- 2601 Lake Dr, Ste 301, Raleigh, NC, United States, North Carolina
- info@carolinaconceptions.com
- (919) 782-5911
Sperm donation helps an individual or couple achieve pregnancy by using sperm from a male donor. Many single women, same-sex female couples and couples facing male factor infertility choose to use a sperm donor to build their families.
Patients may select a donor, either anonymous or known. Most patients use anonymous donor sperm, which is purchased at a sperm bank and shipped to our fertility clinic for a patient to use for fertility treatment.
For women pursuing independent motherhood and same-sex female couples, donor sperm may help achieve pregnancy via IUI or IVF.
Couples facing male factor infertility, or those who wish to not pass on specific genetic conditions of the father, will benefit from using donor sperm.
The two types of sperm donors to consider are anonymous and known. An anonymous sperm donation comes from an FDA-approved cryobank where donor sperm is purchased. A known or “directed” sperm donation comes from a male who is NOT the sexually intimate partner of the female patient intending to carry the pregnancy.
Consider both options and let us know what feels most comfortable for you, or we can discuss your situation and make the decision together. Most patients opt to use an anonymous donor.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations for donors require the donor’s specimen to be frozen, also known as cryopreserved. The specimen will be analyzed while the donor completes a physical exam with a physician, and blood and urine samples to screen for the following:
We will begin your cycle with labs including TDI screening along with blood type/Rh Factor and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Status. If your result is CMV positive, you may choose a donor who is either CMV positive or negative. If you are CMV negative, you must choose a donor who is also CMV negative.
After your labs are completed, the andrologists will help you (and your partner, if applicable) sign consent forms. If legally married, both you and your spouse need to be present to sign together.
Donors are also screened for genetic diseases through genetic carrier screening (GCS) we encourage all women who plan to use a donor also undergo GCS to confirm that they and the donor do not carry the same disease.
The andrologists will introduce you to a list of reputable FDA-approved cryobanks where donor sperm can be purchased. Sperm banks may differ on price, donor selection criteria, the amount of information they release about their donors and their family planning programs. An extensive list of FDA-approved sperm donor sources is available upon request. Some of the more popular cryobanks we work with include but are not limited to:
Seattle Sperm Bank offers FREE shipping for Carolina Conceptions patients with the purchase and shipment of 3+ vials. For free shipping to Carolina Conceptions, a purchase of 3+ vials must be ordered and shipped at one time. Patients must call Seattle Sperm Bank to place an order, or order online and enter the address for Carolina Conceptions. The checkout system will automatically adjust the shipping cost to $0 for Standard Shipping, saving $225 per shipment. For urgent deliveries, regular shipping costs apply.
Once you have selected your sperm bank and donor, you might have a choice of different vial types based on your treatment cycle.
IUI Patients: If you are using a donor for IUI, you will need to order washed IUI specimens. You will only need one vial per IUI; however, we recommend ordering at least two vials at a time so you will have a backup sample in the event of an emergency. You will also save money on shipping fees if you do not get pregnant and need additional samples later. Most sperm banks offer some type of guarantee on motility for their IUI vials.
IVF Patients: If you are doing IVF, you can select any vial type (“washed” or “unwashed” specimens) because our lab will wash the IVF specimen to prepare it for any procedure you have, such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
INVOcell Patients: Although washed IUI specimens can be used, we have found that unwashed IUI specimens are better for INVOcell.
If the cryobank you select requires an authorization form, please let us know and we will fax a “Release of Semen” form.
Please have your samples shipped to arrive Monday through Friday (overnight or two-day morning delivery). We do not accept shipments on the weekend. Please be certain that your shipment of samples arrives in our laboratory at least a week prior to your procedure, whether it be IUI or egg retrieval.
If you are an active patient, you do not have to pay storage fees when using an anonymous sperm donor.
If you are not actively trying to conceive for six months or more, or if you do get pregnant and still have vials at Carolina Conceptions, you have the option to discard them or pay a flat fee of $575 (or current rate) for annual storage.
Some patients feel most comfortable using a known sperm donor, such as a friend or family member. Carolina Conceptions is pleased to offer known or “directed” sperm donation for patients pursuing conception via donor sperm.
Psychological testing and clearance are required individually and as a group to confirm all parties involved understand the aspects of known donor conception. Please contact Dr. Ryan Blazei at (919) 720-1452 to schedule your psychological appointments. This three-part evaluation includes:
After all parties have received psychological clearance to move forward with known donor conception and have completed a legal contract, the donor will provide a semen specimen. FDA regulations for known donors require the donor’s specimen to be frozen, also known as cryopreserved. The specimen will be analyzed while the donor completes a physical exam with a physician, and blood and urine samples to screen for the following:
The above screening must take place on donation day, or within 7 days before or after 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 one of our physicians 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 Carolina Conceptions. We recommend at least three more specimens be frozen for the patient’s upcoming fertility treatment cycle. It is important to remember that “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.
We highly recommend a consultation with a reproductive law attorney when using a known donor. The consultation will ensure all parties involved understand the legal aspects of sperm conception and the legal parentage of future children. We suggest completing legal consultation with Jennifer Tharrington. Please call (919) 525-2854 to schedule your appointment.
Under North Carolina law, the woman who carries and delivers the baby is considered the legal mother. The non-carrying female partner is not considered a legal mother, even if the couple is married. Therefore, most partners complete a post-birth adoption within days of the birth to ensure full parental rights. Some partners prefer to complete a pre-birth order, which ensures birth partners have full parental rights prior to the birth.
We especially encourage same-sex female couples to seek such legal counsel. Jennifer Tharrington is knowledgeable and prepared to help you with this process.
Read our blog for more information about infertility, IVF and more.