IVF with Donor Sperm
Bourn Hall was the first in vitro fertilisation (IVF) clinic anywhere in the world and for over 40 years we have continued to perfect this well-recognised and successful fertility treatment. The IVF process is the same whether you are a single woman or female same-sex couple using donor sperm or you are a heterosexual couple using your own sperm.
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
Single Women
IVF brings together the sperm and the egg in a controlled environment – outside of the body – where fertilisation takes place. IVF typically creates high quality embryos, and by using donor sperm, it is a procedure ideally suited to single women or heterosexual couples with male fertility issues with a desire to have a child.
Same sex female couples
IVF brings together the sperm and the egg in a controlled environment – outside of the body – where fertilisation takes place. IVF creates high quality embryos, and by using donor sperm, it is a procedure ideally suited to same-sex female couples with a desire to have a child.
When your treatment plan has been agreed, and you have consulted with our counsellors and fertility experts, you will then begin taking fertility drugs while making regular visits to the clinic for additional tests.
Once stimulated with fertility drugs, your ovaries will produce some eggs which we will then harvest using a minor surgical procedure. We will then place them in a culture dish.
Sperm can be donated by someone you know or by an unknown donor. We will guide you through your options. If you prefer an unknown donor, you can select one from our highly regulated sperm bank or the network of high quality sperm banks with whom we collaborate.
All sperm used in the IVF process is carefully ‘washed’ so that only the strongest and most viable sperm remain. This ‘washed’ sperm can then be added to the culture dish, containing your eggs, where fertilisation will take place over the next 18 hours.
After a period of growth, we will examine your embryos under a microscope. One or two viable embryos will then be transferred into your uterus and the remainder may be frozen for later use.
FET is the transfer of good quality embryos that have been frozen during a previous round of IVF. This method avoids the need to repeat an entire IVF cycle if pregnancy is deferred at the time of the IVF cycle.
Sometimes the conventional IVF process needs a helping hand. ICSI is similar to traditional IVF but instead, involves a single sperm being injected into a single viable egg. Following successful fertilisation via ICSI, one or two embryos will be transferred into your uterus in the same way as conventional IVF.
If you go ahead with IVF, 18 days after the egg collection you will be encouraged to take a pregnancy test. If the result is positive you will attend a 20-day post-treatment scan at your clinic.
Is IVF right for me?
During your consultation, our fertility specialists will advise whether you are a suitable IVF candidate.
As a guide, IVF with donor sperm may suit you if you do not have fully functioning fallopian tubes or if you meet one or more of the following criteria, such as you:
- Have been unsuccessful with intrauterine insemination (IUI)
- Have mild or suspected endometriosis
- Are a single woman
- Are part of a same-sex female couple
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.
Donor sperm from our sperm bank will be assigned for your treatment. You will be offered a choice of donors based on the physical characteristics that you have specified, and other factors such as treatment type and blood group.
You will be informed of the physical characteristics of the donor, and you are entitled to know any non-identifying information that they have given. Once you have decided upon the donor, we will reserve sufficient samples for a minimum of five treatment cycles.
We provide non-identifying information about the donor, along with a goodwill message written for the child. If your child wishes, they can request identifying information once they turn 18, in line with UK law.
Yes – you can use sperm from someone you know as well as from our anonymous donor bank. Your chosen donor will go through the same screening process as all donors, and once the necessary health checks are complete, the sperm can be used in treatment.
Families who would like more than one child with the same donor can reserve sibling sperm from our bank for future treatment, within the legal family limits set for each donor.
Our team will guide you through this process, explaining the regulations, helping you plan ahead and making sure everything is arranged in line with UK law so your family-building journey is both smooth and legally compliant.
Female same-sex couples have several fertility treatment options, including IUI or IVF with donor sperm. Many couples also consider Shared Motherhood, where one partner provides the eggs and the other carries the pregnancy, allowing both to be actively involved in creating their family.
Whichever path feels right for you, you will need a sperm donor. We can help you find a suitable donor, or you may choose to find one independently with our guidance.