A woman walked away from her 10-year marriage to become a single parent after her partner revealed they no longer wanted kids.
Ashley Rogers from Las Vegas, US, was so determined to be a mum that she decided to go it alone.
The air traffic controller welcomed her son Aiden James Rogers on November 12 2021.
She had always wanted to be a mum, so when her partner revealed towards the end of their marriage that they no longer wanted children, the 32-year-old decided to file for divorce.
Ashley said: "The fact that my ex didn't want to have kids anymore was a deal-breaker for me.
"We had tried to have a baby together, but sadly it never happened for us and I suffered two miscarriages.
"We'd been together for ten years and I had a huge decision to make, but I knew how much I wanted to be a mum so I decided to divorce in June 2020.
"I initially tried a round of IVF by myself but it wasn't successful.
"However, in February 2021, I decided to try an IUI. I was able to buy some more vials of sperm from the donor and on 22 February, we completed the insemination which was successful."
Ashley was overwhelmed when she got the good news.
"I was so excited but I was afraid to get too excited because of what I had been through before," she said.
"I was terrified of losing the baby until I gave birth.
"Going through a pregnancy alone is a little sad. It would have been nice to have someone there to run to the shops if I wanted a random Taco Bell in the middle of the night.
"But it was the best decision I have ever made because now I have my beautiful, sweet baby boy, who will soon be five months old."
Ashley had a tough pregnancy as she suffered from intense sickness, but luckily Aiden was healthy the entire time.
She says that becoming a single mum by choice was difficult and scary, but she has an amazing support system and a best friend who lives nearby and is always on hand to help.
Ashley added: "I sometimes question whether I made the right choice for Aiden's sake, but I have never regretted anything.
"My mum passed away during my pregnancy, meaning he doesn't have a grandma anymore. I am an only child and I don't have a large extended family.
"My ex had a huge family which I loved and made me really happy, but when we divorced, that whole dynamic was taken away.
"It was really scary, but I really wanted to be a mum so I didn't let these hurdles stand in my way.
"I had a lot of fear about being a single mum with a newborn from listening to other people's experiences but I decided to let this experience be my own and not take on anyone else's anxieties.
"I made my own rules as a mum and went off of Aiden's cues. I found my own way and it really took the pressure off rather than focusing on what books say.
"He is an amazing baby. He's a great eater and sleeper, so I really can't say that I am crazily exhausted, which was one of my fears about becoming a new and single mum.
"I didn't want to complain about something I had waited so long for."
Ashley has a nanny to help her out with childcare because her hours at work can be unsociable.
She said: "Although it would have been nice to have someone there to hold my hair back when I was vomiting during my pregnancy or to drive me to doctor's appointments, I'm so happy I went down this route.
"Aiden is a sweet and cuddly baby. He wants to be with me all of the time which makes me feel so loved because I know how happy he is when I am there.
"He has been such an easy baby and there haven't been many days where I have woken up and thought that I couldn't deal with the day ahead.
"I am so grateful for that because it has made the whole experience easier because I was terrified at the beginning.
"I wouldn't change anything for the world."
