The number of women in Denmark opting to become solo mothers is increasing, according to new data from the fertility group Dansk Fertilitetsselskab.
Last year, 478 babies were born to single mothers via artificial insemination, in comparison with 449 in 2013. Ninety per cent of these mothers admitted that their initial plan had been to become pregnant through a partner, but had later opted to go the solo route.
University of Copenhagen Department of Public Health lecturer Lone Schmidt noted that it was apparent having a baby alone was a “plan B” because the majority of women had envisaged giving birth with a partner by their side. However, he explained that they had often ended up in a relationship in which the man hadn’t desired children for whatever reason.
The figures also revealed that solo mothers were, on average, four years older than women who have gone through the artificial insemination procedure while in a relationship.
The country’s law states that a woman can be legally assisted to become pregnant until she is 45; however, doctors in public clinics stop doing so after the 40th birthday.