Sperm Recipient

I'm a 43yr old hetro single woman living in a West of Ireland cottage, who is trying to conceive through AI with a sperm donor. Here's my journey so far...

[Sperm Recipient @SpermRecipient]

Will update more soon...

[Sperm Recipient @SpermRecipient]

Sperm donor anonymity: Opinions are mixed, even among affected children -- http://mnn.com/node/74017

[Sperm Recipient @SpermRecipient]

He spent 48hrs and we managed 3 inseminations in that time. Fingers crossed time!

[Sperm Recipient @SpermRecipient]

I thought AI would be a cold emotionless procedure but actually I found to be very different. Again cause of the quality connection to my SD

[Sperm Recipient @SpermRecipient]

We signed the contract after some clarifications, hugged and them we each prepared for the Artifical Insemination.

[Sperm Recipient @SpermRecipient]

And he was there in Arrivals and I'm so glad he was. First insemination process was seamless & wonderfully easy because of our connection.

[Sperm Recipient @SpermRecipient]

I drove to Shannon one wet windy Mon eve & thought how brave & generous of him to fly into a strange location to meet a strange woman :-)

[Sperm Recipient @SpermRecipient]

But he was wonderfully supportive. Had done this 4 times before so was very conscientious and thorough in every way. He booked his flight.

[Sperm Recipient @SpermRecipient]

Suddenly it began to look real scary and exciting. Fears still about my age etc & grieve about having to conceive my child in this way.

[Sperm Recipient @SpermRecipient]

The connection between us was clear for us both and the decision was easy. He is married with 2 kids so a boundary is there.

[Sperm Recipient @SpermRecipient]

Got to know each other via email. Exchanged health info, clear negative STI results, genetic history, academic achievements, photos etc.

[Sperm Recipient @SpermRecipient]

Joined a kosher, credible site offering free sperm donations worldwide. Luckily the great London guy was also on this site & emailed again!

[Sperm Recipient @SpermRecipient]

Lots of false starts leading down dead ends with unsuitable men. Roller Coaster weeks!

[Sperm Recipient @SpermRecipient]

One great guy in London emailed me on a co-parenting site but London seemed so far away - how could that work. Frozen sperm by post?

[Sperm Recipient @SpermRecipient]

I spent all those years terrified of getting caught and now it's the only thing I want!

[Sperm Recipient @SpermRecipient]

Kept looking. In meantime visited doctors to check hormone levels to see if I actually could get pregnant. I'd never been pregnant before.

[Sperm Recipient @SpermRecipient]

Limited choices in the West of Ireland. It doesn't appear to be that common here. Gay friends were on the lookout - no suitable candidates.

[Sperm Recipient @SpermRecipient]

How do you pick a SD? Became clear I wanted the best possible start for my child, so careful selection processes came into play.

[Sperm Recipient @SpermRecipient]

What next?... Sperm Donor? It took a bit of processing (long internet hrs) to get from co-parent to Sperm Donor (SD).

[Sperm Recipient @SpermRecipient]

Have a few weird responses and one very awkard meeting in a hotel in Galway with a 44yr straight man who liked the idea but wasn't ready.