Talk To Me: Is it selfish to have a baby by a sperm donor?  

Psychologist Caroline Martin is here to answer your questions on whatever issues you are dealing with in life, from work pressure and stress to loneliness and grief

A reader wants to be a mother - and ponders the question of sperm donation

I’m 39 and single. I always thought I didn't want to be a mother, but I had a lot of time to reflect during lockdown and have decided to go down the sperm donor route. I’ve told my family and friends, who are very supportive. However, I'm worried about raising a child who does not have a father and the impact that will have long term. I don’t want to be selfish, but at the same time, I don’t want to miss out on my only chance to have a baby. What would you suggest?

An increasing number of women are choosing to become solo mums through sperm donation. High-profile people such as singer and actress Natalie Imbruglia, who gave birth with the help of IVF and a sperm donor in 2019, will undoubtedly provoke curiosity.