• starting treatment
• drug therapy
• surgery
• assisted reproduction
  • ART overview
  • IUI
  • IVF
  • ICSI
  • using donors
  • surrogacy
  • health care employees
  • genetic testing

using donors

Using donor sperm or eggs is a practical option if a man does not have any sperm or a woman is unable to produce egg cells. Donors are also considered if a woman produces her own eggs but the quality of those eggs appears poor. Donors can also be suggested when one or other of the partners runs the risk of passing on a hereditary condition to their offspring. Irrespective of success rates, the consideration of whether to use donors or not is probably one of the most difficult decisions that a couple will have to take.

Couples often wrestle with the idea that a child born through the intervention of a donor is not genetically related to both parents. This is a real concern. You and your partner must think very carefully about this. By reading as much as possible about egg or sperm donation you can perhaps reach a decision more easily. Reading personal accounts of people who have participated in the donation can be particularly valuable. This is a decision that changes your life and it demands the full support of both partners.

In the UK, strict regulations have been put in place on egg cell donation.
Donors cannot be paid for donating sperm or eggs. However a donor can receive payment for all reasonable expenses incurred when donating.

As of April 1st 2005 information on the donor can be made available to a child upon request after they turn 18 years of age. For further information contact the donor information network  .