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Important Things to Know When Choosing a Sperm Bank

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 11:52:26 GMT

Choosing a sperm bank and a donor is a big decision that can bring both excitement and uncertainty. You may not know where to start or which questions to ask to feel confident in your choice.

Understanding what to look for can make the process feel clearer, from how donors are recruited and screened to what information is available and what to expect in the future.

Here, we have gathered seven important things to know, based on the questions we are most often asked.

1. What Information Can I Access About the Donor?

Why this matters: The information available about a donor helps you make a more informed and personal choice, based on what matters most to you.

Our approach: We believe that choosing a donor is not just about medical data, but also about understanding the person behind it.

That is why every donor has a detailed profile based on interviews, questionnaires, and conversations, helping you form a more complete picture of who the donor is.

You will find information such as physical characteristics, education, and personal background, along with more personal elements like a handwritten letter, staff impressions, and childhood photos.

We take great care in creating these profiles, combining the donor’s own words with our observations to reflect his personality as genuinely as possible. In some cases, input from friends and family helps provide a more nuanced and honest picture. You can browse all donor profiles on our website free of charge, with no hidden information or additional costs. All donor information is included. Simply create a free profile to get access.

We do not share adult photos or voice recordings of our donors, as we prioritise protecting their identity while still giving you a meaningful sense of who they are.

2. Where Do Your Donors Come From?

Why this matters: Where a donor comes from can influence factors like potential future contact between your child and the donor, as well as how familiar the donor’s background feels to you.

Our approach: All our donors are recruited in Denmark, across our locations in Copenhagen, Odense, Aarhus and Aalborg. While recruitment takes place in Denmark, our donors can have different ethnic backgrounds. This is always stated in each donor profile, so you can make a choice that feels right for you.

All our donors have lived in Denmark for a shorter or longer period of time. We do not accept donors who travel in only to donate.

We believe transparency about donor origin matters, both when choosing a donor and when considering potential future contact between donor conceived individuals and their donor. It also contributes to a clearer understanding of donor sibling groups across countries.

3. How Do You Recruit Your Donors?

Why this matters: The way donors are recruited shapes their understanding of what it means to donate. It influences their motivation, their sense of responsibility, and how they relate to donor-conceived individuals and families in the future.

Our approach: We strive for an altruistic approach to donor recruitment, ensuring that donation takes place with respect for future families and donor-conceived individuals.

We see sperm donation as a long term responsibility, not just a one time decision. That’s why our recruitment focuses on responsibility, transparency, and the meaning of donation, not just financial compensation.

We attract donors who understand the implications of donating and are willing to take responsibility over time. This includes being open to the idea of future contact and understanding the role they may play in other people’s lives.

Choosing the right donors starts with how you engage with them from the very beginning.

4. How Do You Ensure Donors Understand What They Sign Up For?

Why this matters: Donor conception has long-term implications, not only for donors, but also for donor-conceived individuals and their families. Making sure donors fully understand this from the beginning is essential for responsible and transparent donation.

Our approach: Before being accepted, all donors go through several in-person counselling sessions with our trained donor coordinators, as well as a medical evaluation by a physician. The purpose is not only to assess eligibility, but to ensure that donors fully understand the long-term implications of donating, including the possibility of future contact and the existence of donor-conceived offspring.

We talk openly about motivation, expectations, and responsibility. For us, informed consent is not a formality. It is a fundamental part of responsible donation.

5. What Medical Information Do You Collect and Evaluate?

Why this matters: Medical information helps us understand your donor’s health background and ensure that all donors meet required health standards.

Our approach: All donors provide detailed information about their own health and their family’s medical history as part of the screening process. This is explored further through several in person interviews, where we assess both the information shared and the donor’s understanding of it.

At the same time, donors undergo medical screening, genetic testing, and ongoing infectious disease testing in line with regulatory and professional standards.

Based on this, we carry out a thorough health assessment. Medical history is never static, which is why we maintain an ongoing relationship with our donors. All donors attend regular health check-ups, and at each donation we ask about any new or relevant changes in their health or family history.

You can read much more about our screening process here.

6. Do You Offer ID Release Donors?

Why this matters: The donor category you choose has long-term significance for your child. Taking the time to reflect on what feels right for you also means considering what you want for your child in the future, as well as the potential emotional and practical implications of your choice.

Our approach: At Born Donor Bank, we offer both ID release donors and no ID release donors. Choosing an ID release donor means that your child can submit a request for identifying information when they reach legal age. A no ID release donor is not contactable, and a contact request cannot be made.

The choice of donor category is made by the donor. When a donor chooses to be a no ID release donor, it reflects a preference not to be contacted in the future, even though identification may still be possible through other means.

We provide clear information about what each option means in practice to both the donors and the families.

With the rise of DNA testing and changing legislation around the world, we believe that openness and clarity around donor identity are more important than ever, for both recipients and donor conceived individuals.

7. How Many Families Can Your Donors Help?

Why this matters: Family limits help ensure transparency and ethical responsibility in donor conception. They influence how many donor siblings your child may have and create clarity for your family, both now and in the future.

Our approach : We are born with worldwide family limits of either 25 or 75 families for all our donors, in addition to the national limits that apply in most countries. These limits are always stated on each donor profile on our website.

This helps ensure responsible use across countries and gives you:

Transparency and a clear understanding of how many families your donor can help worldwide

Reassurance that your child will not have an uncontrolled number of donor siblings

Better medical traceability, should the need arise in the future

Family limits help ensure transparency, responsibility, and a clear framework for families across countries.

We’re Just a Conversation Away

Choosing a sperm bank and a donor is a big and personal decision. It is completely normal to have questions, and new ones often come up along the way. Take your time and explore your options. What matters most is finding an approach that feels right for you, both now and in the future. We aim to be as transparent as possible, so you have the clarity and information you need to make an informed decision.

If you would like more clarity or guidance, or simply want to talk things through, we are here for you whenever you feel ready.

Contact our Client Care Team with any questions of your own, big or small.

Browse our website to explore our donor profiles in your own time.

Visit our pricing page for a clear and simple overview of costs.

Why Worldwide Limits on Sperm Donation Matter to Families Like Yours

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 07:17:51 GMT

If you’ve seen recent headlines about sperm donation, you might have come across stories like the one about “Joe Donor” – a man who claims to have fathered over 180 children in the UK and later tried to gain parental rights over one of them.

For many families, stories like this raise some important questions: How can this happen? And what is being done to prevent it? When you're building your family with the help of a sperm donor, you deserve to feel confident that the process is responsible, transparent, and ethical — for you, and for your future child.

Family Limits – What Are They?

In most countries, there are national rules in place that limit how many families a sperm donor is allowed to help. These limits aim to protect donor-conceived children by reducing the risk of accidental contact between donor siblings and ensuring a more manageable number of potential half-siblings.

As a licensed sperm bank, we always comply with these national rules. Here’s a quick look at the current family limits in selected European countries :

You can check the national family limits for your treatment country here.

While these limits are important, they only apply within national borders. Currently, there’s no global law that stops a donor from helping families in several countries. That means a donor could help 10 families in one country, 15 more in another, and so on.

What Do Our Worldwide Limits Mean for You?

At Born Donor Bank, we strongly believe that families like yours deserve full transparency. That’s why we’ve set worldwide family limits for all of our donors from the very beginning.

Every donor is capped at either 25 or 75 families worldwide , and this limit applies to all donors - whether they’re ID Release or No ID Release.

We have set these worldwide limits on the number of families per donor, in addition to the nationally implemented limits, because we believe they matter.

According to the research article "Evolving Minimum Standards in Responsible International Sperm Donor Offspring Quota" an international working group of experts concluded that the worldwide number should never exceed 100 families – with many recommending lower caps, like ours.

Our worldwide family limits give you:

A clear understanding of how many families your donor is allowed to help in total
Reassurance that your child won’t have an uncontrolled number of donor siblings
More control and peace of mind throughout your fertility process

You’ll always find the donor’s worldwide family limit clearly displayed on their profile in our donor search.

We Were Born with Worldwide Limits

When we started out in 2016, we introduced our worldwide limit of 25 families from day one. We did this not because we had to — but because it felt right. As we grew and welcomed families with different needs and budgets, we added a 75-family option to offer more flexibility while maintaining responsible limits.

Our pricing is clear and simple as well — based only on:

Family limit (25 or 75)
Sperm motility
ID release status

This means that we have no extra charges for extended donor profiles and no fees for photos or additional donor information. You can explore your options at any time by visiting our pricing page .

Ethical Councils Are Calling for Change

Currently, ethical councils in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland are calling for legally enforced worldwide limits on sperm donation, and we welcome this initiative.

“I think this is a big step forward — not just for us as a sperm bank, but for the families we help. It reflects growing concern about what can happen when worldwide family limits don’t exist,” says Marlene Stensballe Vium, CEO at Born Donor Bank and board member of the Industry Association for Egg and Sperm Donation.
“For years, we’ve advocated for worldwide limits because we know how much they matter to donor-conceived people and their families. Seeing national ethics councils take a clear stance on worldwide family limits shows that the concerns we’ve raised are finally being heard. This kind of regulation isn’t just important — it’s essential. It’s about safety, transparency, and trust.”

At Born Donor Bank, we’re proud that the limits we put in place from the start are now being recognised as the standard to aim for — and we're encouraged to see others following our lead.
We believe that our proactive stance on family limits has helped shape the market — creating awareness and inspiring other sperm banks to adopt the worldwide limits we defined early on.

A national donor register is now being launched in Denmark, and we’re glad to have contributed to making it a reality through our membership in the Danish Association for Egg and Sperm Donation. The register will help ensure that donors can’t sign up with more than one sperm bank and avoid the rules they’ve agreed to follow. We’re really looking forward to this development, as it will help ensure these important rules are followed by all sperm banks.

We are Just a Conversation Away

Choosing a donor is a big decision — and you deserve to feel fully informed and supported from start to finish.

Whether you’re just beginning to explore your options or you’re ready to choose a donor, we’re here to guide you every step of the way:

Browse donor profiles to explore your options in your own time
Visit our pricing page for a clear and simple overview of costs
Contact our Client Care Team with any questions — big or small

You’re not alone in this. And when you’re ready, we’re ready too.

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Claire’s Story: Becoming a Single Mother by Choice

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 07:59:14 GMT

Motherhood is often seen as an experience shared with a partner, but for more and more women, the desire to become a parent is not dependent on traditional family structures. Claire made the decision to become a single mother by choice, embracing the challenges and joys that come with it. Read her inspiring story below.

Tell us a bit about yourself

“I am a 40-year-old woman, an independent entrepreneur living in Paris. My journey has been unique and determined, and today, I am the mother of a wonderful child—born from my choice and my desire to create a family on my own.”

How was your experience with fertility treatment?

“After the breakup of a relationship just before COVID, I realised that what I mourned was not the relationship itself but the lost opportunity to become a mother while I still had time. That was when I understood that I wanted to build my own family. For me, waiting for a partner or a father figure was not an option—I wanted to create a family unit with myself and my child, supported by my extended family (parents, siblings, cousins, etc.). Using a sperm donor was never a backup plan; it was always my Plan A.

I began researching donor conception and the different treatment options available. I took my time doing this alone, processing the situation in my own way without discussing it with others at first. I also considered the logistical aspects, maternity leave, and parental rights while balancing my professional commitments.

I have always felt a strong connection to Scandinavia, and I knew Denmark was a leader in fertility treatment with high-quality donors. After searching for a clinic with good reviews, I consulted a specialist clinic in France to assess my fertility. Fortunately, my fertility was excellent, and IUI was recommended as the best option.

Then, COVID-19 disrupted my plans, but it gave me even more time to reflect on my decision. When things stabilised, I shared my plans with a few close friends. Finally, the day of my insemination in Copenhagen arrived.

It was a beautiful, sunny day in July when I took my flight to Denmark. I had no particular expectations, knowing that it might take multiple attempts. When I arrived at the clinic, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. The insemination process was quick and painless, and the staff complimented me on my calmness and serenity throughout the procedure. I felt incredibly relaxed, as if this was simply a natural step in my journey.

After the insemination, I went to Nyhavn, an iconic spot in Copenhagen, to take a selfie. It was a symbolic moment for me, a kind of 'reality check'—I was doing what I had always imagined, but with no certainty that it would work immediately. It was a strange feeling to be there alone, facing an uncertain future, yet feeling calm and confident. I had no big expectations, but I knew this was my path, no matter how long it took.

The next day, I enjoyed a long walk through the city, feeling light-hearted and free. It’s a memory I cherish because two weeks later, a positive pregnancy test changed my life in the most incredible way. Three years after that selfie in Nyhavn, I stood in the same place, this time with my little one—proof that my dream had become a reality.”

Where did you find the information you needed?

“The internet was my main source of information—Google quickly became my best friend. Since I work in research, this approach felt natural to me. I explored a variety of sources, from blog articles and scientific studies on the psychological effects of donor conception to resources provided by sperm banks and clinics.

In France, the doctor I first consulted did not understand my decision at all. He told me I was “crazy” but also that I was “attractive enough to find a man.” This outdated mindset pushed me to seek out professionals who shared my vision.

When I spoke with Born Donor Bank and the Vitanova clinic in Denmark, I immediately felt heard, understood, and supported—without judgement.”

Your thoughts on becoming a solo mum?

“Becoming a solo mum felt like the most natural decision for me—like a light switching on. It was a choice I had always carried within me. This was never a Plan B—it was my Plan A. I have always challenged traditional norms, and I was ready to embrace the family I wanted.

For me, stability was key. I didn’t want my child to grow up in an unstable family environment, which was one of the main reasons I made this decision. I knew this was a viable plan for me, although, of course, I had concerns about logistics, work-life balance, and finances. But aren’t these challenges faced by all families, whether single-parent or not?”

How was your experience with Born Donor Bank?

“I chose Denmark for my treatment, and Born Donor Bank was an obvious choice. Denmark offers high-quality fertility treatments with strict regulations, ensuring safety and transparency.

After comparing several providers and doing thorough research, I was drawn to Born because of their high-qualilty donor sperm, donor profiles, and outstanding customer service. Additionally, Denmark’s sperm donation laws are much more regulated than in other countries, such as the United States, which reassured me.”

What was important to you when choosing your sperm donor?

“The most important factor for me was that my child would share a physical resemblance with me, allowing them to see a reflection of themselves in their family. I also wanted a donor with a clean medical history, and Born ensures all their donors meet this standard.

Another key criterion was an open donor profile so that my child could contact the donor in the future if they wished. After filtering my options, I came across a donor profile that instantly felt right. The childhood photo touched me—his kind face and cheeky smile convinced me he was the one.

At the time, he had no confirmed pregnancies, but I felt so strongly about my choice that I went ahead, knowing only one vial was available. Later, Born informed me that more vials were available for siblings, which I am now considering.”

How did you choose your country of treatment, and why?

“Denmark was the obvious choice. It was convenient in terms of logistics (proximity, reliable transport links), and its legal framework for sperm donation is protective and transparent. Denmark is renowned for its high-quality clinics and excellent sperm donor screening.

Furthermore, Danish sperm donation laws ensure well-regulated procedures, which reassured me compared to other countries.”

Do you have any advice for future solo mums?

