In her mid-thirties, one woman suddenly found herself thinking a lot about becoming a mother.

Even though she wasn't in a relationship at the time, she started considering her options and thinking about her past relationships to find a potential father for her child. Realizing the situation wasn’t ideal, she embarked on a journey to explore how she could become a mom on her own.

Her path wasn’t easy. She read books about single motherhood and discovered the term “single mothers by choice” (SMC). To her surprise, many women were having children using sperm donations. Intrigued, she found a local SMC group in Manhattan where women shared their personal stories and struggles. Their experiences inspired her and made her believe that becoming a mom on her own was possible.

She chose a reputable fertility clinic where, before starting any procedures, she met with a psychologist. The psychologist emphasized that the sperm donor would only be a donor, not a father. She encouraged honesty with the future child about their conception, which would help them understand their identity and grow with confidence.

After three years and considerable expense, and approaching her fortieth birthday, she decided to switch clinics. The new doctors suggested trying a method called mini-IVF, which uses less medication but aims to produce high-quality eggs.

Despite more treatments and costs, the news came that she had a healthy 6-day-old embryo. In December 2015, the embryo was implanted, and in August the following year, she welcomed a healthy baby girl with the support of her doula.

Throughout her fertility journey, she stayed in touch with some of the mothers she met. They provided support and shared advice. Through the Donor Sibling Registry, she discovered that her daughter had half-siblings—three brothers and a sister, all born around the same time. They have since connected and even had a special day at the zoo together. She feels grateful for the family she has created, demonstrating that family can come together in many unique and wonderful ways.

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(via whattoexpect.com , CBS Mornings )