Health issues
What is a parental project involving sperm donation?
In which cases am I concerned?If you are an infertile couple:The use of donor sperm may be considered in cases of total or almost total absence of spermatozoa, or to avoid the transmission of a genetic disease from a male carrier to his offspring.If you are a female couple:The use of donor sperm is a common option to start a family. This donation makes it possible to create a two-parent family unit and to carry and give birth to one or more children. For a second child, the same partner may carry the pregnancy, or the couple may choose to alternate.If you are a single woman:The decision to pursue single motherhood through sperm donation may result from life circumstances that made it difficult to build or maintain a stable relationship, or from concerns related to age and fertility.If you are hesitant to commit to solo motherhood, or if you are in a relatively new relationship, it is possible to undergo a fertility assessment.If you are under 38 years old, you also have the option to preserve your fertility by freezing your oocytes for future use (see the section on fertility preservation for “non-medical” reasons).Anonymous sperm donor or known (directed) sperm donor?In Belgium, anonymous donation is used in the majority of cases. The sperm comes from voluntary donors who are fertile, in good physical and mental health, and whose motivation aligns with the purpose and ethics of donation. These donors undergo genetic and serological testing beforehand to ensure optimal safety conditions for recipients.Donor anonymity is respected under Belgian law, even when sperm samples come from sperm banks outside Belgium.For infertile couples, the ethnic origin, physical characteristics, and blood group of the future father are considered when matching with a sperm donor.For female couples or single women, matching is based on ethnic origin. When the time comes, the Clinic selects the most appropriate donor.As we can, if necessary, work with other sperm banks offering equivalent safety guarantees, there is generally no waiting period. However, if a donor of “extra-European” origin or with a rare blood group is required, some waiting time may be necessary to find the best match.In terms of safety, regardless of whether the donation is anonymous or directed, only sperm that has been frozen and for which the donor has undergone serological testing at the time of freezing and/or six months later may be used, in order to prevent any risk of infection transmission.Regardless of the reason for donation, Belgian legislation limits the use of sperm from a single donor to six families. Once this “quota” is reached, the remaining sperm straws may still be used for a new pregnancy within these six families, provided that sperm samples are still available at the time of the request.Directed sperm donation, in which the donor is known, is permitted in Belgium. If you plan to receive sperm from a donor you have chosen, it is essential that the donor meets the psychological and medical criteria established by the clinic. Once the donation is made, Belgian law releases the donor from any parental obligation and stipulates that they will have no rights over the child. If you live in another country, the laws on parentage applicable in your country will apply.
Medical services
Psychological consultation(s)For any request involving the use of donor gametes, Belgian centers are legally required to offer a psychological consultation prior to donation.In our center, one to three psychological consultations are systematically scheduled before medical treatment begins. You will meet psychologists specialized in fertility, who work closely with your gynecologist to ensure multidisciplinary care. Particular attention is paid to issues specific to this mode of parenthood, especially those related to informing relatives and the child about the mode of conception.If, for ethical reasons, our center is unable to respond favorably to your request, we will provide you with all the necessary information to refer you elsewhere.Medical assessmentOnce patients decide to proceed after reflection, a standard preconception fertility blood work-up is prescribed for the future mother. The uterine cavity and tubal patency are assessed. Certain tests are also prescribed for the partner.Practical modalitiesDepending on the medical assessment of the person who will carry the pregnancy, intrauterine insemination with donor sperm is generally proposed as the first-line treatment.If other factors of female infertility are identified or in the case of repeated insemination failures, in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be proposed.
Advice
We recommend anticipating pregnancy follow-up by contacting in advance the gynecologist or midwife who will monitor your pregnancy, in order to share your assisted reproduction journey with them.
Focus
As a general rule, our team has set an age limit for single-parent projects between 30 and 45 years.In cases of ovarian insufficiency, egg donation combined with sperm donation (double donation) is also possible.Men who wish to become anonymous donors can be seen for an information-only consultation. Our specialized secretaries are also available to answer any questions.Possibility of using BEGECS for donor matching.
Our specialists
Associated servicesDepartment of Gynecology-Obstetrics / Fertility ClinicAll members of the MAR (Medically Assisted Reproduction) team manage requests for anonymous or directed sperm donation.For donor candidates:Dr. Isabelle DUPONDDr. Catherine HOUBADr Fabienne DEVREKER Psychology team:Chantale LaruelleIsabelle PlaceDenis Walravens
