How to choose a sperm donor - The ultimate guide
This is an exciting moment in your journey towards parenthood. Like many other Americans, you have chosen to use a sperm donor to make your dreams come true and now you must find the perfect one. However, we understand having to choose a donor can be an overwhelming process. This is why we have made this guide for you. Read along to learn the five most important things to consider when choosing a sperm donor in the US.
In this guide you will find the 5 most important things to consider when choosing a sperm donor:
- Try to be flexible when starting your search
- Establish how much you want to know about the donor
- Consider if you want your child to have the option of contacting the donor in the future
- Make sure that the donor has enough straws available for your treatment
- Think about the cost of fertility treatment with donor sperm
If you want to read more about sperm donation and fertility treatment, then follow the link to learn about the pros and cons of using a sperm donor.
1. Try to be flexible when starting your search
If you are too specific in your search for a sperm donor, you may end up excluding many good candidates. We recommend you filter donors based on two or three criteria. For example, many of our customers from the US filter based on the donor's ethnicity, eye color, or height. Determining what is most important to you and what you can be flexible with is the best way to start your search.
2. Establish how much you want to know about the donor
When choosing a sperm donor, it is important to figure out the amount of information you would like to have about him. At Cryos, we have two types of donor profiles: Basic and Extended. A Sperm Donor Profile provides essential information like physical appearance and blood type. An Extended Donor Profile provides extra information like voice recordings, handwritten letters, and childhood photos. A popular option in the US, is Adult Photos of the sperm donor, as many Americans prefer to get a glimpse of how their future child will look. All Extended Profiles contain pictures of the sperm donor either Adult Photos or pictures of the donor as a child.
If you want to know as little as possible about the donor, we suggest you choose a Basic Donor Profile. But, if you want to choose a sperm donor with similar personality traits to you or your partner, we suggest you focus on donors with Extended Donor Profiles. Follow the link to read what to consider when deciding on a Sperm Donor Profile.
3. Consider if you want your child to have the option of contacting the donor in the future
For some donor-conceived children, it may be important to know who their genetic parents are. That is why when trying to conceive with donor sperm, you should consider whether you want your child to have the option of contacting the donor in the future.
Donors can be ID Release (not anonymous) or Non-ID Release (anonymous). If you choose an ID Release sperm donor, your child can contact us when they turn 18 and receive the donor’s latest known contact information. If you choose a Non-ID Release sperm donor, we can never provide your child with the donor’s information.
4. Make sure that the donor has enough straws available for your treatment
You never know how many rounds of fertility treatment you may need before a positive pregnancy test, so check for donors with multiple sperm straws available. During recent years, the number of Americans using donor sperm to fulfill their dream of a child has grown, making it more important for you to ensure that your preferred donor has enough straws in stock. Bear in mind even donors with lots of straws can sell out fast and unexpectedly.
If you are set on a specific donor, we highly recommend you make a reservation of straws to ensure you have enough specimens throughout the duration of your treatment and in case you want siblings. Read more about the reservation of donor sperm here.
5. Think about the cost of fertility treatment with donor sperm
When choosing a sperm donor, you should take into consideration your budget for fertility treatment with donor sperm. Depending on your needs and choices, the total cost for treatment can vary. Here are a few facts worth considering:
- Donors with Basic Profiles are less expensive than those with Extended Profiles
- Compared to ID Release donors, Non-ID Release donors are budget friendly
- ICI-ready/unwashed sperm straws (often used for home insemination) are more affordable than IUI-ready/washed ones
- Lower sperm motility or MOT level, the cheaper the sperm straws
- The final price for your sperm purchase increases with the number of straws you order
Please remember that while donor profile and type can be based on your own personal preferences, type of specimen, MOT level, and the number of straws should be based on what your fertility doctor agrees is best for you. If you want to read more about the price of donor sperm, then follow the link.
Local grants or financial support
Before you begin treatment with donor sperm, we recommend researching whether local grants could be an option for you to help ease the financial burden. Some also receive financial support through your healthcare. Contact your healthcare insurance to learn more about your package deal and whether you are eligible for financial support.
Cryos is here for you
We hope this guide helps you narrow your Sperm Donor Search so that you can find the match of your family dreams!
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact us. Our Customer Care Team is ready to help you via phone at +1 (407) 203 1175, e-mail at [email protected], or live chat on our website.