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Original poster

Board for parents and parents to be of donor conceived children

32 replies

otterlylovely · 16/01/2016 10:10

I recognise that like abortion, there is a debate surrounding egg and sperm donation and I would not dream for a second of trying to close down this debate - I think it's a really important one, as through talking about it, people can be educated, people can change their minds, people can understand.

BUT - given that, like abortion, it's legal in this country, I think it's quite unpleasant to be berated on a thread for planning to do this when that's not what the thread was about

So can we please have this, Mumsnet? Because there's a lot of prejudice and assumptions about and I don't always want to have to address this when all I want is a chat!

OP posts:

mycatsloveeachother · 14/03/2016 18:28

Thank you so much Dawn :)

I think I speak for everybody when I say we really appreciate it :) :) :)

for dawn.

Dawn for president

Team Dawn.

I'll shut up now

GooseberryRoolz · 13/03/2016 20:13

Good call

I have no personal interest in donor conception but the moralising on every thread involving donor gametes has been getting quite silly.

MNHQ

DawnMumsnet · 11/03/2016 14:55

Afternoon all,

So sorry this has taken us a while to sort - and many thanks for your patience.

Just wanted to announce that we've launched a new Donor conception/parenting topic now.

Hope to see you all over there.

makingmiracles · 16/02/2016 15:49

Good call. Perhaps mnhq could also sticky it at the top of the surrogacy board as gestational surrogacy is often done with donor sperm or eggs.

SoupDragon · 16/02/2016 15:49

My children were not donor conceived and I think this board would be a great idea - I can see the need for it completely.

OM154 · 16/02/2016 15:46

Can I add my plea for a special place to talk about donor conception ttc and parenting. It is extraordinary how many others feel they have the right to make judgement about our choices (or lack of choice) in how we create our families.
I am mum to two adult sperm donor conceived people and unusually for our era my DH and I told them about their beginnings from a very early age. I know lots of people have worries about this. I don't have all the answers but I have lots of experience of parenting and have talked to loads of other DC parents.

Blueprintorange · 25/01/2016 22:39

It is more common than you'd realise!

Fingers crossed

Elsie212 · 25/01/2016 22:03

I would have loved to have had the opportunity to discuss this topic.

MNHQ, you know my previous usernames, you can see my history posted on the infertility section.

Double donor recipient here.

We really really would be helping a lot of people if this becomes a bew talk topic. It is much more common than you think

LyndaNotLinda · 20/01/2016 11:09

Thanks Olivia :)

Good luck INeedNewShoes - how exciting!

Original poster

otterlylovely · 20/01/2016 11:03

Thanks, Olivia :)

OP posts:

INeedNewShoes · 19/01/2016 23:43

Another vote here. I'm just about to have my first IUI attempt and would really appreciate a board dedicated to the topic.

Thanks for suggesting it OP.

leghoul · 19/01/2016 23:35

agree I know someone who has had 3 donor conceived children - would be very useful to have somewhere to talk about key issues and talk openly from what I gather

MNHQ

OliviaMumsnet · 19/01/2016 23:33

Thanks for starting this thread, we'll have a chat at the Towers

LyndaNotLinda · 19/01/2016 22:43

Not yet. You could report your post too? :)

Original poster

otterlylovely · 19/01/2016 13:09

Have MNHQ been in touch Lynda?

OP posts:

Original poster

otterlylovely · 18/01/2016 21:19

Hope we get it !

OP posts:

LyndaNotLinda · 18/01/2016 21:08

I've reported the OP otterly in case MNHQ haven't seen the thread. I'm already excited about it!

Original poster

otterlylovely · 18/01/2016 17:10

Absolutely.

OP posts:

Blueprintorange · 18/01/2016 17:10

Another vote here. Sometimes parents who already have donor conceived children need a safe space to chat, without judgment on their choice.

Especially as many can't discuss it in real life for various reasons.

Jw35 · 18/01/2016 17:08

Also another point is there are aspects of parenting a donor child (sorry if that term offends it's what I call mine) that differers from ordinary parenting. For example what to say, how to say and what approach to use when talking to the children about their identity.

eatmytoes888 · 18/01/2016 17:04

Another vote here - think it's a growing topic.

Original poster

otterlylovely · 18/01/2016 16:59

I think, to sum up, there is a perceived need because:

starting out can be overwhelming
it is good to have those going through the same things
parenting and pregnancy may have particular aspects to it which aren't applicable to non-donor conceived pregnancies or parenting
we can encounter judgement and hostility on the main boards.

OP posts:

hollieberrie · 18/01/2016 16:31

Oh yes please MN. This I something I am considering for the future and it'd be great to have a designated board to share thoughts and experiences.

Original poster

otterlylovely · 18/01/2016 16:22

Good good! :)

OP posts:

AlmaMartyr · 18/01/2016 15:54

This isn't a topic I have any personal involvement with and I'm not a fan of too many boards generally, but I think this one would be a good idea. If parents are being judged for their choices then it's not making their lives easier so a safe space to discuss particular issues relating to donor conception sounds like a good idea.

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