“Fertility treatment and pregnancy can be incredible journeys, but the real challenges begin once the baby arrives. I was fortunate to have a smooth pregnancy, but the reality of being a solo mum is sometimes more demanding than expected.

It is essential not to go through this journey alone. Find support, create backup plans, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Taking time for yourself is important—even if it's just for a massage or a solo outing. A strong support network, whether family, friends, or online communities, is crucial.

Being highly organised is key since you are the only pair of hands managing everything. However, with good planning, it becomes easier. This journey requires a lot of energy, but it is worth every moment.”

Anything else you would like to share?

“It’s important to trust your instincts and follow your own path. If something feels right for you, go for it!

Don’t wait too long to make this decision, as fertility treatment can be lengthy and challenging, and it may become more complicated and costly over time.

Above all, don’t let other people’s opinions hold you back. When people ask me, 'Where is the dad?' I simply reply: 'My child doesn’t have a dad—he has his mum.'

I chose this path with pride, and there is absolutely no shame in being a solo mum by choice.”

From Screening to Donor Profile – Get to Know Our Sperm Donors Better

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 07:16:22 GMT

At Born, we meet men every day who have decided to become sperm donors – and it’s rarely a quick or impulsive choice. But who are these men, and how do we select them?
In this blog post, we’ll take you behind the scenes to explain how our donors are accepted, who they typically are, and how we create detailed donor profiles to help you find the perfect match for your family.

The Selection Process at Our Sperm Bank

You might think it’s easy to become a sperm donor – that you can simply show up at a sperm bank and get started straight away. In reality, it’s not quite that simple. Most men go through a longer period of consideration, weighing up the pros and cons, before deciding to donate. It’s an important, personal decision that deserves careful thought.

Once a man decides he’d like to donate at Born, he must first undergo thorough screening and testing by our team of experienced health professionals and medical specialists. We use strict selection criteria to evaluate:

Health
Sperm quality
Physical characteristics
Character

Usually, only about 5% of all our applicants pass the final cut. You can read much more about how we screen and test our donors for genetic and infectious diseases, both before they are approved as donors and during their time with us, here.

Why Screening of Sperm Donors are Important for your Fertility Treatment

Screening our sperm donors is a crucial step to ensure that the donors are both mentally and physically healthy and have a high sperm quality. That’s why all our donor candidates undergo thorough testing for infectious and hereditary diseases, following the highest standards set by the Danish Health Authority, the Danish Patient Safety Agency, and the EU Tissue and Cell Directive.

This screening is also vital for the safety and success of fertility treatments like Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). It helps prevent the transmission of genetic conditions and infectious diseases, safeguarding both your health and that of your future child.

The process also ensures compliance with legal and ethical standards. By carefully screening all our donors, we can help maximise the chances of a healthy pregnancy and a successful outcome for everyone undergoing fertility treatment with donor sperm.

Get to Know Our Donors Better

Maybe you would like to learn a bit more about our donors, beyond the fact that they are healthy and fit? To donate sperm with us, you must be legally an adult (18 years old in Denmark where we are located). We also have an upper age limit of 45, as the risk of spontaneous genetic mutations rises as you get older, particularly from around the age of 45-50.
We don’t disclose a donor’s exact age in their profile, but all are naturally between 18 and 45 years of age. We can reveal that a Born donors’ average age is actually between 26-30 years of age.

Many of our donors are students, but as the average age suggests, it’s not only very young men who donate. We also have many donors with established families and solid careers. In fact, there is great diversity among our donors in terms of education, and occupation as well as appearance. We see this as a significant advantage, as it allows you to choose a donor who matches your specific wishes and needs.

A Born donor can come from any walk of life and have a wide range of physical characteristics, personality traits, values, interests, and hobbies – but the most important thing is that he is healthy, both mentally and physically, has good sperm quality, and genuinely wants to help others fulfil their dream of starting a family. Many of our donors are motivated by a desire to help, which is reflected in the fact that many are also blood donors. They take their responsibility seriously and are aware of the impact their donation has on families hoping to have children.

Here are a couple of examples of why our donors have chosen to donate – in their own words:

"I want to help others who wish to have children but are unable to. The fact that these children are planned and wanted is very important to me."

- Quote by donor Titus

“Something incredibly positive happened when I had my own child. The joy is hard to describe. It's just the best thing in the world, and I realised what truly matters in life.
When some of my friends told me they couldn't have children on their own, I could see how heartbroken they were. They ended up using a sperm donor and welcomed the child they truly desired. That's why I thought that if I can help make this dream come true for others, I would be more than willing to assist in fulfilling that dream and giving others the opportunity.”

- Quote by donor Chip

The Story Behind Our Donor Profiles

We understand that choosing a sperm donor is a significant and personal decision, and we believe you deserve the best possible foundation for making it. That’s why every man who donates with us has his own personal donor profile, which goes beyond hard data such as health and sperm quality, offering you the chance to get to know each donor on a more personal level.
Each donor participates in at least two interviews and completes detailed documents, including questionnaires, before we begin creating their profiles. They also take the time to write a personal letter and select childhood photos.

We put a great deal of effort into gathering this information and combining it with our own impressions of the donor to create a unique profile that truly reflects his character. These descriptions are a blend of the donor’s own words and our observations. In some cases, donors even involve their friends and family to provide a more nuanced and honest picture of who they are.

Our donors are never just numbers in a database – they are individuals with their own stories, backgrounds, and personalities. So, while you won’t meet the donor in person, we assure you that you can still gain a genuine and meaningful sense of who he is through his profile.

What Information Goes into a Donor Profile?

You will always find a wealth of information in our donor profiles. Below is an overview of what they include:

Baby photos

Each profile has a couple of baby photos that you can view for free. We don’t provide adult pictures because it’s important to us to protect the identity of our donors.

Physical characteristics

The profiles include details about the donor’s height, weight, eye and hair colour, complexion, build, and distinctive features. This information will give you a clear picture of the donor's appearance.

Education and occupation

This section offers some insight into the donor’s academic background and career path, highlighting their interests, skills, and life experiences.

Personality traits, hobbies, and interests

Details about the donor's personality traits, hobbies, and interests can give you a deeper understanding of who he is and help you connect with the donor's unique character and passions.

Staff impressions

This is our personal description of the donor, based on our conversations with him. In some cases, the donor's friends and family also provide input to enhance our description.

A handwritten letter

The letter from the donor is a personal message the donors have written specifically for the parent or parents and the donor child. It offers some insight into their personality and thoughts in their own words.

Fun facts and quotes

Fun facts and quotes from the donor may offer a glimpse into their sense of humour, values, and perspective. These small details add an extra personal touch to the profile.

Donor category and family limit

The donor category outlines whether the donor is ID release or no ID release , and the family limit indicates the number of families this donor can help.

Find a Donor

By thoroughly understanding who our donors are and sharing that information with you through their profiles, we aim to provide the best possible foundation for choosing the right sperm donor for your family.

If you’re curious to learn more about the donors, you can browse all their profiles for free on our website . Simply log in and select your treatment country.

Do you need help choosing a donor, or do you have questions about our donor profiles? Feel free to contact us by phone or email. We’re always happy to assist you.

GeneMatch: Why Genetic Screening Makes a Difference When Choosing a Sperm Donor

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 07:20:13 GMT

Choosing a sperm donor is an important step in building your family, and this process can be both exciting and maybe a bit overwhelming, as it involves numerous considerations that can impact your future child's life. At Born, we understand how vital it is for you to feel confident in your decision, and our GeneMatch service is designed to provide an extra level of reassurance by identifying potential genetic risks before conception. Here’s how genetic screening through GeneMatch can support you on your path to parenthood.

What Is Genetic Screening, and Why Does It Matter?

Genetic screening is a process that identifies changes in specific genes, helping to evaluate risks of passing on inherited health conditions. Many people carry genetic variations without realising it, as these typically don’t affect their own health. However, if both biological parents have a mutation in the same gene, there’s a higher risk of passing on a genetic condition to their child. This is why understanding genetic compatibility matters when choosing a sperm donor.

With GeneMatch, you can compare your genes with those of your chosen sperm donor to see if there are any shared mutations that could potentially cause health issues for your future child. This can help you assess the risk of passing on a genetic disease and give you the information you need to make informed decisions about your family's future.

How GeneMatch Enhances Safety in Sperm Donor Conception

Our GeneMatch service is designed to help safeguard your future family’s health by screening for over 400 genetic disorders . These disorders can vary widely in their manifestations and implications, which is why early detection is important. Using a simple mouth swab or saliva sample, GeneMatch screens both you and your chosen sperm donor, identifying any shared genetic mutations that may pose a risk. If you and your chosen sperm donor both carry a mutation in the same gene, your future child could be at a higher risk of developing a genetic condition.

The test is straightforward and user-friendly, and you will receive the results within about 4–6 weeks, providing a clear answer on whether you and your chosen sperm donor are a good genetic match. For those who already possess a carrier report, we can offer a quick 48-hour comparison with the donor’s genetic profile, free of charge.

It's important to note that while GeneMatch gives you helpful insights, it doesn’t completely remove the risk of having a child with a genetic condition. Genetic testing has its limits and may not cover every inherited disease or catch new mutations that could occur in a sperm, egg, or arise in the foetus.

Genetic conditions can sometimes occur without predisposition in the genetic material. This means there is no guarantee that a child will be free of a condition, even if you and the donor both test negative for known genetic mutations that can cause such a disease.

On our webpage you can find extensive information about GeneMatch , including detailed instructions on how to take the test and an overview of the possible results. We encourage you to explore these resources to gain a deeper understanding of the genetic screening process and its benefits.

How Genetic Screening Can Benefit Donor Conceived Children

The main goal of genetic screening is to help your future child get the best possible start in life. If the GeneMatch test shows that you and your chosen sperm donor are a good match, it means there are no concerning shared mutations in the screened genes, minimising the risk of disease manifestation in your child. This confirmation can bring you some peace of mind as you continue your family planning journey.

On the other hand, if a potential issue is found, you’ll have the chance to choose a different donor free of charge. You can read more about that process here . By selecting a genetically compatible sperm donor, you’re taking important steps to protect your future child’s health and reduce the risk of inherited conditions that could impact their quality of life.

We Provide Support for You on Your Fertility Journey

At Born, we understand that choosing a sperm donor is a significant and deeply personal decision. This process can bring about a wide range of emotions and questions, and it's important to feel supported as you navigate it. That’s why we offer our GeneMatch service, one of the many ways we are dedicated to assisting you on your fertility journey.

We strongly believe that knowledge is power, and our goal is to empower you with the information you need to make confident decisions about your family.

Our team is always ready to provide guidance, answer your questions, and offer valuable resources to help you feel supported every step of the way. Find our contact information here.

Same-Sex Parents: Our 5 Best Tips for Starting a Two-Mum Family

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 07:25:12 GMT

Starting a family as a lesbian couple is an exciting and deeply personal journey. At Born, we understand the unique steps involved in family building for two-mum families, and we’re here to guide and support you along the way. Here are some essential tips to help you navigate the process of starting your family.

Things to Consider as a Same-Sex Couple:

1. Understand Your Fertility Options

For same-sex couples, the journey to parenthood often begins with donor sperm. However, there are several fertility options available, and it's essential to choose the method that aligns best with your family’s goals and values:

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) : This is a widely used fertility treatment where donor sperm is placed directly into one partner's uterus during ovulation. IUI is generally less invasive and is often the first step for many two-mum families. It's a relatively straightforward procedure and can be an effective way to achieve pregnancy.

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) : IVF is another option that involves fertilising eggs with donor sperm outside the body. Once fertilised, the resulting embryo is then transferred to one partner’s uterus. Some couples opt to use one partner’s eggs while having the other partner carry the baby. This method allows for a biological connection to the child for both parents, which can be an important consideration for many families.

Reciprocal IVF : This unique option is specifically designed for two-mum families. In reciprocal IVF, one partner provides the eggs, which are fertilised with donor sperm and then implanted in the other partner's uterus. This approach allows both partners to be biologically involved in the pregnancy, with one partner contributing the eggs and the other carrying the pregnancy to term.

However, it’s essential to note that reciprocal IVF is not available in all countries, so you’ll need to research the regulations and practices in your area. Consulting with a fertility specialist can provide you with guidance on whether this option is suitable for you and your partner, as well as the associated medical and legal considerations.

2. Consider Legal Matters Early On

It's essential to establish legal rights for both partners regarding the child from the very beginning. Laws governing parental rights can differ significantly depending on your country or region, making it vital to seek legal advice as early as possible in the process. This proactive approach helps ensure that both parents are protected and that their rights are recognised under the law.

For couples in which one partner is not the biological mother, navigating the legal landscape can be particularly important. In some jurisdictions, the non-biological mother may need to undergo a legal co-parent adoption process to be officially recognised as a parent. This requirement stands even if both mothers are married, and completing this process ensures that both partners share equal legal rights and responsibilities toward the child. By addressing these legal matters upfront, you can foster a secure and supportive environment for your family, allowing both parents to fully engage in their child's upbringing

3. Decide Who Will Carry the Baby

One of the most beautiful aspects of starting a family as a two- mum couple is the unique opportunity to decide together who will carry and give birth to the baby. This decision can be an exciting journey filled with love and collaboration, and there are several physical and emotional factors to consider as you explore this choice.

Fertility Health : A great first step is to undergo fertility testing for both partners. Understanding your fertility health can provide valuable insights and help you determine which partner might have a higher chance of conceiving. This is especially relevant if you’re planning to use methods like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF). Knowledge is power, and having these tests done can guide your decision-making process.

Age : Age can also be an important consideration when deciding who will carry the baby. Fertility generally declines with age, which might influence your decision. However, it's worth noting that advances in fertility treatments mean that women in their late 30's and early 40’s can still have successful pregnancies. Consider how age might impact your individual circumstances and comfort levels when making this choice.

Personal Preference : Personal feelings and preferences play a significant role in this decision. Some couples may find that one partner has always dreamed of experiencing pregnancy, while others may choose to share the experience through reciprocal IVF, where one partner provides the eggs, and the other carries the pregnancy. Open and honest discussions about your desires and feelings can strengthen your bond and ensure that both partners feel valued and heard throughout this process.

Ultimately, this decision is a deeply personal one, and what matters most is that both partners feel supported and excited about the journey ahead.

4. Pick Your Sperm Donor

Selecting the right sperm donor is a significant and deeply personal decision. We understand the importance of this choice and invest considerable time and effort into getting to know each of our donors thoroughly. This enables us to assist you in finding the ideal match that aligns with your needs and preferences. For this reason, you’ll discover an abundance of detailed information within each donor's profile, providing you with the insight and confidence needed to make an informed decision.

Most donor profiles include the following information:

Baby photos
Physical characteristics
Education and occupation
Personality traits, hobbies, and interests
Staff impressions
A handwritten letter from the donor
Fun facts and quotes
Donor category and family limit

If you’re feeling curious, why not create a free account and explore our donor profiles on our website . With our range of filters, you can refine your search by physical characteristics, education, occupation, and much more, helping you discover a donor that suits your preferences. As you browse through the profiles, take your time to consider a donor whose qualities resonate with both you and your partner. For additional guidance on choosing the right sperm donor, you can also check out our blog post here .

