Terminology for Fertility Referral Without a Partner Requiring Sperm Donor
The term for a fertility referral with no partner requiring a sperm donor is "single-mother donor insemination" or "solo motherhood through donor sperm." These terms are used in clinical practice to describe fertility treatment for women without male partners who require donor sperm to achieve pregnancy 1, 2.
Clinical Context and Terminology
When documenting this type of fertility referral in medical records, several standardized terms are used:
- Solo motherhood - The most current clinical term used to describe women seeking fertility treatment without a partner 3
- Single-mother donor insemination - Specifically refers to the treatment process 2
- Third-party reproduction - Broader category that includes the use of donor sperm for women without partners 1
In genetic pedigree documentation, the National Society of Genetic Counselors standardized nomenclature specifically addresses this situation as "Sperm donor" with the notation that "No relationship line is shown between the woman carrying the pregnancy and the sperm donor" 4.
Clinical Considerations for Solo Motherhood Fertility Referrals
Patient Demographics
- Solo women seeking fertility treatment tend to be:
- Older than women in heterosexual couples (average 3.6 years older)
- More highly educated
- More likely to work full-time
- Have higher-income professions 3
Treatment Options
- Artificial insemination by donor (AID) - The primary treatment method for women without male partners 5
- Oocyte cryopreservation - Particularly important for women without male partners who wish to preserve fertility 4
- Embryo cryopreservation with donor sperm - An established fertility preservation method 4
Support Systems
Research shows that women pursuing solo motherhood typically have:
- Strong perceived social support from family members
- Significantly higher levels of support from friends compared to women in heterosexual couples
- Most commonly identify their mother as the expected primary support person in future parenthood 3
Ethical and Clinical Practice Guidelines
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine and American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines acknowledge that fertility preservation options should be available to women regardless of partner status:
"Cryopreservation of unfertilized oocytes is an option, and may be especially well suited to women who do not have a male partner, do not wish to use donor sperm, or have religious or ethical objections to embryo freezing" 4
"Oocyte cryopreservation is of particular importance for women who do not have a male partner or prefer not to use donor sperm" 4
Documentation Best Practices
When documenting fertility referrals for women without partners:
- Use standardized terminology like "solo motherhood" or "single-mother donor insemination"
- Document the specific fertility preservation method being considered
- Note the source of donor sperm (anonymous vs. identity-release)
- Include information about the patient's support system
By using appropriate terminology and following established guidelines, healthcare providers can ensure proper documentation and appropriate care for women seeking fertility treatment without a partner.