In the context of gamete donation treatments, the purpose of counseling is to support consideration of various options and initiate emotional processing and reflections related to gamete treatments. The counseling also aims to ensure that individuals seeking treatment have a proper understanding of the procedures and that there are no inhibiting factors for the treatments.
Counseling emphasizes the diversity of the matter, and it is always tailored to individual needs. It is important that the voices and needs of all parties involved—the recipient or recipient couple, the donor, and the child resulting from the treatment—are heard.
When the child reaches the age of majority, they have the right to ascertain the identity of the donor. Even if the adult child contacts the gamete donor at some point, parenthood does not change. The gamete donor is not the parent of the child. The donor and the child born from the treatment have no rights or obligations towards each other.
Key themes in gamete counseling include:
- Possible experience of infertility and letting go of genetic parenthood aspirations.
- What embarking on gamete treatment means: dealing with experiences of infertility, treatment, and loss, transitioning to a new phase.
- Attachment to the child and the emotions that may arise after the child is born.
- Child development and identity.
- Life with the child, disclosing to the child and outsiders.
- Thoughts about parenthood.
- Peer support.
The goal of gamete counseling is to provide a safe space to mentally prepare for a new opportunity.
Schedule your appointment for gamete counseling at our clinics.