Looking at things from a donor point of view..
For this blog post, we have got in touch with a local donor, who was willing to give us an insight into a donor point of view on not only donating sperm to couples and single ladies, but also some touchy subjects to get a feel for how a straight man views our world..
Becoming a sperm donor is a generous act enabling many families in Australia their only chance of having a family. Sperm donation requires careful consideration for both parties involved, so it may be good to hear from a real life sperm donor, and even questions to ask your own donor.
Do you have your own donor yet?
We would love to introduce to you a closed group on Facebook called Sperm Donation Australia.
Sperm Donation Australia is a thoroughly screened and professional group run by a genuine experienced sperm donor, with a fully checked list of men willing to donate sperm, in almost every location across Australia.
Enjoy the read, and please leave us some questions if you have any for us or our guest donor!
*What makes you want to be a sperm donor?
I guess it's a desire to help people, I've always been a person to help where ever I can, so the decision was a pretty easy one for me after a friend explained the process and need for sperm donors. A lot of couples and single people out there who for whatever reason aren't able to have kids. It's nice to think you can give them the joy of parenting, and possibly fulfil their dreams.
*It is an essential part of the donation process to have yourself STD and health checked before donating. Is this something that you think may stop other men from becoming donors?
It is definitely a daunting experience, waiting to hear about your results and wether you're okay to go ahead with the process, but if you are not sleeping around or doing things you shouldn't be doing, then you have nothing to worry about. I think it's a normal part of life to be checked out regularly, for both men and women. I, myself, like to be checked out to protect both parties of the process so everyone is aware of the status of the donation and to have the relief that there will be no infections etc.
*Is it as awkward and strange for you to be "doing your business" as it is for us on the receiving end?
I guess it's a little awkward that they know what I'm doing "in there" and the pressure is on to relax, focus and deliver. I mean what other scenario would put you in a position like that?! So, yeah it's a little bit awkward, but also very worth it in the end to get the satisfaction and gratitude from people.
*As a donor would you prefer to donate to people unknown to you?
I think it's good to at least know what they are like as a person, and their sensibilities and capabilities as a person. You are essentially saying "here you go, hope you can raise a baby now". But I'm sure people who want to have a baby so badly are more than capable of doing so. Especially two females, who have motherly instincts to begin with. I think it would be slightly more awkward to be donating to a friend as there's the embarrassment if they think your donation isn't sufficient enough, or something like that.
*Some couples like to "keep it in the family" as such, meaning they would want their partner's brother to donate his sperm. How would you feel about donating to your sister's partner?
Yeah I get the idea behind the logic of wanting to "keep it in the family". I mean, it's essentially the exact same DNA, so the family resemblance would be there. I would donate if we were all on the same page about roles of each person in the child's life and knew exactly what was going to happen in the future if the child was to ask about where they came from. It's not a bad idea if everyone can agree.
*It's also a great idea to sign a "donor agreement". Even though it is not a legally binding document in VIC, (this may be different from state to state) it will stand in court if anything was to turn slightly nasty. Would this be something that you request you have everyone involved to be signing onto?
Yeah, I think it is a fantastic idea and a very important part of the process, to have everyone written down in their specific roles so we all know where the boundaries lie. It protects both parties, in that it helps to protect us men from any females claiming child support or the like, and it also protects the females from the males trying to gain visitation, if anything was to take a turn for the worst.
*Do you have children of your own? If not, do you want to?
*What kind of benefit do you get out of donating, even though there is no monetary satisfaction for you?
What I said in the first question. It's really just the joy of helping people, I guess there’s a bit of ego in there too, as it’s a little flattering that someone wants to raise a child that’s from your genetics.
*What is your view of marriage equality?
People should be able to marry whoever they want, it’s 2017. It doesn’t make sense that two people who love each other can’t get married, It’s like equal pay. I don’t get why people who do the same job don’t get the same money, It should be equal rights for all, for everything we come across in life!
*There has been many studies on same sex parenting and children of same sex relationship being just as if not smarter, more resilient and loving due to the nature of their life. How do you believe same sex partnerships would alter the child or children conceived?
I think if the child is loved and wanted, that’s a huge start. I’m sure there’s many neglectful same sex parents just like straight couples but I guess it seems as though same sex couples mostly have to go through a lot more planning and such to have a baby, So they seem more appreciative of the experience and having a baby that they have longed and planned for. I don't see why there would be a difference between having a father or not. A lot of people grow up without a father, and it doesn't really change much for them, it's just what they know as their life and don;t know any different.
Donor P.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Donor P for taking some time out of his busy schedule to chat to us about these questions.
We hope you have gained an insight into the life of a donor, and hopefully learnt something from this too!
TwoMums&Bub
Xx
