Some women feel more comfortable using a known sperm donor (who is NOT her sexually intimate partner) instead of using an unknown donor from a sperm bank. Carolina Conceptions is pleased to offer known or “directed” sperm donation as an option to patients perusing conception via donor sperm. Psychological testing and clearance is required individually and as a group to confirm all parties involved understand the aspects of known donor conception. This three-part evaluation will include:
- Meeting with the donor (and spouse/partner) – Evaluation, psycho-education, and psychological test administration
- Meeting with the recipients – Evaluation, psycho-education, and psychological test administration
- Joint meeting with donor and recipients
Please contact Ryan Blazei at 919-720-1452 to schedule your psychological appointments.
After both parties have received psychological clearance to move forward with known donor conception, the donor will provide a semen specimen. FDA regulations for known donors require the donor’s specimen be frozen (cryopreserved). The specimen will be analyzed while the donor completes a physical exam with a CC physician, and blood and urine samples to screen for the following:
- Blood Type with Rh factor
- HIV 1 and 2
- Hepatitis B Core Antibody and Surface Antigen
- Hepatitis C
- HTLV I and II
- RPR
- CMV IgG
- IgM
- West Nile Virus
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
*The above screening must take place on donation day, within 7 days prior to donation, or within 7 days following donation. A new round of screening is required by the FDA for all specimens provided outside of this 7-day period.
After screening is completed, results will be reviewed with a Carolina Conceptions physician to determine whether the donor is medically eligible to donate. If all test results are considered “normal,” the donor is considered eligible to provide sperm for a treatment cycle at CC. We recommend at least three additional specimens be frozen at this time for the patient’s upcoming fertility treatment cycle. It is important to remember “normal” screening results do not guarantee a future pregnancy. If abnormal results are discovered in the above testing, the donor will not be eligible to provide sperm for the patient’s treatment cycle.
At this time, a consultation with a reproductive law attorney is highly recommended to ensure all parties involved understand the legal aspects of direct sperm conception and legal parentage of future children. Legal consultation can be completed with Jennifer Tharrington. Please call 919-525-2854 to schedule your appointment.
We are pleased to offer you this option to make your family a reality!