Many people want to start a family at some point during their life. For some, it comes easy while others need help to fulfil their dream. On this page, we guide you through everything you need to know about donor sperm and how you can use it to make your dream of a family come true.
Get pregnant with donor sperm
Donor sperm is sperm donated by a man that wants to help others fulfil their dream of parenthood. Getting pregnant with donor sperm is a process containing various steps and decisions to make. Our page Getting Pregnant with donor sperm contains everything you need to know about the process like step-by-step guides, explanations, and personal stories from parents who received help from sperm donors to make their dream come true.
Why use a sperm donor
There are different reasons to use a sperm donor. Here below, you can read about the three groups of people who turn to Cryos with the intention to use a sperm donor:
- Single Mothers by Choice: In recent years, more single women have used donor sperm to fulfil their dream of a child. Some Single Mothers by Choice cannot find the right partner to start a family with, while others prefer to raise a child alone.
- Lesbian parents: Many lesbian couples prefer donor sperm because it maintains a genetic connection between the child and the woman carrying the pregnancy to term.
- Couples struggling with infertility: Studies show that around one out of six couples experience infertility problems. Fortunately, many couples conceive because of fertility treatment, but others need more help like sperm donation or adoption. Many couples prefer sperm donation, as you maintain a genetic relation between the mother and child.
Sperm donation
On our page about sperm donation, you can find a thorough step-by-step guide to the sperm donor process from the initial application to a donor being released in our Donor Search. You can also learn about the requirements sperm donors must meet to be considered eligible for donation.
Sperm motility
Sperm motility, or MOT, represents the amount of active sperm cells pr. millilitre sperm. This means that MOT20 sperm contains at least 20 million active sperm cells per millilitre sperm. At Cryos, we use MOT to describe the quality of a straw. A straw usually contains 0,5 mililitre sperm. Always consult your clinic before placing an order, as some types of treatment require a higher MOT than others.
IUI or ICI sperm
There are two types of sperm: washed sperm (IUI) and unwashed sperm (ICI). During the washing process, all-natural ejaculate fluids are removed, and a cryo-preservative is added. Most clinics prefer IUI sperm, but we recommend consulting your clinic to ensure your order contains the right type of sperm. If you are unsure about the type of sperm to order, contact your fertility clinic and let them help you.
Screening of sperm donors
At Cryos, we take the safety of our donors, recipients of sperm, and future children seriously. As a result, only 4% of donor applicants are accepted as sperm donors. To minimize the risk of passing on diseases, donor applicants must complete a thorough screening process. Follow the link to read how we select donors and why you should feel safe when using Cryos.