Using a sperm donor

[Emmers]

My husband has CF and we have recently decided to use a sperm donor to start a family. I am an attorney, so the legal complications aren't scary to me. And I know that the doctor will tell me the technical part of the procedure, but I was hoping that there was someone out there who has either used a donor or knows someone has because that is what scares me. I would really like to know what to expect. Thank you so very much in advance. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

Emmers, there isn't a lot of male CF/fertility information on this particular site, just because it is such a new thing for so many CFers to be living into their reproductive years and who desire to have a family. But, I have found a lot of information on just In-vetro sites about donor sperm and different procedures to collect sperm, just type IVF into a search engine and you can find many other chat sites about just invetro and donor egg/sperm procedures, people who have been through it that you can talk to...

Also, I don't mean to be intrusive but I was wondering if there is a reason why you aren't using your husbands sperm? Has it been considered? My husband and I are going to be going through IVF with ICSI in October and are using his sperm and having it extracted from the testicles by a procedure called MESA.

I hope this helps.

Julie (wife to Mark 24 w/CF)

 

[anonymous]

Hi Emmers, I'm not sure why you are going to be using donor sperm, but really it's none of my bussiness. I'm just hear to tell you about my wonderful experience using donor sperm. It took me 8 years of trying artificial insemination and alot of money with no luck. I finally decided to try naturally and their you have it, I got pregnant. I wanted to have children as a single parent, I had tried that married root before and at 30yrs well (it is the 20th century) Anyway, when my daughter was born with CF unknown that this was a possibility, I couldn't handle the thought of being childless (if she was to pass at an early age) so I chose donor sperm and artificial ins. again and it worked. I have a handsome son and a gorgious daughter 15mths apart. THE ALL AMERICAN FAMILY well minus the husband. hehe
When I went to the GH for the procedure, I got to choose his height, stature, hair color, weight, religious back round, job, everything it was so much fun. I meen it was like he was real. I could visualize him and how my son would look like, and when my son was born, he was exactly as I had imagined. Perfect!!! Now, the best part about using donor sperm, is you can match him up to Marks looks and complexion and height everything. Nobody would even know that it wasn't really his biological child because ALL babies take the facial expresions and personality traits from who they SEE and whom they talk with and spend all their time with so have fun good luck and they will tell you exactly what I just said no one will know the difference if you choose not to tell anyone the truth. Whether they are biologically yours or donor they are blessings and you'll love them the same! good luck man that was a mouth full sorry lol

 

[anonymous]

Hi Emmers, sorry I forgot to mention that because my daughter was born with CF and obviously I am a carrier, they knew to test the donor sperm for the CF genes. I did go for genetic counselling first.

 

[anonymous]

Anonymous, just wondering if you know that men with CF (99.5%) of them don't have a vas defrens, and this is why women with partners with CF consider donor sometimes. But, there are many medical advances avilable nowdays for a male with CF who does want to have his biological child, and that is why I was asking emmers if she was aware of all of her options.

And I appreciate the information on donor sperm in relation to Mark, but that is simply not an option for us. If we can't use his sperm, then we are going to adopt but so far everything looks good and in order for our semen aspiration and IVF with ICSI in october.

Julie (wife to Mark 24 w/CF)

 

[anonymous]

Hi, yes I knew about the male CF's and their vas defrens, for me being pregnant was the greatest thing on earth. If I had to choose between adoption or donor, that would be easy I'm very selfish. lol If I had a partner who lived with CF, I would have to explain to him the importance of being pregnant and having that choice available , however, everyone has their preference. I don't have a partner so I guess I can't really relate, I always had this idea that " you can always replace a husband, but you can never replace your child, they are A PART OF YOU!!! I would rather have a child who is a part of one of us if it is posssible then not. Anyway, my sister has been trying for two years to get pregnant and they decided they can't wait so they are going to adopt. A very long and expensive process and that's their choice. I wish you the best of luck, I hope everything turns out for the best for both of you. Keep us informed

 

[anonymous]

Thank you, I will keep everyone posted. I plan on making some kind of site like hollycatherine has, only this will discuss the male CF factor.

Back to the initial poster though, if you would rather email me privately the email address is division902@hotmail.com. I hope you were able to find some in-vetro and sperm donor sites that were of help to you. And, I realize my question might have been intrusive but I wanted to make sure that you and your husband were made aware that a natual child is still a possibility even to a man with CF. Of course, if your choice is donor sperm I am by no means trying to sway you, it's just that I found I had to do all the research on my end (male factor CF/no vas defrens/sperm production???) and then present it to my doctors. I have also been in touch with another couple, the man has CF and the woman delivered twins 18 months ago. She has been a great help to me in giving information about the invetro process period, whether it's a donor sperm or not.

Julie