ID or No ID Release Donor?

One of the key choices you'll need to consider is whether to opt for an ID Release Donor or a No ID Release Donor. Choosing an ID Release Donor means that your child will have the option to access identifying information about the donor once they reach adulthood or the legal age for contact in your country. This option can provide your child with the opportunity to explore and learn more about their biological background, should they wish to do so. If you’d like to learn more about the differences between ID and No ID Release Donor categories, you can read further here:

It's essential to keep in mind that the category of donor available to you may depend on the country where you are receiving treatment. If you're unsure about your options or haven't yet decided where you would like to have your treatment, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to support you in making the best choice for your family, and we can help guide you through the process.

5. Prioritise Emotional Support

Starting a family can be an emotional process, and it’s important to prepare for the highs and lows that come with fertility treatments and pregnancy. Family-building can take time, and every couple’s journey is different. Some couples get pregnant quickly, while others may face more challenges. Keeping an open mind and being willing to adjust your plan if needed will help you stay positive throughout the process. Surrounding yourselves with supportive people can also make a big difference:

Counselling : Many fertility clinics offer counselling services to help couples navigate the emotional aspects of fertility treatments. It can be helpful to talk to a professional about any fears, anxieties, or challenges you may face during the process.

Support Networks : Connecting with other two-mum families, either through LGBTQ+ parenting groups or online forums, might provide a sense of community. Talking to someone who have gone through similar experiences can offer valuable insights and comfort.

Final Thoughts

At Born Sperm Bank, we are committed to helping two-mum families create the family of their dreams. Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or you’re ready to take the next step, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Your path to parenthood is unique, and we’re honoured to be a part of your journey. Feel free to reach out to us for advice, guidance, or simply a compassionate ear. Together, we can make your dream of becoming parents a reality.

Become a Single Mother by Choice Step-By-Step

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 06:38:41 GMT

Becoming a single parent by choice is a journey filled with emotional, logistical, and medical considerations. Whether you have always dreamed of having a child on your own or recent circumstances have led you to this decision, we'll help you get off to a great start.

How to Get Started

Starting your journey as a single mother begins with a clear understanding of all the steps involved. It's essential to be well-prepared and informed about the decisions you'll need to make along the way. That’s why we’ve created this step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process, from selecting a clinic to choosing a sperm donor and understanding the various treatment options available to you.

Step 1: Consider Your Financial and Emotional Readiness

Becoming a single mom by choice will surely bring immense joy and happiness, but it can also come with challenges, both financially and emotionally. Here are some key points to think about before moving forward:

Financial Stability : Raising a child can be costly. Make sure you have a steady income, health insurance, and some savings. It’s helpful to research the ongoing costs of childcare, education, and other long-term expenses.
Emotional Support : While you may not have a partner, a strong support system is invaluable. Friends, family, or maybe a community of other single mothers can provide much-needed emotional support.

Step 2: Find a Clinic

If you feel ready to begin your journey towards parenthood, the next step is to choose your treatment country and find a reputable fertility clinic. It's always a good idea to do some research. Look for clinics with good reviews, high success rates, and staff who make you feel comfortable and supported. It's also beneficial to consider the location and whether the clinic offers the specific services you need, such as Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) or In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).

Your treatment country determines the donor category available to you. An ID release donor allows your child access to donor identity information upon reaching adulthood or the legal age for contact in your country. You can learn more about donor categories here .

Please get in touch if you are unsure about where you would like to have your treatment.

Step 3: Find a Sperm Donor

Finding the right sperm donor is a significant decision and can be one of the most emotionally charged parts of the process. At our sperm bank we put a lot of effort into getting to know all of our donors so we can help you find the perfect match. That’s why you'll find a wealth of information in their profiles.

Most of them include:

Baby photos
Physical characteristics
Education and occupation
Personality traits, hobbies, and interests
Staff impressions
A handwritten letter from the donor
Fun facts and quotes
Donor category and family limit

Some women prefer to choose a donor who resembles them or their family, while others may prioritise education and occupation or personal values.

If you are feeling curious, you can create a free account and browse through our donor profiles on our website right now. They are all carefully selected as well as screened and tested in accordance with applicable quality and safety standards.

Take your time to review all your options and select a donor who feels right for you. You can use the various filters on our website to refine your search results. You can filter by physical characteristics, education, occupation, and much more to find your favourite donor.

Don’t worry if you are feeling a little overwhelmed by all the choices, you have to make when picking your donor, we're here to help you every step of the way. You can also find some useful pieces of advice here .

Step 4: Buy Sperm Units

The type of units you need depends on your treatment plan and your fertility clinic's recommendations. IUI units are suitable for all fertility treatments. MOT indicates the number of motile sperm cells, measured in millions per ml. Before placing your order, we always recommend that you determine with your clinic which unit type and MOT are required for your treatment.

Determining the number of sperm units to purchase can depend on several factors, including the type of treatment you plan to undergo and the advice of your fertility specialist. It is generally recommended to buy multiple units from the same donor, especially if you plan to have more than one child in the future and want them to be full biological siblings. Your clinic can provide guidance based on your individual situation and treatment plan.

When viewing our donor profiles, you’ll be able to see how many units we have available for each specific donor. If you want units for several treatments or future siblings, it is possible to store units at our facility.

Step 5: Shipping

Once you have selected your donor and ordered the necessary sperm units, we will arrange for shipping to your clinic to ensure that the units are handled and stored correctly.

In most areas we have day-to-day delivery, but it is not possible to receive orders on weekends. Before we can ship your order, we need to make sure that all required paperwork has been submitted to us. For some orders the receiving clinic must also approve certain paperwork before we can ship your order.

If you have special needs or requirements, don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can also choose to store sperm with us for future use. Please find everything you need to know about shipping here .

Fertility Treatment as a Single Woman

Now, the next exciting step is getting started on your treatment. There are several treatment options available for single women wanting to conceive, each with its own benefits and considerations. The two most common methods are Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).

IUI Treatment : This is a less invasive and typically less expensive procedure where sperm is directly inserted into the uterus during ovulation. It requires precise timing and is often recommended for women with good overall fertility health.
IVF Treatment : This method involves retrieving eggs from the ovaries and fertilising them with sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are then implanted into the uterus. IVF has higher success rates, especially for women with fertility issues or those of advanced maternal age, but it is also more costly and involves a more complex medical procedure.

We wish you the very best of luck on your path to parenthood. We believe that the decision to becoming a parent is a brave and rewarding one. By following our guide, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your dream of starting a family. Just take it one step at a time and embrace the adventure ahead.

You might also find some helpful pieces of advice here . And remember, you can always contact us if you need anything, you don’t even need to book an appointment.

We Have Established Worldwide Family Limits on All Our Sperm Donors

Mon, 27 May 2024 08:18:54 GMT

In the world of assisted reproduction, sperm banks play a crucial role in helping individuals and couples achieve their dream of parenthood. However, behind the scenes, there are many important regulations and guidelines in place to ensure the safety and well-being of donor-conceived people and their families. One such regulation is the imposition of family limits. At Born, we have established worldwide limits on the number of families created per donor, in addition to the nationally implemented limits, because we strongly believe in full transparency and ethical practice.

Why Family Limits Matter for Sperm Donation

Family limits refer to the maximum number of families that can use the sperm from a single donor to conceive children. These limits are put in place for several reasons:

Genetic Diversity : By limiting the number of families created from a single donor, we can reduce the risk of inbreeding and mitigate potential genetic health issues that may arise from closely related individuals having children.

Ethical Considerations : Family limits also ensure that each donor-conceived person has the opportunity to know their biological heritage and potentially connect with half-siblings, if desired, without encountering an overwhelming number of genetic relatives.

Full Transparency : We believe that family limits also provide any prospective parents with the information they need to make informed decisions about their fertility journey.

How Many Children Can a Sperm Donor Have?

When it comes to the topic of sperm donation, one of the most frequently asked questions revolves around the number of children a sperm donor can potentially have. This number is influenced by various factors, including the national and worldwide regulations and guidelines. But regardless of the numerical count, it's essential to recognise that being a sperm donor does not equate to being a father.

A sperm donor is indeed the biological origin of any potential donor-conceived children, but he has no paternal or legal obligations to the children. That being said, many countries have a national quota, established by law, which limits how many children or families one donor may assist based on geographic distribution.

Family Limits by Country

So, how many families can use the same sperm donor? Family limits can vary depending on the regulations and guidelines set forth by national legislation. In some countries, such as Denmark, the limits are defined on a per-family basis to make it possible for parents to have a full sibling to the child(ren) they have already conceived using a sperm donor. However, be aware that in some countries the limits may be based on the number of individuals conceived using a donor's sperm.

In Denmark, the limit is set at 12 families. So, a donor could potentially help conceive more than 12 children within those families. In England, the limit is 10 families, etc. Please see maximum country family limits for your treatment country here .

Our Worldwide Family Limits

As a licensed sperm bank, we always follow the national laws regarding the maximum number of families that a donor's sperm can assist in conceiving within a specific country. Additionally, since there's no global limit on how many families one sperm donor can assist, we've established a worldwide cap of either 25 or 75 families for all our donors – both our ID release and No ID release donors. These limits are always clearly displayed on the donor profiles on our website.

If you want to further limit the number of families per donor, we have a few exclusive donors who can help just 5 families or your family only. If you're interested in using a donor who is going to help only a smaller number of families, please get in touch to learn more.

Understanding the Importance of Worldwide Family Limits

The research article " Evolving Minimum Standards in Responsible International Sperm Donor Offspring Quota " discusses the changing regulations and standards for the number of families a sperm donor can help internationally. It highlights the importance of setting family limits to prevent potential negative social and psychological effects on donor-conceived people. The article examines different countries' approaches to managing donor quotas, the rationale behind these policies, and the move towards more stringent and uniform standards. It also addresses the need for global cooperation to ensure ethical practices and protect the rights and well-being of all parties involved.

According to the article an international working group was established with the aim of making recommendations on the number of families a sperm donor can help worldwide. Considerations from genetic, psychosocial, operational and ethical points of view were debated, and the consensus was that the number should never exceed 100 families.

We've used this article to inform our decision on setting a maximum family limit of max 75 and 25. We believe that these limits ensure responsible practices and align with evolving standards in the field of sperm donation, promoting the welfare of all involved parties.

What is a Pregnancy Slot?

At Born we have decided to opt for a pregnancy slot in order to keep track of the number of pregnancies and to make sure that we always adhere to both national and worldwide limits on the number of families created by each of our donors.

This means that any donor sperm from our sperm bank may only be acquired while completing a pregnancy slot contract. This contract gives you the right to conceive and create a family using the donor in question. A family unit is registered in terms of a pregnancy slot being added at the time of ordering and shipment to a new client. Only the confirmation from the treating fertility clinic of an unsuccessful treatment course will release the family unit again, ensuring that our family limits are always adhered to. Therefore, we do not have to rely solely on pregnancy reporting to monitor national and worldwide limits.

Pricing According to Our Family Limits

We always ensure that our donor sperm is of the highest quality, and we offer a wide selection of donor sperm options at various price levels.

At Born, we are very aware that fertility treatments, and everything they involve, can quickly become costly, and we keep our prices on the lower end compared to our competitors.

Our pricing varies based on family limits: a max 75 donor is the most affordable, a max 25 donor comes at a slightly higher price, and our exclusive donors, who help only five families or just your family, are priced accordingly. This is because our prices reflect the exclusivity of the product that you buy.

However, our pricing structure is not only tailored according to our family limits, but also the ID release status of our donors, and the sperm motility. Please check all our prices here and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need help choosing the right type of sperm for your fertility treatment. Note that prices listed do not include VAT or shipping.

Conclusion - A Safe Way to Parenthood

Family limits play a vital role in safeguarding the well-being of donor-conceived people and their families and for maintaining genetic diversity within the population. By implementing clear guidelines and ensuring transparency, we can provide prospective parents with the information they need to make informed decisions about their fertility journey. Pregnancy slots help us keep track of the number of pregnancies and ensure that both the national and worldwide family limits are always adhered to.

At Born, we're all about being open and honest, making sure everyone knows what's happening every step of the way. Establishing worldwide family limits on all our donors is just one way of staying true to our commitment to transparency and ethical practice.

Pieces of Advice for Anyone Who Considers Becoming a Single Mother by Choice

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 06:59:53 GMT

Becoming a parent is without a doubt a remarkable journey, filled with joy, challenges, and personal growth. For some women, however, the path to parenthood might take unexpected turns, leading them to make bold decisions on their own. In recent years, there has been a notable rise in the number of women who decide to have a child by themselves, not only as a result of circumstance, but also as a deliberate choice. If you are considering becoming a single mother by choice, we have gathered some pieces of advice that will hopefully help you make up your mind and guide you on your way to becoming a single parent. 

Want to Become a Single Mother by Choice?  

Making the decision to embark on the journey of single motherhood by choice is both courageous and empowering, but it is also a path that requires careful consideration and planning. As you contemplate this significant step, seeking guidance from others who have walked a similar path and building a strong support network can provide invaluable reassurance and encouragement along the way. Trust in your instincts and embrace the possibility of creating a fulfilling and meaningful life as a single mother by choice.

The Pros and Cons of Single Motherhood

Deciding to raise a child without a partner is a big decision, and maybe weighing up the pros and cons of single motherhood will help you make the choice that feels right for you. We have started the list below, and you can continue filling it out with all your own thoughts.  

Pros of Single Motherhood

Bringing your dream of parenthood to life: If you have a strong desire to become a parent but haven’t found a suitable partner or prefer to parent independently, single motherhood by choice offers a path to fulfil this aspiration and experience the joys of parenthood. 
 
Flexibility in parenting approach: As a single mum by choice, you have the freedom to parent according to your own values, beliefs, and preferences without needing to compromise with a partner. This can result in a parenting style that is tailored to the individual needs of the child and fosters a close bond between mother and child. 
 
Strong support networks: Many single mothers by choice actively seek out support networks of other single mothers, donor-conceived families, or community groups, providing them with emotional support, practical advice, and friendship.

Cons of Single Motherhood 

Not having a partner to share parenthood with: As a single parent, you miss out on the shared experiences, support, and companionship that come with co-parenting or having a partner.  
 
Sole responsibility for parenting: Single mothers by choice bear sole responsibility for all aspects of parenting. Balancing the demands of work, childcare, and household responsibilities without the support of a partner can be overwhelming at times. 
 
Possible financial strain: Single mothers by choice may face financial challenges due to the expenses associated with fertility treatments, donor conception, and raising a child alone. Managing the costs of childcare, housing, education, and other necessities on a single salary may require careful budgeting and planning.

Using a Sperm Donor for Your Fertility Treatment

If you decide to begin your journey towards single motherhood, the first step is reaching out to a fertility clinic to learn more about your treatment options and gain some valuable insights into assisted reproductive technologies and the different fertility treatments like ICI, (intracervical insemination) IUI (intrauterine insemination) or IVF (in vitro fertilisation). You can also read more about your different treatment options here .
There are many practical considerations to navigate, but the fertility clinic will guide you through the process of starting your treatment. Most single women opt for donor sperm from a sperm bank to ensure a high sperm quality. You also minimise the risk of any diseases transferring to you, or your future child, as thorough health and genetic screenings are conducted regularly on all sperm donors.
 
