A British Woman Explains Why You Shouldn't Give Birth to Just Anybody (3 photos)

So, here's the latest "trend" on British social media: groups where men give away their sperm for free so single women can conceive and avoid expensive IVF. But, of course, there's a catch.





It all started with the story of 33-year-old Laura Coldman from Leicestershire, a liaison officer who decided to have a second child after her divorce. Unable to find a partner, she turned to Facebook groups where men offered their sperm for free. These groups have been around for several years, and many women see them as a way to avoid expensive procedures like IVF, which can cost thousands of pounds.



Laura joined one of the groups in 2020 and met with a donor in Sheffield recommended by other mothers. The procedure was simple: she used the sperm at home with a syringe. Her son, Calum, was born in April 2022, and at first, everything seemed fine.





But later, developmental delays and suspected autism began to be noticed in the boy, which came as a shock to her. It turned out that the donor may have had genetic problems that hadn't been tested, as such groups don't require medical screening. Laura doesn't regret her son, calling him the light of her life, but now she warns others: without donor screening, the risk is high.

The problem is that such groups are unregulated. Unlike clinics, where sperm is tested for infections and hereditary diseases, everything here is based on trust. Some women, like Laura, report similar experiences: their children are born with special needs.

The UK's fertility regulator, the HFEA, has long urged people to avoid such methods due to health risks. Following recent media reports, some groups have begun to close, and police are monitoring their participants. But there are still plenty of people willing to help or receive assistance.