Everything you need to know about our Single Parents by Choice Support Group

March 2022 - Seleni is excited to announce a new support group for single parents by choice that will start in April. We asked a few FAQs to Dr. Erica Mindes and Dr. Claudia Pascale, the clinicians leading this group. Learn more about some of the common questions from our community.

Why did you decide to create this group?

The technology to build one’s family as one’s own choice has been available for many years, yet we often encounter individuals who don’t personally know anyone else who has pursued this path to parenthood. Don’t get me wrong, everyone knows a single parent, but not necessarily others who’ve made the decision to go through a medical procedure to conceive.

As clinicians, during the pandemic we noticed that singles who wanted to build families were even more isolated in this decision and their opportunity to connect with others considering a similar choice.  We decided to join together to create a forum for people to come together to share their decision, ask their questions and make connections.

What are your hopes for participants in this group?

Becoming a single parent with the assistance of reproductive medicine is often a big decision. For some it’s “can I do this alone” or “do I want to do this alone”; “is this the right time or should I wait?”  For others there are concerns regarding “how do I manage the questions from family, friends, or my child?”  We want to provide a space where one can express those questions, hear what others have to say and gather suggestions and support.         

How can someone benefit from attending one or more sessions of the group?

Building a family through any type of fertility treatment is often overwhelming with the medical procedures one will be deciding on, the decisions around gamete selection and the process of managing expectations. Since all participants share similar experiences, it creates a safe environment to allow one to express themselves.

Who can benefit from attending this group?

Anyone who is considering single parenthood, trying to conceive through donor sperm/egg/embryo, or pregnant as a single parent by choice are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Sometimes their questions may be answered in one session, but we also find that attending a support group throughout the reproductive journey is like having a friend you can count on to be there for you, every month, whether you need it or not.

What can people expect when they join this group?

Given that together we have over 30 years of experience in the world of reproductive care, we feel we can offer an understanding of the concerns and normalize the worries, as well as provide information that will be informative and help one prepare for the medical process. More importantly, we are hoping that participants will find others they can connect with as they proceed on their family-building journey.

If you want to learn more about this group, please visit this page or email us at reception@seleni.org