10 Things you should know before deciding to use a donor sperm

Third-party reproduction is when someone other than the intended parents provides DNA (in the form of sperm) to help bring a baby into the world. There can be legal ramifications, emotional consequences, and even financial considerations to keep in mind.

Why use donor sperm?

The inability to have a kid is no longer a feminine issue. Male factor infertility affects 30% of couples. Every year, several kids are born with donated sperm. It is most often utilized when a couple has been diagnosed with male factor infertility or a hereditary illness. In addition, sperm banks help lesbian couples, single women, and women with infertile male partners.

Who is a good candidate to use donor sperm?

If you are an infertile woman and want to have a baby, you should first learn the best option for you. Either find a man who can be your partner to give birth or use donor sperm. If you cannot find a willing sperm donor, you can always turn to fertility specialists who can help you with artificial insemination. A sperm donor is someone who will provide the sperm sample for artificial insemination or IVF treatment. This man will never be the baby’s father, as he will not be raising the child or providing for its financial support. He is only providing the sperm that will create a baby.

In most cases, a sperm donor is a man who is already a parent himself. But, if he doesn’t have children, you can ask a close male relative or even a male friend who has agreed to be the sperm donor.  A sperm donor can help you make your parenthood dreams come true. While not every couple can conceive a child without medical assistance, sperm donors can help those who cannot conceive naturally have the children they want.

How does sperm donation work?

In a medical setting, sperm donation is carefully controlled. Sperm banks or organizations track registered sperm donations. Fewer than one in every hundred applicants gets accepted at certain large sperm banks. Before donating, potential donors undergo thorough psychiatric, genetic, and STI testing. The regulatory bodies mandate that all given sperm be frozen for about six months to prevent the spread of transferrable diseases like HIV.

What’s the process of using donor sperm?

This is a question that you will need to ask yourself before deciding to have a baby this way. You also need to know that this option is available only for women who cannot get pregnant independently, and it involves using a sperm donor. You can find a sperm donor through a sperm bank or online forums. You will still need to decide if you want your baby to know who the father is. If you do not, then the sperm donor will remain anonymous. Going this route means that you can find a potential mate without worrying about whether he has any desire to be a father. If you want your child to know who the sperm donor is, you will need to find a donor willing to participate in the child’s life as they grow up.

What are the potential risks and side effects?

One of the main risks with using donor sperm is that your child may find out later.  Though it’s a  delicate issue however, it’s important to talk about this with your child if they are old enough to understand, but this can be done only if you choose to use a known sperm donor.

The other potential risk is that since you are using a man’s sperm to make your baby, the baby may have a hereditary medical condition. This is why it’s so important for you to go to a specialist fertility clinic. They will have donors who are medically screened and tested.

Does it matter if my child is aware of who their father is or not?

Employing a sperm donor is a special decision that has significant implications for the years to come. It’s important to be deliberate in this decision and know what you are getting into. One of the most common questions people have about reproductive technology is whether choosing a sperm donor for family building is right. It is not uncommon for people using donor sperm to be in a relationship. But it’s important to ask yourself: is this the right kind of father for your child? Will you be able to tell the child that they have a different father? If you don’t remember what it’s like, ask your mother and father.

Can a couple use an unknown donor’s sperm to get pregnant?

Yes, a couple can decide to use unknown donor sperm, but this is for only one reason: they cannot have a baby otherwise. For all the rest, having a baby with no medical donor sperm is preferable. A medical donor sperm does not give any information about the baby’s biological father, this is one reason, but there are many more.

How much does it cost for a sperm donor bank membership?

The fee for a sperm donor bank membership is around 5000 euros. This price may vary from bank to bank but is very similar.  The sperm donor bank membership fee includes medical tests, onsite storage facility, legal fees, and annual storage fee.  Fertility treatment is not included in the package.  The sperm donor bank offers their clients a confidential and private service, but they offer a free appraisal of their sperm donors at the end of every year.  There are no guarantees that the sperm you choose will produce a successful pregnancy, but there is the guarantee that you will receive a fresh sample of sperm each month.

The Main benefits of using Donor Sperm

There are many benefits to using donor sperm. Some are

• For one, the sperm donor may help you or your partner to conceive. You may have already tried unsuccessfully to conceive for some time, and your doctor has recommended that you use donor sperm.
• Another reason is if you are in a same-sex relationship and want children. Using an anonymous sperm donor may be the only way you can conceive a child. The decision to use donor sperm must be made jointly by you and your partner.  It would help if you explored all the options together to help you make a decision.
• You may want to use donor sperm because of a medical problem or condition, such as you are a woman whose ovaries have stopped working,  you can’t produce enough eggs, sperm count is low, or you have a genetic disease and are unable to carry a pregnancy.
• Another benefit is that you can choose the genetic characteristics of your child. You and your partner will be able to share that you are both parts of the baby’s creation.

How To Choose a Profile for Searching for a Match And Much More

Choosing a profile from a donor registry is a little like shopping on the internet for something you want. You need to shop around, read what’s available, and decide what you want to buy. Once you have some potential choices, you look closely to decide which one is right for you. There are many ways to select a donor.

What do you need to know about legal rights and responsibilities?

A government agency or program provides you with a list of donors from which you can choose. You have the right to physically meet with and talk to the donor before choosing him. The donor must give you a list of any serious diseases that they have. You have the right to know what diseases the donor has. It would be best if you also asked what medications the donor is taking. These details will be provided by the government agency or program however, you can inquire about their background,  personality, education and employment. You also have the right to ask for a guarantee if you wish. This means that the agency or program will make a contract with you and the donor. If the donor does not live up to their promises, you can ask that he be replaced. You can also end the contract early by giving 30 days’ notice if there is a problem with the donor.

What are the criteria when choosing a donor sperm?

Keep in mind that your donor-conceived child will not share your likes and dislikes. Consider how much you share with your genetic parents, assuming you know them. You may share some traits, but you are likely extremely different.

Consider these criteria while choosing a donor:

Appearance: You could prefer a donor with your partner’s hair and eye colour.

Blood Type: This is crucial if the father is Rh-negative.

History of Mental Health: A donor’s health and family health history might assist determine genetic and health risks.

Personality: While you can’t be sure, you can make an educated assumption based on a donor’s database responses.

How expensive is Donor Sperm

The truth is that using a sperm donor to get pregnant is going to cost you a lot of money.  A vial can cost up to $1,000, which doesn’t include storage, shipping, and insemination charges.   At that price, you’re looking at a minimum of $3,000 – and that’s assuming you have great quality sperm, to begin with.   You’ll have to do your research and decide if it’s worth it to you. Find out what your insurance covers.   If you’re on your own, or if your insurance doesn’t cover infertility treatments, please be aware of what they do and don’t cover.   Find out the specifics of your deductible and co-pays.   If you’re spending thousands of dollars, it doesn’t hurt to find out what your insurance will cover.   For example, many insurance companies don’t cover the cost of shipping sperm to a clinic.

When you start looking into fertility, there are many options you’ll come across. It’s vital as an intending sperm recipient to weigh the pros and cons of this option before deciding on what you want to do.