Donor Matching Appointment

My Donor Matching appointment was something that I was looking forward to, but frequenting the Facebook groups I was left with questions of what it really included. I knew I would need a blood test to check my CMV status (more on that tomorrow) but some people said that your clinic gave you a list of donors that matched based on what you were looking for, and some people told me that you had to go “searching” for your own donor on the websites and figure out really, who and what you were wanting with them being at the end of the phone to answer any questions.

I knew the price of this, on my clinic’s website, but in reality if it was the latter I questioned what I would be really paying for.

My clinic follows the latter, however if using Donor Sperm for IUI there is the charge, but Donor IVF the charge is included within the IVF charge. Unfortunately, there was a little miscommunication and I have paid for it, but it may get taken off my over-all cost, but it may also be refunded, I need to give the clinic a call tomorrow.

However, Donor Matching at my clinic, includes the CMV blood test, but also a natural tracking cycle. I had no idea about this – but they’ll track one of my natural cycles with scans and bloods so that we know what we are working with for my IVF cycle(s) and what medication and doseages will be needed. This will mean quite a few trips to the clinic, its really a good job that I am self-employed.

I was sent over a lot of information via EngagedMD for my informed consents, which were videos with a little pop quiz on everything regarding IVF, how the entire cycle works, risks of egg retrieval, how transfer works, and risks in pregnancy and birth for IVF babies. I found it really interesting, and I also found it very informative.

There were also videos on Zika Virus, the forms from the HEFA you have to fill out – and also how to give yourself injections! I’ve got no-one who lives with me who gets to be the lucky person to stick a needle in me! Luckily I’ve had practice after my Endometriosis Surgery!

Normally most of this stuff would be done in person but due to Coronavirus the presentation and consents have been done online. The Donor Matching presentation brought things up I’d not thought about – such as – who knew that donated sperm is quarrantined for 6 months before its allowed for “sale” for those that need it!

Donor Sperm I am looking at both of the Semovo and London Sperm Bank based in the UK, European Sperm Bank and Cyros which are both based in Denmark.

Choosing my Donor Sperm seems to be the one thing that most people are most intriqued by and it really is a big process, so don’t worry you’ll be getting a full entry all about that! I hav started narrowing them down – but unfortunately I cannot choose a donor further until I know my CMV Status!

Things are moving in the right way though!

Plans of action
– CMV Blood Test
– Call Clinic ref Payment for Matching
– Choose Donor when I know CMV Status
– Tracking Cycle within the next Cycle (11-14 days!)

Update
I thought I would add a little update today 08.06.2020 that I definately needed to pay for my donor matching with the clinic. This is despite doing DIVF I am looking at using one of the packages with either Assured Fertility or Access Fertility and so therefore it is an extra charge on top too – I just thought that it would be useful information for other people to know 🙂