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Pregnancy using donor sperm

If you are hoping to have a pregnancy using donor sperm, you will be given the choice of using a "known donor", ie, someone that you know, usually a close friend, or an "unknown" or "anonymous" donor that you access through a sperm bank.

For anyone wanting a pregnancy using donor sperm, there are legal general requirements that you should know about. These apply regardless of whether you are using a known donor or accessing unknown donor sperm through IVF Australia.

  • You cannot pay a donor for sperm, all donations must be altruistic
  • All donors must agree to be placed on an Australian registry. Children conceived using donor sperm will be able to access identifying information regarding their biological father from the registry when they are 18 years of age.

When using an unknown donor:

  • Two counselling sessions are required prior to accessing unknown donor sperm. If you are in a relationship, your partner will need to attend these counselling sessions with you.
  • The sperm will have been quarantined for at least three months prior to becoming available for your use

When using a known donor:

  • You will be required to attend two counselling sessions either alone if you are not in a relationship, or with your partner if you are in a relationship.

Your donor will also be required to attend two counselling sessions (alone if single, with their partner if they are in a relationship).

One additional group counselling session will also be required that you, your partner (if in a relationship), your sperm donor and your sperm donor's partner (if in a relationship) attend.

  • There is a three month quarantine period for the donated sperm. At the time of the sperm donation, your donor will be required to have a blood test for hepatitis B, hepatis C, HIV, syphilis and HTLV, and a urine test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Three months later, the donor will be required to repeat this testing. Provided all results are negative, you will then be able to use the donated sperm.

You will be asked during this process if you wish to undertake genetic carrier screening. Genetic information (genes) are stored in the human body in the form of chromosomes. As chromosomes come in pairs, this means that there are two copies of each chromosome and therefore two copies of each gene. If there is a fault with one copy of a gene, in most instances, this is not a major problem as there is another (functional) copy of the gene. In the situation where a person has one normal and one abnormal copy of a gene, they are a carrier of a genetic condition. This is not a problem unless the carrier of the genetic condition conceives with a person who is a carrier of the same genetic condition, as the baby will inherit one copy of each gene from its biological mother and one copy of each gene from its biological father. If the baby inherited the two faulty copies, it would be affected with a genetic disease.

Testing is available to determine if a person is a carrier of a genetic condition (most people are a carrier of at least one genetic condition). If we can identify what the genetic condition(s), we can ensure that you either aren't paired with a sperm donor who is a match for the same genetic condition(s), or that we conduct IVF and test the embryos prior to embryo transfer to ensure that you don't have a baby affected with the genetic condition.

When have access to donor sperm and you're ready to conceive, there are two options available:

  • Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
  • IVF

Dr Rachael Rodgers will explain these options to you and discuss with you which is the most appropriate option for you.

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