Sperm donation is an extremely kind gesture. By donating sperm, the donor provides couples the opportunity to become pregnant that they might not have had before. However, selecting the sperm bank to use for donation is not easy and not a decision to be taken lightly. Investigating the bank’s reputation is essential for deciding which bank to use.
The Bank’s Reputation
Investigating the bank’s reputation will tell you a lot about their reliability, dedication to infertility issues and overall standing in the medical field and community. If you are keeping the fact that you are considering donating private and therefore do not want to ask neighbors and friends about the bank, the Internet can provide the information you seek. By doing a simple search of the sperm bank’s name, you may find reviews or opinions from donors and recipients. These reviews will tell you whether or not the bank is reputable and if you should continue to include it on your list of possible donation sites.
The Bank’s Process
While the process of collecting, storing and delivering donated sperm is similar throughout the industry, it is not always exactly the same process. Prior to choosing a sperm bank to receive your donation from, ask for specifics on how the bank stores and selects recipients. Also inquire into whether anonymous and known donations are available, depending on what you would prefer, and what happens to sperm that is not chosen by a recipient. Possibly, sperm that is not chosen may be donated for scientific research in the future.
The Bank’s Selection Process
Inquire into what selection criteria the bank uses for both donors and recipients. A bank that does not test your blood, physical health and health history prior to donation is most likely not reputable. Similarly, a bank that does not work closely with fertility specialists or that does not have a screening process for recipients may not be reputable. A sperm bank should also test your sperm after donation to ensure that they are healthy and able to fertilize an egg. Failing to do this is an indication that the bank might be trying to scam potential customers.
The Bank’s Notification to Donors of Issues
If the bank finds a problem with your blood or even your sperm, it should notify you of these problems so that you are aware of them and can seek treatment, if possible. A bank that does not test sperm and blood, or does not make a promise to notify you if they find a problem with your donation, is most likely disreputable.
The Bank’s Payment
Most banks will offer donors a small payment. Ask several banks and fertility clinics about the amount they pay donors to determine the average rate of pay in your area. A bank that offers an extremely high amount of payment may be simply trying to run a scam or not telling you the truth about their operation. If you are uninterested in receiving payment, ask what the bank does with the money they offer you, such as donating it to cover recipient’s costs or to charity.
