Using donor sperm to conceive is a significant life decision.
Finding a suitable donor to supply half of your future child’s DNA is difficult. Given the gravity of the decision to expand your family via sperm donation, this post presents the following things to consider before choosing a sperm donor.
Table of Contents
· Verify The Relevant Laws Of Your Nation
Not the most exciting, but essential, this is the first thing to consider. The topic of sperm donation is contested, even after 70 years of practice. Therefore, before deciding on a sperm or egg donor, you should investigate the legal requirements in your country.
Your child’s ability to maintain contact with the sperm donor when they reach the age of majority should be a top priority when making your sperm donor selection. While some nations permit using ID Release and Non-ID Release Donors, others permit using only one type.
Therefore, you must look into the laws of your treatment country before deciding on a sperm donor. Your fertility clinic should be able to inform you what kinds of donors they accept. The clinic support staff will assist you if you have any other questions.
· Anonymous or Identifiable Donor
You can use a sperm donor in one of two methods. You can use either an unknown donor who fits your ideal profile or a known donor who has given their permission. The rationale is that you and your unborn child deserve to be safe. Donors of sperm should be screened for STDs. An initial test and a repeat test six months later are required to give the “all clear” for sperm from a specific donor.
The “waiting period” for those using a known sperm donor, also called a directed sperm donor, is one week. As part of the required donor process, the potential donor gives a blood sample for infectious disease testing and provides sperm that can be stored on the same day. Because of this, sperm can be used for more than one IUI or IVF round.
· Donor Health Records
Finding out the donor’s health background is crucial. Some genetic conditions have devastating effects on affected individuals, and knowing about them requires knowledge of the biological father’s medical history. You can better prepare for your future child’s health by learning about the donor’s medical history.
· Physical Characteristics
Your top priority is, of course, having a safe pregnancy and infant. Beyond that, you might also consider the physical characteristics.
· Information About Your Donor’s Background, Interests, And Values
Various people evaluate success and potential in different ways. You should find a sperm donor compatible with your personality and ideals. You might be looking for a donor with a high level of education.
If your faith is essential to you, you can seek out a donor who shares your values. When deciding on a sperm donor, consider the qualities and interests you hope your child will inherit. However, remember that your kid will grow up to be their person.
If you opt to use the sperm of an athlete, your child may not have the same creative abilities as you did. It is possible to choose the sperm of a scientist and end up with a kid that is not exceptionally bright in science. Choosing a sperm donor to pass on positive traits to your child does not guarantee that such characteristics will show themselves in your offspring.
It is possible that you would like to use the same donor for future pregnancies. Check to see if more than one vial is available for usage if you are considering having more kids from the same donor. Many women who undergo IUI or IVF purchase extra vials if they need to try again.
Conclusion
You certainly will not be on this journey alone. Your doctor will be there for you as you try to conceive with the help of a sperm donor. Due to the gravity of this decision, you should talk to a reproductive endocrinologist about becoming inseminated using donor sperm.
Counselling from a psychologist is also highly recommended. You and your partner can benefit much from counselling with the correct specialist in anticipation of the emotional and physcial difficulties that will inevitably arise.
