A remarkable and heartwarming experience unfolded for Michelle de Bruijn, a 39-year-old from Amsterdam, as she underwent an ultrasound at 14 weeks into her pregnancy. Expecting twins, the moment she experienced in the doctor’s office brought tears to her eyes. “It was just so heartwarming to see that happening,” De Bruijn explained to Newsweek, noting the significance of this journey as she has chosen to navigate it as a solo mother.
The trend of women opting to become solo mothers by choice (SMC) is gaining traction. According to data from singlemothersbychoice.org, 54 percent of clients at Cryos’ Sperm and Egg Bank in 2022 identified as SMCs. De Bruijn’s journey, however, took an unexpected turn when fertility consultations revealed she had reduced fertility linked to low levels of Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), a key indicator of ovarian reserve.
Faced with this distressing news and advised to act quickly due to her age, De Bruijn felt a surge of anger and determination. “When I asked what I could do about it, they basically said, ‘Nothing. This is it. And you’re 39, so you’re old,” she recounted. Rather than resigning to this diagnosis, she opted for an informed and proactive approach, immersing herself in fertility research and preparing her body for conception.
Utilizing donor conception with a known donor allowed De Bruijn to maintain control over her journey. “I really wanted to get to know him personally, so I met my incredible donor through an app, basically Tinder for sperm donation,” she shared. Remarkably, she conceived twins on her first attempt. With a due date projected for February 2, it is likely they will arrive a couple of weeks earlier due to their twin status.
Unlike many parents who are surprised by twin pregnancies, De Bruijn had been observing her hormone levels during pregnancy, which indicated a possibility of twins. “By the time I got my first ultrasound around six weeks, I was pretty confident about what we’d find,” she said. The confirmation of twins filled her with gratitude and wonder.
The subsequent ultrasound brought an unforgettable moment. De Bruijn, who has documented her pregnancy journey on TikTok under the handle @iammichelledebruijn, shared a touching video showing her unborn children lying face to face, culminating in one baby leaning in to kiss the other. “You just witnessed their first act of love,” she captioned the video.
This poignant experience reinforced her choice of donor. “I wanted someone who would be as committed, caring, and loving about this process as I am,” she explained. The visible bond she witnessed in the womb was a testament to her intentions behind this journey. “These babies were made out of love, out of presence, out of care and intention. To witness these two little creatures expressing love to each other in the womb was just out of this world,” she stated.
With her ultrasound video gaining viral traction, amassing over 184,000 views, De Bruijn hopes to serve as an inspiration for other women considering similar paths in fertility. She emphasizes that “one diagnosis or one number said by a fertility doctor isn’t a life sentence.” By sharing her story, she encourages others to take control of their journeys with determination and hope.
TikTok/iammichelledebruijn
