Being a donor-child: wishes for parental support, peer support and counseling

Schrijvers, Anne; Bos, Henny; Rooij, Floor van; Gerrits, Trudie; Veen, Fulco van der; Mochtar, Monique H.; Visser, Margreet

doi:10.1080/0167482x.2017.1396313

Cited by 20 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Early disclosure of conception is associated with a higher relationship quality with parents ( Blake et al , 2014 ; Schrijvers et al , 2019 ), and donor-conceived offspring expressed the view that prospective parents should have counselling before treatment to prepare for disclosure so that parents could talk more openly about donor conception ( Schrijvers et al , 2019 ). More information on disclosure is described above ( Information for recipients ).…”

Section: Recommendations For Information Provision and Support For Do...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Donor-conceived offspring can search for donors and same-donor offspring through the MAR centre/gamete bank, direct-to-consumer genetic testing websites, or through registries set up for this purpose. The existence of these organizations seems to be beneficial for some donor-conceived offspring, with positive feedback on searching and knowing that there are others in a similar situation to exchange experiences with ( van den Akker et al , 2015 ; Schrijvers et al , 2019 ). Others (estimated at 30%) did not want to have peer contact ( Schrijvers et al , 2019 ).…”

Section: Recommendations For Information Provision and Support For Do...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The existence of these organizations seems to be beneficial for some donor-conceived offspring, with positive feedback on searching and knowing that there are others in a similar situation to exchange experiences with ( van den Akker et al , 2015 ; Schrijvers et al , 2019 ). Others (estimated at 30%) did not want to have peer contact ( Schrijvers et al , 2019 ). About two-thirds (64%) of donor-conceived offspring registered to a US-based donor sibling registry indicated that they had searched for both their donor and same-donor offspring, with others replying they searched specifically for their donor (15%), same-donor offspring (13%), or neither ( Jadva et al , 2010 ).…”

Section: Recommendations For Information Provision and Support For Do...mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Good practice recommendations for information provision for those involved in reproductive donation†

Kirkman-Brown

Calhaz‐Jorge

Dancet

et al. 2022

Human Reproduction Open

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STUDY QUESTION What information and support should be offered to donors, intended parents and donor-conceived people, in general and in consideration of the availability of direct-to-consumer genetic testing and matching services? SUMMARY ANSWER For donors, intended parents and donor-conceived offspring, recommendations are made that cover information needs and informed consent, psychosocial implications and disclosure. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Trends indicate that the use of donor-assisted conception is growing and guidance is needed to help these recipients/intended parents, the donors and offspring, navigate the rapidly changing environment in which donor-assisted conception takes place. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A working group (WG) collaborated on writing recommendations based, where available, on evidence collected from a literature search and expert opinion. Draft recommendations were published for stakeholder review and adapted where relevant based on the comments received. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Papers retrieved from PUBMED were included from 1 January 2014 up to 31 August 2020, focusing on studies published since direct-to-consumer genetic testing has become more widespread and accessible. The current paper is limited to reproductive donation performed in medically assisted reproduction (MAR) centres (and gamete banks): donation outside the medical context was not considered. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE In total, 32 recommendations were made for information provision and support to donors, 32 for intended parents and 27 for donor-conceived offspring requesting information/support. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The available evidence in the area of reproductive donation is limited and diverse with regards to the context and types of donation. General conclusions and recommendations are largely based on expert opinion and may need to be adapted in light of future research. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS These recommendations provide guidance to MAR centres and gamete banks on good practice in information provision and support but should also be considered by regulatory bodies and policymakers at a national and international level to guide regulatory and legislative efforts towards the protection of donors and donor-conceived offspring. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The development of this good practice paper was funded by European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), covering expenses associated with the WG meetings, the literature searches and dissemination. The WG members did not receive any payment. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. DISCLAIMER This document represents the views of ESHRE, which are the result of consensus between the relev...