We know that selecting and finding the right sperm donor for your insemination can be a big and very personal decision, so don’t worry if you are feeling a little overwhelmed. We have written an article on how to choose a sperm donor that will hopefully answer some of the questions you might have and provide you with a lot of useful information and guidance on selecting a sperm donor that meets all your preferences.
If you are feeling a little curious, you can also browse through all our donor profiles f or free.  

Your Choice Might Get Mixed Reactions

One of the challenges you may face as a single mother by choice is others' reactions to your choice. Some people around you may express curiosity and admiration for your decision to become a single mom, recognising the courage and determination it takes to embark on parenthood solo. Others may offer their help and support, acknowledging your strength and resilience in navigating this journey independently. 
 
However, you may also face unwarranted reactions such as scepticism or judgment. Some people might question your decision, expressing concerns about your ability to handle parenthood without a partner. Others may hold onto traditional notions of family structure, struggling to understand or accept your choice to become a single mother. People may inquire about the identity of the child's father or offer opinions on your parenting choices, sometimes without considering how their words may be intrusive or insensitive. 
 
We are very aware that single mothers by choice still meet a lot of prejudice . Unfortunately, some people believe that it’s selfish to have a child on your own, that it’s against nature, and that the child will have the job to make you happy, cure your loneliness or replace a partner. It's always a good idea to mentally prepare yourself for encountering prejudices like these, but hopefully, more and more people will change their attitudes towards single parenting by choice as it becomes increasingly common. 

The Importance of Building a Support Network 

One of the most crucial elements in navigating solo motherhood is building a strong support network for emotional support as well as practical assistance. 
At times, single motherhood may feel isolating as you don’t have a partner to share the highs and lows of parenting with. A support network will provide a vital source of emotional encouragement, understanding, and empathy.  

Single mothers have to juggle multiple responsibilities from childcare to household chores and the likes. Having a support system in place can offer practical assistance when you need it the most, whether it’s a friend watching your baby for a couple of hours or a family member helping with errands or housework. 

It's a good idea to reach out to friends and family and communicate your needs openly and to accept help when offered. Many loved ones are more than happy to assist but may not know how best to support you unless you express your needs. You can also seek out local or online support groups specifically for single mothers by choice to connect with other women who understand everything you are going through – the good and the bad. 

The Journey to Parenthood

We believe that the journey to single motherhood is a celebration of choice—the choice to chart your own course, to embrace motherhood on your own terms, and to create a family founded on love, courage, and determination.  
As societal norms evolve, so too does the concept of family and parenthood. Single motherhood by choice may still challenge some traditional paradigms, but it also offers a poignant reminder that love transcends boundaries and that the desire to nurture and care for a child knows no bounds.  
 
If you're considering single parenthood, you are not alone. More and more women are making the informed choice to have a child without a partner. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about becoming a single mother. We are here to guide you every step of the way. 

Two Mums and a Donor: Maria and Her Wife Are About to Start a Family

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 10:38:03 GMT

For lesbian couples the path to parenthood may involve some unique challenges and considerations including a whole lot of planning, some serious decision making, and some big emotions.

Maria is a graphic designer from Portugal who is living with her Norwegian wife in Copenhagen. They have been together for 6 years, and they are both longing to start a family.

“Having a baby is such a big decision that we both take very seriously. In our situation, it brings many considerations that other couples are not necessarily faced with, such as choosing a sperm donor, which adds a lot of weight to the process.”

Fear, Excitement, and Hope

The couple have now decided that they are as ready as they will ever be to start a family, and they are already facing some big decisions and going through all the emotions even though their journey towards parenthood has only just begun.

“Starting this whole process can be very overwhelming. There’s a lot of research to do, a lot of planning, and many decisions to make. There’s also some fear involved because we know it’s probably going to be a long process, and there’s always the risk of miscarriage and a fear that it won’t work. However, there’s also a lot of excitement, otherwise it would just be a painful journey, right? The excitement, the hope, and the happiness are what motivates us to get started on this journey.”

Who Is Carrying the Baby?

For Maria and her wife, it was quite easy to decide which one of them is going to carry the pregnancy because Maria has a strong desire to become pregnant and experience childbirth and breastfeeding.

“I've always wanted to be the one carrying the baby. I have a very caring personality, and I think it’s such an important and magical thing. I would love to feel the baby grow and getting the connection through the process of breastfeeding. My partner feels like she doesn’t need to carry the baby to be a mum, so for us that part was an easy choice.”

As Maria is going to be the one receiving treatment and carrying the baby, it’s important to her that her wife gets to feel equally part of the process and will be able to see herself in the coming baby.

“I want my partner to feel like she's a very big part of the process. So, when we are looking into sperm donors, we are trying to find someone who resembles her somehow, in personality and looks, and she gets to make the final decision.”

Picking the Right Sperm Donor

Currently, the couple is in the process of picking a sperm donor which seems to be a greater challenge for them. There are so many different options and possibilities, and even though they are both very open-minded, they quickly realised that they had to take a lot of different things into consideration when making this decision.

“Our baby is going to have two mums, one from Portugal and one from Norway, and in addition we are living in Denmark. Therefore, it’s important to us that the sperm donor resembles us in some way and doesn’t add to the confusion. That’s also why we wanted a Norwegian donor initially.”

Other than the child having some kind of physical resemblance to them, the personality and the values of the sperm donor also turned out to be very important to both of them.

Me and my partner are actually quite different in terms of personality, although we share the same values. We have been thinking a lot about how the personality of the donor might impact the personality of the child, and if it is important to try to get a donor with a personality that fits well with ours. On the other hand, the child will be raised by us, so naturally the values will be there, which we consider the most important. Maybe we shouldn’t worry about this at all.”

Breaking the Stigma around Same-Sex Families

For Maria and her wife, it has been important to involve their network of friends from the very beginning. They have been open and honest about their wish to start a family even though it can sometimes be a sensitive issue to discuss. Luckily, they haven’t met any judgement or prejudices yet, and they hope that being open and transparent can also help break some of the stigma that they know still exists around same-sex families and sperm donation.

“I'm quite a social person, and I have been very open about this whole process with my colleagues and friends. I think their support is important, and I want to tell them how I feel - what is good, and what is difficult. I also think that I have the power to make some changes in terms of awareness around this topic, and I'm trying to use that power. My parents are a little bit more conservative, so I have a harder time expressing myself emotionally with them.”

Family Has Nothing to Do with DNA

“I don’t think you necessarily have to share any DNA to be a family. You can have a much closer connection to someone you are not related to than you have to some people from your own family, right? For me family is very much about giving love and respect and being there for each other without any judgement.”

In 2024, More and More Women Become Single Mothers by Choice, but They Still Meet a Lot of Prejudice

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 12:11:41 GMT

It is selfish to have a child on your own, it is not done „the normal way “, not intended by God, against nature, single mothers hate men, the child will have the job to make them happy, cure their loneliness, and replace a partner. These are just some of the many prejudices that single mothers by choice still meet.

Katharina Horn knows all about the challenges and prejudices single mothers by choice face in their daily lives. She is a single mother by choice herself as well as a clinical social worker and fertility counsellor who supports many women on their journey towards single motherhood. She also provides a network for single mothers all over Germany and has founded the association “Solomütter Deutschland e.V.” to give single mothers a voice in politics. We have asked her some questions about the prejudices single mothers by choice often meet, and how she thinks we can break the taboos around sperm donation, single parenting, and donor conceived families.

In your opinion, why do more and more women decide to become single mothers by choice?

Some might say that solo motherhood is a trend, but I don't see it that way. In 2018, there was a major law launched in Germany called the Sperm Donor Register Act. Before that law very few doctors treated single women in Germany, but since then the number of clinics where singles can be treated has increased which means that women no longer have to travel abroad.

The more stories we have of single mothers by choice with their children, the more people can picture and adapt this path for themselves. In my opinion as more people hear about this new option, it becomes an option for them as well.

Can you try to describe the biggest doubts and fears of single mothers by choice when they are about to start their journey towards parenthood?

A lot of people ask themselves; will I be able to do this? Is my network big enough? What if I get sick? What if I don't manage to provide financial support for my child? Some ask themselves: Will my child develop well, or will it suffer along the way? What if my child asks about the father? How do I explain it to my child? When do I explain it? How do I talk to those around me about it? And of course, many people ask themselves what if it doesn't work?

Why do you think it can be difficult for single women to talk openly about their wish to have a baby with their friends, family, and co-workers?

Many people are faced with the dilemma of not wanting to share too many private things about their lives. The fact that a child was born from a sperm donation is also felt to be a private matter. For the child's development, however, it is essential to talk to the child at an early stage about the concept of family building with the help of sperm donation. The child should feel normal and not “different”. But a child cannot feel normal if only mum mentions the donor, if other people (grandma, teacher, friend, daycare parent) are unsure because they don't know how to talk about it.

Which prejudices are single mothers by choice sometimes met by?

I think the biggest prejudice that solo mothers face is that it's selfish to have a child on your own. It is not done „the normal way “, not intended by God, against nature. Their child will suffer just because they absolutely wanted to have a child (and now they raise it without a man). For some people it seems like the child will have the job to make the mother happy, cure her loneliness, replace a partner. Another prejudice is that single mothers hate men. Because they are single, they are not normal, they have done something wrong. They are not able to have relationships.

I think single motherhood is one path to family among many other paths, which of course doesn't suit everyone. Being single is not a mistake, it is not abnormal. On the contrary, why should single mothers force themselves into a relationship just because they want to have children? Why do so many people say: This is the better way? I know many single mothers who are very proud of their decision and have great solo mother families.

Where do you think these prejudices come from?

This form of family building is still very young. I think traditional ideas about what family means clash with the colourful and diverse in our society. Sometimes there are also assumptions that the children will develop poorly because in the past children were often not informed about sperm donation from their parents, and there are many stories from these children, who are now adults, that describe what this has done to them. In the worst case, even identity crises. But that's precisely why it's important to educate children early on, so that the child can experience that starting a family through sperm donation is something normal right from the start and does not have to experience any surprises regarding their identity.

What do you think about this prejudice: “Single mothers by choice are incapable of providing everything a child needs without a partner”?

In short, family is where love is. Children need reliable people who love them. I think father and mother are gender stereotyped roles that are linked to certain tasks. Children of solo mothers learn that they do not need such roles and can develop freely from them. There are no studies that show that children without fathers develop worse, just because of the absence of the father. No study shows that you need a male and female parent. We shouldn't draw any conclusions about classic single-parent families where one partner was in the family and then left - that's a completely different situation with completely different consequences and effects.
I know many single mothers who have put together a very large network. But that's the point if you’re not willing to talk about this path, if you don't have the courage to talk openly to others about it, if you’re maybe ashamed then it will be difficult to approach other people and expand your network.

What do you think makes a family?

In our association “Solomütter Deutschland e.V.” there is currently a discussion about the definition: Family = one child + one adult + x. The second plus can stand for nobody, for one person or any number of people. But if we move away from definitions, for me family means love, connectedness, reliability, and loyalty. I also prefer the word “framily” (friends and family). This means that there doesn’t need to be any genetic connection.

How do you think we can break the taboos around sperm donation, single parenting, and donor conceived families?

What we need is more research. There is little research conducted on adult children after sperm bank donation from single mothers. We already know a lot about children who were told late or never about the sperm donation by their own parents. Not knowing the truth has harmed those children.
But today, we have a different approach to this topic. And many people who have never had anything to do with the topic of sperm donation don't even know this difference. Here in Germany, there is no longer any anonymous sperm donation, and I personally recommend education from birth onwards. For me, education begins during pregnancy when the first questions arise.

In Germany there are still some clinics that are not willing to treat singles, doctors who say that women have to go abroad because it is not allowed in Germany, or worse, that they should just look for a man in the club. We need more education in society overall. And more stories or examples of Single-mother families.

What do you hope to see in the future?

I think our future theme will be to say goodbye to the classic heteronormative traditional image of family. Every family is normal. It is good and healthy to choose a path to starting a family that is consistent with your inner values and attitudes, and not to choose a path because it has always been that way or society says: Ok, you´re 35 - if you don´t have a partner right now, you have failed.

Annsofie and Thomas Are Struggling to Start a Family Due to Poor Sperm Quality

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 06:34:39 GMT

Grief, anger, jealousy, and guilt are just some of the emotions the couple grapples with during their fertility treatment.

Annsofie is 24 years old, living with her fiancé Thomas, who is 27. Their journey towards parenthood began over 2 years ago. They were confident it would be easy, being young and always cautioned about the ease of getting pregnant. But nothing happened.

“When I look back at the sex education I received, all we learned was how to put a condom on a banana to prevent pregnancy. I think that we should learn a bit about what can impact both men’s and women’s fertility and provide some insight into how many people are struggling to conceive. I think it's important to talk openly about it.”

After 9 unsuccessful months of trying to conceive, Thomas went to the doctor to have his sperm quality checked. The couple already knew that Annsofie's egg reserve was fine, as she had already been checked. Unfortunately, Thomas quickly received the news that everything was not as it should be, and that he had significantly reduced sperm quality. Thus, they were referred directly to the Køge Fertility Clinic.

"Then Thomas had to submit two additional sperm samples to Køge Fertility Clinic. The first sample had 0 active sperm cells, and the second sample had 2 million active sperm cells, which is really low. After that, there was an 11-month waiting period because unfortunately, there is such a long waiting time for the first treatment attempt."

The Big Dream of a Little Miracle

During the waiting time, Annsofie and Thomas actually managed to become naturally pregnant, against all expectations. However, the dream of a baby ended in a spontaneous abortion in the 7th week.

"It was kind of a gut punch when we thought we were having our miracle baby. We thought we could avoid fertility treatment and all the difficulty, but that's not how it was supposed to be. After that, the whole process of egg retrieval started. We were lucky to get a total of 9 eggs in storage, and we have subsequently had eggs implanted several times, but we haven’t had any luck yet."

Grief, Anger, Jealousy, and Guilt

While Annsofie and Thomas have eggs implanted and wait and hope again and again, their friends slowly start having children. Although they are happy for their them, it also triggers some other difficult feelings in them.

"Fortunately for our friends, it has been super easy for them, so they got pregnant quickly. It's not that we can't be happy for them, because we genuinely can, but it's heartbreaking that it has to be so difficult for us. I have felt a lot of jealousy, and anger because we thought, what have we done to deserve this? And along with the jealousy came a lot of guilt."

You’re So Young, Just Relax, It Will Happen

Early in the process, Annsofie and Thomas decided to speak openly and honestly about their fertility problems with both family and friends, so they could better understand their reactions at times. Their openness has helped them a lot, and they have received great understanding and support from their closest circle. Despite that, they have encountered quite a few opinions and comments in their social circles that they could have done without.

"There are comments like 'just relax a little, then it will happen,' but the fact is that there is a problem, so we can relax as much as we want, but the chance of it happening naturally is very, very small. Then there's also the thing that people say: You're so young, just take it easy. No matter your age, it's tough to struggle with infertility. Unless you've experienced fertility treatments, it's hard to grasp the accompanying emotions. I had never thought about how hard it would be before we found ourselves in the middle of it."

