Select Page

Community

Allies, Family or Friends

We will support you with information you need to help you make right decisions.

We will support you with information you need to help you make right decisions.

Information

My Partner is a Donor

Finding out your partner donated sperm, eggs, or embryos can be challenging. Donors may not discuss their donations with their partners and family for a range of reasons. Some may feel embarrassed or ashamed of donating; some may believe there is no reason to tell as their donations were anonymous; while others may feel it is irrelevant to their current life.

There are also donors who intended to tell their partner but have found the subject difficult to discuss. Other donors are proud of their donation and have been open with their partners and others from the time they donated.

Some people may learn about their partner’s donation as a result of an application to the donor conception registers. It can be confronting to find out that their partner donated, that a person was born from the donation and/or their parent may want more information about, or contact with, your partner.

Partners may wonder what their role should be and where they fit in as they are not biologically connected to your offspring. It is likely to take time to process this information and to decide what to do. It is common to feel uneasy or confused about what this could mean for you, your partner, and your relationship.

If you have not been able to have children, potential contact can stir up painful feelings which can be particularly difficult.
It is important that you are included, so you may want to:
• raise any concerns, with your partner and/or contact a counsellor
• contact us at ARTFam for advice

Information

I am a Family Member or Close Friend

If you have a close family member or friend who is donor conceived or are the parents of a donor conceived child, you may be wondering how to approach them, or what to say?

Each family is different. Some are very open about the way they created their family, some less so and others do not want to talk about it, and/or haven’t disclosed their circumstances to anyone outside their circle. Some have not told their children they are donor conceived. It is not up to you to discuss this with them.

It is important that you are guided by their wishes, no matter your stance on the matter. Allowing them autonomy in how they communicate their children’s conception both to you and the world will guide you in the way you discuss the matter with them and others. Being open to their wishes, and asking questions where appropriate would, in most circumstances, be an excellent way to offer support.

Information

Unique Family Situations

In an era of gender fluidity and its many permutations you may feel your choice leaves you out on a limb when it comes to achieving parenthood.

Nevertheless, there may be ways of reaching your goals by taking a close look at all the options presented on our website.

Some will strike a chord, others not; in any event, we are here to support you all the way with the information and resources you need.

Fertility Preservation

Fertility preservation is used to increase the chance of somebody having children in future. It can be used for medical reasons and personal circumstances. It is sometimes used before medical procedures and treatments that may cause infertility, such as cancer treatment and gender transitioning.
There are several methods of fertility preservation, including medication to protect a woman’s ovaries (GnRH agonists), and freezing (cryopreservation) of ovarian tissue, eggs or sperm.