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Section: Recommendations For Information Provision and Support For Do...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Recommendations For Information Provision and Support For Do...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Recommendations For Information Provision and Support For Do...mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Good practice recommendations for information provision for those involved in reproductive donation†

Kirkman-Brown

Calhaz‐Jorge

Dancet

et al. 2022

Human Reproduction Open

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“…Researchers have asked adults that were donor‐conceived about their experiences learning of their conception. Donor‐conceived persons wished their parents had spoken more openly about using donor gametes and missed getting support from their parents around donor issues (Schrijvers et al, 2019). They also discussed being aware of when their parents felt uncomfortable or ashamed of infertility and using donor gametes, making open discussion more difficult.…”

Section: Emotional Aspects Of Third‐party Reproductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological Components of Infertility

Swanson¹,

Braverman²

2021

Family Court Review

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Infertility is a medical diagnosis impacting 48.5 million couples globally. Infertility impacts physical and emotional health as well as social and romantic relationships. People with infertility report feelings of distress, grief, anxiety and depression. Couples notice changes in their relationships; some report becoming emotionally closer while others report relationship difficulties. People may feel more isolated due to lack of social support. People that use third party reproduction, such as donor egg, sperm, embryo or gestational carriers, have additional emotional impacts during pregnancy and parenting. Continuing changes to laws complicate international fertility care, particularly given the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic.

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“…Published children's books targeting the lay audience and aiming to explain to children about conception by gamete donation (eggs or sperm) are available in several languages, including English and in Swedish. However, a study of donor-conceived children found that these children wished that their parents had received counselling about how to talk with the child about donor conception at several stages during the child's life [17]. It is reasonable to believe that many solo-mothers by choice will turn to a primary healthcare provider for advice regarding disclosure issues.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attitudes among paediatric healthcare professionals in Sweden towards sperm donation to single women: a survey study

Armuand

Svanberg

Lampic

et al. 2020

Fertil Res and Pract

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Background: The number of families conceived through sperm donation to single women is increasing. However, there is limited knowledge about health care professionals' attitudes towards solo-mothers by choice, and there is some indication that professionals' personal opinions influence their care of individuals who use alternate ways to build a family. The primary aim of the study was to investigate attitudes towards, and experiences of, families following sperm donation to single women among healthcare professionals working in primary child healthcare. Methods: Between April and November 2016 a total of 712 physicians, registered nurses and psychologists working within primary healthcare in Sweden were invited to participate in a cross-sectional online survey study. The study-specific questionnaire contained the following four domains: Attitudes towards legalization and financing, Attitudes towards the family and the child's health, Clinical experience and Knowledge about sperm donation to single women. Results: The majority of the participants were positive or neutral towards sperm donation being allowed to single women in Sweden. However, one third believed that children risk worse mental health and social stigma. Half of healthcare professionals had own clinical experience of caring for solo-mothers by choice and their children, and of these one third perceived that these families had more need of support than other parents. One out of four indicated that they did not have sufficient knowledge to be able to provide adequate care to these families. Conclusions: The present results indicate that while there was a relatively large support for sperm donation being allowed to single women in Sweden among health care professionals, many expressed concerns about the child's health, as well as low confidence in their knowledge about the specific needs in this patient group. There is a need for educational interventions targeted to healthcare professionals in primary child healthcare in order to provide adequate care to solo-mothers by choice and their children.

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Being a donor-child: wishes for parental support, peer support and counseling

Abstract: Peer support and counseling by professionals for donor-conceived offspring should be available for those who need it. The findings also support professional counseling for intended parents before treatment to improve parental support for donor-children.

Cited by 20 publications

References 30 publications

Good practice recommendations for information provision for those involved in reproductive donation†

Good practice recommendations for information provision for those involved in reproductive donation†

Psychological Components of Infertility

Attitudes among paediatric healthcare professionals in Sweden towards sperm donation to single women: a survey study

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