Annsofie has now started sharing their journey on social media, hoping that it might help others who are also struggling with fertility problems and childlessness, so they may feel a little less alone.

"When we shared something about it on my YouTube channel, there were 65,000 views within 3 days, and we thought, okay, that's a lot. There are actually a lot of people out there struggling with the same as us."

The Hardest Part Is the Waiting Time and the Uncertainty

Although Annsofie and Thomas make a great effort to make the most of each day, their fertility problems and treatment process take up a lot of space, and the uncertainty and waiting time are clearly some of the things they struggle with the most. Despite that, they have certainly not thought of giving up.

"The waiting time is tough, and not knowing if it will ever succeed. If we had a date, we would at least have something to look forward to, but not knowing if it will happen tomorrow or in 4 years or never, I find that very difficult to be in."

Family Comes in Many Forms

"We will continue to fight to have our own biological child, but we both know that we cannot live 100% happily if we don't have a child one way or another. So, if we reach that point, we will certainly consider either a sperm donor or, if that doesn't work out, adoption. I believe that a family can take many forms."

Treatment of Male Infertility

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 13:52:59 GMT

Infertility is a complex and emotionally challenging issue that affects millions of couples worldwide. There sometimes seem to be a misconception that infertility is mainly a female issue, but for 40% of infertile couples, male infertility is a contributor to difficulties in conceiving. Fortunately, advances in science and technology have opened new doors if you are looking for solutions to male infertility. In this blog post, we'll explore the various treatments and strategies available to address male infertility.

Understanding the Causes of Male Infertility

Infertility in men is generally defined as the inability to become pregnant after one year of unprotected sexual intercourse. It can be caused by a wide range of factors, including:

Low Sperm Count: A low sperm count, also known as oligospermia, reduces the chances of sperm reaching and fertilising the egg.

Poor Sperm Motility: Sperm must be able to swim effectively to reach the egg. Poor and low sperm motility can hinder this process.

Abnormal Sperm Morphology: Sperm with structural abnormalities may struggle to penetrate the egg.

Ejaculatory Issues: Conditions like retrograde ejaculation, where semen travels backward into the bladder instead of out the urethra, can affect your fertility.

Hormonal Imbalances: Hormonal imbalances, including low testosterone levels, can impact your sperm production.

Obstructions: Blockages in the reproductive tract can prevent sperm from being ejaculated.

Excessive use of Steroids: Prolonged use of anabolic steroids can damage your sperm production because they disrupt the natural balance of hormones in your body. It can take many years before your sperm production normalises - if it ever does.

Genetic Factors: Some genetic conditions can also lead to infertility.

You can read more about the causes and symptoms of male infertility here: Exploring the Causes of Male Infertlity .

How to Prevent Male Infertility

Some causes of infertility are not preventable. These include any anatomical issues or genetic causes men may have. But if your infertility is caused by lifestyle choices, or you have a treatable medical condition, luckily, there are actions you can take that might help improve your sperm quality and preserve your fertility.

Sperm Freezing

One great way to preserve your fertility is to freeze your sperm. The global increase in male infertility and the wish to preserve the possibility to have children later in life make it a good option for more and more people. Your sperm quality declines slightly with age and freezing your sperm while you’re young is a great way to save some of your high-quality sperm for future use.

Sperm freezing can also be a good option if you have a hazardous occupation, or if you’re about to undergo a surgery that may impair your fertility, like a cancer treatment or a gender transition.

At Born, we can store your sperm safely and effectively via cryopreservation. Read more about our different storage options to help you keep your sperm safe for future use: Everything you need to know about sperm freezing.

Treatment for Male Infertility

With modern technology, the number of treatment options for male infertility has expanded. Sometimes, an exact cause of male infertility can't be found, but even if an exact cause isn't clear, luckily, there are still a lot of treatments, procedures, or strategies that might help you, like:

Keep on Going: You might not need any infertility treatment. If you have a lower sperm count, natural conception can still be on the table, especially if your partner doesn't have any fertility issues. It might just take a little more time and patience.

Lifestyle Modifications: Some simple lifestyle changes might make a significant difference if you’re struggling with male infertility. Maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and managing stress might improve fertility.

Medications: Certain medications can cause hormonal imbalances and negatively affect your sperm production and your fertility. If medication for a medical condition is contributing to your infertility, your doctor might be able to find alternative treatments.

Surgery: Surgical procedures can remove obstructions or correct issues like varicoceles, which are dilated veins in the scrotum and in cases where sperm cannot be naturally ejaculated, it can sometimes be retrieved directly from the testicles using sperm retrieval techniques.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART): If the treatment of your infertility is unsuccessful, assisted reproductive technologies may help you and your partner conceive. At some point you may learn that proceeding with assisted reproductive techniques like IUI (Intrauterine insemination), IVF (In vitro fertilization), or ICSI is appropriate in your situation.

Fertility Treatment with Donor Sperm

In cases where your sperm is not viable for conception naturally or through fertility treatment, donor sperm can provide a valuable alternative. Opting for a sperm donor is a great way to keep that special genetic bond between your partner and your child and any future siblings. Plus, donor sperm can be used in a wide range of fertility treatments.

Conclusion

Lots of people are struggling with infertility problems, and male infertility is a complex issue. However, with the right help and support, many couples can overcome it and achieve their dream of parenthood. If you are considering using donor sperm for your fertility treatment, don't hesitate to reach out. We are here to help and happy to answer any questions on your mind.

How to Become a Single Mother by Choice

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 08:22:50 GMT

In an ever-changing world, traditional family structures are evolving, and one of the most remarkable shifts we've witnessed is the rise of single mothers by choice. More and more women choose to become a single parent. We understand that the decision to become a single mother is a significant one, and that’s why we are here to support you every step of the way.
If you are considering single motherhood by choice, we have created this guide to help you get started and finally make your dreams of motherhood become a reality.

Treatment Options for Single Mom by Choice

Becoming a single mother by choice often involves a journey through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to achieve pregnancy. The first step is to find the right fertility clinic for you. They will then assess your fertility and make a plan for your treatment. Luckily, there are several treatment options available if you would like to become a single mom.

Choosing a Sperm Donor as a Single Parent by Choice

Before your fertility treatment can start, you will need to buy donor sperm and have it sent to your fertility clinic. Selecting the right sperm donor is a crucial step on the path to becoming a single mother. We understand the importance of this decision, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Many single women also rely on their family and friends to help them make this important decision. Some single mothers by choice choose a donor with similar physical appearance as themselves, while other single moms chooses a donor where there are similiar personality traits. There is no right or wrong way to choose a donor, the choice is completely up to you.

ID-Release or No ID-Release Sperm Donor?

When choosing what sperm donor to use, the first thing you need to decide is whether you want your future child to have the opportunity to be given information about the donor's identity later in life. If you choose an ID release donor (open donor), your child has the option to receive information about the donor's identity when she or he turns 18 or reaches legal age in your country of residence. If you choose a no ID release donor (closed), your child cannot be given any information about the donor's identity.

What are You Looking For?

At Born Donor Bank, we offer a wide range of both ID release and no ID release sperm donors, allowing you to choose the one who best aligns with your preferences and values. We also spend time getting to know all our donors very well which means that you can find a lot of information about them in their donor profiles. Most of them include pictures of the donors as children, personal letters, staff impressions, fun facts, and quotes.

Feeling curious? You can browse through our wide range of donor profiles for free or read our previous blog post that might help you pick the right donor: How to Choose a Sperm Donor: Key Things to Consider.

Support from Your Network

Most single mothers need support from their friends or family to succeed as single parents. Before you decide on becoming a parent, you could ask your friends and family what they think about the decision and if they would like to be a part of your journey. Many single women are surprised about the encouragement and emotional support they feel from their support system when openly discussing the possibility of choosing single motherhood.

Legal Guidance

Embarking on the journey of single motherhood through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) involves important legal and careful considerations. Understanding and addressing these legal aspects is vital to ensure a smooth and secure process.

Laws and regulations regarding sperm donation vary significantly across countries and jurisdictions. In some countries, laws are relatively liberal and supportive of assisted reproduction using donor sperm, while in others, laws can be restrictive or even prohibit the use of donor sperm altogether. Some countries allow you to use an ID release donor (open donor), while other countries only allow you to use a no ID release donor (anonymous donor). Legal implications can also arise regarding the rights and responsibilities of the recipient, and any resulting children.

We always advice you to speak to your fertility clinic about the treatment options available in your country. By understanding the legal requirements and implications of using a sperm donor, you can make informed decisions about the process and minimise any potential legal risks.

Are You a Future Single Mother by Choice?

If you're considering becoming single parenthood, know that you are not alone. More and more women are making the choice to have a child without a partner, and at our sperm bank stand by your side as you embark on this extraordinary adventure. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about becoming a single mother.

Everything You Need to Know About Sperm Freezing

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 08:34:05 GMT

Have you considered freezing your sperm? There can be many different reasons why you would want to freeze and store your sperm for later use. The global increase in male infertility and the wish to preserve the possibility to have children later in life make it a good option for more and more people.

Whether you’re concerned that lifestyle factors or medical reasons may impact your fertility or simply may wish to explore options for family planning, this blog post will shed light on some of the benefits and possibilities that come with storing and freezing your sperm.

What is Sperm Freezing and Storage?

Freezing and storing your own sperm is a way to future-proof your dreams by preserving your ability to conceive later in life. If you have purchased donor sperm for your fertility treatment, you can also store that for later use to ensure that your preferred donor’s sperm remains available - or you can store sperm from a donor who is known to you, and who has agreed to donate to you.

At Born, we can store your sperm safely and effectively via cryopreservation. Read more about our different storage options to help you keep your sperm safe for future use: sperm storage and sperm freezing, how do we do it?

5 Reasons to Consider Freezing Your Sperm for Fertility Preservation

By freezing your own sperm, you can donate it or use it in the future. There are several reasons why you may want to consider freezing your sperm, including:

How to Freeze and Store Your Sperm

To get started with freezing and storing your sperm, please get in touch with us by mail or phone . We will start by sending over some paperwork before mapping out the next steps for collecting, screening, testing, freezing, and storing your sperm safely and effectively via cryopreservation, where your sperm is stored in liquid nitrogen tanks at a temperature of -196 degrees Celsius.

What Is the Best Age to Freeze Your Sperm Sample?

If you are fit and healthy, you can freeze your sperm at any age. However, you probably deliver your best quality sperm in young adulthood. Moreover, advanced paternal age is related to some congenital disorders in children. Freezing sperm earlier in your life will help reduce this risk. You will then have better quality sperm for conception when you are ready to start a family.

Can You Freeze Sperm at Home?

No, you cannot store semen in your own freezer at home. A regular freezer is only -18 degrees Celsius, which is not cold enough for the sperm cells to survive. Sperm banking requires precise steps and a unique facility to ensure the sperm remains healthy. Most importantly, your sperm needs to be frozen and stored at minus 196 degrees Celcius using the right equipment. However, you might be able to collect your semen sample at home if you feel more comfortable doing that.

Sperm to be stored for long periods at a time is possible. So you can decide how long you want your sperm to be stored and can of course withdraw your consent if you no longer wish to have it stored.

How Long Does Sperm Freezing work?

If the freezing process is done correctly, you can choose to freeze and store your sperm for as long as you need. When you wish to use your sperm, it's carefully thawed in the lab until it reaches room temperature. Cryopreservation does not impact the genetic material and keeps the specimens viable for an indefinite period. In fact, pregnancies have been achieved using frozen sperm that has been stored for up to 40 years.

How Much Does Sperm Storage Cost at our Sperm Bank?

At Born, personal sperm storage is priced at 990 euros and includes:

1 year of storage
2 donations - resulting in 2 or more units, depending on the volume and quality of the sperm.
Sperm analysis, purification, and cryopreservation.

Donor sperm storage fees are priced at 45 euros for 3 months and 155 euros for a year. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with the specifics of your situation so we can guide you to the best solution.

Conclusion

Storing and freezing your sperm can be a great option if you want to safeguard your fertility, explore possibilities, or navigate life's unpredictable twists and turns. By taking this proactive step, you're empowering yourself with choices, ensuring that your dreams can be pursued on your terms. If you have any questions about freezing your sperm, the costs, or the ordering process, please reach out to us by mail or phone.

FAQ

Exploring Parenthood: How Do Lesbian Couples Have a Baby?

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 11:41:47 GMT

In today's world, family dynamics are diverse and beautiful. Many lesbian couples, like all individuals, have the desire to start a family and experience the joys of parenthood. However, the path to parenthood may involve some unique considerations and choices. One of the most popular and accessible methods for lesbians couples to conceive is with the help of a sperm donor. At Born Donor Bank, many of our private customers are lesbian couples, and luckily there are several options available for same sex couples who want to start a family. Read on to learn more about them.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) - What is it?

IUI is the most straightforward procedure and often the cheapest option as well. It involves inseminating the woman who will carry the baby with donor sperm. The carefully prepared sperm is placed directly into the uterus. This procedure is performed at a fertility clinic and has a higher success rate than natural insemination.

IUI treatments are recommended for women with no known fertility issues, and there is a good chance that this simple type of fertility treatment will work. However, sometimes a more invasive fertility treatment may be necessary to conceive.

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) - What is it?

In vitro fertilisation is a more complex and expensive method, but it also offers higher success rates. IVF involves the extraction of eggs from the ovaries, which are then fertilised with donor sperm in a laboratory. This will hopefully develop into embryos which are then implanted into the uterus. If the IUI treatment has not been successful, then IVF treatment is usually the next step.

Reciprocal IVF - What is it?

This method allows both partners in a lesbian couple to be physically involved in the conception of their baby. One partner provides the egg, which is then fertilised in a lab with donor sperm. The resulting embryo is then implanted in the other partner, who carries the pregnancy. This way, one mom is genetically connected to the baby, and the other gets to carry, give birth to, and breastfeed the child. It’s important to note that not all countries allow this type of treatment.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) - What is it?

ICSI is an ART treatment procedure similar to IVF. However, in ICSI, the embryologist directly injects one sperm into the egg. In IVF, several sperm are placed near one egg for the fertilisation to happen. ICSI can be the next step for you if IVF fertilisation fails.

Things to Consider Before Your Fertility Treatment

If you are part of a lesbian couple, there are some things you and your partner need to consider before embarking on your journey to become parents. In the following, we list two important things you and your partner need to decide on before starting your fertility treatment.

Which Sperm Donor Would You Like to Use to Get Pregnant?

Before your fertility treatment can start, you will need to buy donor sperm from a sperm bank and have it sent to your fertility clinic. When choosing your sperm donor, you need to decide whether you want your future child to have the opportunity to be given information about the donor's identity later in life. If you choose an ID release donor (open donor), your child has the option to receive information about the donor's identity when she or he turns 18 or reaches legal age in your country of residence. If you choose a no ID release donor (closed), your child cannot be given any information about the donor's identity.
At Born Donor Bank, we spend a lot of time getting to know all our donors which means that you can find a lot of information about them in their donor profiles. Most of them even include pictures of the donors as children, staff impressions, fun facts, and quotes.

Feeling curious? You can browse through our wide range of donor profiles for free or read our previous blog post that might help you pick the right donor: How to Choose a Sperm Donor: Key Things to Consider .

