Every path to parenthood looks different, and that’s what makes each story unique. For some, using donor eggs or sperm is part of their fertility journey. People turn to donor services for a wide range of reasons — medical, genetic, or personal — and all are valid. What matters most is the shared dream of growing a family. Blue Sky Fertility believes every path to parenthood deserves to be honored, supported, and celebrated.
Aubrey Fraley, NP at Blue Sky Fertility handles all of our third-party services. From donor screening and selection to helping couples work through profiles she is there every step of the way.
Why Do People Use Donor Eggs or Sperm?
There’s no “right” reason to use donor eggs or sperm. However, there are some more common reasons to utilize third party services.
- Low Egg or Sperm Quantity or Quality
- Diminished egg supply
- Impaired sperm production
- Advanced reproductive age
- Prior unsuccessful IVF cycles
- Genetic Conditions
- Avoiding transmission of known genetic diseases or inherited conditions
- Family Building for All
- Same-sex couples and single parents by choice
Whatever brings you to this option, know that choosing to use a donor is not a compromise. It is a viable option that reflects your commitment to building your family.
Types of Donors: Directed vs. Non-Directed
Families can choose between:
Directed (Known) Donors
- Often a friend or relative
- Requires a legal agreement between the donor and intended parents
- Longer coordination and screening timeline
Non-Directed (Anonymous) Donors
- Available through sperm or egg banks
- Already screened, with detailed profiles available
- Often a faster process
The Donor Screening Processes
To ensure safety, ethics, and peace of mind, all donors undergo a thorough evaluation. Screenings are performed by sperm or egg banks and fertility clinics. Screenings include:
- Infectious disease screening
- Social and lifestyle evaluation
- Medical history
- Genetic screening
- Psychological evaluation
The Donation Process
For Sperm Donors
- Application and interview
- Medical evaluation
- Genetic counseling and psychological screening
- Infectious disease testing and FDA clearance
- Specimen collection
- Sperm quarantine
- Infectious disease retesting
For Egg Donors
- Application and interview
- Medical evaluation
- Genetic counseling and psychological screening
- Infectious disease testing and FDA clearance
- IVF stimulation: 9-11 days of injections and ultrasound monitoring
- Egg retrieval and recovery
Choosing the Right Donor for You
Selecting a donor is a personal decision. There’s no checklist that fits for everyone. When it comes to selecting a donor everyone has different priorities. For some it is important that the donor shares similar characteristics as themselves. For others it is more important that the donor shares interests or talents.
- Things to consider when selecting a donor:
- Physical characteristics
- Education or career background
- Personal interests or talents
- Medical history
- Shared values or outlook on life
- Number and location of other families
Every family starts with a dream. For some, that dream becomes a reality with the help of donor eggs or sperm.
Blue Sky Fertility is here to walk beside you on this journey. We would be honored to provide guidance, compassion, and care at every step. However your story begins, what matters most is where it leads.
Aubrey Fraley is a Nurse Practitioner and the Third Party Coordinator at Blue Sky Fertility. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Kansas in 2009 and her Master of Science in Nursing from Clarkson College in 2017. Aubrey previously spent a decade of her career in high-risk labor and delivery, and has experience working in nursing education and with eating disorders. In 2020 Aubrey found her dream job at Blue Sky Fertility. Her third party role includes managing egg donors and assisting people utilizing donor eggs, directed sperm donors, and embryos. She also loves performing procedures like intrauterine inseminations, hysterosalpingograms, and saline-infusion sonograms. Aubrey is passionate about patient education and taking time to talk patients through their treatment options.
