Donor sperm

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SGF Nurse
Amanda on site of BBC News discussing International Donor Egg.


Amanda Segal, International Donor Egg Patient Liaison at Shady Grove Fertility, was interviewed by BBC to discuss the benefits of traveling to the United States for donor egg treatment.

> Listen to BBC: Global Fertility, discussing International Donor Egg

This 17 minute podcast, discusses Global Fertility – donor egg and donor sperm. Amanda discusses the 100% money-back option Shady Grove Fertility provides patients as well as the technological advances in frozen donor egg which is making the procedures easier for not only the recipient but the donor as well.

Amanda getting ready for her BBC interview.


Also discussed is donor sperm which is being shipped internationally to patients as well as international surrogacy.

> Learn more about Shady Grove Fertility’s Shared Risk 100% Refund Program for IVF and Donor Egg.
> Learn about Shady Grove Fertility’s new frozen donor egg option.

If you are interested in learning more about Shady Grove Fertility’s International Donor Egg program, please call our New Patient Center at 1-877-971-7755 or visit us online.

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SGF Nurse
Guiliana & Bill Rancic have announced they will be using a gestational carrier.

The term “gestational carrier” has been in the headlines lately, thanks to reality stars Giulana and Bill Rancic. After miscarriage, hurdles and a scare with breast cancer, the couple is using a gestational carrier, a woman who carries another couple’s fertilized embryo to term, to have their baby.

Contrary to what some might think, gestational carriers and surrogates are not the same, as a surrogate is someone who donates her egg and then subsequently carries the child; she is genetically linked to that baby. In the case of a gestational carrier, the woman carrying the pregnancy is in no way biologically related to the child she is carrying; the eggs and sperm are derived from the “intended parents” (or possibly an egg donor, or sperm donor), through the process of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). The egg is fertilized in the lab, and then the embryo (or embryos) is placed into the uterus of the gestational carrier. Finding and using a gestational carrier can be complicated in some states.

“Fortunately, Maryland is one of the states which recognizes there are medical reasons why a gestational carrier may be the only way a couple can have a baby and allow gestational surrogacy. Consequently, many couples come to Shady Grove Fertility for care,” says Gilbert L. Mottla, MD, a Reproductive Endocrinologist in Shady Grove Fertility’s Annapolis office.

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 859 surrogacy and gestational carrier cycles were performed in the United States in 2010. Notably, there has been a 28% increase in gestational carrier cycles since 2007. Shady Grove Fertility has extensive experience with the gestational carrier process, excellent success rates, and offers unique financial programs. If a couple does not bring home a baby through the gestational carrier, 100% of their money is refunded (some exclusions apply).

Though Shady Grove Fertility treats couples for a variety of fertility issues, there are many medical reasons that preclude a couple from conceiving and carrying a baby to term themselves.

“Any female who has had her uterus surgically removed from cervical or uterine cancer, fibroids, severe endometriosis, or a hysterectomy or where her uterus is simply not functional may be a candidate for a gestational carrier.” said Michele Purcell, RN Shady Grove Fertility’s Donor & Gestational Carrier Program Manager. Women who suffer from heart or other health problems that may make pregnancy dangerous for the mother and baby may need gestational carriers as well.

SGF Nurse
Since 2007, the number of gestational carriers used have increased by 28%.

The good news is that as long as the ovaries are intact and functional, there is a strong possibility that the eggs may be retrieved and fertilized with the male partner’s sperm, or donor sperm, to create embryos that can then be placed into the uterus of the gestational carrier. “With In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and a gestational carrier, a woman can still be a genetic mother while not putting herself or her baby at any dangerous health risk,” said Purcell.

“Shady Grove Fertility relies on experienced and reputable reproductive attorneys and agencies to recruit our gestational carriers,” said Purcell. “Though some couples come to us with a gestational carrier in mind, like a sister who is willing to carrier their embryo, about 75% of couples in this situation rely others to help find them a gestational carrier.”

In the case of same sex couples, intended fathers can use a gestational carrier along with a donor’s egg to complete their family. “In some recent cases here at Shady Grove Fertility, the sister of one partner donated the egg and the other partner’s sperm, linking the child genetically to both partners,” said Dr. Mottla. “The bottom line is that there are now many ways for couples to build a family.”

For more information on Shady Grove Fertility’s Gestational Carrier Program, or to schedule an appointment with one of the center’s physicians, please contact a New Patient Liaison by calling 877-971-7755.

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SGF Nurse

We are so excited to have our DC-based physician, Dr. Anitha Nair, as a guest on the January 17th episode of Anderson discussing donor sperm. As seen on ABC News and 20/20 there has been a trend of individuals circumventing the medical community and using unregulated donor sperm – some even generated and distributed out of an individual’s home. This is alarming for a number of reasons, and those needing donor sperm should make sure to do their research.
“The use of donor sperm from an anonymous or known donor who has not been screened for disease can pose significant health risks. The educated consumer should be wary that not all sperm banks are equal. It is recommended that the following screening and protocols have been performed by the sperm bank,” says Nair.

Where should you get donor sperm?

For patients seeking an anonymous donation there are several national certified sperm banks, including Fairfax Cryobank and California Cryobank. Those with known donors should contact their physician.

What should you be looking out for?

