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Using Donor Sperm to Get Pregnant

At Park Avenue Fertility, we recognize the importance of thorough communication. Education is key to keeping everyone comfortable throughout the treatment process.  That is why we have put together this informative guide to how our center use donor sperm to help get you pregnant.

Why Donor Sperm May Be Necessary

Lesbian Couples Who Want to Grow Their Families

When lesbian couples wish to conceive, the partner who wishes to carry the pregnancy goes through the usual cycle of fertility testing.  Depending on her medical needs, she may undergo intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF).  Typically only donor insemination is required to achieve a successful pregnancy.

Single Women Who Want to Conceive

Single women who wish to conceive can use donor sperm.  The woman chooses the donor sperm and then undergoes either IUI or IVF, depending on her medical needs.  Again, donor insemination is frequently utilized as a first line of treatment.

Cases of Severe Male Infertility

In cases of azoospermia, or complete absence of sperm in the semen, donor sperm is often used to conceive.  Azoospermia can be genetic or acquired.  Men with azoospermia should be evaluated by a urologist to best determine the cause.  In some cases, donor sperm may be necessary to achieve pregnancy.

Donor Sperm Selection and Storage

Park Avenue Fertility (PAF) staff assist couples with donor sperm selection from national sperm banks.  Couples select a donor based on attributes such as eye and hair color, race, and ethnicity.  The chosen sperm sample is then shipped to PAF and stored frozen in liquid nitrogen until it is used.

Sperm banks follow strict standards and test potential donors extensively. Each potential donor is interviewed prior to testing.  Testing screens for potential genetic problems, diseases, and drug/alcohol use in order to ensure that the sperm donated is safe to use.

How Donor Sperm is Used to Get You Pregnant

Donor sperm can be used for IUI or IVF, depending on medical necessity.

If intrauterine insemination (IUI) is chosen, the woman’s ovaries and blood hormone levels are monitored closely to determine when she is ovulating.  This predicts the optimal time for insemination.  In some patients, medications are need to stimulate ovulation.  At the appropriate time, a catheter that contains the donor sperm is inserted into the cervix, and the sperm is released.  The patient then typically lies down for about 15 minutes after insemination.  If in vitro fertilization (IVF) is needed, donor sperm is used to inseminate the woman’s eggs, after the eggs are removed.

Your team at Park Avenue Fertility knows that together we can help you grow your family. For more information, or to schedule a consult, please do not hesitate to contact us.