Good morning to all!

I am new to this site, so let me start by introducing myself. My name is Nathalie, I will turn 37 years old in a few weeks. I am from the Montreal area, Quebec, Canada. I am single, no boyfriend, and no intention to have one.

I am considering artificial insemination from an unknown donor sometime at the beginning of next year. I am just starting checking the options available, and also the money it will cost me (being single, I do not necessarily have $25,000-$30,000 to invest at once). My family and friends know about my 'project', and I have their full support, which I think is good.

I am looking for advice coming from people who went through that same situation, and maybe some references. I noticed a few U.S. sites offering shipping directly at home, no questions asked... are these reliable? Or maybe some clinics on the East coast, where I could enquire for information?

There are so many options, I am completely lost for now, I need some advice!

Thanks in advance for your help,


Nathalie

First off, let me be the first to say the women here are wonderfully supportive and helpful in almost anything you can think of to ask or talk about.
I know of at least one cryobank one the east coast that is extremely reliable but I don't know about the "no questions asked part". You can look in up and make your own decisions if you'd like. It's called Fairfax Cryobank. I know that they do ship to Canada, but because it's a "cryobank" it's pretty pricey. If you go on the Jan/Feb chatty thread most of the women there are using sperm banks and have been very helpful in telling me about them. I don't know if they ship to Canada but you can surely check them out for yourself. Again welcome and it's always nice to meet new people here so join us.....oh and let me be the first to wish you loads of sticky babydust

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Me- Tasha 25, will carry
DP- E. 28, loves children, hates pain

6 Cycles
HSG results 2/05/08 (Clear )
Cycle # 7 with 50mg clomid
for IUI #1 w/ 100mg clomid and fsh

Thanks Tasha for your prompt reply! I'll check your references for sure!!!

When I mentioned 'no questions asked', I meant that I can order whatever I want directly to my home, no doctor required. Again, not sure yet if trying at home would be a good idea, or should I go to a clinic so they can do it themselves. That's why I am looking for any tidbit of information I can get...

Thanks for your support, and for the babydust!


Nat.

I think that at your age you might be better off going to a dr. I know it can take longer once you have past the 35yrs mark, and a dr will be able to d test to make sure that everything is in working order and you will probably get pregnant faster. Thats not to say that home Insem would not work for you, just that it would probably be quicker through a dr.

Feel free to join us on the chatty thread!

and babydust to you!!!

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Patty 37
DW Julie 40
"domestically partnered" since 1994

Welcome!

I remember when we started looking into this and I felt so overwhelmed and scared. I first when to my ob/gyn and she recommended an RE where we could get iui's done. I, personally, think that is the best place to start. I know that lots of women get pregnant with at-home inseminations, but given your age (not to call you old!) , I just think it would work faster and it certainly doesn't cost $25,000. (And it gave me peace of mind, knowing that someone much smarter than I about all this stuff was worrying about it - and trust me - once you start this, you NEED peace of mind!)

We just met with the RE and she walked us through everything. Mine even recommended some reliable, good banks.

Again, welcome!

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Suellen (me) - 30
A. (partner) -28 with a much better job, horrible medical history and no biological clock!

4
1 chemical
IUI #6 - 12/26 -
Beta #1 (14dpiui) - 57
Beta #2 (16 dpiui) - 222
Beta #3 (21dpiui) - 1753

ultrasound 5/6 - It's a girl!!!!!!

Thanks to all for your comments, it is nice to have some feedback on the subject!

We hear so many stories (somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody) that we usually end up having the wrong version (that's how I heard about somebody having had 5 tries @ $5,000 a shot, without conceiving...).

I will keep you posted on my progress... and my final decision of becoming pregnant or not.


Nat.

Hi Nat,
I responded to your thread on the Mature Moms board so I won't repeat myself here, but just make sure you check that out.
My two cents - go for it! You don't want to be 50, 55, 60 wondering "what if", know what I mean?
You've found a great group here - with all the women and all the experiience you are almost guaranteed to get an answer or advice for any question.

Good luck!



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Laura
DW Carolyn
& IVF Miracle Caleb Atticus

Welcome!

Since I'm also in Canada, I can add a little useful information.

If you find a good/reputable clinic, you'll find that a lot of the diagnostic tests are covered by provincial insurance. In other words, before you spend a lot of money trying at home, find out if it's possible for it to work. (In the US, people generally start trying first and do the testing after awhile because they have to pay for the tests.)

There are a LOT of regulations in Canada about acceptable donor situations. Some US banks will be able to accommodate them, but, others won't--meaning that your samples wouldn't make it past the border. Outreach Health Services is a Canadian company that manages Xytex's Canadian distribution. Since they're in Canada, they will have dealt with all of the issues for you.

If you are in the Montreal-ish area, I'd recommend looking at either the Montreal Fertility Clinic or the Ottawa Fertility Clinic. Both have good reputations.

Thank you all for your input!

In fact, last week I checked with Procrea in Montreal, the exams are free but each insemination is about $1,000 if you choose from their bank.

I am meeting with them in April (they had nothing available before, seems like they're busy! good sign of reputable clinic - I think).

After that I will decide what I will do...

I'll keep you posted for sure!

Thanks again!

Nat.

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Nathalie

You'll find that prices are roughly similar for donor sperm from any bank. (The prices you'll find on the websites of US banks are prices for delivery within the US and they'll have different prices for Canadian use because of the extra std testing and paperwork required in Canada.)

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Nathalie

Thanks for the update!! It sounds like either clinic would be good. Keep us posted!

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Patty 37
DW Julie 40
"domestically partnered" since 1994