Confused want to be parent

[youngrainbow]

Hi i'm all new to this. me and my wife have been together for nearly 6 years and are starting to look into a family but not really sure of where to start. If anyone is looking for a friend or could offer me some advice i'd be most grateful. My e.mail is [email protected] feel free to e.mail. xx

Hi, just read your post. Firstly, wanted to wish you good luck. It is an amazing experience being a parent but a tough and emotional journey too. Are you considering sperm donation or co-parenting? You probably need to decide which sits the most comfortbly with you both, but there are legal aspects to consider too. I used a website called Pride Angel, it has both gay and straight people on, people willing to be sperm donors/egg donors/people looking to co-parent and also those looking to receive sperm or eggs. You can browse through the profiles,post on the forum and get expert advice on the whole process.Very friendly and well worth a look. www.prideangel.com Let us know how you get on but I am sure you will find it useful. Good luck to you both I hope you find your right pat. Best wishes Dawn x

others on here (and on gingerbread) will be able to tell you the various options. We used a known donor, but you can also decide to use a fertility clinic with an anonymous donor (disclosure at 18). All routes have pitfalls and difficulties, as well as advantages - you and your partner need to decide which scenario suits you best and the one that you think you can best deal with.

I'm assuming from your email that you are quite young, so you've plenty of time to figure it all out! You need to talk A LOT before making your decisions. I'd also suggest that you at least discuss how big a family you want and who will carry - this is important when selecting a donor, known or not and can cause difficulties unless you are clear about it from the start.

Openness and honesty are the key; it IS hard though, and there are some emotional things (at least for me as the non-bio parent) that I've found harder than I expected. Remember too, that getting the child will seem like the hard bit at first - it's only the first hurdle!