Some people are forced to use a sperm donor for whatever reason. Please share your stories of how you made your choice, whether the donor is someone you know or a donor from a sperm bank. There are drawbacks and benefits to either decision.

Im in a lesbian relationship and i am using someone i know. I just felt more comfortable doing it that way plussperm banks are really expensive.

Also sperm banks have been known to be prejudice twards same sex parentage, and single women trying to become mothers. And they get pretty snidey about it. There are a lot of couples like you who feel the same way. Its more comfortable. I agree with you.

If my DBF and I were to ever break up, I would definitley do someone I know rather than a sperm bank.

Interesting to hear your stories

I myself am a single woman and opted to use a sperm bank. It was important for me to know a great deal about the donor and the bank I used provided alot of information. The donor has even agreed to meet with my child when my child has turned 18. I am going to leave that decision up to my child when the time comes.

A good friend of mine who is also single chose to use a friend of the family and she is happy with her decision as well. She did have to take care of all the disease testing involved on her own as well as hiring a lawyer for parental rights. (This is all taken care of by the sperm bank)

Queen of Hearts, I am interested in knowing which banks are prejudiced towards lesbians or single moms. I was not aware of this! I used European Sperm Bank which are located in Seattle and didn't encounter anything like that whatsoever..

/Linda

ps. here is a link to the donor list, all of which are 'open identity'

Linda,

I have never actually been to a sperm bank, let alone one that was prejudice, but when I did research on sperm banks, I did find some info that stated such.

I also have two cousins (sisters) that both used a sperm bank, and felt that they were shunned because they were single. One was actually told that the process would be more rigerous (back ground checks and things) because she was single.

She also did not have luck with the sperm bank, she was unable to get pregnant, and couldnt really afford to continue treatment. So she had an old friend of hers help. She was able to finally get pregnant, and she said that she was more comfortable with the situation because she knew him. She also said that it was easier on her self esteam becasue she didnt feel as though she was being looked down apon.

Although, these are just their personal expieriences. Im sure it varies from each sperm bank and each expirience.