Choosing a sperm bank - advice needed

baby_lust · 07-24-2006, 06:39 AM

DH and I have looked at California Cryo, Fairfax, Xtytec, Northwest, and Midwest sperm banks. Although Calif., Fairfax, and Xytec have fancy websites we really like the prices and photmatching services at Northwest and Midwest (they do FREE photomatching). We also like the 20million motile gurantee (others have 10 million).

We have already decided we don't care about personality/education/etc. we just want to approximate DH's looks as much as possible and photomatching is quite pricey at the other banks. Has anyone had any positive/negative experience with either Northwest or Midwest? If you had a negative experience, who did you end up going with?

TIA

Jenniferm · 07-24-2006, 05:12 PM

WE used Fairfax and now are 14weeks along. Best of luck to you.

Oh, as far as advice.....when you order the samples, ask them for "the best quality available for that donor". They wont automatically give you the best. Odd I know but luckily someone told me to ask that.

MommytoKamryn · 07-24-2006, 07:32 PM

We used California Cryobank and it worked for and ttc#2.. Counts and motile were good. Little spendy...

maria2 · 07-27-2006, 06:42 PM

I really encourage people now to use a bank that is sensitive to the needs of children conceived this way - that offer programs or even just the possibility of the child contacting the donor after age 18. Remember that this is a big deal to many people conceived this way. Britain has outlawed anonymous donations. We used California Cryobank, which does offer that possibility, though those options were much more vague until a few years ago. I feel like it really wasn't until we were pg w/ our second child that so much became clear about the issues and needs of the children - though that could have been denial on our part. Still CA Cryobank is doing an ethical job I think with these issues. I just htink you're going to want those options, even if you're not sure what you're going to do about disclosure yet. Choose a place that is thinking LONG TERM and not just about getting you pg. I feel like if a medical issue arises in the future, for example, that Cryobank would help us out looking for info. I don't know about the banks you mention, but that is waht I would now look for if we were in the conception stage right now. I'd actually probably try to go w/ known donor now! But woudln't have before, I think - so that's not a judgement at all about anyone else's choices - I just know what I wish I had considered before.
-maria2

KittyMaMa · 07-27-2006, 07:29 PM

Baby_lust-I would also make sure that the 20 million is for the same volume as what the other guarantee. I got confused by that and someone set me straight. It's like 20 million per ml or something but you only get 1/2 ml for an IUI from any bank since that's what the body can handle. I discovered of the ones I researched that they are all the same guarantee....just a matter of how they follow through but I had not heard of Midwest. We had a bad sample from Fairfax with 17% motility and they gave me back a $100 off a $600 plus sample (for open identity sperm and shipping costs). The other thing is to check with your clinic...mine will only accept samples from accredited sperm banks. There are about 5 of those around and CA cyro and fairfax are among them.

harmankar · 08-06-2006, 02:32 PM

My advise is old-7 plus years old. But I used the sperm of my RE's office. The previous two attempts from California cryobank failed. I had lots of information about those two. My RE's office gives very little information but we went that route anyhow. I now have a beatiful, smart 7 yo girl. So sometimes, you might just want to ask the RE who they have and if they can tell you abit about the donor.

I'm very glad for the one that I choose!

Cathy

GinaB · 08-07-2006, 05:03 AM

Hi Babylust,

Dh and I chose Fairfax, after researching banks. We were fortunate to get pg on our first IUI, and are due on the 26th. We used one vial, and had a good count (62 million with 42% motility). Our RE's office did have a short list of donors as well, but after reviewing them, none were what we were looking for. Good luck to you!!!

MichelleAlessi · 08-08-2006, 12:23 PM

I have used Northwest for the past 2 cycles. I am 100% happy with the service we have gotten. I am currently in the 2WW with a donor from NW, 12 DPO! Good Luck in whatever you decide!

