Starting out

[sparkynewell]

Hi there,
My partner Kylie and I are just starting the whole TTC thing. We have had some preliminary blood tests which were organised by the GP whilst awaiting our appointment with a OB/GYN at QFG in mid May. At this point we are keen to use a known donor and have a couple of options. We have so many questions but maybe we will start with just a few.
We have heard that due to my age (37yrs) that we may need to start straight up with egg harvesting? Has anyone had any experience/thoughts that they can share?
We were also considering trying ourselves at home. If we were to try this....as far as getting the donor tested - is it just a matter of asking him to go to a GP or does he need to attend a fertility clinic?
Any advice is appreciated.
Peta

[GayDad2Be]

We were also considering trying ourselves at home. If we were to try this....as far as getting the donor tested - is it just a matter of asking him to go to a GP or does he need to attend a fertility clinic?
Any advice is appreciated.
Peta

Hi Peta - welcome!

I can't answer all of this for you, but as for this point....

Generally the fertility clinic will take the sperm and then quarantine it for 6 months, testing it at the time of donation, and then testing it again at the 6 month point.

The reason for this is that some STI infections especially can take up to 6 months to become detectable in the blood. HIV is the prime example of this.

For example, if your donor went to a GP today and got a test that came up clear, that doesn't mean that he hasn't contracted something, say, 3-4 months earlier that is transmissable, but not showing up on tests yet.

I guess, as with anything, it's a matter of trust with the donor vs taking every possible risk. To be 100% certain of the health of the donor, you will need to have a 6 month wait. If you know the donor well, trust him, and are willing to take a health risk based on that trust, then you could do a "home job" straight away. There are never any guarantees RE: health however.

Sorry if this all sounded a little foreboding and negative.

[Green Mum to be]

I replied to the same thread before... :p

In a clinic setting they will quarantine known donor sperm for 6 months. If you want to use a known donor and through the IUI / IVF setting.

You really have to have your donor tested and then set up an agreement on sexual practices after that if you are doing at home insems.

Our donor has been married for 10 years (i've known him and his wife most of that time). We spoke that there had been no infidelity and so were satisfied with the one test that was done. We then started straight away.

Goodluck & :babydust2: