Finding the Right Sperm Donor

If the thought of finding the right sperm donor feels stressful, don’t let it get the best of you. While the process might seem overwhelming, the stringent requirements of the screening process ensure that you are choosing from only the strongest candidates. In fact, less than three percent of applicants are accepted as donors. The sperm donor screening process requires extensive tests, including but not limited to personality and genetic tests, physical health exams, and infectious disease screenings. Even after an applicant is accepted, the health of the donor is continually monitored.

As such, all you have to worry about is picking a sperm donor that fits your specific family-building needs. During this time, it’s important to maintain clarity about your expectations. Here are some of our tips to keep the sperm donor selection process as simple and stress-free as possible:

Get Organized

Even though a small fraction of applicants are accepted, there are still thousands of potential donors to choose from, and it might be difficult navigating all the information. To avoid unnecessary stress, keep your personal requirements and necessary documents together in a designated place. This will help you stay organized in your sperm search.

Stay Specific

Details always matter, and the donor of your future child has many. Expecting an athlete or an academic? Have specific thoughts on hair color or height? Learning more about each donor can make the process easier, and staying true to your preferences will keep you focused. As you search for sperm donors and review profiles, it’s important to keep in mind that you are not creating a designer child. It’s natural to want a donor that physically resembles you or your partner. It’s also natural to want a sperm donor who possesses specific talents or has accomplished extraordinary achievements. However, there is no way to completely predict what your child’s appearance or behavior will be like as they grow up.

Know When to Negotiate

When you know what you don’t want, it can make clear what you do want. It helps to make a list of qualities that are not up for negotiation, such as medical history or education. That said, flexibility might be necessary in some cases. Finding the balance between your lists of negotiables and non-negotiables will help narrow down your top candidates and streamline the process of choosing the right fit for you.

Taking the Next Step

Choosing a sperm donor may be an involved process, but it can be easy when you have a plan of action in place. It also helps to work with a trustworthy sperm bank. To learn more about building your family via sperm donation in the San Diego area, contact the Fertility Center of California today.