36-Year-Old Nurse Tries “Sperm Shower” During IVF Journey to Become a Mother

For most expectant parents, the “baby shower” is the pinnacle of the pregnancy journey—a celebratory gathering filled with gifts, games, and anticipation. However, for 36-year-vintage Emily Webb, the celebration came much earlier in the process and took a decidedly unconventional turn. In a move that has since captured the attention of millions across social media, Webb hosted a “sperm shower” to help her narrow down the choice of a donor for her journey toward motherhood.

Webb, a registered nurse and certified lactation consultant, is pursuing parenthood as a Single Mother By Choice (SMBC). Facing the complexities and emotional toll of in-vitro fertilization (IVF), she decided to inject a sense of levity into a process that can often sense clinical and stressful. By inviting friends to help vet potential donors, she turned a private medical decision into a community event, complete with themed decorations and a “sperm cake.”

This viral moment highlights a growing societal shift in how women approach reproduction and family planning. As more women opt for solo parenthood over waiting for a partner, the SMBC community is expanding, utilizing medical innovations and social support networks to fulfill their dreams of having children. Webb’s experience is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend of women reclaiming the narrative of motherhood on their own terms.

A Celebration of Choice: Inside the ‘Sperm Shower’

The “sperm shower” was designed as a mix between a bachelorette party and a traditional baby shower, though the guest of honor was not a fetus, but a selection of potential genetic contributors. According to reports, Webb began her search by looking at various sperm banks across the country. Faced with an overwhelming number of options, she narrowed her initial list down to 12 candidates.

To make the final selection, Webb hosted her friends for a voting session. The event featured coordinating music for different donor profiles and “weird themed foods” to match the occasion. The centerpiece of the party was a “sperm cake,” a detail that helped the event move viral on TikTok, where Webb shared her experience with her followers. The New York Post reports that the party was a success, with her friends reaching a consensus on their favorite donor choices.

Webb explained her motivation for the party by noting that the IVF process is often devoid of joy. “There really isn’t anything fun about IVF so [I] decided to take the opportunity to enjoy this part,” she captioned in a viral clip. While she acknowledged the event was “so extra,” she viewed it as a necessary way to find support and happiness during a challenging medical transition.

From Nursing to Motherhood: Emily Webb’s Journey

Webb’s decision to become a mother is deeply rooted in her professional and personal life. As a nurse and certified lactation consultant, she has spent her career supporting mothers and infants during the first few months of life. This vocation began in childhood, where she frequently sought out the youngest children in her vicinity and began babysitting at the age of 12.

Despite her lifelong passion for childcare, the path to motherhood was not straightforward. Webb first consulted a fertility clinic at age 33 to explore her future options. By age 36, she felt the pressure of her “biological clock” becoming harder to ignore. Living in a minor town, she found that her dating life was not progressing in a way that aligned with her desire for children.

Rather than waiting for a partner, Webb decided to move forward with IVF and a sperm donor. This decision reflects a growing trend among women who prioritize the goal of parenthood over the traditional requirement of a spouse or partner. Her background in healthcare provided her with the knowledge to navigate the medical requirements of IVF, but the emotional journey remained a significant hurdle she chose to address through social connection and transparency.

The Rise of the ‘Single Mother By Choice’ (SMBC) Movement

Emily Webb is part of a rising demographic known as Single Mothers By Choice (SMBC). This movement consists of women who intentionally choose to enter parenthood alone, often utilizing sperm banks and assisted reproductive technology (ART). The movement has found a powerful voice on social media, where women apply the hashtag #SMBC to create virtual communities of love and support. On Instagram, the hashtag has amassed over 288,000 posts, while TikTok has seen a budding community of 24,600 posts.

The shift toward solo parenthood is reflected in national statistics. According to a 2025 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 40% of all babies in the United States are born to unmarried mothers as cited by the New York Post. The number of single mothers over the age of 30 welcoming newborns has increased by 140% over the last three decades.

This statistical surge suggests a fundamental change in the perception of the “nuclear family.” For many women, the ability to access well-sourced sperm and IVF has removed the biological necessity of a partner, allowing them to pursue motherhood based on their own readiness and desire. The SMBC community provides these women with the emotional scaffolding necessary to navigate the social stigmas and practical challenges of raising a child alone.

Understanding the IVF and Donor Selection Process

For those unfamiliar with the process, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) involves the fertilization of an egg with sperm outside the body, after which the resulting embryo is transferred to the uterus. When a partner is not present, women turn to sperm banks, which provide a variety of donors. These donors are typically screened for genetic health, medical history, and sometimes provide information regarding their education, hobbies, and physical characteristics.

The selection process can be daunting, as it involves balancing genetic compatibility with personal preferences. Webb’s approach of involving her social circle in this selection process serves as a modern adaptation of the “village” concept—the idea that it takes a community to raise a child. By involving her friends in the donor selection, she began building the support system her future child would rely on long before the pregnancy even began.

Key Takeaways on the SMBC Trend

• Increasing Prevalence: Solo parenthood is becoming more common, with a 140% increase in single mothers over 30 in the US over 30 years.
• Technological Enablement: The availability of IVF and professional sperm banks has made Single Motherhood By Choice a viable path for many.
• Community Support: Social media hashtags like #SMBC are creating essential support networks for women navigating solo parenthood.
• Psychological Shift: There is a growing trend of women prioritizing their desire for children over the traditional requirement of a romantic partner.

While Emily Webb’s “sperm shower” may seem like a lighthearted viral trend, it represents a deeper intersection of medical innovation and evolving social norms. By treating the donor selection process as a celebration rather than a clinical chore, Webb has highlighted the agency and autonomy that modern reproductive technology grants to women.

As Webb continues her journey toward motherhood, her story serves as a testament to the diverse ways families are formed in the 21st century. Whether through traditional means or unconventional celebrations, the core objective remains the same: the pursuit of parenthood and the creation of a loving home.

The next phase of Webb’s journey involves the clinical application of the chosen donor’s sperm through the IVF process. While specific medical timelines have not been publicly disclosed, she continues to share her progress and the challenges of the process with her online community.

Do you believe the “village” approach to donor selection is a helpful way to handle the stress of IVF? Share your thoughts in the comments below or share this article with someone navigating their own path to parenthood.