Question

A couple comes into a fertility clinic for AID. They have determined that the husband's brother should be the donor and already have made arrangements with him. What counseling might be suggested? What are the pros and cons of such an arrangement?

Answer 1

Counseling

• Counseling to the future parents, the donor, and their partners and children should be given to avoid misunderstanding in the future like that of claiming the baby by the two parties.
• Discuss anticipation of each involved persons' roles and is the decision to be informed to the child, to the other family members, and to the world? If to be informed then, when?.
• Counseling should be given to future parents to cope with situations like how to reveal donor-insemination, and donor connection hereafter.
• Counseling to be given as there is a chance of worsening of the future relationship of the donor and the recipient.

Pros and cons

PROS

• Knows who is the donor and his characteristics.
• It’s economical.
• Sperm lives longer
• Advantages of knowing the donor's medical history.

CONS

• The non-carrying partner may feel pressure on seeing the donor in child's life.
• The donor may claim the child in the future if no legal documents are made.
• The relationship between the brother and the future father could change.