Blog written by CLI Genetic Counselor Suzanne Seitz, MS
Our sperm bank uses the designation ‘Family Unit’ to describe a family with children from the same donor. Our goal is to make sure we set reasonable limits on the number of pregnancies that a donor is permitted. We do this by keeping track of reported pregnancies. And hence anyone using donor sperm is highly encouraged to report a pregnancy to us.
Those using donor sperm a few decades ago were mostly couples made up of a man and a woman, who most likely were experiencing fertility issues. As the years progressed, we saw this change. While a third of our clients remain male/female couples, a full third are now single women seeking to have a child on their own, without a male partner. Another third are same sex couples. One woman or both may have a child from the same donor.
Furthermore, many clients are choosing to have more than one child with the same donor. Their children will share a common biological bond. And for many this is important as they openly discuss how their children came to be part of their unique family unit. Not only do the children have a bond with the same donor, they share a common bond with each other as well. Siblings that connect in this way find ways to resolve questions about their origins when the see similar traits in the faces and personalities of their brothers or sisters.
The wonderful part of working at the sperm bank is realizing that the children we are helping to create are all very much wanted. For many it is the only way they could have had a child. We get thank you notes everyday telling us that not only do they appreciate that the donor agreed to be part of our program, they also appreciate that we offer the donor sperm service that made their dreams of a happy family come true. It is nice to be doing something that makes a difference!