Who Will Carry the Pregnancy?

Before you start your fertility treatment you also need to agree on who will carry the pregnancy. Maybe it seems like an easy choice because one of you has a stronger desire to become pregnant and experience childbirth than the other? However, your decision should consider your health status as well. Therefore, you might want to consult your doctor for an evaluation and advice on the best option.

Other Great Options for Lesbian Couples to Start a Family

There are other alternatives to donor sperm and fertility treatments for lesbian couples. You could opt for co-parenting, adoption, or foster parenting instead.

Co-Parenting and Adoption

Some lesbian couples choose to co-parent with a male friend or a same sex male couple who also dreams of having a child and wants to participate in the child's upbringing. This arrangement can be informal or legally structured, depending on your preferences. It can be an amazing option for same-sex couples, but it can be a bit complicated from a legal and practical standpoint.

If you dream of having your baby but don't want to go through a pregnancy, you could also opt for adoption which allows you to provide a home to a child in need. Adoption is in many cases a win-win situation; you get to raise a child, and a child gets an amazing family.

Foster Parenting

Foster parenting can be another great path to parenthood for lesbian couples. By providing a temporary home for children in the foster care system, you get the chance to make a positive impact on a child's life.

Remember: Love Makes a Family

The future of same-sex parenting is exciting and promising. Technological advancements in fertility solutions and reproductive medicine have opened up a world of possibilities and science continues to push boundaries and redefine possibilities. No matter which path you choose to parenthood, the most important aspect is the love and care you provide to your child. We believe that parenthood is about creating a nurturing and supportive environment where a child can grow and thrive, irrespective of biological ties.

In conclusion, lesbian couples have a variety of options available to start a family, and there is no one right answer to what the right way to have a baby is. Which option you choose will depend on you and your partner’s wishes, your individual circumstances, and your medical situations. Whether you choose IUI, IVF, ICSI, co-parenting, adoption, foster parenting, or a combination of these methods, what matters most is the love and commitment that you bring to raising your child. Parenthood is a beautiful journey, and everyone deserves the chance to experience it.

How to Buy Donor Sperm

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 06:38:33 GMT

It may feel a bit overwhelming to buy donor sperm for the first time, but did you know that you can easily order it online with just a few clicks of the mouse? If you're considering starting a family with the help of donor sperm but aren't quite sure how to go about it, you've come to the right place. In this blog post, we'll walk you through step by step how to purchase donor sperm on this website so that you are best prepared to make important decisions and place your order with peace of mind.

Step 1. Pick a Donor Category

First and foremost, you need to decide whether you want to give your child the opportunity to contact their donor as an adult. At Born, we offer two different donor categories:

ID-release: An ID-release donor consents to allow your child to submit a contact request to Born when they reach the age of 18. It's important to note that only the child can request contact, and the donor is not obligated to accept these contact requests.
No ID-release: A no ID-release donor cannot be contacted once the child turns 18.

Choosing a donor category is a significant decision for both you and your future child. Therefore, it's essential to thoroughly research these two options and understand the legal and ethical considerations associated with them before deciding. You can learn more about open and closed donations here and hopefully gain a better understanding of what is the right choice for you and your family.
Please note that in certain countries, there are specific rules regarding the release of a donor's identity. Therefore, we recommend consulting your fertility clinic before selecting a donor category. You are also very welcome to reach out to us for further information and guidance.

Step 2. Find a Sperm Donor

Now it's time to explore our many different donor profiles. We understand that this decision requires a lot of consideration for most people. Therefore, we recommend starting on our search page (link), where you can narrow down your search by selecting the criteria that are important to you.

We spend a lot of time getting to know all our donors very well so that we can create a personalised donor profile for each of them, including details about their physical attributes, appearance, educational background, medical history, interests, and a handwritten letter from the donor. Some even have baby pictures of the donor. All this information is designed to help you make the decision that best suits you and your family.

If you could use some guidance and a few tips for your choice, you can read more in our blog post "Choosing a Sperm Donor: Important Considerations", where we discuss, among other things, what the donor's blood type and CMV status mean for you.
Good luck choosing your favourite!

Find more information about how we chose our donors here .

Step 3. Place your Order on the chosen Donor Sperm

Once you've decided on your donor, the next step is to order the donor sperm. You can easily, safely, and discreetly order it online on our website. However, before you do so, we always recommend consulting with your fertility clinic to ensure you know which type of sperm you need and how many sperm units you should use. Typically, one sperm unit should be sufficient per treatment, but multiple treatments may be necessary before achieving pregnancy. Your fertility clinic can advise you on your individual chances of getting pregnant.
When placing your order, you can either purchase the sperm units for immediate shipment or choose to store the purchased sperm units with us for future use. Our most popular donors sell out quickly, so if you are considering having more children and want them to be genetic siblings, we recommend buying extra sperm units right away. If you don't end up needing all the stored units, we offer the option to buy back the units that are kept in our storage.
Once you have added your selected sperm units to your cart, entered your delivery and payment information, and placed your order, it's a good idea to contact your fertility clinic and inform them that your sperm units are now on their way to them.

Step 4. We Ship your Order

From our sperm bank in Denmark we ship donor sperm to clinics worldwide, and we always do our best to ensure that it arrives safely and on time. Once you have placed your order, we dispatch it as quickly as possible, but we recommend ordering the sperm at least two business days before the desired delivery date. We also offer express shipping for an additional fee.
The donor sperm is delivered in nitrogen tanks to ensure its quality. The units are packaged in a small container inside the nitrogen tank, which is then placed in a shipping box. When ordering, you can choose from three tank sizes depending on how many days the sperm needs to remain frozen.
Once your units are safely on their way from us, it will soon be time for treatment at your fertility clinic, but please remember that we are still here for you if you have any questions along the way.
We keep our fingers crossed for you and wish you the best of luck on your journey to becoming a parent.

Denmark Proposes Doubling Public Fertility Treatment Attempts

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 08:11:22 GMT

More and more people are struggling with fertility issues, and now, every 8th Danish child has been conceived through artificial insemination, compared to every 10 ^th child four years ago, according to the Danish newspaper, Jyllands-Posten.

In Denmark the government is now taking action to support the involuntarily childless and combat the declining birth rate.

More Free Attempts at Public Fertility Clinics

The Danish government has proposed to offer twice the number of attempts at achieving pregnancy through free public fertility treatment – going from three to six cost free attempts.

The initiative comes in response to the declining birth rate in Denmark, along with women having their first child at an older age. Doubling the number of attempts would significantly increase the chances for women and couples dealing with infertility, and it marks an important step forward in ensuring that every dream of parenthood can be realised.

A Promising Future if You’re Struggling with Infertility

At Born Donor Bank, we celebrate this proposal and look forward with optimism. The field of reproductive medicine is evolving rapidly, offering new possibilities and improved success rates.

We believe that expanding access to free of charge fertility treatments is not just a policy change; it's a shift in societal perspectives and helps reduce the stigma surrounding infertility.

This proposal represents a pivotal moment in our commitment to making parenthood dreams come true for all. We hope that it will be passed as soon as possible, and that other countries will follow this example set in Denmark.

Every individual and couple struggling with infertility deserve the chance to become parents.

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Sperm Donation

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 06:24:23 GMT

Sperm donation can be a life-changing opportunity and may be the only chance to have a child for many couples and individuals struggling with fertility. In this article, we dive into five aspects of donor sperm that might surprise you. Whether you're contemplating sperm donation, considering using a sperm donor, or simply curious about the topic, continue reading to gain a better grasp of what sperm donation means for many different people aspiring to become parents.

1. An Estimated 1 in 6 People Globally are Affected by Infertility

A significant number of couples have trouble conceiving, and in approximately 40% of the cases, it is linked to challenges with male fertility. Fertility treatment with donor sperm can be a be a possible solution to the problem in instances of male infertility or if you are a carrier of a genetic disorder. Due to the significant decline in our sperm quality, fertility treatments, and in some cases, sperm donation, enable many couples and individuals to become parents and have their biggest wish fulfilled - to start a family.

2. Everyone Has the Right to Fertility Treatment, Regardless of Sexuality

In Denmark, it is also possible for lesbian women and transgender individuals to have a child through assisted reproduction. Sperm banks enhances the opportunities for LGBTQ2+ individuals to become parents and establish a family life, regardless of gender and sexuality, thus promoting reproductive equality. Previously, it was possible to receive donor sperm for home insemination, but this option has been legally closed in Denmark. Now, a healthcare professional or fertility clinic must always be involved to ensure compliance with the limit on pregnancies per sperm donor and to report to the health authorities in case of any complications.

3. Sperm Donors Must Undergo Thorough Medical and Genetic Testing

All men between the ages of 18 to 45 can apply to become a sperm donor, and while the sperm donor process might seem relatively straightforward for the applicant, there are more steps involved than one might initially think. As a potential sperm donor, you need to fill out an application form and attend a personal interview. If you proceed to the next stage of the application process, you will undergo several different examinations where your current health status will be assessed as well as questions regarding your medical history will be covered. You will need to provide blood, semen, and urine samples, which will be tested for infectious and hereditary diseases. To ensure the quality of your sperm, factors such as volume, motility, viability, and abnormalities of the sperm cells will be examined. Lastly, a medical and genetic evaluation will be conducted. The process can take anywhere from 3 weeks to several months, largely depending on the applicant's own motivation.

4. A Sperm Donor Can Assist a Limited Number of Families

A sperm donor can help multiple families worldwide within the framework of national legislation and the regulations enforced by the donor's sperm bank. In countries where a national limit on the number of families a donor can help has not been established, we always set a family limit based on the population size. This limit pertains to the number of families, not the number of children, allowing the possibility of having biological siblings if desired. For instance, our sperm donors help a maximum of 25 or 75 families worldwide.

5. Open and Closed Sperm Donors Exist, but Complete Anonymity Can’t Be Guaranteed

While some individuals prefer using a closed sperm donor without ID release, others opt for an open donor, allowing donor-conceived children to contact the donor once they reach the age of 18 years or legal adulthood—this varies from country to country. It's crucial to thoroughly research these options and understand the legal and ethical considerations associated with each choice before proceeding—both for the sperm donor, the prospective parents, and the donor-conceived child.

However, for closed donors who wish to maintain their anonymity, guarantees of being a completely anonymous donor have become more challenging to uphold in today's context. Legislation has evolved in some countries to grant donor-conceived children access to information about their biological origins, even if the donor is closed. This creates a balance between a sperm donor's option for anonymous donation and the children's right to know their biological heritage.

Discuss Sperm Openly with Friends and Family

By openly and honestly discussing fertility issues and sperm donation, our hope is to contribute to breaking down taboos and providing you with a better understanding of the many opportunities that donor sperm offers to various LGBTQ2+ individuals and couples, heterosexual couples and single women. If you're considering donating sperm or using a sperm donor, remember that we are here to support and guide you. You are always welcome to reach out to us if you have any questions, thoughts, or concerns.

What is CMV (Cytomegalovirus)? And Will it Affect Your Pregnancy or Your Baby?

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 09:15:18 GMT

If you are looking to use donor sperm for fertility treatment, you have probably come across the term CMV status (to be CMV positive or CMV negative) when browsing through our donor profiles. In this blog post, you can learn what CMV is, why CMV status matters for individuals or couples considering donor sperm, and how it may affect you or your baby if you get the virus.

What is CMV (Cytomegalovirus)?

Human cytomegalovirus (HMCV, often known as CMV) is a common virus that can infect people of all ages. CMV can be passed and contracted via bodily fluids - such as kissing or intercourse, and it is not possible to vaccinate against it. Most healthy individuals who become infected with CMV may not experience any noticeable signs and symptoms of CMV at all, as the virus often remains dormant or causes mild flu-like symptoms. However, for people with CMV it remains latent in your body, with little risk of getting reactivated.

What is CMV Status?

A CMV Status can be either positive or negative, and you have probably come across those terms in our donor profiles. We accept both CMV negative and CMV positive sperm donors as long as their test for CMV show that they have no current infection.

CMV Positive: This means the sperm donor has been exposed to CMV and has developed antibodies against the virus. Although the donor did have CMV before, the virus is not active and not likely to be passed on to others.

CMV Negative: This indicates that the sperm donor has not been exposed to CMV or does not have detectable antibodies against the virus.

Why Do We Test Our Donors for CMV?

We screen all our donors for a variety of viruses and genetic disorders, including a check for CMV. While the risk of getting CMV via donor sperm is considered extremely low - and not confirmed – CMV-negative women may prefer sperm from CMV-negative donors because these women are at higher risk of contracting the infection during pregnancy. However, we recommend that you talk to your doctor or fertility specialist to discuss CMV and your own CMV screening before deciding whether to factor this into your donor choice.

CMV Infection During Pregnancy

CMV infections are typically harmless. However, if a woman gets a primary CMV infection - or in rare cases, a reactivation – during a pregnancy, there is the risk of transferring the virus to the foetus. In the majority of cases, if a baby is born with cmv this does not affect the baby’s health. However, complications may arise in very rare cases.

If you are about to choose a sperm donor for fertility treatment and have concerns about CMV, it is recommended that you speak with your doctor for advice and have yourself screened to see if you are a carrier of the CMV virus yourself. If you are CMV positive, you have built up immunity to the virus, reducing the potential risks associated with CMV transmission. However, if you are CMV negative, there is a theorethical slightly higher risk for you to contract the virus or pass it on to your baby if you pick a CMV positive donor.

You can read much more about our extensive screening processes here.

Exploring the Causes of Male Infertility

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 11:29:34 GMT

Exploring the Causes of Male Infertility

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive a child after a year of regular sexual intercourse. It can affect both men and women and is often diagnosed when pregnancy does not occur despite active attempts.

Infertility is a complex issue that affects both men and women, and when it comes to male infertility, there are various factors that can contribute to difficulties in conceiving. Fortunately, if you have infertility issues, that doesn’t automatically mean that you won’t be able to conceive a child with your partner. There are treatments for male infertility and procedures that can increase the chances of conception, and you can also explore other options, such as donor sperm, to fulfil your dream of starting a family.

In this blog post, we will delve into the most common causes of male infertility and shed some light on fertility problems faced by many of you on your journey to conceive.

What is Male Infertility?

Infertility is caused by problems with your reproductive system that stops you from impregnating a female partner. For partners struggling to become pregnant, there is no clear cut-off point to say when a couple is infertile. However, it is always advisable that you consult and ask your doctor if you have not become pregnant after one year of trying. Male infertility problems can be caused by various biological and environmental factors. Finding the cause means you can better understand your options and chances of conceiving.

5 Common Causes of Male Infertility

1) Abnormal Sperm Production or Function

One of the primary causes for men with infertility issues is abnormal sperm production or function. Oligospermia (low sperm count) and azoospermia (absence of sperm) can result from conditions like varicocele, hormonal problems or imbalances, genetic disorders, testicular trauma, or infections. These factors can disrupt the delicate process of sperm production within the testes. Poor sperm motility [ST1] and abnormal sperm morphology may also hinder the ability of sperm to reach and fertilise an egg.

2) Hormonal Imbalances

Hormones play a critical role in male reproductive health, particularly testosterone. Testosterone is essential for the production and development of healthy sperm cells. Hormonal imbalances, such as low testosterone levels, can impair sperm production and quality, leading to infertility. Various factors, including certain medical conditions, medications, and lifestyle choices, can also contribute to hormonal imbalances and may affect male fertility.

