Danielle’s Journey to Becoming a Solo Mom by Choice

Danielle Lawson always knew she wanted to be a mom. Even in her 20s, she had thought about becoming a mother on her own if marriage wasn’t part of her story. 

By 37, she was ready. She didn’t want to keep waiting to start the family she’d always imagined. In January 2021, she scheduled her first fertility consultation and began her journey to becoming a solo mom by choice. 

She had no idea just how long that journey would take. 

Finding a Donor Who Felt Right

One of Danielle’s first challenges was finding an African American sperm donor. She wanted her child to look like her and share a visible connection to her family. As she began exploring sperm banks, she was surprised by how few options she found. 

That changed when she discovered Xytex. 

Instead of struggling to find a donor who interested her, Danielle found several African American donors she wanted to learn more about. Having those choices was a big part of why she selected Xytex. 

For Danielle, finding a donor who reflected her background wasn’t a small detail. It was an important part of how she wanted to build her family. 

The Long Road to Motherhood

Over the next two and a half years, Danielle went through six intrauterine inseminations (IUIs), four egg retrievals, three embryo transfers and eight negative pregnancy tests. 

There were plenty of disappointments along the way. Each unsuccessful attempt meant deciding whether she was ready to try again, knowing there were no guarantees. 

One thing she didn’t have to second-guess was the support she received from Xytex. 

Inventory from her selected donor was sometimes limited, and Danielle joined the waiting list several times. She remembers the Xytex team calling when vials became available, including once when she was on vacation. She also recalls a shipment arriving on time despite a major storm. 

Those details might seem small, but they mattered to Danielle. When treatment plans and outcomes were so unpredictable, she knew she could count on Xytex to follow through. 

Finally, a Mom

Danielle’s third embryo transfer led to the pregnancy she’d been hoping for. On June 21, 2024, she welcomed her daughter. 

After years of fertility appointments, treatments and negative tests, she was a mom. 

“Because of you guys, I’m living a dream.” 

Danielle credits Xytex with being a dependable part of her journey, from helping her find a donor to making sure she had access to the vials she needed throughout treatment. 

Sharing Her Story with Other Solo Moms by Choice

Danielle has shared her fertility journey and life as a solo mom by choice on Instagram, where she’s connected with women on similar paths. Some of those connections have become lasting friendships. 

She wants other women considering solo motherhood to know they’re not alone. Her experience wasn’t easy, and she doesn’t shy away from talking about the setbacks. She also knows how rewarding the journey can be. 

Her biggest piece of advice is simple: “Make sure you have a village.” 

For Danielle, having people to lean on made a difference, and she hopes other women will build that same kind of support as they pursue motherhood. 

Part of Her Story

Today, Danielle is enjoying life with the daughter she worked so hard to have. And when she talks about her journey, Xytex is still very much part of the conversation. 

“You guys are part of my story. You guys are forever ingrained in her birth story.” 

For Danielle, Xytex was more than the place she found her donor. It was a team she could rely on during a time when very little else felt certain. 

Thinking about becoming a solo mom by choice? Xytex has been helping people build their families since 1975. Explore our donor catalog and find resources to help you get started.