IVF with donor sperm
Exploring in vitro fertilisation (IVF) with donor sperm can bring up many questions and feelings, and it’s natural to want trusted guidance as you consider your options. At Bourn Hall, we’ll support you from your first conversation, providing answers and reassurance at a pace that feels right for you.
Page Guide
We understand that fertility treatment can be a complex and emotional journey. Our team is dedicated to providing you with all the information and support you need throughout the process.
How it works
What is IVF with donor sperm?
IVF with donor sperm is a fertility treatment in which eggs are collected and fertilised with sperm from a carefully screened donor in a laboratory. If fertilisation is successful, the resulting embryo is monitored as it develops before being transferred to the womb.
The treatment follows the same main stages as IVF, with one important difference. Instead of using sperm from a partner or intended parent, donor sperm is used to create embryos. Donors undergo thorough screening, and the sperm is carefully stored and prepared for fertility treatment.
At Bourn Hall, we’ll explain each stage clearly and give you time to understand what donor sperm IVF could involve before you decide how you’d like to move forward.
Who is IVF with donor sperm suitable for?
During your consultation, our fertility specialists will talk through your medical history, fertility health and what you’re hoping to achieve through treatment. This helps us understand if IVF with donor sperm could be a suitable option for you.
IVF with donor sperm might be right for you if you:
- Have not had success with intrauterine insemination (IUI)
- Do not have fully functioning fallopian tubes
- Are in a heterosexual relationship affected by male factor infertility
- Have mild or suspected endometriosis
- Are a single woman
- Are part of a same-sex female couple
Your specialist will explain your options available to you, including how IVF compares with IUI with donor sperm, so you have the information you need to make a decision about your next steps.
Donor screening and selection
All sperm donors undergo careful screening before their sperm can be used in treatment. This process helps ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved, including patients, donors and any children born through donor sperm IVF.
Screening includes checks for medical, genetic and infectious conditions, as well as review of personal and family medical history. Only donors who meet strict screening requirements are accepted.
When choosing donor sperm, you’ll be given access to non-identifying information to help you make an informed decision.
This may include:
- Physical characteristics
- Personal background
- Medical and family history
- A donor profile
Our team will guide you through donor selection with care, giving you time to ask questions and consider what feels important to you.
We’ll support you as you choose donor sperm from a carefully screened donor. Our team will explain the information available and guide you through the donor selection process.
Most patients take fertility medication to encourage the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. During this time, we’ll monitor your progress with scans and, where needed, blood tests to help determine the best time for egg collection.
Egg collection is a short procedure carried out at the clinic. Once retrieved, your eggs are fertilised in the laboratory using prepared donor sperm. Our embryology team then carefully assess fertilisation and the early stages of embryo growth.
If fertilisation is successful, the resulting embryos continue to develop in the laboratory over the following days. Your clinic team will keep you updated on their progress and explain what happens next.
A selected embryo is transferred into the womb using a thin, flexible tube. The procedure is usually quick and doesn’t normally require sedation. If additional suitable embryos are available, they may be frozen for potential future treatment.
Using donor sperm for IVF can bring up feelings that are complex and personal. You may feel hopeful about treatment while also needing time to think about donor conception, future conversations with your child or what this path means for your family.
At Bourn Hall, emotional support is an important part of your care. Our fertility counselling provides a safe, confidential space where you can talk openly, ask questions and explore any thoughts or concerns as you move through treatment.
Success rates for IVF with donor sperm depend on several factors, including your age, egg health, embryo quality and individual fertility circumstances.
At Bourn Hall, we focus on helping you understand your chances from the outset. We’ll explain the figures in straightforward language and in the context of your individual situation, so you can make informed decisions about your care.
For patients continuing IVF treatment, Bourn Hall reports a 72% chance of pregnancy within one year for those under 35, with rates varying by age group and treatment pathway.
Your specialist will talk you through the success rates most relevant to you, including any factors that may affect your chances of success with donor sperm IVF.
Start your donor sperm IVF journey with Bourn Hall
Choosing IVF with donor sperm is a personal decision, and you don’t need to have every answer before speaking to us. Whether you’re ready to begin treatment or simply want to explore your options, our team is here to listen and help you understand what comes next.
Flexible Pricing Options
To help make your treatment affordable and achievable, we offer fixed price treatment package options and a variety of finance solutions for patients looking to spread all or part of the cost of their treatment.
Explore our prices
Discover our prices and finance options, making treatments more accessible for you.
Book a 15 minute Discovery call
Schedule a Discovery call to find out which tests and treatments are right for you.
Fertility funding partners we work with:
Our IVF success rates
At Bourn Hall, you can be assured of the best chances of having a baby within the shortest possible time. If you are under 35, you have a 72% chance of falling pregnant within one year.
