More and more women in Switzerland are consciously choosing to become mothers on their own – either because they have not found a suitable partner or because their biological window of opportunity is closing. For so-called single moms by choice – i.e., single women who want to have children – the path to motherhood is fraught with particular challenges, especially in the medical and legal context of Switzerland.
In Switzerland, access to reproductive medicine is clearly regulated by law. According to the Reproductive Medicine Act, medically assisted reproduction – such as sperm donation – is only permitted for married couples or, since 2022, lesbian couples. For single women, this means that they are not allowed to use sperm donation in Switzerland. As a result, single women who want to have children have to find other ways to become mothers. This often leads them abroad.
At our fertility center in Olten and Basel, we provide information and advice on the options available to you. In addition to organizing appointments, travel, and medical procedures, there are many emotional and legal questions to consider. How will the child be informed about their origins later on? What role does the biological father play – even if he does not legally exist? How do I deal with possible prejudices in my environment? And last but not least: What support do I need as a single parent to provide my child with a stable environment?
fertisuisse specializes in single motherhood. We provide advice and information about medical treatments and also discuss the psychosocial aspects of this decision. Topics such as family resources, financial planning, emotional resilience, and dealing with social reactions are discussed, as are legal issues relating to parenthood, recognition of the child, and the child's rights with regard to their origins.
Even though reproductive medicine in Switzerland does not currently offer treatment for single women, there are real opportunities to fulfill the desire to have a child through services abroad in combination with qualified counseling. We look forward to your visit!