Egg, Sperm, or Embryo Donation, Counseling for Intended Parents
After a couple has exhausted other fertility
options, a physician may suggest the use of donor eggs, sperm or embryo. For most
couples this can be a confusing and difficult time. Couples are dealing with
the loss of a genetic child and must also come to terms with the complexity of
being a donor family. Counseling is recommended by the American Society of
Reproductive Medicine prior to participation in a third party procedure.
The session includes the exploration of complex social issues and feelings that may be hard to voice. Counseling will address issues like issues like fertility grief, genetic
concerns, feelings toward the child and how to discuss this with family and
friends. Child focused counseling helps you to understand how your child could
be impacted.
Counseling for IPs (intended parents)
This counseling session is not intended to be test you must pass prior to treatment but rather a place to discuss your concerns. The session lasts approximately 1 hour and reports are provided upon request.
ASRM Topics for Intended Parent Egg, Sperm or Embryo Donation Counseling
- How do we choose a donor?
- What role will the donor have in our lives, if any?
- Should we tell our child about his/her donor conception?
- Will I feel like my child isn't really mine?
- I am upset about not having a bio child. Is that ok?
- Should we tell our family members about using a donor?
- How do we deal with questions from others?
- What if this treatment doesn't work?
- Will my child be upset with me for choosing to conceive this way?
- What are our best options considering our finances?
- How do with deal with half-siblings?
Request your intended parent session
Need a session for your donor? Learn more about egg and sperm donor psych evaluations.
Using a known donor? Learn more about the process.
A Note from Jana about Third Party Reproduction Counseling
"Third-party
reproduction counseling is a vital step in the process, and many
fertility doctors throughout the country refer their patients to me.
Your doctor prepares you for the medical process, and I help you with
your family’s psychological, emotional and social needs across the
lifespan. Donor conception is a decision that impacts the rest of your
life, and you will just scrape the surface in the doctor’s office. I
have seen countless people in my office who are contemplating or
preparing to use a donor and are searching for more information on this
complex issue. I wrote and published, Three Makes Baby,
as a guide for intended parents to emotionally prepare for the process.
The second half of the book is dedicated to talking to your child at
different stages of development." -Jana Rupnow
To get the most out of your intended parent appointment with Jana, you can do some prep work.
- Read Three Makes Baby
- Audio Book available on Google Play, Apple Books, Walmart/Kobo, Chirp
- Work through the companion Three Makes Baby Workbook with your spouse (if applicable).
- Listen to Three Make Baby Podcast episodes.
- Take the Fertiqol test online.
- Take the Enneagram test online.
- Sign up for parent workshops coming soon.
Request an appointment online
After you request an appointment, you will receive an email with instructions to secure your day and time. You must complete the steps in the email to secure your appointment time. For video consultations, consent
paperwork and payment must be received in advance.
Listen to Three Makes Baby Podcast
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