Working with sperm banks and donors

There are several ways a single woman can proactively conceive, using donated sperm from a:

1. known donor, who agrees in advance to provide sperm for at-home insemination and knows the mother (this offers least legal protection for both parties, but gives the child the opportunity to know the man if agreed upon in advance);
2. directed donor, who agrees in advance to provide sperm for a clinic insemination and knows the mother (offers the most legal protection for both parties, as well as options for the child to ask questions later in life);
3. co-parenting donor, who agrees in advance to share in financial and logistical responsibilities of raising the child (considered to have the best benefits for the child, particularly if the adults have mutually worked out an agreement of expectations);
4. open-identity donor, who donates in a sperm bank setting and agrees to be contacted after offspring reach a certain age (relieves legal and parenting confusions and complications, but leaves the child with unanswered questions until coming of age);
5. anonymous donor, who donates in a sperm bank setting and does not agree to have any contact with offspring or recipient (safest choice legally, but can lead to frustration with child if they someday want to know more about their genetic background).

This section will help you make an educated decision about your choice.

Also, don't miss:

PODCAST: What donor-conceived adults want to know

PODCAST: How to choose a sperm bank...carefully

PODCAST: Choice Chat with Ken Daniels: Taking pride in our donor-conceived families

PODCAST: Negotiating with a known donor