What to consider about the future when you are starting a family with donor sperm

Some people have a firm plan from the get-go to have siblings for their donor child. For others, it's not the dream - and plans may change along the way. Either way, it's worth considering whether you may want to expand your family with more children in the future.

Sibling relationships can be a source of emotional support, companionship and shared experiences as children grow up. For donor-conceived children, the bond with siblings can be a way of understanding their family and the donor conception together.

If you want to make your family larger, another consideration is whether you should use straws from the same donor for future children. In doing so, your children will share a biological connection which can simplify the process when you talk to them about their conception. Siblings sharing the same donor can also be a support if they want to contact an ID release donor later on. During this process they will go through the same experience and have each other to lean on.

If the siblings share the same genetic background, they become full biological siblings. For some, it can help create a sense of unity and understanding within the family as the children can mirror each other. This kind of connection can provide an emotional anchor for children as they explore their identity and family history. However, it is important to emphasise that this is not necessarily the case for everyone.

You may have an idea of how many children you would like to have and how close in age they should be. If you want the same donor for your children, you need to consider the availability of that particular donor. That can change over time and the donor you choose today may not be available in the future. The reason for this is that donors typically donate for a limited time, meaning their straws are also limited.

It can be a good idea to purchase additional sperm straws for future use, so you are sure that you have straws for siblings. A storage with sperm straws gives you the option of adding another member to your family when the time feels right for you – and if you end up not needing the sperm, we offer to buy it back at a reduced price.

Read more about sperm storage here.

Another thing to keep in mind is financial planning. Buying additional sperm straws from the same donor comes with extra costs. The straws need to be stored until they are used, which is important to consider when making plans for your family. Try to get an overview of all the costs so that you know what to expect. This way, you won't be faced with financial surprises that put an end to your plans.

We don’t always know how our lives are going to turn out. Sometimes our plans change and that is perfectly fine. But when it comes to starting a family, it is a good idea to be aware of your own timeline. Especially if you want to have more children in the future.

From a biological point of view there is a natural limit to your timeline. Your fertility has a lot to say when it comes to considering siblings in the future. Getting a fertility check and knowing your fertility status can be an important contribution to your timeline if you don’t already know it. In some countries, there are also legal restrictions when it comes to fertility treatment which can make an impact on your timeline. The rules vary from country to country so make sure to check the country where you are getting treatment. If you are having treatment in the UK, we have made an overview of the legal age limit of fertility treatment.

Life can't always be planned. But if you have dreams for the future, it's good to have an idea of what it will take to make them come true - and what time horizon you're working with. We are always ready to help and guide you if you would like to discuss your situation. Contact one of our advisers or book a free consultation.