3) Genetic Factors

Genetic factors can also play a role in male infertility. Certain genetic disorders, such as Klinefelter syndrome or Y chromosome microdeletions, can cause abnormal development of the reproductive organs or impair the sperm production. Genetic mutations in specific genes involved in sperm production, function, or transport can also contribute to infertility. Additionally, inherited conditions like cystic fibrosis or chromosomal abnormalities can affect fertility by disrupting the production or transportation of sperm.

4) Varicocele

Varicocele refers to the enlargement of veins within the scrotum. It is a common cause of male infertility and can impact the production and quality of sperm. Varicoceles can increase testicular temperature, leading to reduced sperm production or impaired sperm function. However, surgical correction of varicoceles may improve fertility outcomes in some cases.

5) Lifestyle and Environmental Factors

Certain lifestyle and environmental factors can contribute to male infertility as well. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures, such as in hot tubs or saunas, may affect your sperm production. Additionally, exposure to toxins, chemicals, radiation, and heavy metals in the workplace or the environment can have detrimental effects on your sperm health. Unhealthy lifestyle choices, including smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drug use, and obesity, can also impact your fertility.

Symptoms of Male Infertility

Male infertility can manifest through various symptoms, although some cases don't exhibit any noticeable signs at all. Symptoms may include difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, reduced sexual desire or libido, abnormal ejaculation, or pain or swelling in the testicles. Additionally, hormonal imbalances can also result in decreased facial or body hair growth. It is important to consult your doctor for a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis if you are experiencing these kinds of symptoms and infertility is suspected.

Treatment of Male Infertility

The way infertility in men is treated depends on its main causes. Male Infertility may be caused by some aspect of your lifestyle, making a few healthy changes could increase the quality of your sperm. If medication for a medical condition is contributing to your infertility, your doctor might be able to find alternative treatments. Your doctor might also be able to prescribe hormonal treatment or other medications to treat your infertility, and surgical procedures can be performed to repair varicocele if this is the cause of your infertility.

However, if the treatment of your infertility is unsuccessful, assisted reproductive technologies may help you and your partner conceive.

Conclusion

Understanding the symptoms and causes of male infertility is a crucial step toward seeking appropriate medical guidance and exploring potential solutions. If you and your partner are trying to conceive but so far have been unable to get pregnant, it is important that you consult with a fertility specialist who can conduct a comprehensive evaluation and recommend suitable treatment options based on the underlying causes. By doing so it may affect the quality of your sperm and can increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Katrine and Her Husband had a Joint Child Thanks to a Sperm Donor

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 07:03:16 GMT

Building a family is something most of us dream of, but an increasing number of couples experience challenging fertility issues, making it nearly impossible for them to have their own biological child. Katrine has PCOS, a hormonal disorder, and her husband has low sperm quality, so their odds were not very promising. Nevertheless, they managed to have a daughter together. Here is Katrine's story.

"I am 30 years old, and my husband is older than me. Actually, significantly older. He is 56 years old, and he already has two children from a previous relationship. Therefore, he knew that he had very low sperm quality due to exposure to hazardous pesticides, and also because he is not young anymore. When he had his first two children, they went through a difficult fertility treatment, and he wasn't very eager to go through that again. When we met, I quickly made it clear that I wanted children, and he was probably a bit smitten, so he agreed to it, of course. I couldn't imagine anything else. However, when it came down to it, he struggled a bit to cope with everything. That's when I started thinking that we don't necessarily need to be a traditional family. Fortunately, there are many different ways to be a family nowadays."

Choosing a Sperm Donor

"We decided to use a sperm donor, and when we started the treatment, we quickly realised that it wasn't easy for me to get pregnant either, due to my PCOS. I remember telling my husband that he didn't have to be the biological father as long as he acted as the child's father, I was fine with it.

When it came to choosing a sperm donor, it was really important to me that he resembled my husband in appearance, so our child would have some similarities. That was actually my only requirement. I couldn't really handle reading all the other information about him because we needed to make a quick decision. But I did read about him when I was pregnant and became a bit more curious."

"It's a significant decision to make on behalf of my child.."

Open or Closed Donor?

"I actually gave a lot of thought to whether I wanted to use an open or closed donor because I believe it's a significant decision to make on behalf of my child. Initially, I thought it should definitely be an open donor so that she would have the option to seek him out later in life and see who he is. However, in the end, I chose a closed donor because I didn't want to subject her to the disappointment if she were to reach out to him one day and he didn't want anything to do with her or if he didn't live up to her expectations. I didn't want her to experience that kind of let-down, so I thought it would be better to live with not knowing who he is. Besides, in my opinion, she already has a father."

Should We Tell Our Daughter That She Is Donor-Conveived?

"Our daughter is still so young that she doesn't understand it yet, but I have always told my husband that using a sperm donor should not be a secret. However, I find it incredibly challenging to have that conversation with our social circle and her siblings. My husband knows he needs to tell our two older children, but he struggles to bring himself to do it. It doesn't make it any easier when many people comment on how she resembles my husband or one of her siblings, simply because they don't know. In fact, one of the hardest parts of this journey has been figuring out how open we should be about it and who we should tell, what, when, and how. Our daughter will also need to know when she gets a bit older, so we just have to bite the bullet and tell the older children and everyone else first. Our close family and those we trust already know."

"Constantly feeling like you should make various lifestyle changes.."

Katrine's Advice for You

"If you find yourself in a similar situation and are considering using a sperm donor, make sure to prepare yourself both financially and mentally. It can take a long time. We went through several attempts before I successfully became pregnant. It can be tough to go through, and it can also become quite expensive. Explore your options for treatment and educate yourself on the costs and what you actually need. The financial aspect did scare me a bit. It also takes up a lot of time, often during working hours, like at 11 in the morning. Then there's also the feeling that you can't do much yourself, constantly feeling like you should make various lifestyle changes, but I think you just need to relax and take care of yourself.

I will definitely recommend using a sperm donor to others if they have a strong desire to have a child. It's better than going through years of difficult treatments. It has been fantastic for us to have a child together, and it's amazing that it worked out. In our everyday life, I hardly ever think about my husband not being the biological father of our daughter because he acts so much like a father. He is her father."

Low Sperm Motility & Male Fertility

Tue, 30 May 2023 09:42:29 GMT

If you or your partner are experiencing problems with low sperm quality, you will probably encounter a lot of scientific and technical terms that might leave you confused. Sperm motility could be one of them. Keep reading to learn more about what it is, and how it can impact male fertility and your chances of getting pregnant.

What is Sperm Motility?

Sperm motility describes the movement of sperm. Sperm motility can be:

● Progressive - vigorous or fast forward or in large circles

● Non-progressive - dilatory or minimal in smaller circles

● Immotile sperm - no movement

The Sperm Motility Range

The sperm motility range measures the number of motile sperm per ejaculation. According to the WHO reference, a fertile male's ejaculate should have:

● A total motility (both non-progressive and progressive) of at least 40%

● A progressive motility of at least 32%

Normal Motility of Sperm

A total count of 20 million or more motile sperm per ejaculate is considered normal. Normal motility of sperm means that your sperm can move effectively. Therefore, you have a higher chance of getting your partner pregnant.

Low Sperm Motility & Fertility

If you have low sperm motility, it means most of your sperm are not swimming effectively. This condition is also known as asthenospermia. Low motility can affect fertility because sperm may never reach and fertilise the egg. In many cases, not all sperm moves perfectly, and that is completely normal. But if nearly all your sperm start moving slowly, fertility problems can arise.

Getting Pregnant with Low Motility

Because sperm must swim all the way through the cervix to the fallopian tube to fertilise the egg, progressively motile sperm means higher pregnancy chances. However, sperm motility is only one of the parameters when assessing sperm quality, and low sperm motility does not mean the end of your journey towards having a baby. Getting pregnant is still possible with the help of assisted reproductive technologies because these methods bypass the need for sperm to swim to fertilise the egg. These methods include:

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

IUI is an artificial insemination procedure that involves placing sperm into the uterus. This method reduces the movement necessary for the sperm to reach the egg.

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

IVF is the most efficient assisted reproductive technology. The procedure involves the doctors retrieving the egg from the ovary and fertilising it with sperm in the lab. Then, they will transfer the fertilised egg (embryo) back into the uterus.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

ICSI is a procedure that involves injecting one sperm into an egg. ICSI is similar to IVF except that in IVF, several sperm are placed close to one egg and left to fertilise. In ICSI, the embryologist directly injects one sperm into the egg.

Conclusion

Sperm motility can be a crucial element in male factor infertility because it can be hard to get your partner pregnant if your sperm can't effectively move. However, motility is only one of the parameters when assessing sperm quality, and having low sperm motility should not discourage you and your partner from pursuing your dream of having a child.

If you have been unsuccessfully trying to conceive for 12 months or more, don’t be afraid to consult your fertility doctor who can advise you on the next steps and the possibility of using reproductive technologies. Remember, it takes just one healthy sperm to fertilise an egg, and using a sperm donor is also an option.

How to Choose a Sperm Donor: Key Things to Consider

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 11:32:37 GMT

Maybe you already know that you want to use a sperm donor? It can also be a need that suddenly arises as your treatment progresses. No matter what it is always a good idea to consider your options because selecting a sperm donor can be a big and very personal decision.

Don't worry if you are feeling a little overwhelmed by all the choices you have to make. The purpose of this article is to answer some of the questions you might have and provide you with useful information and guidance on selecting a sperm donor that hopefully meets all your preferences. Whether you're starting or expanding your family, we're here to help you every step of the way.

Why Find a Sperm Donor in a Sperm Bank?

There are some distinct advantages to using a sperm donor from a sperm bank. The rigorous screening process ensures that the donor is healthy, has good-quality sperm, and has no infectious or genetic diseases. Additionally, using a sperm bank provides a wider range of choices in terms of physical characteristics, education level, and ethnicity.
At Born we also offer tests for gene compatibility allowing you to select a healthy match that increases the likelihood of a successful pregnancy and a healthy child. Moreover, if you buy sperm through a sperm bank, legislation always ensures that you avoid any legal or financial obligations to the donor. It also protects the donor's privacy, reducing the risk of future legal disputes or emotional entanglements.

What's the Selection Process in our Sperm Bank?

We have a rigorous screening process for sperm donors that meets the highest regulatory standards set by various authorities. Donors undergo a thorough evaluation for criminal records, medical history, infectious diseases, general health, sperm quality, physique, and character to make sure that they are healthy, both mentally and physically.
Only about 5% of our donor applicants pass the final cut to ensure exceptional sperm quality. Ongoing screening and testing are conducted to ensure healthy donors, and we assess for hereditary and infectious diseases. While we cannot completely eliminate the risk of transmitting diseases, we always adhere to high clinical standards to minimise this risk.

Have You Checked the Legislation in Your Country?

Laws and regulations regarding sperm donation vary significantly across countries and jurisdictions. It's important to understand the legal framework in your country before proceeding with the process of selecting a donor.
In some countries, laws are relatively liberal and supportive of assisted reproduction using donor sperm, while in others, laws can be restrictive or even prohibit the use of donor sperm altogether. Some countries allow you to use an ID release donor (open donor), while other countries only allow you to use a no ID release donor (anonymous donor). Legal implications can also arise regarding the rights and responsibilities of the recipient, and any resulting children.

Does Blood Type Matter When Choosing a Sperm Donor?

Blood type can be a factor to consider when choosing a sperm donor. If you have a negative blood type (e.g. O-, A-, B-, AB-), you may require a sperm donor with a negative blood type to avoid complications during pregnancy, such as hemolytic disease of the newborn. This occurs when the mother's blood type is Rh negative, and the baby's blood type is Rh positive, which can lead to the mother's immune system attacking the baby's red blood cells. If you have a positive blood type (e.g. O+, A+, B+, AB+), you may have more flexibility in choosing a donor with either a positive or negative blood type.

It's important to consult with a healthcare professional or a reproductive specialist to determine whether blood type is a relevant factor in your specific situation and to ensure that any potential risks are adequately addressed.

What is CMV Status?

When you browse through our donor profiles, you will also find the CMV status of the donors. This is a herpes virus in the same family as the viruses behind cold sores, genital herpes, and chickenpox. Most people are infected with CMV at some point in their lives, and it remains latent in the body, where it can become reactivated.

We test our donors for CMV even though CMV infections are usually not dangerous. However, if you get a primary CMV infection - or in rare cases, a reactivation – during pregnancy, there is the risk of transferring the virus to the foetus. In most cases, this does not affect the baby’s health. However, complications may arise in rare cases.

If you are CMV-negative you are at higher risk of contracting the infection when you are pregnant. While the risk of contracting CMV via donor sperm is considered extremely low - and not confirmed – you may prefer sperm from CMV-negative donors if you are CMV-negative yourself. However, we recommend that you talk to your doctor or fertility specialist to discuss CMV and your own CMV screening before deciding whether to factor this into your donor choice.

Should Your Future Child Have the Possibility to Contact the Donor?

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a sperm donor is which type of donor you want: ID release or no ID release. You need to decide whether you want your child to have the opportunity to be given information about the donor's identity later on in life.

If you choose an ID release donor (open donor), your child has the option to receive information about the donor's identity provided by us when she or he turns 18 or reaches legal age for contact in your country. If you choose a no ID release donor (anonymous donor), your child cannot be given any information about the donor's identity.

The choice between an ID release and no ID release sperm donor is complex and very personal, and there can be many different reasons for choosing one or the other type. We recommend that you read more about the difference between the two donor types .

Which Traits are Most Important to You?

Have you thought about the main criteria your sperm donor must fulfil? Generally, donors who have physical characteristics similar to the recipient or their partner are often preferred, such as height, weight, hair, and eye colour. Additionally, higher levels of education, intelligence, and good health are often desirable traits. Ethnicity may also play a role in the selection process, and personality traits, such as being outgoing or introverted, may also be considered. Some recipients even prefer donors with similar hobbies, interests, or occupations. You probably have your own unique set of preferences when it comes to choosing the right sperm donor.

When you are ready to figure out what is really important to you, you can browse through our wide range of donor profiles for free. Hopefully you will find just what you are looking for. We spend a lot of time getting to know all our donors, and you might be surprised by the amount of information you will find in the profiles. Most of them even include pictures of the donors as children, staff impressions, fun facts, and quotes. Good luck picking your favourite.

What is Sperm?

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 09:41:08 GMT

We think it is about time to debunk some common misconceptions about sperm and the male reproductive system. In this blog post, we will go through some of the fascinating facts about this tiny little cell. We will explain what it is, what it is made of, and what its major functions are. You will also learn more about how it is produced, the process of sperm count, and sperm quality.

Understanding how sperm works is important, especially if you are trying to conceive and struggling with sperm quality and male infertility.

What is Sperm Made of?

Sperm is the male reproductive cell. It consists of a head, a midpiece, and a tail.

The head of the sperm contains the nucleus with DNA. The sperm head also contains the necessary enzymes to break through the cell membrane of the egg.
The midpiece holds the mitochondria that produces the energy that gives sperm its ability to move.
The long, whip-like sperm tail works like a propeller that pushes the sperm forward, towards the egg. It contains protein fibres that contract and expand, giving sperm its characteristic movement.

