Clinical Takeaways

• The Definition: A SMBC (Single Mother by Choice) or Solo Parent is an individual who proactively chooses to build a family without a partner. This is a decision of strength, not a "Plan B."
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• The Process: You can manage the entire journey (donor selection, diagnostics, and monitoring) from home. You only travel to our state-of-the-art clinic in Cascais, Portugal for the procedure itself (approx. 5–9 days).
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• The Donor: We use Non-Anonymous sperm donors, ensuring your child has the legal right to access their origins at age 18. This is the ethical gold standard.
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• The Options: Treatment ranges from IUI (simpler, lower cost) to IVF (higher success rates). Your AMH levels and medical history will dictate the best path.

In my years of practice, I have witnessed a profound shift in the fertility landscape. The outdated era of waiting for "Prince Charming" before starting a family is over.

Today, more women and solo parents are taking ownership of their biological timelines. They are not waiting for permission or a partner; they are building families on their own terms. This community often refer to themselves as Single Mothers by Choice (SMBC).

At Ovom, we view this path not as an act of profound autonomy. However, navigating the logistics of donors, international laws, and medical protocols solo can feel overwhelming.

We designed our Hybrid Care Model specifically to remove that friction. Here is how you can become a parent with Ovom, without pausing your life.

Step 1: The Strategy (From Home)

Your journey begins with a video consultation with a dedicated fertility specialist. We don't just look at your ovaries; we look at your life.

• Fertility Assessment: We coordinate diagnostic testing (blood work and ultrasounds) at a clinic near your home or via your local OBGYN.
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• The Decision: Based on your ovarian reserve (AMH), we decide between IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) or IVF (In Vitro Fertilization).
  • IUI: Less invasive, places sperm directly in the uterus. Best for younger patients with open tubes.
  • IVF: Creates embryos in the lab. Best for patients over 35 or those who want to bank embryos for future siblings.

Step 2: Choosing Your Donor (The "Third Party")

This is often the most emotional step. Because Ovom operates in Portugal, we adhere to strict ethical standards that protect your future child.

• Non-Anonymous Donation: All donors in our program are non-anonymous. While you won't know their identity now, your child has the right to access it at age 18.
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• Selection: We help you select a donor from trusted European banks (like European Sperm Bank or Cryos International). You will not know the donor's name or address during treatment. You will see their profile (height, eye color, education, childhood photos). Adult photos are forbidden by Portuguese law.
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• Logistics: Once you choose, we handle the import. You don't need to worry about shipping cryo-tanks; we ensure the vials are waiting for you in Cascais.

You can read our comprehensive guide on sperm donation here.

Step 3: Treatment & Monitoring (Hybrid)

Duration: 10–14 Days | Location: Your Home

You do not need to fly to Portugal for daily check-ups.

• Medication: You administer stimulation injections (for IVF) or mild boosting meds (for IUI) at home.
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• Local Monitoring: You visit your local doctor for quick scans to check follicle growth. We review these images in real-time via the Ovom App and adjust your dosage instantly.

Read our full guide to IVF here, to walk you through this journey step-by-step.

Step 4: The Procedure (In Cascais)

Duration: ~5 to 8 Days | Location: Ovom Clinic, Portugal

When your body is ready, you travel to our sanctuary in Cascais. This isn't a medical commute; it’s a dedicated time for you to focus on becoming a parent.

For IVF Patients:

1. Egg Retrieval: A gentle 20-minute procedure under sedation to collect your eggs.
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2. Fertilization: We use your chosen donor sperm to fertilize the eggs in our lab. You can watch your embryos grow via our app’s live video feed.
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3. Transfer: 5 days later, we transfer the best embryo into your uterus.

For IUI Patients:The timeline is shorter. We monitor your ovulation and perform the insemination (a simple procedure similar to a pap smear) at the peak fertile moment.

Step 5: The "Two Week Wait" (Back Home)

You are cleared to fly home immediately after your procedure.10–12 days later, you take a pregnancy blood test in your home city.

• If Positive: We coordinate a handover to your local OBGYN for prenatal care.
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• If Negative: We review the data together. If you have frozen embryos (from an IVF cycle), we can plan a simpler Frozen Embryo Transfer for the next attempt.

Financial Clarity for Solo Parents

We know that single-income households face unique budget pressures. We believe in total transparency, with no hidden fees.

• IVF Core Package: €2,995 (Includes monitoring guidance, retrieval, anesthesia, and lab culture).
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• Donor Sperm: Approx. €1,000 per vial (Paid to the sperm bank) + €350 import fee.
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• IUI: €900.

Note: Medication and local testing fees are paid directly to your pharmacy/local clinic.

View our full price list here, including USD and GBP pricing: https://www.ovomcare-pricing.com/

FAQ: Questions Solo Parents Ask Us

Do I need a "support person" to travel with me?

‍While it’s nice to have a friend or family member, many of our SMBC patients travel solo. Our team in Cascais acts as your support system. For the egg retrieval (which requires sedation), we ensure you are cared for until you are fully recovered and ready to return to your hotel.

Can I save sperm for a second child?

‍Yes. We strongly recommend purchasing "Family Slots" (extra vials) from the same donor at the start. We can store these for you at our clinic to ensure your future children can be full genetic siblings.

Will a sperm donor have any parental rights?

‍No. Under Portuguese law, sperm donors have absolutely no parental rights or responsibilities. You are the sole legal parent from the moment of conception. The "non-anonymous" status simply means your child has the right to access their origins at age 18; it does not give the donor any claim to your child.

How can I manage the cost on a single income?

‍We know that financial planning is often the biggest hurdle for solo parents. We offer flexible financing options to help spread the cost, including:

• 0% Interest: In-house payment plans directly with Ovom.
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• Buy Now, Pay Later: We accept Revolut, PayPal and Klarna.
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• Personal Loans: We partner with providers like Revolut and Novouna to offer longer-term financing solutions.

Is counseling included? I’m worried about doing this alone.

‍You don't have to navigate the emotions alone. Our Premium IVF packages include mental health counseling as standard. If you choose a Core or Plus package, you will also undertake a mandatory Donation Counseling Session (€120) to help you prepare for the unique journey of raising a donor-conceived child.

I am over 40. Can I still use my own eggs?

‍We treat every patient as an individual, not a statistic. However, biology is real. If you are over 40, we will likely recommend PGT-A testing (genetic screening) to ensure we only transfer healthy embryos. If your ovarian reserve is very low, we may discuss Egg Donation as a path with higher success rates, but the choice is always yours. We are permitted to treat anyone up to the age of 50 meaning you must cycle before you are 49 years and 11 months.

You can read our comprehensive guide on Egg Donation here.

How much time do I realistically need to take off work?

Because of our hybrid model, you only need to be in Portugal for 5 to 8 days for the retrieval and transfer. The rest of the monitoring (blood tests and scans) happens locally in your home city before you travel, meaning you can continue working right up until the final week.

The Next Step

With Ovom, you are never alone. We have built a clinic that honors your independence while providing the support you deserve.

Start your family, your way. Speak to our expert doctors today.

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