The Male Bag: Donor Conception - Fears, Reality & Making It Work
In this episode of The Male Bag, host Shaun answers your most pressing questions about his journey as a sperm donor recipient father. Drawing from his personal experience, Shaun addresses six common themes that emerged from questions submitted via email, Instagram, and the NeXYs Fertility support community.
Episode Highlights:
- Coming to Terms with Donor Sperm (00:01:00): Shaun shares his emotional journey of accepting the need for donor sperm and redefining his identity as a future father. He discusses the grieving process of letting go of genetic connection and how he rebuilt his understanding of fatherhood based on character traits rather than DNA.
- Addressing Common Fears (00:05:00): Shaun candidly discusses fears about bonding with donor-conceived children and how these concerns dissipated after his children were born. He emphasises that parent-child love requires daily nurturing regardless of genetic connection.
- Selecting a Donor (00:08:00): Practical insights into the donor selection process, including how Shaun and his wife approached this significant decision. He explains their focus on holistic characteristics rather than attempting to replicate his own traits.
- Handling Comments About Resemblance (00:13:00): Shaun discusses his evolving approach to managing unsolicited comments about his children's appearance and resemblance, from initially being very open about donor conception to finding more comfortable ways to navigate these situations.
- Telling Children About Donor Conception (00:16:00): The importance of openness and honesty with donor-conceived children. Shaun shares how he and his wife decided to tell their children about their origins from an early age, including creative approaches like framing it as a fairytale.
- Resources and Support (00:22:00): Shaun recommends seeking professional counselling, reading educational materials like "Free Makes Baby," and joining support communities like NeXYs Fertility.
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Contact us.
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Email: themalefertilitypodcast@gmail.com
DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider.
