and they can no longer receive treatment here after the age of 41. Therefore, be aware of this age limit. If you as a woman are more than 41 years old, you can receive fertility treatment at private fertility clinics until the woman is 46 years old. However, you have to pay for this yourself 

What treatments, how many free trials and the chances of pregnancy

Within the public system, one is entitled to 3-6 IUI treatments. That is, insemination with donor sperm if you come as a single woman. According to statistics, 20% obtain a positive pregnancy test (blood test) per insemination treatment. About 40% of those who receive insemination treatment achieve a viable pregnancy. The rest is referred on to test tube treatment. Insemination treatment is used in the first instance if the woman does not immediately have fertility challenges physically (Read more about the study of women's fertility in the public system here: Link to: How does the study of women's fertility in the public system take place?)

Insemination takes place by inserting the donor sperm into the uterus with a thin catheter at the time when the woman is ovulating. Most public fertility clinics today recommend women over the age of 38 to start IVF treatment directly. 

As a single woman, you also have the option of three IVF treatments (test tube treatments) for free. We say three extractions of the woman's eggs, fertilization in test tubes with donor sperm and laying of the fertilized egg after 2-5 days in a heating cabinet in the laboratory. According to the public fertility clinics, there is a 35% chance of a positive pregnancy test per test tube started. The chance is a little higher for younger women and a little lower for older women. If a fertilized egg is laid that has divided as it should after fertilization, then the chance of a positive pregnancy test is approximately 45%. 

Anonymous / non anonymous donor

For a single woman, you have the opportunity to choose sperm from a sperm bank. Here, one must first and foremost choose whether the sperm donor should be open or anonymous. Choosing an anonymous donor means that neither mother nor child can get contact information on the sperm donor. An open sperm donor means that the child will be able to get sperm donor information from the sperm bank when he or she reaches the age of 18.

In addition to choosing whether th e donor should be open or anonymous, you can also choose whether the sperm donor should have a basic profile or an extended profile. A basic profile means you can choose the donor's eye and hair color, his height and weight, race and ethnicity, blood type and level of education. An extended profile means that, in addition to the knowledge you can get with a basic profile, you can also choose on the basis of a personality test, an audio interview, baby photos of the donor, a handwritten letter and the staff's perception of the donor.

How to get started?

You start by contacting your doctor / gynecologist, who will initiate an examination of the woman's fertility, before referring you to a public fertility clinic. Read more about the study of women's fertility in the public system here: How does the study of female fertility in the public system take place – Gravidtid

Where can I find other single mothers?

For some it is an easy decision to have a child alone, while for others it may be a last resort because the partner with whom one wanted a family just never really showed up. Whatever the motives and reasons, it can be nice to share her thoughts, experiences, and the new everyday life with other women in the same boat. Among other places, you can find other single mothers and women who are considering this here: solomor.dk and enligmor.dk.

If you as a single woman want to become wiser about your fertility and ovulation in peace and comfort of your own home, you can try our ovulation tests here: Ægløsningstests – Gravidtid

Sources: Sundhed.dk, retsinformation.dk, Dansk Fertilitetsselskab, Herlev Hospital