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What is it?
Donor insemination is the process of a man donating sperm so that a woman can inseminate herself. This can be done privately or in a clinic.

Who is doing it?
Lesbians and heterosexual couples with fertility problems. Single women. Gay or straight men who do not want an active role in the child's life often donate sperm, as do men who only want a limited role as an 'uncle' figure.

What do you have to do?
Choose a sperm donor carefully. This could be a friend or an anonymous donor from a clinic.
Get rigorous health checks before going ahead with any pregnancy. There are many lesbian-friendly clinics with banks of donor sperm available. All sperm in this situation is screened for Sexually Transmitted Infections, including HIV.

If you are self inseminating, you will need a kit. You can buy these from support and advice groups like Pink Parents or the Lesbian and Gay Co-Parenting Programme

Contact a solicitor. Your legal position will differ depending on whether your children are conceived in a regulated clinic or a private arrangement