Seattle Sperm Bank is your trusted partner and resource when it comes to donor sperm. We are here every step of the way as your journey into parenthood. Explore our blog for topics from preconception to conception with donor sperm.
Why are Donor Samples Held in Quarantine for Six Months?
Our sperm donors are well screened and tested for infectious diseases before entering our program and continue to be tested on a regular basis while actively donating. Specifically, we are screening donors for Zika, hepatitis B/C, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, HTLV I/II, and West Nile virus, among other diseases. In addition, we perform overall health screenings on donors that include physicals, complete blood counts, and metabolic panels. With so many precautions in place to ensure we...
Using a Sperm Donor You Know: Comparing Directed Donors, Known Donors, and Personal Sperm Storage
Along with providing anonymous donor sperm to individuals looking to conceive a child, Seattle Sperm Bank also provides personal storage of donor sperm for directed donors, known donors, and those storing sperm for personal use in the future by a sexually intimate partner. Here is a comparison of each of these donor types. A directed donor is an individual who stores sperm for a chosen recipient who is a friend, acquaintance, or surrogate, but not a sexually intimate partner. We encourage...
How Common Cleaning Products Can Affect Fertility
We use so many cleansers and similar products around the home it can be easy to overlook their potential negative effects. While many of them contain chemicals that won’t cause harm at low levels of exposure, there are some everyday products that may damage your fertility. These are known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and include such widely used compounds as Bisphenol A, phthalates, and parabens. Research shows EDCs can affect both male and female reproductive health, which can...
Should I Look for Sperm on Social Media?
Numerous articles, such as a recent piece from BBC News, have been written about women and couples who used social media such as Facebook to purchase donor sperm to have a child. This has led to questions about the safety and effectiveness of this method. Are There Risks To Buying Sperm From Donors On Social Media? From the perspective of Seattle Sperm Bank and other licensed fertility clinics, there are multiple risks involved with looking for donor sperm using social media. These include: ...
Documentary Explores the World of Donor-Conceived Siblings
For families that include donor-conceived children, even minor events like National Siblings Day or building a family tree for a class project can feel different. But things are starting to change. In recent years, an increasing number of books, movies, and shows have explored the multidimensional and complicated aspects of donor-conceived sibling relationships and non-traditional family building. One recent example is the documentary, Future People: The Family of Donor 5114, which is...
SSB Opens New Sperm Bank in Bellevue, WA
Seattle Sperm Bank will open a new lab in Bellevue, WA, in early April 2021. This added location will allow us to better serve our clients looking to start or add to their families by meeting the growing demand for donor sperm. SSB, one of the leading fertility clinics in the U.S., also operates sperm donor labs in Phoenix and San Diego. Since 2008, SSB has provided the highest quality, affordable open identity donor vials to clients across the country, backed by exceptional customer service...
Changing the Narrative Around Black Single Motherhood
Single Mom by Choice, or sometimes called SMC or SMBC, is a growing group of people who have decided to go into parenthood without a partner. We have the honor of bringing you a special blog post from Hera, the co-host of The Mocha SMC podcast. Hera is a proud Black single mom by choice to two beautiful and sassy little girls ages two and seven. In addition to being a leader in the technical industry, she is an author, public speaker, civil rights activist, and co-owner and co-host of Mocha...
Top 5 Questions to Discuss with our Genetic Counselor
Seattle Sperm Bank recently brought a certified genetic counselor on staff to answer all your genetics-related questions. Katherine Hornberger, MS, CGC, our certified genetic counselor previously worked for a top IVF clinic and a genetic testing laboratory. With over five years of experience in reproductive medicine, she is ready to help you find the perfect sperm donor. What is a genetic counselor anyways? A genetic counselor is a medical professional with specialized training in medical...
Top 5 Reasons to Use a Sperm Bank
Donor sperm that does not come from an FDA-approved sperm bank can put patients at serious risk for infectious disease. Alternative sources can also waste your money and precious time by providing ineffective samples. Furthermore, neither donors nor potential parent(s) are protected from the legal implications associated with tissue donation and parentage, which can open both parties up to major complications in the future. Using a licensed sperm bank is a safe and reliable source for donor...
How is Donor Sperm Used for Insemination?
Artificial insemination is a safe and effective way to conceive a child if the person planning to carry has no underlying fertility issues. Two common methods include home insemination and intrauterine insemination (IUI). To illustrate how these methods work, let’s first look at what is needed for a successful pregnancy. Let’s start with the basics. To conceive, you need an egg, sperm, a place to meet, and a place for everything to grow. In a traditional method of conception, sperm travel from...
