I had IVF on my own to realise my dream of being a mum

A Hertfordshire woman has revealed she went through IVF on her own as she felt she was running out of time to become a parent

Stacey Thompson, 43, had her son, Milo, in 2021 when she said she failed to meet a life partner.

For Stacey, finding someone who wanted to have children was very important. But this had not yet happened to her and so she decided to set up her own dating app to help match people.

She said in the Derby Telegraph: “Everyone on the dating apps seemed to just want something casual and it was difficult to wade through the men who did not share the same life values as me. I did a fertility test in July 2020 and it came back with quite a poor result, which worried me.

“I knew the clock was ticking and I was running out of options. I ultimately made the decision to have a baby by myself, which I have no regrets about, but it wasn’t how I imagined having a family. That is why I have now launched a new app for people who are aiming to start or expand their family.”

Stacey said she had imagined being in a loving relationship when she had a family and finding someone who wanted children was important to her.

But she said she grew tired of searching for ‘the one’ on dating apps.

She said: “I just got fatigued by online dating apps. My last relationship ended at the one-year mark and I realised I was single and 40.

“I had a fertility test in July 2020 and by September I was harvesting my eggs. My first round of IVF was a success, I was very lucky.”

And although she was delighted to be pregnant, she said the process made her feel very lonely.

She said: “I didn’t imagine having children this way. I remember being in the hospital, waiting to be sent down for my c-section, sitting on the bed while I was given an epidural, and sobbing. I think I was grieving for the life I thought I’d have.”

The dating app is an exclusive members-only site and it already has 200 people on the waiting list.

Stacey said: “The app is just the start. We have big dreams about the future, creating both online and offline experiences for our customers.”

She also helps the app will help her find love.

She said: “I’m still single but I am on the app and I am definitely still hopeful for love.

“At the moment, I am very busy – what with looking after Milo and running the business – but I’m excited to see what the future holds.”

The dating app, entitled Reddi, is available to download via IOS.

Did you find love on a dating app? Or did you struggle like Stacey to find a man who wanted to commit to having children? We’d love to hear your story, email mystory@ivfbabble.com.

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