"Marriage is a choice, childbirth is time-restricted”... A voluntarily unmarried mother who became pregnant with her second child through sperm donation
'Voluntarily unmarried mother' is no longer an unfamiliar term. Following Sayuri in “Our Baby Is Born,” another woman who made a courageous choice has been revealed. This time, an internal medicine specialist working and parenting at the same time is paving her own way to become a mother of two kids.
On the 20th, the TV Chosun entertainment program “Our Baby Is Born” featured the story of an unmarried woman who chose to become a mother alone.
The subject, who is busy as an internal medicine specialist, said, “I have always thought that there must be a child in my life,” sharing the reason she chose to give birth first rather than get married. She explained, “Marriage can happen at any time, but there is a time limit to having children,” noting that she was 36 at the time, entering what is commonly referred to as ‘advanced maternal age.’ She expressed that she felt like dating wasted her time, and decided to have a child without the burden of marriage.
However, in Korea, it was realistically impossible for unmarried women to receive sperm donations. Under current law, 'spousal consent' is required for sperm donation. Due to ethical concerns in medical practice, domestic medical professionals often do not participate in such procedures.
Ultimately, she turned her attention overseas. She stated, “I chose a sperm bank in Denmark,” explaining that she decided after researching several countries, including the UK, Germany, the U.S., Sweden, and Japan, where sperm donation systems are established. What’s surprising is that she is currently pregnant with her second child in the same way. She explained, “I didn’t think about a second child when I gave birth to my first, but I felt that the child should have siblings” and added, “I consulted with my mother in advance and made the decision.”
In particular, the sperm bank in Denmark had a system that allowed her to choose the same donor as the first child. She said, “I prepared for the second child with the same sperm, believing that siblings with the same father could have a better environment,” and added, “They asked by email if I wanted to use the same donor. Ultimately, after undergoing in vitro fertilization three times, I am currently pregnant.”
The participants were amazed at the fact, stating, “The system is so systematic,” and “It’s truly surprising and touching.” As one participant mentioned, “I am not critical of the institution of marriage. I simply wanted a child, and I made that choice first,” this story opens a new perspective on the diversity of modern families and individual ways of living.
[OSEN]