*Data from 2025
If you are under 35, you have a 72% chance of falling pregnant within one year.
If you are 35-37 years old and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have a 64% chance of getting pregnant within one year.
If you are a female aged over 40 and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have about a 50% chance of getting pregnant within one year.
Success rates by age
At Bourn Hall, you can be assured of the best chances of having a baby within the shortest possible time. If you are under 35, you have a 72% chance of falling pregnant within one year.
*Data from 2025
Younger than 35
If you are under 35, you have a 72% chance of falling pregnant within one year.
35 to 39 years old
If you are 35-37 years old and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have a 64% (58% for 38-39 year olds) chance of getting pregnant (pregnancy seen on scan) within one year.
40+ years old
If you are a female over 40 and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have about a 50% chance of getting pregnant within one year.
Support at every stage
As one of the UK’s top fertility treatment centres, our values ensure we put our patients first.
Passion
Adaptability
Commitment
Teamwork and Collaboration
Our fertility milestones
1978
The world's first IVF baby
1980
Year founded by IVF pioneers
25000
Babies born through Bourn Hall
Patient reviews
Genuine experiences from real patients. See why so many trust us with their fertility care.
“We went to an open evening at Bourn Hall Wickford and came away feeling really positive about the place. The staff were really friendly and the presentation was clear about the statistics regarding success rates and live birth rates; their data was very transparent. We came away feeling like we would really be looked after.”
Katy and Leigh are parents to Charlie after IVF
Patient 2023
“We chose to make an appointment at Bourn Hall Wickford because of the favourable reviews. When we got there and met the staff they were just so lovely, making us feel welcome and explaining to us what tests would need to be done and what our options were; we just thought ‘yes, let’s get the ball rolling!”
Jess and Fran are mums to Nathan after IVF with donor sperm
Patient 2023
Patient stories
Our patients are at the heart of everything we do, and we are always inspired by the success stories they have to share. Hear directly from our previous patients as they share their unique journeys to parenthood.
April & Giacomo’s Fertility Journey: Overcoming Male Factor Infertility Challenges
April and Giacomo’s journey to parenthood was filled with uncertainty, waiting, and emotional challenges, but throughout it…
From Challenges to Joy
Every fertility journey is different, and for Kim and her husband, the path to parenthood brought both…
Sophie’s Journey to Motherhood: Becoming a Solo Mum with Donor Treatment
At Bourn Hall, we’re privileged to support people on every path to parenthood. Today, we’re sharing Sophie’s…
Upcoming fertility events
Join our experts at a range of events including support groups, webinars and open evenings.
Learn more about the options available to you, from fertility tests to treatments, and find answers to any questions you might have.
Related information
If you qualify for NHS-funded fertility treatment under the NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board, our fertility diagnostic pathway is the same as the services offered by your local NHS hospital but with much shorter waiting times and in an environment dedicated to fertility services.
Our male couples fertility testing package includes semen analysis tests for you both, a free 30-minute consultation with our fertility nutritionist and a private consultation.
We offer fertility health and wellbeing packages at our clinics in Cambridge, Norwich, Wickford, or at home. Our male package includes a semen analysis, a free 30-minute consultation with our fertility nutritionist, and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results.
Our female couples fertility testing package includes options to provide you both with results on your fertility. These include AMH blood tests for ovarian reserve; TSH to assess your thyroid stimulating hormone; an ultrasound scan; and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results.
Our female package includes the option of AMH blood tests for ovarian reserve; TSH to assess your thyroid stimulating hormone, an ultrasound scan; and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results. Additionally, we include a free 30-minute consultation with our fertility nutritionist to provide you with nutrition and lifestyle advice.
For heterosexual couples, our female and male fertility testing package includes the option of semen analysis; AMH blood tests for ovarian reserve; TSH to assess your thyroid stimulating hormone; ultrasound scan; and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results.
Once you’ve made the decision to extend your family, even thinking that you might have a fertility issue can be stressful. And for a man, the thought that your sperm might not be in tip-top condition is definitely a cause for concern.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions answered. Find clarity on every step of your fertility journey.
An IVF cycle with donor sperm usually takes several weeks, although the exact timeline varies from person to person. Factors such as your treatment plan and how your body responds to medication can affect the length of the cycle.
Before treatment begins, your specialist will explain what to expect, including key stages such as monitoring appointments, egg collection and embryo transfer.
The cost of IVF with donor sperm depends on your individual treatment plan, donor sperm requirements and any additional services you may need. At Bourn Hall, we’ll provide a clear breakdown of costs before treatment begins, so you understand what’s included and can plan with confidence.
In some cases, it may be possible to use a known sperm donor. Before treatment can proceed, the donor will need to complete the required screening and consent processes. Our team can explain the requirements in more detail and support you through the next steps.