Residents of San Diego and other nearby areas in California may want to learn more about the different donor arrangements for third-party reproduction. If you have fertility challenges, you will want to know about the choices as the type of donor may affect your future child, the donor and the donor’s children.
Types of donation
There are several different types of arrangements. They include the following:
- Known
- Anonymous
- Semi-open
- Open
This refers to sperm, egg and embryo donations. It will depend on what is available to you and whether you know someone who may want to donate.
Using a known donor
They may be an acquaintance, relative, co-worker or close friend. You and your partner may ask a person you know and trust to be a donor. One advantage is that you will know more about this person’s background.
Using an anonymous donor
The personal details of this donor are not revealed to you. There is no way for you or your partner to contact them. Completely anonymous arrangements pose less risk for the donor, who does not have to fear that a child will show up out of the blue. However, recent changes to DNA identification technology may change this in the future and could impact surrogacy and donation agreements.
What is a semi-open donor?
There is an exchange of some personal information. An intermediary helps the exchange of communication between the intended parent and the donor. Limited exchange of letters between the child and donor may be allowable.
What is an open donor?
Communication may take place directly between the donor and intended parents. There is more sharing of details, including name, occupation and location. After the baby is born, there may be a relationship with the biological parent, but it will vary.
Learning more about the various types of donation is part of exploring third-party reproduction. You and your partner may want to discuss which one is right for your family.