using donors

Using a sperm or egg donor is a viable option when a man doesn’t have sperm and/or when a woman is unable to produce good quality eggs. Donors are recommended when one or both partners has a genetic disease that can be passed on to their offspring. The decision to use donor gametes is one of the most difficult a couple will ever have to make.

Couples may struggle with the knowledge that a child born through donation is not genetically related to both of them, a very real and valid concern. You and your partner need to consider this option carefully. Reading as much as you can about egg or sperm donation can be helpful. Reading personal accounts from people who have gone through gamete donation may be especially valuable. This is a decision that requires the consent of both partners. Most fertility clinics require that you meet with a mental health professional to discuss the issues surrounding gamete donation before proceeding.