contemplating my options(22)

rachelann

Hi everybody. Um. Im brand new here so just thought I'd give out my story and see if anyone else has gone through something similiar.
First off I'll be 22 in a few weeks and I'm single, never would I have thought that I'd be considering donor sperm, I always had the image of the husband and the nice fairy tale. Its not that I'm giving up on that, more that I'm considering other options. I've always wanted to have kids young and I figure I would start looking at my options.
A second reason that I've begun looking into this at such a young age is that my mom had fertility problems having me. She had to go through all the medications and injections to finally be able to have me. I'm an only child.
I'm only considering this now, but would like to wait a few years. Maybe really start when I'm around 25. I've already talked to my mom and grandma who have both said they'd support the choice, but of course my grandmother would love the traditional route, but knows I'm stubborn when I make a decision. My friends are also supportive. I make a pretty good living for a 22 year old. I'm a respiratory therapist working at a hospital and am currently getting a bachelors in health care management. I make a pretty decent living and have always been on the more mature side of my age group since I grew up with more adults than children my age.
I guess my ultimate questions are how did you decide to go this route?
How much average is it?
Anyone near my age that has gone through the process? If so, do you regret doing this so young?
How did you best prepare?

Thank you all so much in advance, I feel like my head is spinning...

austingurl

I am way older than you. I am 36. I can tell you what made me go this route was that I didn't want to get past the time I could have a baby and have regrets about not trying. If you think you might have fertility issues, go see your dr and get their opinion. If you want a baby, you need to know how long that window of opportunity will be open. You don't want to turn 30 and have issues and be full of regrets. So, I give you credit for looking ahead and deciding on your options.
As far as cost, it really depends. At my old job, all procedures were out of pocket. I bought 6 vials of sperm so that was around $5000 (I think). My sonograms, dr visits, meds, and IUIs cost about $800 a month total. Then I switched jobs. At my new job, all fertility treatments (but not sperm) are covered by insurance, so I only had copays and paid maybe $50 a month total for everything. It really depends on what your insurance will cover, how your doctor is willing to work with you, and what meds you take. Injectibles will cost more than pills and such.
And I best prepared by educating myself and finding a dr I was confortable with. I told my 3 closest friends and my mom and sisters. I didn't tell anyone else for a while, but they were a great support system. After I got pregnant, I told everyone.
Hope this helps.

rebecca191

I am on the younger side for trying to become a SMBC I think, I am 27 and will turn 28 in a month, right before my cycle begins. I've been thinking about this for years though. I'm probably in the minority in that I've never really wanted to get married, just figured it would be something I did if the perfect guy happened to come along, but otherwise I have just been truly happy as a single person. I had a couple halfhearted attempts at dating and realized it just wasn't what I wanted. So I basically decided years ago I would use a donor once I was ready to have kids. It was a few months ago that I really started thinking seriously about doing it soon and ultimately I decided that now was the right time. I really don't see myself ever marrying or being in a long-term relationship, so I decided I'd rather try now when I have a higher chance of getting pregnant and a longer window to consider a second child, which I'm not yet decided on either way - I'll see how the first one goes!