AI With Donor Sperm

The use of donor sperm to achieve a pregnancy can either be a very difficult decision or a very easy one, depending upon the circumstances that bring you to this decision. While the actual process of the donor IUI cycle is easy, the psychological and relationship issues that accompany it can be very challenging. In my solo private practice, a genuine discussion of all available options will occur, providing you with guidance and support. I will help you make wise treatment choices, by engaging you in a discussion of the risks and benefits inherent in any medical course, while at the same time considering your unique circumstances. And, while achieving a successful pregnancy makes it all worthwhile in the end, I understand that what makes the use of donor sperm necessary for you, carries with it a host of issues. I am here to support you in your efforts, not only by providing great medical care, but also by listening to you every step of the way.

There are many circumstances in which IUI, using donor sperm, provides a great treatment solution. Even with good quality sperm, if your partner harbors a genetically based disease, donor sperm allows you to avoid transmission of that disease to your offspring. When your partner’s sperm quality is severely diminished, donor sperm IUI creates a less expensive, less invasive alternative to IVF. And, if your partner’s sperm production is completely absent, or if there is no male partner, donor sperm IUI provides an alternative to adoption, enabling you to achieve a pregnancy using your own eggs, and providing you with the experience of pregnancy itself.

The actual process of donor sperm IUI can seem overwhelming, but with guidance and support from our office, it can be divided into very manageable steps. Once it is determined through diagnostic testing that IUI provides a viable means for you to achieve a pregnancy, the next step is to secure the donor sperm. Some people choose a known donor, however, most will use anonymous donor sperm obtained from a cryobank. Before acceptance into a cryobank, sperm donors are rigorously screened for genetic and infectious diseases. Additionally, to further ensure against transmission of these diseases to the recipient, the sperm itself is frozen and quarantined for six months prior to use. This same protocol is used with known donor sperm as well. If using anonymous donor sperm, you will choose the donor from a list that identifies the donor by number and includes information such as the donor’s physical traits, educational background, cultural heritage, and occupation. Of course, every donor must have excellent sperm. You may opt to have vials of your chosen donor’s sperm reserved specifically for you to ensure the sperm is available for your initial pregnancy and for subsequent pregnancies. Once the choice of donor sperm is made, you can begin your treatment cycles. To achieve a pregnancy, the IUI must be performed around the time of ovulation. The cycle can be as simple as using your own natural ovulation, and timing IUI using an ovulation predictor kit, or the cycle may include medications and/or ultrasound monitoring to address difficulties with egg production and/or ovulation. The IUI process itself is the same for frozen donor sperm as it is for fresh partner sperm. The sperm is processed and evaluated in our office to confirm its identity and to optimize its quality. The insemination is a quick and painless procedure and, after a brief rest in the office, you may resume your regular activities.

Once the decision is made to use donor sperm to achieve a pregnancy, the IUI cycle becomes a manageable process. It is a successful way to achieve a pregnancy that is less expensive and less invasive than IVF, and it gives you the opportunity to experience pregnancy itself.