Single Mother by Choice: A Doctor's Journey to Parenthood Through Sperm Donation

The term 'single mother by choice' is becoming increasingly recognized in South Korea. In a recent episode of TV Chosun's reality show, 'Our Baby Has Arrived' (우리 아이가 태어났어요), a courageous woman shared her story of becoming a mother without a partner. This time, the spotlight is on a busy internal medicine physician who is navigating her career while raising two children.

During the June 20 broadcast, the doctor revealed her long-held belief that having children was essential to her life. She explained her decision to prioritize childbirth over marriage, stating, "Marriage can happen at any time, but there is a time limit on having children." At 36 years old, she felt she was approaching the age often referred to as 'advanced maternal age.' She expressed that dating felt like a waste of time, leading her to decide to have a child without the pressures of marriage.

However, in South Korea, it is practically impossible for unmarried women to receive sperm donations due to legal requirements that mandate spousal consent. This has led many medical professionals to refrain from participating in such procedures due to ethical concerns.

Faced with these challenges, the doctor turned her attention abroad, ultimately choosing a sperm bank in Denmark. After researching various countries with established sperm donation systems, including the UK, Germany, the US, Sweden, and Japan, she made her decision. Remarkably, she is currently pregnant with her second child using the same method. She shared that while she hadn't initially considered a second child when she had her first, she felt a strong desire for her child to have a sibling and consulted her mother before proceeding.

The Danish sperm bank even allows for the selection of the same donor used for the first child. She explained, "I believed that siblings with the same father would have a better environment, so I prepared for the second child using the same sperm. They emailed me to ask if I wanted to use the same donor, and after three rounds of IVF, I am now pregnant."

The other participants in the show were amazed by the systematic approach of the Danish sperm bank, expressing their admiration and surprise. The doctor clarified, "I am not critical of the institution of marriage; I simply felt a strong desire for children and made that choice first." Her story opens up new perspectives on modern family structures and individual life choices.