Family Ties

If you’re considering donor conception or have had babies via this method, donor counsellor Kate Bourne offers some sound advice on talking to children about their family background.

Using a sperm, egg or embryo donor is becoming an increasingly common method to conceive a child. In the last 20 years, almost 500 children in Victoria have been conceived in this way. It is impossible to know exactly how many children have been conceived in Australia using donor gametes in the last 20 years, but it is likely to be in the realms of tens of thousands.

A generation ago, parents were often advised not to tell their children about how they were conceived. We now know this is not necessarily the best thing for the child. Secrets can fester within a family and can become a burden to keep. It may feel like lying to your child.

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