Disease risk and sperm quality. Certified sperm banks and fertility practices will screen donors for infectious disease risk, such as HIV and Hepatitis, and genetic disease. In addition to the screening for disease risk, knowing the sperm quality – and how likely it is to yield a successful pregnancy – is also a key to a good sperm donation. At Shady Grove Fertility, we test the sperm for sperm count (how many), motility (how much movement), and morphology (shape). You should never use a sperm sample – known or anonymous – without having it tested.
> Learn more about male fertility.

What treatment will you have with donor sperm?

Having the healthy sperm is only half of it what is needed to get pregnant. You will need to be tested for ovarian and fallopian tube function and egg quality. If the female screening is normal, intrauterine insemination (IUI), will likely be the treatment. If the female screening shows conditions such as fallopian tube damage, it may be necessary to move to treatment such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).
> Learn more about female fertility testing.

How common is the use of donor sperm?

It has immortalized in recent movies such as The Switch and The Back-Up Plan and has been a topic of world-wide conversation for decades now, but when looking at how commonplace the use of donor sperm is, just look at all the groups of people that need it to achieve their dream of parenthood. Donor sperm is also only option for many single women, women in lesbian couples, and women whose male partner is experiencing severe male infertility. In 2011 at Shady Grove Fertility, we did about 1350 IUIs with donor sperm, 23% of all IUI cycles. With donor sperm being used in about 1 in 4 IUI cycles, it is more common that you might have thought.
So if you think donor sperm is the right option for you, make sure that you visit certified sperm banks and discuss the option thoroughly with your physician before taking that next step.
To schedule a New Patient Consult with one of Shady Grove Fertility’s physicians, please call 877-971-7755 or click here to schedule an appointment.

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December 15, 2022 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

For Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and D.C. area patients.
Limit of15 participants.

Making the decision to move forward with egg and/or sperm donation can be a medical, legal, and emotional shift for all prospective recipients.

This virtual donor recipient support group provides support for individuals and couples who are in various stages of treatment such as those contemplating the choice, embarking on and undergoing treatment to conceive as well as for patients who become parents through such means. The processing of the thoughts and feelings about the use of donated gametes can be very helpful as one prepares to move forward with this option, as well as having support from others who are having a similar experience. It can also be important to the long-term health and well being of the child (conceived) by donated gametes. More specifically, the group affords recipients benefit from exploring any concerns and expressing their feelings about having a child with someone else’s genetic material as well as to discuss when, how, what, to whom, and if to disclose to offspring.

The group is FREE for all participants.

Registration is required at least 48 hours before the group event. An email will be sent to you with a consent form that must be filled before you can attend the virtual group. When you fill out the consent and return it to the group leader via email, you will then receive an invitation with a link to Ring Central video meeting. Please note that the group may be canceled if there are too few people registered. The group leader will contact you by phone or email if the group will not be held as scheduled.

For more information, please email Tara Simpson, Psy.D.

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September 29, 2022 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

For Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and D.C. area patients.
Limit of15 participants.

Making the decision to move forward with egg and/or sperm donation can be a medical, legal, and emotional shift for all prospective recipients.

This virtual donor recipient support group provides support for individuals and couples who are in various stages of treatment such as those contemplating the choice, embarking on and undergoing treatment to conceive as well as for patients who become parents through such means. The processing of the thoughts and feelings about the use of donated gametes can be very helpful as one prepares to move forward with this option, as well as having support from others who are having a similar experience. It can also be important to the long-term health and well being of the child (conceived) by donated gametes. More specifically, the group affords recipients benefit from exploring any concerns and expressing their feelings about having a child with someone else’s genetic material as well as to discuss when, how, what, to whom, and if to disclose to offspring.

The group is FREE for all participants.

Registration is required at least 48 hours before the group event. An email will be sent to you with a consent form that must be filled before you can attend the virtual group. When you fill out the consent and return it to the group leader via email, you will then receive an invitation with a link to Ring Central video meeting. Please note that the group may be canceled if there are too few people registered. The group leader will contact you by phone or email if the group will not be held as scheduled.

For more information, please email Tara Simpson, Psy.D.

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October 20, 2022 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

For Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and D.C. area patients.
Limit of15 participants.

Making the decision to move forward with egg and/or sperm donation can be a medical, legal, and emotional shift for all prospective recipients.

This virtual donor recipient support group provides support for individuals and couples who are in various stages of treatment such as those contemplating the choice, embarking on and undergoing treatment to conceive as well as for patients who become parents through such means. The processing of the thoughts and feelings about the use of donated gametes can be very helpful as one prepares to move forward with this option, as well as having support from others who are having a similar experience. It can also be important to the long-term health and well being of the child (conceived) by donated gametes. More specifically, the group affords recipients benefit from exploring any concerns and expressing their feelings about having a child with someone else’s genetic material as well as to discuss when, how, what, to whom, and if to disclose to offspring.

The group is FREE for all participants.

Registration is required at least 48 hours before the group event. An email will be sent to you with a consent form that must be filled before you can attend the virtual group. When you fill out the consent and return it to the group leader via email, you will then receive an invitation with a link to Ring Central video meeting. Please note that the group may be canceled if there are too few people registered. The group leader will contact you by phone or email if the group will not be held as scheduled.

For more information, please email Tara Simpson, Psy.D.

2026 Shady Grove Fertility

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