Yes, a woman can be pregnant without a male partner through assisted reproductive technologies.
It's important to clarify that "without a partner" typically implies conceiving without sexual intercourse and a male partner being physically present. Advances in reproductive technology offer several options for single women or women in same-sex relationships to achieve pregnancy.
Methods for Pregnancy Without a Partner
The reference text highlights some key methods:
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) with donor sperm: This involves placing sperm directly into a woman's uterus to facilitate fertilization. Donor sperm is required when a male partner isn't involved.
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) with donor sperm: IVF involves fertilizing eggs with sperm in a laboratory setting. The resulting embryo is then transferred to the woman's uterus. Again, donor sperm is necessary without a male partner.
- Egg Freezing: While not a method of immediate pregnancy, egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) allows a woman to preserve her eggs at a younger age. She can then use these eggs for IVF with donor sperm at a later time, increasing her chances of a successful pregnancy.
Summary
| Method | Description | Requires Partner? |
|---|---|---|
| IUI with donor sperm | Sperm is placed directly into the uterus. | No |
| IVF with donor sperm | Eggs are fertilized with sperm in a lab, and the resulting embryo is transferred to the uterus. | No |
| Egg Freezing (for later use) | Eggs are frozen to preserve fertility for future use in IVF. Requires donor sperm at the time of fertilization, which would occur after thawing. | No (initially) |
