sperm bank recommendations?

emma+karen · October 2011

I'm curious what different sperm banks people have used and what your impressions were.

We are just starting to research banks right now. We live in a pretty remote area, so we'll need to rely on shipping--the plan is to try at home a couple of times before moving to IUI's with my doctor.

Your thoughts, ladies?

ball.and.chain · October 2011

We're using California Cryobank. I looked at the donor offerings at Xytex, Pacific Reproductive, and New England Cryogenic as well and I just felt like CCB had the largest and most appealing selection -- and by appealing I just mean that when we searched for all the things we personally want from a donor, we found many more options at CCB than at the others -- obviously this would be different for different people. I was hoping to go with New England because it's one town over so we could pick up or use a courier and save a lot on shipping, but they just didn't have what we wanted. I also think CCB offers you more information about the donors for free vs some of the other banks, so I felt like without paying anything I could make a more informed decision about who I wanted to pay to get more info on. When I looked at other banks I just felt like I didn't know enough to choose.

That said I think their prices are slightly higher. But according to the comparison chart on the Pacific website, it's only a $10-$45 difference for ID-release IUI specimens (which is what we're using), and I just didn't feel like that made much difference to me over the course of what was going to be a hugely expensive process anyway.

https://pacrepro.com/index.php?main_page=comparison_chart

Customer service has been very good. I'm not pregnant yet, though!

ssg73 · October 2011

We used xytex and am very happy with them. Customer service was good and we had no problems. I liked the fact that they had an option of unlimited viewing for a time period. It just was easier for me to look at the profiles with pictures (vain possibly but the truth). I also liked that they had extra options like photo span ext.

LV1979 · October 2011

We are using Cryogenic Laboratories Inc. They are the sister bank to Fairfax cryobank. We were originally going to use Fairfax because they are in driving distance but they are super $$$. Their sister bank is located in Minnesota and because of cost of living differences it is significantly less $$$ but same selection criteria as the more expensive Faifax. This is our first try with them but so far service has been great. We joined their club and earned a free vial, first shipping for free, and they run a special every month (ie 50 % off lifetime photo set)

gervaisj6 · October 2011

I am a lurker, so I hope y'all don't mind. We used European Sperm Bank out of Seattle. They are easy to work with and cheap. I think ici viala are 490.00 and iui 590.00 They do have deals on donor of the month too. GL!

2moms2twins · October 2011

It was a toss up between California Cryo Bank and Pacific Reproductive Services and We ultimately choose PRS just because they had the criteria we were looking for in a donor. but also love that they were a Lesbian Owned. The Staff was phenomenal to us and it was a very very pleasant experience.

- J

JoySeattle · October 2011

We went with Califronia Cryobank because we had really specific criteria for a donor. I like their online service, customer service when I've called, and they gave us a deal on extra storage beyond their regular storage programs.

2brides · October 2011

We used Fairfax because they were close. LOL. For our 2 ICI cycles, L went to pick up the tank. For our IUI cycles we just had to have them couriered, which saved us $$ in shipping. I don't recall having a lot of interaction with the staff or issues with the samples, but we like the results.

emma+karen · October 2011

LV1979:
We are using Cryogenic Laboratories Inc. They are the sister bank to Fairfax cryobank. We were originally going to use Fairfax because they are in driving distance but they are super $$$. Their sister bank is located in Minnesota and because of cost of living differences it is significantly less $$$ but same selection criteria as the more expensive Faifax. This is our first try with them but so far service has been great. We joined their club and earned a free vial, first shipping for free, and they run a special every month (ie 50 % off lifetime photo set)

Thank you so much for this recommendation! I had been looking into Fairfax because they have a branch in Austin, which is nearest to us. But I spent some time today looking at the Cryogenic Laboratories website and I'm super impressed! Thanks again!

norika33 · October 2011

we used Fairfax, for 7 IUI's, and had a lot of staff interaction- they are great! And they have a closed family forum, where I connected with another set of parents from our donor

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