Success stories after changing donor

[Organzo]

So I've just had my 4th round of IUI using donor sperm. Currently in the TWW so fingers crossed!

However, the embryologists are saying that the sperm is 'only just average' in terms of quality/ motility. They say it's definitely good enough to use but just a little lower than others they see, and we might want to consider changing donor if it doesn't work this time.

Has anyone else heard this and then changed donor, and had success with a different donor?

I'm a bit annoyed tbh because this sperm costs £1000's! But I guess it can't really be helped!

Anyway this is our last vial and we can't decide whether to buy more of the same (we love the donor and took ages to choose him) or whether to change - any experiences/ insights?

Can I ask whether you've considered the jump to IVF? That might be a way to keep the same donor, if you feel they're right for you, while upping your odds significantly. Yes, it's expensive, but so's spending a grand a month on sperm (been there, done that, got the t-shirt) and it might also yield more information about what's happening (since with IUI it's all happening out of sight, whereas with IVF the embryologist gets to see a lot more of what's going on, if you see what I mean).

Early on I felt that real sense of connection to a donor but my circumstances ended up being such that I went through all sorts of combinations of sperm and eggs and I got to a place where I could feel comfortable with those choices.

Best of luck, whatever you decide!

Hey @Persipan thanks for the reply. I have already had a few rounds of IVF with partner sperm, got hyperstimulation both times so not keen on going back to it. My body reaaally doesn't respond well to the extra hormones/ meds, even on a low dose.

I changed sperm donor after 6 failed IUI's and 1 failed IVF (3 transfers) - all with the same donor. 2nd round of IVF - my first transfer with the new donor worked. There was nothing obviously wrong with the first donors samples though (they apparently looked good under the microscope) and I obviously liked his profile/personal message - but I wanted to throw everything at my last "go" at IVF and wondered if for some reason (that science just doesn't yet understand) we just weren't very compatible.

However because I also added some extra IVF meds and and supplements to my protocol, I can't really be sure that the change of donor was the reason I finally had success. I'm obviously really glad I changed though - and I'm even more "attached" to this donor (ended up looking to the US in the end where there is more choice- so I now even have pictures of the donor and much more information to show/tell my son if he asks).

@IamnotwhouthinkIam Wow, thanks for sharing. That must have been a rollercoaster for you with so many rounds. Congratulations on the pregnancy/ your son! :)

I'm still in the TWW from 4th IUI now and praying it works. Interesting that yours worked with a new donor. I think if this one doesn't work we will try a different donor.

We've gone for a US donor as well because we like the amount of info you get, and we feel very attached, but have started looking at others and there are a couple more out there we could probably feel OK about.

It's such a long process! x