Mature sperm cells measure ~0.05 millimetres and swim at around 3 millimetres per minute. Some of these cells might have two heads or two tails but their function and structure remain constant.

The Difference Between Sperm and Semen

It is quite common to confuse sperm and semen, even though they are not the same thing. Sperm is just one of the components of semen which is a mix of sperm and secretions from the reproductive glands. It contains elements like fructose, ascorbic acid, nitrogen, vitamin B12, and various salts.

Semen is a safe medium where sperm can swim, containing substances that sperm uses as a source of energy. It also neutralises the acidic environment of the vagina, protects the DNA contained in the sperm’s head, and prolongs its life in the female reproductive system.

How is Sperm Produced?

Men that produce regular levels of sperm can create around 2 trillion sperm cells in a lifetime. Now, let’s go through a few steps to understand how sperm is produced.

The testicles produce sperm and then hold it for 72 days for it to mature. A tube called epididymis stores mature sperm until its release from the body. The movement from the epididymis through the vas deferens to the urethra depends on muscle contractions.

Men can produce 100 to 300 million of sperm cells every single day, but to do so, the testicles need to maintain a certain temperature that’s a little bit cooler than the rest of the body. They move closer or further from the body to adjust the temperature and make sure that the sperm production goes swimmingly. Smart, right?

What is Sperm Count?

Sperm count is a measuring method that allows you to know the number of sperm cells in a particular volume. A regular sperm count contains 15 million to 200 million sperm cells per millilitre of semen. The quantity of sperm is important for fertility because so many sperm cells are lost during the journey through the female reproductive system.

However, sperm count, by itself, is not a good measure of fertility. Even men who have issues with fertility often make millions of sperm cells, and that is why a high sperm count does not guarantee fertility, and a low sperm count does not necessarily translate into conceiving issues. Sperm structure and mobility are relevant as well. A semen analysis will cover all these fields. It includes a sperm count and examines the shape and movement of the cells as well.

The Function of Sperm

The main function of sperm is to penetrate and fertilise the egg. However, the journey to the egg is long, complex, and full of obstacles, and most sperm are eliminated along the way. Luckily, it takes only one sperm to fertilise the egg.

Following ejaculation, the sperm must travel all the way from the vagina, through the cervix, into the uterus, and finally into the correct uterine tube to meet the egg. The eggshell is quite hard, and in order to penetrate the egg, the sperm must break down the shell at the site of contact. The sperm does so with enzymes, which it carries in the so-called acrosome - a "hat" on the top of its head.

The fusion of the sperm and the egg creates a small cell called a zygote. This tiny cell divides and grows to the point where it is capable of implanting in the uterus. If the pregnancy is viable, it develops into a foetus and leads to birth.

The Types of Sperm

There are two types of sperm cells that are responsible for determining the sex of your baby. The X sperm is the “female” sperm, while the Y sperm is the “male” sperm.

A sperm containing an X-chromosome fused with an egg that has another X-chromosome creates a girl (XX). A similar egg fertilised by a sperm cell containing a Y-chromosome, originates a boy (XY).

Conclusion

We hope you now have a much clearer understanding of what sperm is. Men produce sperm in their testicles where they mature until ready for release. Their structure gives them everything they need to successfully find and fertilise the egg.

Many people still mistake sperm for semen, but they are not the same thing. Semen is a mixture of sperm and other secretions. It gives sperm energy to move and protects it from the acidity of the vagina.

Sperm count will tell you the number of sperm cells existing in a particular volume. However, it is not always a good measure of fertility by itself. Sperm structure and mobility are important as well.

If you are experiencing problems with conceiving, it is always advisable to have your sperm tested and work with a fertility specialist. Luckily, there are so many treatment options available these days, and using a sperm donor might be one of them.

FAQs About Sperm

Donors for the UK

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 09:30:44 GMT

To be able to order units from our donors the donor needs to be ‘UK compliant’. This UK compatibility varies greatly depending on when you need your order to be sent. The UK has regulations in place that specify that any sperm sample must be at least three months older than the newest blood sample of the donor. We usually take a new blood sample on the donors approximately every third month. In addition, the HFEA requires that you can only choose ID release donors. This means that not all our donors are UK compliant.

We therefore advise you to filter your search for the ID release category. All our ID release donors on the website are marked with a Union Jack flag. Some of these donors will have UK compliant samples available.

If you create a short list of potentially interesting ID release donors, we will gladly assist with checking if they have UK compliant samples already. Most of our ID release donors will have UK compliant samples available in the future, if they don’t have any available at the moment.

If you have found a potential donor on our website already, please contact us before placing the order, and we will check the donor’s UK status right away.

Telling Your Children They are Donor-conceived

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 08:48:54 GMT

How do you in the best way tell your children that they are donor-conceived? Please meet JR Silver who in this blog post will share his experience with using his own children’s book to tell his son of 4 how he was conceived using donor sperm.

“This time last year my oldest (donor sperm conceived) child had just turned 3. Having embraced the option of donor sperm and being transparent about this with close friends and family, we steeled ourselves for the next chapter in this journey: how to start telling our son about his very special origins. My wife and I love to read to our children, so it made sense to have a look on-line and see what suitable books may be available to gently introduce this important yet delicate subject. We ordered a couple of the limited number of books we found and were quite disappointed with the contents. In particular, I saw first-hand how the books, in trying to achieve the admittedly difficult job of being relevant to all who had used sperm donors, were too generic and, as a result, did not tell a story that engaged with my young son.

I am a qualified lawyer and now work in insurance, which is a far cry away from the creative world of producing children’s books. Nevertheless, I have always loved mentoring younger talent in and out of the workplace, coaching tennis in my late teens and always the first adult to slip away from the dinner-table to play with the children. Hence, I thought why not have a go at writing a suitable story myself: so I did, a very personal one, based directly on the genesis of the Silver family, and then read it to my wife and children (we were also blessed with a daughter in the Spring of 2020)

They enjoyed it but something was missing: pictures! I went on to partner with a fantastically talented illustrator, an American lady called Brianna Peterson, who is also a mother to young children. Brianna listened carefully to what I wanted and produced a superb set of colourful vivid images that now decorate the book I am so very proud of. (“Sharing Seeds: a donor sperm story for mummy, daddy and children”)

Sitting down to read the final version of the illustrated book with my wife and children was a very proud moment. This time the pictures helped the words come to life, as our son was instantly drawn in by concepts such as the magical freezer and the men carrying seeds, as well as some images that were unique to him, including characters bearing more than a passing resemblance to his beloved mummy, daddy, pet dog, sister and, of course, himself!

Young children are constantly evolving and are inevitably fickle and I don’t mind admitting that my book, just like many others that our young son has devoured, was read once and then temporarily forgotten about. However, as time has gone on, and less and less with his parents’ prompting, we have heard our son asking to read “daddy’s book”. He has now turned 4 and is full of questions galore, meaning that each time we read the book together, we cover off some repeat and some new territory, including empathy relating to daddy’s poor quality seeds, as well as interest in the wider fertility and pregnancy process (mummy stuffing her face with pizza and ice-cream gets him every time!).

We have probably read the book 10 or 12 times now and we are somewhere in between the stage of introducing some of the key fertility concepts and my son truly grasping that this story is about where he came from. As both our children get older the hope is that this book will sensitively help them in understanding their genesis, how much they were wanted, carefully chosen and nurtured, and ultimately lead to their acceptance and embracing of this modern-day blessing. And, whilst there are no guarantees things will play out in this idealistic way, I like to think that this book will subconsciously aid them on whatever path the journey of life takes them on.

The book is yet to become an international best seller and nor has it been picked up by a publisher or a literary agent! But that is not the point. Instead, what I have inadvertently created is a children’s book that I genuinely believe has its place in today’s increasingly accepting world, lightly introducing to youngsters, whether conceived via donor sperm or otherwise, the diverse origins of some very special children. I have also gone on to become an ambassador and writer for the online fertility magazine IVF Babble, seeking to raise awareness of male infertility and reduce the unmerited stigma associated with this fundamental evolutionary subject (male infertility statistics have risen alarmingly during the last few decades).

There has been feedback, positive plus the occasional criticism, as not every book can appeal to every reader. The main criticism has been that my book is, ironically, not generic or inclusive enough. But that was never my intention, as this first book was deliberately based on the Silver family’s own tale. However, as the “Sharing Seeds” concept started to gain traction, with book sales and my Instagram followers now in the several hundreds (@sharingseedsbooks), I began to turn my attention to gathering some source material for some other “Sharing Seeds” stories.

A second book is now nearly ready to launch: “Sharing Seeds: a donor sperm story for mummy and child”, focusing on a single lady’s journey to becoming a mother. I am aware that an increasing number of fertility patients and sperm bank clients are single mothers, and I have deliberately sought to tell this tale with a broader more inclusive audience in mind, whilst also staying true to my ethos of seeking to tell a traditional, simple story in an engaging and colourful way. To ensure authenticity, I have partnered with several single mothers who have made the conscious decision to start a family via a sperm donor, speaking to them about their experiences and doing my best to incorporate some of their key insights into the book’s content.

And don’t worry if you are again thinking this story is not so relevant to you, especially for those who have experienced different fertility journeys, such as same sex couples using donor sperm. Those are stories that I plan on bringing to life over the next few years, so watch this space!”

Thanks to JR Silver for sharing his experience with us and our readers. We hope you found it just as useful as we did.

Questionnaire Survey: Get To Know Our Donors Even Better

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 09:09:24 GMT

“How do you choose your donors?” This is a frequently asked question that many of our customers ask us. For us, it is very important to have an in-depth knowledge of our donors. Every single one of them is a unique person and we can vouch for each and every one of them. To give you the chance to get to know them even better, we conducted a questionnaire survey among them, in which we asked about everything from their choice of donor category to their attitude to sperm donation to their motivation to become a donor. We look forward to sharing the results with you in this blog post.

Only 3-5% of all applicants are accepted as donors

75% of our donors are ID release donors

We set a worldwide pregnancy limit per donor

Good boys and men with girlfriends, wives, and children of their own

Our donors wish to help others

It is very important to us that we have an in-depth knowledge of our donors, their personality, interests and especially their motivation to be a donor. Therefore, it makes us extra happy that it shines through that the donors we have admitted to our program have the heart in the right place. When asked what it gives them to be a donor, they answer in their own words that it gives them both joy, pride and a great sense of being able to help others. Just look at these quotes:

Our donors also say that it gives them a good feeling that they are actually making a big difference in other people’s lives. There are even donors who find the aspect of potential donor children very exciting and who look forward to being contacted. We think that says it everything about our donors and it is no secret that we are just as proud of them as they are of being a donor.

Our donors are unique

A personal, professional, and present sperm bank – also for our donors

Our donors help fight ignorance and break a taboo

What Does 'Only for Siblings' Mean?

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 08:30:43 GMT

Our donors give the greatest gift that can be given, and we are incredibly happy that we with the contribution of our donors help both couples and singles have their dream child. Therefore, some of our donors are marked with a tag on the website that says "Only for siblings". We have received some questions about this, which we would like to explain in more detail.

When a donor is marked ‘Only for siblings’, it means that units from this donor can only be purchased by customers who already have a child of or are pregnant with the help of units from this donor.

There can be two reasons why a donor is marked ‘Only for siblings’:

One reason is that the donor has reached the limit for the maximum number of pregnancies / families per donor for a given country,

Or he has reached our internal total limit of maximum 25 or 75 families.

When a customer buys a unit from a given donor, we immediately reserve a pregnancy with that donor on that customer in our system. This is the way we can keep track of the fact that there are not suddenly too many pregnancies with the same donor. However, if the customer does not obtain pregnancy with the purchased units(s), we will remove the reserved pregnancy again, and therefore it is possible that a donor may be reopened after being marked as ‘Only for siblings.’

We hope that this explanation will shed more light on the concept of "Only for siblings". You are very welcome to contact our customer service department at salg@borndonorbank.dk , if you have more questions about the subject.

Do You Need Personal Sperm Storage?

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 08:55:28 GMT

Have you considered storing your sperm for future use?

By having the foresight to store your sperm before it is too late you can secure your future family.

A personal sperm storage account is a simple, accessible, and affordable option if you want to preserve fertility.

Men or couples often choose to store sperm if they are concerned that a medical issue or an injury will leave them infertile.

We recommend personal sperm storage for:

Cancer patients and other patients who are facing treatment that might decrease their fertility. If you are facing the possibility of chemotherapy, radiation, hormone replacement therapy and other medical or surgical procedures that could impact your future fertility.
Vasectomy Patients. As a way of keeping your reproductive options open in case you change your mind.
Clients with occupations that put them at a “high risk”. For example, Military Personnel, Police Officers, Firefighters, High Impact Athletes, Workers in X-ray environments who are in high risk of testicular injury or death.
Transgender Clients. Clients who are about to undergo a sex change operation or treatment who want to keep their reproductive options open.
Clients who have difficulty producing a sample on the day of fertility treatment. For example, when timed inseminations or IVF treatments are required, or simply due to scheduling conflicts.
Clients who have a low sperm count or a deteriorating sperm quality. For instance, due to advancing paternal age.

Please contact us with the specifics regarding your situation so that we can assist you choosing a storage plan that is right for you.

You can also have a look at our storage package here .

I’m a Donor Child – A Child of Love

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 09:14:45 GMT

Are you curious about what it’s like to grow up as a donor child? Now you can read Emma Grønbæk’s book “Donor child – a child of love” . Here Emma shares her story about being a donor child. Emma is a nurse and during her studies it dawned on her that her and her family’s experiences might benefit others.

My life as a donor child

My name is Emma, I was born in 1996 and I am a donor child. I have a mother and a father and two sisters. Ever since I was a child, I have openly stated that I am the donor child of an anonymous sperm donor. My story is overwhelmingly positive, and it has been met with both acceptance and resistance.

When my parents realised that they needed a sperm donor to have a child, there was only one option back then, an anonymous donor. Today, both them and I are happy that the choice was so simple.

In general, I think there is a lack of knowledge and positive stories about donor children. The media presents a stereotypical picture of what sperm donation is. Maybe it’s not so black and white. My story is not necessarily the golden truth, but it can provide an insight into what it can also be like to be a donor child.

I’m just happy to be me

I have not had an unhappy childhood or fought with identity issues. I’m just happy to be me. I am eternally grateful to the man who helped my parents in their struggle to have a child. I think of him as a nice man who might look like me and who I hope has a good life. But a life that I do not need to be a part of. I hope he feels the same way and that he does not worry if I’m sad about his choice – because I’m not.

With my story, I can hopefully help future parents who are considering having children through sperm donation. But perhaps it can also help sperm donors if they someday reflect on how their help was received. Or other donor children who may have a similar or a very different story than mine.

Get a both personal and professional perspective on sperm donation

In addition to sharing her personal story, Emma has invited leading Danish doctors and psychologists to put her story in perspective by using their knowledge about fertility treatment, donor choice, relationships during treatment and family life.

Read the book as a contribution in the debate about the use of donors and get both a personal and professional insight into being a donor child, childless or parents of a donor child.