Sperm Sharing
To overcome the national shortage of sperm, Bourn Hall Clinic has established its own sperm bank to meet the requirements of its patients. Although much of the sperm comes from donors, this has been supplemented by a sperm sharing programme where patients are themselves invited to contribute sperm.
Couples undergoing fertility treatment often have particular empathy for others going through the same experience and may see sperm sharing as a way that they can help others to achieve a much-hoped-for pregnancy.
Sperm sharing is voluntary and both parties benefit. Bourn Hall Clinic offers sperm sharers a free cycle of IVF including the HFEA registration fee and cost of freezing spare embryos for a year, but excluding the cost of medication.
There is no obligation to share sperm, but where the situation is appropriate your consultant may invite you to participate. The procedure will be explained in detail and you will have the opportunity to ask questions and talk through the implications of donation before you make a decision. You can wait until your own treatment is complete before sharing sperm and may also withdraw from the programme at anytime.
