Who are you?
Heterosexual couple
Finding that you need to use donated eggs or sperm to have or add to the family you long for may or may not have come as a shock. You may have spent many years going through unsuccessful fertility treatment or you may have discovered quite quickly that donor eggs, sperm or embryos were going to be the only real hope for conception. Whatever your situation you are welcome at DC Network where there are many of us who have faced all the questions you are likely to have going round in your mind now. Browse the sections below to find the support, guidance and information that is right for you both. And join us to learn more and be in touch with others.
Female same-sex couple
Making the decision to use donated sperm, eggs or embryos can be difficult and there are many issues that need consideration. Whether you are a couple or single lesbian, this can feel overwhelming when thinking about all the different aspects. You may have been through a number of medical investigations to determine your fertility as part of this process or you may have just started thinking about having a child. Whatever your situation, you are welcome at DC Network where many of us have faced the questions that are likely to be in your mind right now.
Male same-sex couple
Making the decision to become parents as a same-sex male couple is an exciting and possibly daunting step to take. There are many issues that need consideration and you will be facing the prospect of creating your family with the help of at least two key people: a surrogate and an egg donor. Whatever your situation, you are welcome at DC Network where many of us have faced the questions that are likely to be in your mind right now. Alternatively, you may already be parents to a donor conceived child or children and looking for information and guidance around talking with your child and others, or talking with your child as he or she gets older.
Single woman
DC Network welcomes all single women who are considering, undertaking or have used donor conception as the means to start a family. Single women form nearly a third of the membership and are at all stages from contemplating going ahead alone to raising donor conceived children. Whatever your situation, many of our members will have faced the same questions. If you are a parent looking for information and guidance around being open with your child and others, DCN can also provide resources, information and support.
Single man
DC Network welcomes all single men who are considering, undertaking or have used donor conception as the means to start a family. Whatever your situation, many of our members will have faced the same questions. If you are a parent looking for information and guidance around being open with your child and others, DCN can also provide resources, information and support.
Donor conceived person
If you are a donor conceived adult – someone over the age of 18 who was conceived by donated sperm, eggs or embryos – there may be a number of reasons why you have come to this site. The Donor Conception Network was founded by parents of donor conceived children, but we have always been child centred and now that so many of our children have grown to adulthood, their interests remain at the heart of what we do. Whether or not your parents are members, you are very welcome to browse these pages and join as a member in your own right. Donor conceived adults can join for free.
Friend | Family member
As early openness with children becomes widely accepted as the healthiest option for warm and loving relationships in families, issues about sharing donor conception information with wider family and friends have come to the fore. Who, if, when and how to tell parents, siblings and extending circles of friends are questions that would-be parents and those already with children struggle with.
Professional
The professionals that couples and individuals come across when undergoing fertility procedures with donated gametes and then as parents afterwards are enormously influential and important people. Whether you are an embryologist, nurse, counsellor, doctor, andrologist, receptionist in a fertility clinic, GP, paediatrician or any kind of mental health professional you are enormously welcome to this site and as a member of DC Network.