Legal agreements should be drawn up so that both donors and recipients understand the following:
This includes financial responsibilities, plans for future contact, and other arrangements. Laws vary between states and countries and it is important to understand the laws of parentage that will apply in each case for all parties involved.
Consulting with a mental health professional is critical to the long-term health and well-being of the donor(s), intended parent(s), and child(ren). Donation can be an emotional experience for everyone involved and preparation for this with counseling can be very helpful. Donors must be evaluated for their mental health status and ability to make an informed decision about the donation. They need to understand following:
Intended parents benefit from exploring any concerns and their feelings about having a child with someone else’s genetic material. This is the time to decide about when, how, what, to whom, and if to disclose. In situations where the donors and recipients are known to each other, contact arrangements can be agreed upon to avoid unmet expectations or disappointments in the future.
Consult with specialists in reproductive medicine who are qualified and experienced.
Use legal counsel that is well-versed in reproductive law in locations where both the donor and recipients reside.
Work with a mental health professional who is experienced and familiar with the issues of third party family building.
Consider if, when, what, and how to disclose this to the child and others.
Understand that:
Most importantly, egg, sperm, or embryo donation can be an effective option for those struggling with fertility. With appropriate medical, legal, and psychological preparation, egg, sperm, or embryo donation can help build families and provide a rewarding experience for all involved.
Vicki Meagher has worked with InVia Fertility Specialists since 2006. She is our Third Party Coordinator, so she works with our patients that need an egg donor, sperm donor, gestational surrogate, or any combination of the above. She recruits and screens the egg donors for our in-house donor program as well. She loves working with intended parents and is passionate about third party reproduction and the important role it plays in helping patients achieve their dream of starting or extending their family. She is a member of SEEDS - the Society for Ethics for Egg Donation and Surrogacy.
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