In some situations, using your and your partner’s own eggs or sperm are not an option. For some women, carrying a baby through pregnancy may be unsafe or not possible. In these cases, you may wish to consider donor egg or sperm or using a gestational carrier, also known as a surrogate mother.
Donor programs allow for individuals or couples to achieve a pregnancy and create their intended family. Donor programs are engaged by single individuals, same-sex couples, or couples who have a medical reason for utilising a sperm or egg donation. Donor programs can either be 'known' or 'unknown'. A known donor is someone with whom you have a direct relationship, such as a friend or a relative. An unknown donor is one found through a registered donor bank.
In Australia, donor programs must follow specific legal requirements that are governed by state and federal legislation. This includes, but is not limited to, mandatory counselling and genetic screening as well as medical and infective screening for both recipient and donor. Donation in Australia must be altruistic (not for financial gain) and donors must consent to being part of the donor registry.
Surrogacy is whereby a woman carries a pregnancy for another woman or couple. It may be conducted either because you’re unable to carry a pregnancy for medical reasons, or if you are in a same-sex relationship.
There are many legal, medical, financial and emotional issues to contemplate when considering surrogacy, and each unique case must be carefully reviewed. Both yourself and your gestational carrier must undergo counselling as well as a series of medical screening tests before proceeding with the surrogacy procedure. There are also legal requirements as part of the surrogacy process, including having a documented legal agreement and going through a court process to allow the intended parents to obtain legal guardianship of the baby. As with egg and sperm donation, a gestational carrier must volunteer her involvement without financial gain.
Book an appointment! The donor process can seem overwhelming at first, but many many individuals are seeking conception through donation and as such we have clear processes in place to help you walk through it.
Yes, we work with a number of donor banks for both egg and sperm donation and can help direct you to these contacts after your initial consultation.
Dr Danielle Robson, fertility specialist, consults at three locations across Sydney: the CBD, Chatswood, and Manly. A referral from a general practitioner is required for all initial appointments.
Book today by calling 1300 330 279 or click the button below.
Danielle is a fertility specialist and gynaecologist with an interest in fertility preservation, premature ovarian insufficiency, and menopause management. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and a sub-specialist in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.
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