Starting our family: Our Journey with Cryos International Sperm Bank
Our names are Aaron and Kayla Capener, and we are excited to share the story of how we started our family. I am Aaron, a transman, and my wonderful wife, Kayla, is a cisgender woman. Our journey together has been filled with moments of joy, growth, and overcoming challenges. One of the most significant and heartwarming chapters in our story is our decision to start a family, a journey that led us to Cryos International Sperm Bank.
The beginning of our dream
The thought of having a family when I was a child was always a driving force for me through the rough childhood I had growing up. Kayla and I met during 8th grade and quickly bonded over our shared laughs, passions, and dreams. She captivated me with her beautiful soul, and I knew my heart held a special space for her - I just did not know how special. After high school, our relationship rekindled and as our love deepened, we began to envision a future together that included children. We knew starting a family would come with unique challenges because I am a man who is transgender. I feared giving her a family would have to be a complicated, medical process for her and a journey of me outing myself to way more people than I wanted. I also worried the price of creating a family for a person like me would be more than we could ever afford.
However, our desire to become parents never wavered and we hoped and prayed for the right time to come. With modern medical advances and the right resources, we knew our dream could become a reality - it would just come with a few extra steps. One night, I started searching online for more information on how we could become parents while experiencing the least amount of gender dysphoria possible. This hope led us to explore various options, eventually discovering Cryos International Sperm Bank.
Discovering Cryos International Sperm Bank
I wanted to work with a sperm bank that was openly affirming to those in the LGBTQ+ community - and I stumbled across a lesbian couple on TikTok that used #cryosinternational in their video. For us, Cryos represented more than just a service provider; it represented a beacon of hope for our community that is not used to being welcomed. Cryos International is renowned for being one of the largest sperm banks in the world, offering a diverse range of sperm donors and services. We were drawn to Cryos not only because of its extensive donor catalogue but also because of its inclusive and supportive approach toward families like mine. With a quick Google search, I knew I found a starting point for my wife and me to start a family.
Let us help you on your journey to parenthood
Contact us to get personal help and guidance from our dedicated Customer Care Team. We are here to assist you with everything from how to choose a sperm donor, where to have your fertility treatment, or when to order donor sperm.
The selection process
Choosing the right donor was a deeply personal and significant step for us. I told my wife I wanted to do this part on my own. I wanted to find someone who looked as much like me as possible, and I thought it would be more triggering for me to do this in front of others. So, she trusted me, and I brought my findings to her when we found someone with the profile we were looking for!
While I would love my baby no matter what she looked like, the main feature I was looking for was curly, brown hair - to match mine. I spent countless hours reviewing donor profiles, considering various factors such as physical attributes, medical history, and personal interests. The extensive information provided by Cryos allowed us to make an informed decision, ensuring we selected a donor who aligned with our values and hopes for our future child.
We were impressed by the level of detail and transparency provided by Cryos. Each donor profile included comprehensive medical histories, personal essays, baby/adult photos (if you wanted to see them), and even audio interviews, allowing us to feel a connection with our potential donor.
The emotional journey and first steps towards parenthood
The process of starting a family was both exciting and nerve-wracking for us. We experienced a range of emotions, from joy and anticipation to anxiety and uncertainty. Throughout this journey, we leaned on each other for support, finding strength in our unwavering love and commitment.
With the donor selected and Kayla tracking her ovulation very closely, we took our first steps toward parenthood and ordered our first vial. WE WERE SO EXCITED. We opted for home insemination which involves us at home, planning the best chance of her ovulation with the help of strips that monitored her ovulation peak. This method allowed me to be an active part of the process. I was privileged to give my wife our beautiful baby and that was not only affirming for me but also a magical gift to be able to be so involved - even being someone who could not biologically have children. With careful timing, we tried to increase our chances of a successful pregnancy in any way possible.
The waiting period following our first try was filled with anticipation and hope. We found solace in sharing our journey with our close friends, who offered their unwavering support and encouragement.
Use filters to narrow your search
In our Sperm Donor Search, you can use filters to find a donor that matches your preferences. Click on the button below to create a free account and see all available donors in our Donor Search.
The joy of expecting
The moment we discovered Kayla was pregnant was one of sheer elation. She surprised me by running into the office yelling “It is positive!!” when we had originally planned to test a few days later. I was even able to be surprised that I was a dad - another moment I thought I would never get. Tears of joy, laughter, and heartfelt embraces marked the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. Our dream of starting a family was finally becoming a reality, and we could not wait to welcome our little one into the world.
Throughout the pregnancy, we continued to share our story, hoping to inspire other LGBTQ+ couples facing similar challenges. We wanted to show that, with love, determination, and the right resources, starting a family was possible for everyone. Even if you think it is beyond reach.
Looking ahead
As we continue to welcome our, now 6-month-old, baby to this world, we reflect on our journey with gratitude and bliss. Cryos International Sperm Bank played a crucial role in helping us realise our dream, providing the resources and support needed to navigate our unique path to parenthood.
Our story is a testament to the power of love and the importance of inclusivity in the realm of family planning. We hope our journey serves as an inspiration to countless others, proving that with determination, support, and a bit of courage, the dream of starting a family can come true for anyone, regardless of their background or circumstances.
In sharing our story, we hope to empower other trans and cisgender couples to pursue their dreams of parenthood. We stand as a beacon of hope and resilience, reminding us of all that every family, no matter how it is formed, is beautiful and deserving of celebration.
More stories from people with donor-conceived children
If you enjoyed reading Aaron and Kayla’s story of how Cryos International helped them start a family, you may find these three other stories relevant and interesting.