IVF for a single woman and how to approach the subject with a more conservative parent?
I'm in my mid 30s and I'm pretty sorted and comfortable in my weird little lifestyle and I will not force myself to get married. But I want kids. I have had this urge for 7 years now.
I'm not interested in a relationship with some random man for this purpose.
The problem is how to tell this to family. I guess in the end, I'm not looking for permission, just support. Not financially, just emotionally.
I spoke to my aunt, who's very religious but kind, and she just wasn't sure at first. Said she'd speak to an Imam. Never did. I brought it up a year later and she was staunchly against it, nearly angrily. I wasn't having that and she offered to speak to an Imam again but I'm not sure if that will matter if she's against it herself?
I've told my my mum today, she was shocked but not happy about it. Asked me about adoption, I don't want that. Said she just didn't know what the rules were about this and what would people say?
All that's left is my dad. He has always been very religious and quite authoritative, but also understanding enough if things were explained in the right way, in accordance with Islam too, I guess.
I don't know how to bring it up to him. Religiously, it's not something that's specifically banned, but also, I can see how my aunt had turned against it.
I'm visiting my parents for the holidays this month, and my aunt is flying in from abroad so I thought it would be a good time to bring it up. Any advice on how to?
Should I talk to an Imam or something first? I've never done this or prayed in a mosque even, I just believe and worship in my own way at home. How would I find and approach one and should I try more than one, like you would get a second doctors opinion?
Any advice would be very appreciated, but please don't advice me to try and marry or adopt, as that's already been talked through with aunt and mum and it's not happening.
Thanks.
Posted Dec 1, 2025, 3:05 AM UTC