London Sperm Bank shares key information about one of the biggest decisions in your familymaking journey
IMAGE BY GETTY IMAGES/CANVA
We’ve all heard about the birds and the bees. Buns in ovens. Storks flying overhead. But what about the story of the donor sperm and the egg? Since 1991, over 70,000 donor conceived children have been born in the UK. And that number looks like it’s going to keep on rising. For many same-sex couples, choosing your donor sperm is one of the earliest – and most daunting – parts of their fertility journey. It can also be one of the most overwhelming decisions. With hundreds of donors to choose from both in the UK and globally, it might feel like an impossible task.
That’s where London Sperm Bank (LSB) comes in. Since 2010, LSB has helped bring 3,000 babies into the world, providing high-quality, ethically sourced sperm. Committed to safety, transparency and ethical standards, LSB ensures that every sample they store is fully traceable. To understand more about approaching this crucial step in any couple’s familymaking journey, DIVA spoke to Nicole Nel, operations director for LSB.
What kind of conversations should you be having with your clinic before choosing your donor?
Know the difference between using an international and a local donor. Global donors don’t have family limits from some sperm banks, whereas in the UK we have a 10 family limit. A lot of people aren’t aware that a donor could have up to 25 or 30 families globally. It could be really overwhelming for a child to have that many siblings. Make sure you know what treatment you’re having. Some donors may only have IVF samples, some may only have IUI samples. It’s important to know these things before choosing a donor, because it can be disheartening if your chosen donor doesn’t have the right sample.
What should same-sex couples look for when making their decision about a donor?
Choosing a donor is one of the most difficult decisions that patients ever make. There are hundreds and hundreds of donors and it can feel a bit surreal! From my experience as an embryologist, it is important to make sure that the person that’s not genetically contributing to the child is matched. It’s important for the partner not giving eggs to feel genetically connected to the donor, so that they feel part of the process.
What should same-sex couples consider when they decide on a donor?
Once they’ve chosen their donor, it’s really important to think about the future. We can’t guarantee donor sperm, as there are only X number of vials because of the family limits we have in the UK.
Often people focus on IVF and IUI as being one of the most emotional parts of their fertility treatment. How do patients respond to the donor process?
What I’ve found with same-sex couples is that a lot of the time they know what they’re looking for, which makes the process slightly less tricky. In choosing a donor, you’re choosing 50% of your child’s genetics from a person you have never met. I think professionals, friends and families need to be slightly more supportive and be there for those people. It’s such a ridiculously difficult decision.
Why should patients choose LSB when looking for their donor?
LSB has been doing this for a very long time. This is our trade. We’re not an IVF clinic with an add-on sperm bank. It’s what our team does all day, every day. We take our time to get to know the donors. When a donor gets published onto the website, they’re not just a number. We know about his family, his hobbies, what he did over the weekend and more. Also, donors in the UK are regulated, unlike, for example, the US where you can pay a donor $20,000. Here, donors can only get £45 which covers their train ticket. I really believe these donors are altruistic.
Find out more about London Sperm Bank: londonspermbank.com
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