07-24-2006, 06:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
baby_lust Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 12	Choosing a sperm bank - advice needed DH and I have looked at California Cryo, Fairfax, Xtytec, Northwest, and Midwest sperm banks. Although Calif., Fairfax, and Xytec have fancy websites we really like the prices and photmatching services at Northwest and Midwest (they do FREE photomatching). We also like the 20million motile gurantee (others have 10 million). We have already decided we don't care about personality/education/etc. we just want to approximate DH's looks as much as possible and photomatching is quite pricey at the other banks. Has anyone had any positive/negative experience with either Northwest or Midwest? If you had a negative experience, who did you end up going with? TIA

07-24-2006, 05:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jenniferm 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,972	WE used Fairfax and now are 14weeks along. Best of luck to you. Oh, as far as advice.....when you order the samples, ask them for "the best quality available for that donor". They wont automatically give you the best. Odd I know but luckily someone told me to ask that. __________________ Me & Dh: 31 IVF#1- 2/06 = BFN IVF #2--- Beta 5/16--BFP!!! Aleksander Scott "Sander" Born 1/16/07 9 pounds 5 oz, 21 1/2 inches

07-24-2006, 07:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
MommytoKamryn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: US Posts: 314	We used California Cryobank and it worked for and ttc#2.. Counts and motile were good. Little spendy... __________________ MommytoKamryn DH 32 and Myself 32 ttc #2 ovulatory dysfunction dh sterile 7th cycle Letrozole 5mg Nov 10th, 11th BFP U/S dec15th got to see heartbeat. DueDate 8-3-07

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07-27-2006, 06:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
maria2 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 477	I really encourage people now to use a bank that is sensitive to the needs of children conceived this way - that offer programs or even just the possibility of the child contacting the donor after age 18. Remember that this is a big deal to many people conceived this way. Britain has outlawed anonymous donations. We used California Cryobank, which does offer that possibility, though those options were much more vague until a few years ago. I feel like it really wasn't until we were pg w/ our second child that so much became clear about the issues and needs of the children - though that could have been denial on our part. Still CA Cryobank is doing an ethical job I think with these issues. I just htink you're going to want those options, even if you're not sure what you're going to do about disclosure yet. Choose a place that is thinking LONG TERM and not just about getting you pg. I feel like if a medical issue arises in the future, for example, that Cryobank would help us out looking for info. I don't know about the banks you mention, but that is waht I would now look for if we were in the conception stage right now. I'd actually probably try to go w/ known donor now! But woudln't have before, I think - so that's not a judgement at all about anyone else's choices - I just know what I wish I had considered before. -maria2

07-27-2006, 07:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
KittyMaMa Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 243	Baby_lust-I would also make sure that the 20 million is for the same volume as what the other guarantee. I got confused by that and someone set me straight. It's like 20 million per ml or something but you only get 1/2 ml for an IUI from any bank since that's what the body can handle. I discovered of the ones I researched that they are all the same guarantee....just a matter of how they follow through but I had not heard of Midwest. We had a bad sample from Fairfax with 17% motility and they gave me back a $100 off a $600 plus sample (for open identity sperm and shipping costs). The other thing is to check with your clinic...mine will only accept samples from accredited sperm banks. There are about 5 of those around and CA cyro and fairfax are among them.

08-06-2006, 02:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
harmankar Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Europe Posts: 18	My advise is old-7 plus years old. But I used the sperm of my RE's office. The previous two attempts from California cryobank failed. I had lots of information about those two. My RE's office gives very little information but we went that route anyhow. I now have a beatiful, smart 7 yo girl. So sometimes, you might just want to ask the RE who they have and if they can tell you abit about the donor. I'm very glad for the one that I choose! Cathy

08-07-2006, 05:03 AM	#7 (permalink)
GinaB 900-999 post jack of hearts Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 937	Hi Babylust, Dh and I chose Fairfax, after researching banks. We were fortunate to get pg on our first IUI, and are due on the 26th. We used one vial, and had a good count (62 million with 42% motility). Our RE's office did have a short list of donors as well, but after reviewing them, none were what we were looking for. Good luck to you!!!

08-08-2006, 12:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
MichelleAlessi Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Guam, Andersen AFB Posts: 47	I have used Northwest for the past 2 cycles. I am 100% happy with the service we have gotten. I am currently in the 2WW with a donor from NW, 12 DPO! Good Luck in whatever you decide!