Donor sperm IVF helps many patients get on the path to parenthood
Many patients at our Indianapolis fertility center need donor sperm IVF to conceive a healthy baby. Our doctors often recommend this treatment option for couples facing severe male infertility as well as single women or lesbian couples who cannot use intrauterine insemination (IUI) for any reason.
How patients can find the right sperm donor for their unique needs
When a patient decides to move forward with donor sperm IVF, our Indianapolis fertility center can recommend reputable sperm banks to them. These sperm banks have performed donor screening and semen analysis to ensure their donors are good candidates to help patients conceive. They can also provide assistance with selecting a donor.
Donor screening. Before a man donates sperm, he undergoes a blood and urine test for inheritable genetic conditions, infectious diseases and other issues that could affect sperm health. A specialist also analyzes the man’s family, medical and sexual history. Potential donors also receive a criminal background check.
Semen analysis. A crucial part of the donor screening process is a semen analysis. This test analyzes the semen’s volume as well as the man’s sperm count, motility (movement) and morphology (shape).
Choosing a sperm donor. As patients search for the right donor, they review donor profiles that include photos of the donors. They can also see information about each donor’s education, occupation, hobbies and personality.
What to expect from the process
After the patient selects a sperm donor, the IVF cycle can begin. The cycle involves a series of simple steps that our team guides the patient through.
Preparing the sperm. One of the first steps of donor sperm IVF involves a lab specialist thawing the frozen donor sperm. They then test it to confirm it is still high quality.
Inducing ovulation. Another important part of the cycle involves the patient or the egg donor, taking ovulation induction medications. These drugs cause multiple eggs to grow. After the eggs mature, the fertility doctor retrieves them during a short procedure.
Fertilizing the eggs. The doctor then sends the eggs to the lab. There, an embryologist fertilizes them with the donor sperm. Ideally, multiple embryos develop.
Transferring an embryo. The final step of this process involves the fertility doctor transferring one of the resulting embryos into the patient’s or a gestational surrogate’s uterus.
Our Indianapolis fertility center is by the patient’s side for each step of this fertility treatment. Contact us for more information about our fertility services.
