IVF with double donation: selecting your donors

Selecting an egg or sperm donor can feel both exciting and overwhelming.
Many people start with clear ideas of what they’re looking for, but as they explore different donor profiles, their preferences often evolve.

In the past, matching donors by race was usually the top priority. Today, however, families are more ethnically diverse than ever, making donor selection a much more personal and flexible process.

When it comes to deciding on a donor, physical traits are often the first consideration. For couples using double donation, it’s common to prefer the donors to resemble themselves. But with more single women choosing double donation, priorities are shifting. Often, one donor is selected to match the recipient or their family, while the second donor is chosen for personality, interests, or achievements. This approach broadens the donor pool, giving families the opportunity to consider qualities beyond just appearance and embrace greater diversity.

In the past, matching a donor’s CMV (Cytomegalovirus) status with the recipient’s own was often part of the selection process. CMV can affect a baby’s development if contracted during pregnancy, but egg and sperm donors are now routinely screened to make sure the active virus isn’t present.

Blood group matching was also once a common consideration – but not always for medical reasons. Some families wanted to avoid situations where a child’s blood type might accidentally reveal the use of a donor in a medical emergency. However with current medical safeguards and broader social understanding, blood group matching is no longer essential, making donor selection more flexible and diverse.

Removing these restrictions has opened up many more options for families. If you have any concerns, your fertility specialist can help guide you through the choices and what matters most for your situation.