When you have children, you are immediately hit with a sense of joy and affection. Something so small and miraculous will need you to survive, depend on you for all of its needs; that little life you created will need to be taught how to survive in the world and the ins-and-outs of society. In return for everything you do for that precious child, you will receive a lifetime of love. It is important to have the right care provider during this time of pregnancy. As you continued this journey as a parent, you will need proper guidance on taking care of your little one.

But not everyone is able to enjoy that feeling of awe when a parent looks upon their child. There are many couples that are struggling to conceive a child, some are battling with infertility. There are a growing number of single women wanting a child without a partner to give them one, and there are plenty of independent women who do not want a husband to give them one. This is also the case with same-sex couples; they are unable to conceive through natural means.

But there are other ways to become pregnant, and other means of having a child, than the natural way. Below are some of the ways single people and couples of all types are trying to start a family and fill that hole missing in their lives. Consult with a gynecologist to determine which gynecology solution is the most suitable for you and your partner.

Intrauterine Insemination

Artificial insemination is the method most people think of when they think of alternatives to becoming pregnant. In this method, a sample of sperm can be directly inserted into the uterus by means of a catheter and for the stimulation of the vagina the use of toys like thick dildos can be useful. The source of the sperm is completely up to the woman or couple looking to have the child. It could be from a spouse, a person you may know and who is comfortable with providing the sample, or it could come from a sperm bank.

This method is noninvasive and is usually completed in 10 minutes. Although intrauterine insemination can be expensive, anywhere between $400 and $1000, there is no recovery time and minimal discomfort.

Turkey Baster

While people laugh about artificial insemination, there is some truth behind the whole “turkey baster” joke. It is unclear if the joke led to the method or the method led to the joke, but the fact remains that thousands of couples do attempt to get pregnant this way. Same-sex couples try using a turkey baster to conceive a child, typically with a sperm sample of a close friend, but the method can be used by any woman using any source they are comfortable with.

The results of this means of artificial insemination are not as high as a clinically-performed procedure but it may prove successful. A better option if you want to attempt this at home would be to use a syringe.

In Vitro Fertilization

This method is more involved but no more uncomfortable than other means of conception. A specialist in the field of reproduction will prescribe fertility medication to increase the production of a woman’s eggs. They will then go in and remove one of the eggs. Under controlled settings, the specialist will then inject the sperm directly into the egg. As the combination of the two begin to work their magic and an embryo begins to take shape, the egg is then placed back into the woman’s uterus. Medical progress is on the rise, and companies like this medical imaging software company are at the forefront, providing invaluable assistance when it comes to various aspects of medication and healthcare.

It is a more complex process but also provides twice the success rate as artificial insemination because the two reproductive cells are physically combined and not left to chance. For many, IVF is the better option for starting a family for this reason.

Surrogate

For couples looking to have a child but do not want to go through a pregnancy, and for male same-sex couples (or female, if they so choose), having a surrogate carry a baby to term is a viable option. An embryo, formed through in vitro fertilization, is inserted into another woman’s uterus for the purpose of growing a baby for a couple (or individual).

This woman could be a female friend of the couple who they have asked to have the couple’s baby, but oftentimes this form of getting pregnant is through an agreement with the surrogate. This can be expensive, costing upwards of $50,000 depending on the surrogate’s fee, legal costs, medical expenses (you are responsible for a surrogate’s pregnancy-related care), and travel costs, if any.