Since I have got my CMV status back I’m able to start choosing my donor, this is a process and I had commented on my personal Facebook about how Friday Night was spent making a list of sperm donors on a spreadsheet – and how my Friday Nights had changed – lots of people have been asking questions!
For me, I’ve been very much all about being honest, and open about my journey to becoming a solo mum – to break any taboo or stigma that may be attached to it. I love how people are interested, fascinated quite honestly, and are intrigued enough to ask questions.
My clinic allows me to choose sperm from several sperm banks. I didn’t really look into who and what was out there until I had my CMV status back, as I have seen on Instagram and twitter some ladies who have had a good feeling about a donor, but then he’s been out of stock, or not compatible with their CMV status, or something else. I didn’t want to set myself up for a fall.
People who chose to donate their sperm are giving an amazing gift to people.
Is the donation anonymous?
Now in the UK, it is no longer possible to donate anonymously. A change in the law in 2005 meant that anyone conceived with the help of the donor can ask for their donor’s name, date of birth, and last known address when they turn 18. As a Solo Mum, I won’t be able to find this information out – its for the donor-conceived person to ask. You can read more about information released here on the HFEA website.
Does the donor go on the birth certificate?
The donor is exactly that, a donor. If the donor has donated at a clinic or sperm bank, then they have no legal rights to the child, they won’t be named on the birth certificate and are not required to support the child financially. Sperm Donors can donate directly to a female (known donors, found on a website, etc) but it can become a bit of a legal minefield. So it’s worth researching and seeking legal advice if you go this way.
Can anyone donate?
The simple answer is yes…and no…
Marital Status, Job Status, Sexual Orientation really do not matter. However, there are criteria you must fall within to be able to donate your sperm, including age, screening for health, STI’s, etc. You have to agree to be on the HFEA register and mandatory counseling.
Are there loads of families with the same donor?
Part of the HFEA UK donors can only donate to create 10 families. They may have more than one child within a family unit – but only 10 families maximum can be created from one donor. This is also correct if you are using a donor from a non-UK sperm bank. If using a donor from a non-UK sperm bank they can still only create 10 families and sometimes you have to purchase a “pregnancy slot” from that donor. A lot of donors may only create 2-3 families.
Do they found out if their sperm has been chosen?
They do, but it’s not quite so simple. If you think of when you donate blood you get a text to tell you it’s been used – it’s not like that! The donor has to apply to the HFEA for the information. They are able to find out the number of children born, their gender, and year of birth. That is it.
How much is sperm worth?
This is the real nitty-gritty thing that most people want to know! When purchasing sperm for use in treatment it is expensive (I’ll talk more about this in a post when I’ve chosen my donor) and there are lots of reasons for it. However, Sperm Donors can receive a maximum of £35 per clinic visit for their donations to cover their expenses. It’s illegal to pay sperm donors more than reasonable expenses.
However, reading on the HFEA website it states that… “You’ll normally need to go to a fertility clinic once a week for between three and six months to make your donation. You’ll be asked to ejaculate into a cup, after which your sperm will be frozen ready for use in treatment, research, or training.”
So for any men reading this – its not a “one-hit wonder” either!
Does the donor have to be British?
Not at all, even if you are having treatment in a UK clinic, not all donors are from the UK or are white British nationality. You have criteria on which you can “narrow down” your choice of donors.
Does a child get dual nationality of using a non-British donor?
No. Based on the information provided above, the donor is not listed on the birth certificate so there are no ties until the donor child turns 18 to get the information of their donor.
If you wish to become a sperm donor then I personally (as a female) found the Semovo website easy to understand with information and how it’s written – they’re based in Manchester too so quite central for anyone to get to if you fancy helping out people like me.
Solo Mum Overload 