Trying for an IUI in March, but....

meandmysweets

My husband and I have been ttc for 4 years. Now we've figured out we need to go the donor route. We are beyond thrilled to finally have an answer and to be able to really try to get pregnant. BUT. Just when I thought we'd gotten through all the roadblocks, there is another. Before we can order our donor sperm, we have to see an infertility counselor. What?! We haven't been referred to a counselor in all this time, but since we're using a donor, we have to? Anyway I'm sure some of you have been thru the same thing...what's the appointment like? Does she decide if we move forward with treatment or advise us? Thanks in advance for any insight!

CRippli1

Why do you need to see an infertility counselor? My son is 15 months old, it's been 2 years since I got pregnant, but as long as I was seeing a doctor who had signed off on my order and that I was legitimately in need of the sperm and using it for what I claimed I was using it for, that was all I needed. Maybe they have changed their policy? But also maybe you could just find out if your family practice doctor performs IUI's or will train you on the proper way to do an ICI. My appointment with my doctor was truly just me explaining the situation my husband and I are in and her going over the procedures with me.

TX_RAIN

It is fairly routine with the use of donor eggs/sperm etc though not all clinics require it. I am not sure whether the counselor can recommend that you not have the procedures. They really are checking to see if you have thought out the process completely. My counselor asked about how I planned to deal with telling my future child about the donor, would I consider selective reduction. How long do I want to try. What would I be willing to try. Would I want more than one child. We discussed things like that. She also gave my educational handouts listing reading material for talking to future child and other resources.

txgrl74

I too was required to see a counselor. I think it's just to make sure that you are ok with using donor sperm and knowing that there is no recourse you have regarding getting help from that person financially. they also went over how I decided to go this route and how my family and friends are supporting my decision. She also asked me if I had thought about getting a donor that would allow the child to contact them once they are 18. I told her that yes I had but I actually had an anonymous donor and a id donor as my top two. My RE gave me a paper that had about 10 questions on it for the counselor to go over. Not sure they can say you can't have the procedure. I only had one negative response from the counselor and the rest were all positive.

Uclagirl24

I am in Orange County, California. Our clinic doesn't require us to see a counselor. Hubby and I have discussed everything, including the potential complications of our decision, and we are both comfortable with it. I actually woudn't mind to see a counselor for this. We will be doing an IUI with donor sperm.

Uclagirl24

I am in Orange County, California. Our clinic doesn't require us to see a counselor. Hubby and I have discussed everything, including the potential complications of our decision, and we are both comfortable with it. I actually woudn't mind to see a counselor for this. We will be doing an IUI with donor sperm.