The importance of psychological screenings for donors

Family Therapist Kim Bergman, PhD, explains why it is so important to have a potential egg or sperm donor psychologically screened before selecting to use them as a donor
The Importance of Psychological Screenings for Egg or Sperm Donors
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The importance of psychological screenings for donors

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When you are choosing an egg donor or a sperm donor, you want to have them psychologically screened. You want the psychologist to rule out any sign of mental illness or thing that could be genetically transmitted or just interfere with their ability to be a donor; because there are a lot of things they have to do. Then you also want the psychologist to screen, what is their motivation? Why are they doing it? What are their expectations? The best way to avoid problems later, is to be completely clear up front. What do you think your role is going to be? What happens if the child knocks on your door in 20 years and says, "I think you are my donor." What are your thoughts? What do people in your life think? These are a lot of the psychological issues that are really important to explore. By the way, even if you are using a known donor, they are important to explore because you need to be as clear as possible. What we think then and what we think now is possible, in the beginning, we can ward off some of those problems later.

Family Therapist Kim Bergman, PhD, explains why it is so important to have a potential egg or sperm donor psychologically screened before selecting to use them as a donor

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Kim Bergman, PhD

Family Therapist

Kim Bergman, PhD, a licensed psychologist of 22 years, has specialized in the area of gay and lesbian parenting, parenting by choice and third party assisted reproduction for the last two decades. Dr. Bergman has created a comprehensive psychological screening, support and monitoring process for Intended Parents, Surrogates and Donors. She is the co-owner of Fertility Counseling Services and Growing Generations and is a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, the American Fertility Association, the American Psychological Association, the Los Angeles County Psychological Association, the Lesbian and Gay Psychotherapy Association, and the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association. She is on the national board of the Family Equality Council. Dr. Bergman writes, teaches and speaks extensively on parenting by choice. Along with co-authors, she published "Gay Men Who Become Fathers via Surrogacy: The Transition to Parenthood" (Journal of GLBT Family Studies, April 2010). Dr. Bergman created her own family using third party assisted reproduction and she lives with her wife of 28 years and their two teenage daughters. 

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Transcription: 
When you are choosing an egg donor or a sperm donor, you want to have them psychologically screened. You want the psychologist to rule out any sign of mental illness or thing that could be genetically transmitted or just interfere with their ability to be a donor; because there are a lot of things they have to do. Then you also want the psychologist to screen, what is their motivation? Why are they doing it? What are their expectations? The best way to avoid problems later, is to be completely clear up front. What do you think your role is going to be? What happens if the child knocks on your door in 20 years and says, "I think you are my donor." What are your thoughts? What do people in your life think? These are a lot of the psychological issues that are really important to explore. By the way, even if you are using a known donor, they are important to explore because you need to be as clear as possible. What we think then and what we think now is possible, in the beginning, we can ward off some of those problems later.