At Cryos we want to support and help you start talking to your child about being donor-conceived at a young age. That is why we have made our very own children’s book ‘Our Miracle’/’My Miracle’ – a cute and illustrative story about getting help from a sperm donor to conceive. The book was made by Cryos with help from Cryos’ Donor Child Consultant, Emma, who is donor-conceived herself. It comes in three versions customized for different family forms: Single Mothers by Choice, lesbian parents, and heterosexual couples using donor sperm, as these are the three main family forms that use a Cryos sperm donor.
When you register your pregnancy with Cryos, we offer you a copy of the book for free – you only need to cover the shipping fee.
Donor conception explained to children
Our Miracle is a story about what you need to make a baby, and how the important missing piece – a lively sperm cell - was provided by a kind man wanting to help others. But most of all it is a story about how parents with a strong wish to have a baby got to have their miracle - and all the love and joy that came with it.
At the heart of the story is the donor-conceived child and their way into the world.
The story is told through detailed illustrations and minimal text, and with a playful rabbit as a constant companion appearing frequently throughout the book. This makes the book relevant and engaging for children of different ages.
Based on personal experiences as donor-conceived
The book was made by Cryos with help from Cryos’ Donor Child Consultant, Emma, who was conceived with help from a Cryos donor herself. When Emma was just a baby, her parents made a book for her with the story of how and why she was donor-conceived. The family read it as a nighttime story, and as she grew older, she understood more and more. With help from the book, Emma has always known that she was donor-conceived – and her parents’ very own miracle. In her work with Cryos’ children’s book, Our Miracle, Emma has drawn upon her own experiences and the book that her parents made for her.
How to get a copy of the children’s book by Cryos?
The book is a new offer for parents who have used Cryos donor sperm to conceive. When you register your pregnancy with Cryos, we offer you a copy of the book for free – you only need to cover the shipping fee.
If you would like a copy of the book, and you are not eligible for the free offer, you can purchase the book for a small amount through the link provided below.
The book is available in three versions and various languages, allowing you to select the one that best suits your family.
The importance of telling your child about donor conception
The children’s book was made to help parents initiate the talk about donor conception with their children at an early age. In recent years, the general recommendation has been to be open about donor conception, and this is supported by a new report which suggests that telling children about their biological origins early on – before they start school (or before the age of 7) – can be advantageous for family relationships and healthy adjustment. The findings are based on a 20-year qualitative study which has followed 65 families with children born from assisted reproduction. The study also suggests that being donor-conceived does not have an impact on the psychological adjustment nor mother-child relationship as long as the children are told about their origins at a young age.
Learn more about why and how to talk to your child about donor conception here
Supporting donor-conceived children and their families
As the world’s largest sperm and egg bank, we have a great responsibility that we take very seriously. Supporting the donor-conceived families in their planning, pregnancy, parenthood, and possible donor contact is an important part of what we do.
Besides this children’s book, we offer different resources for both donor-conceived children and their parents, that we hope to contribute to an understanding, honest and loving environment for the children and families that are created with our help.
Considering becoming a parent with help from a donor?
If you are not yet a parent, but considering the option of using a sperm donor, please contact Cryos – we will be happy to help you along. Get personal guidance from our dedicated Customer Care Team or start your journey right away by creating a free account and get full access to our sperm donor search. You can begin with a general introduction to getting pregnant with donor sperm here.