Single-parent families are becoming less uncommon around the globe, but in Australia, it's gearing to be the fastest-growing demographic. These include late-thirties women who prefer to have a child first and consider meeting spouses later.
The rate of growth for single-parent families in the country is expected to be more than 65% within the next two decades, significantly higher than 40% of couples who will raise children. A significant sub-group of these single families, meanwhile, will be composed of working women in late thirties. Many of them believe that while they could wait for their right partners, having children may no longer be delayed.
This could be because although the thirties are still considered childbearing ages, the odds of success go down the older the woman is. Complications during pregnancy and childbirth such as miscarriage are also high among older women.
Many of these women prefer to have children through in vitro fertilization (IVF), a type of assisted reproduction method wherein the egg cell is fertilized by the sperm in a laboratory dish. Peter Illingworth, the medical director IVF Australia, one of the leading IVF groups in the country, confirmed in the Telegraph that the number of late-thirties women who wish to have a baby has doubled within the last five years, and some of these may end up in the sperm donor waiting list.
IVF in general is not a very cheap process. IVF Australia, for example, charges at least $8,800 per cycle while out-of-pocket costs may be at least $4,000. However, women may find it easy to undergo the procedure in Australia since Medicare can subsidize a significant portion of the cost. The rebates may already cover the blood and pathology tests, ultrasound, and consultations with fertility specialists, as well as counseling and nursing care. Under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, medications may be under a co-payment.
