I am a single, healthy 43 year old Sydney woman.  I am heterosexual
but have never been able to find a partner.  I would like to know how
to obtain healthy, reliable, anonymous sperm so I may have a child.  I live in
Chatswood, Sydney, Australia

Hello  Winniegirl,

    I can certainly understand your desire to have a child. An
important step in the process is discussing this with your
gynecologist.  I have listed fertility clinics in your area, and some
in other parts of  Australia as well, but your gynecologist may have
some good advice for you. Some clinics may require a referral from
your gynecologist.

   My research has turned up several obstacles to obtaining donor
sperm in Australia. First, donors are scarce in Australia. (More on
this later in the answer). Second, it is illegal to ship donor sperm
from outside the country into Australia. Because of the law and
shortage, some clinics have closed.  Consider going outside of
Australia, if you can, if none of these clinics work out.


Within the Sydney Area
======================

Sydney IVF
----------
http://www.sydneyivf.com/


What to know about the clinic you select:
http://www.sivf.com.au/ivf_what_to_look_for.htm

?Sydney IVF's head office and research facilities are located at 4
O'Connell Street in the city?s central business district. Here you
will find in the one place: day surgery, monitoring facilities,
embryology laboratory and counselling. We carry out procedures 7 days
a week. All services are located under one roof and your partner can
be with you for your entire treatment - including your procedures.
For your convenience Sydney IVF has a number of approved ultrasound
and blood collection centres in Chatswood, Newtown, Kogarah and
Liverpool as well as the CBD. This enables you to have your blood
tests or ultrasounds close to your home or work.?

Sydney IVF
Level 11, O'Connell Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: (02) 9221 5964
Fax: (02) 9233 7519
Email: sivf@sivf.com.au

Sydney IVF Liverpool
173-175 Bigge St
Liverpool, NSW, 2170
Tel: (02) 9734 9544
Fax: (02) 9734 9511 
Email: sivf@sivf.com.au 
http://www.sivf.com.au/about_us.htm

Making an appointment
http://www.sydneyivf.com/pages/help/firstapp/makeapp.cfm

Clinic Locations
http://www.sydneyivf.com/pages/about/clinics/clinicpages.cfm




IVFQ
-----

  ?Depending on the nature of treatment required, couples may be seen
at their own gynaecologist's offices, or at the IVF unit at Nambour
Selangor Private Hospital.  Simple procedures such as scans and
examinations are carried out at the gynaecologist's rooms.  The more
complicated procedures, such as egg retrieval, testicular biopsy or
embryo transfer are performed at Nambour Selangor Private Hospital day
surgery theatre or in the IVF unit itself.  Donor or husband sperm
insemination is usually carried out at the IVF unit by Nursing staff.?
http://www.ivfq.com.au/

IVFQ Information booklet 
http://www.ivfq.com.au/free-book.htm



IVF Australia
--------------

?IVF Australia provides the most extensive and convenient network of
fertility centres and consulting sites for the communities of the
Sydney and the Central & Mid North Coasts.??
http://www.ivf.com.au/

Don?t let the lack of the term ?Sperm Donor? on this site dissuade
you. ?Please note that this is a guide only and every patient/couple
requires complete assessment and a diagnosis made, before treatment is
offered. This Web Page is not designed as a gynaecology textbook but
only to reinforce the availability of treatment options, many of which
are quite simple. The remainder of the web pages focus on the complex
options because they require more detailed explanation.?
http://www.ivf.com.au/htmlpages/treatment.html

Locations:
http://www.ivf.com.au/htmlpages/locations.html


=========================================================

Apparently there is a sperm donor shortage in Australia!
?A chronic shortage of egg and sperm donors could force one of
Sydney's major reproductive centres to close next year, and may
jeopardise services at other IVF clinics.
The trend for women to have children later in life has created an
increased demand for donor eggs, with waiting lists usually years
long.
Meanwhile, the number of sperm donors has declined dramatically
because donors must be willing to be contacted by their future
offspring.?
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/chronic-shortage-of-donors-puts-ivf-clinics-in-jeopardy/2005/09/17/1126750168474.html

http://www.canadiancrc.com/articles/The_Australian_Canadian_sperm_donors_09JUL04.htm



This site lists numerous locations throughout Australia. Many clinics
have no website listed, and of those that are, many have broken links.
Would you consider going out of the Sydney area, if none of the Sydney
clinics work out?
http://www.nor.com.au/community/aisg/clinics.htm


There are services that can ship donor sperm, but not to Australia!
This is an online donor service, but the site claims shipping semen to
Australia is illegal.
http://spermcenter.com/

?I live outside the USA. Can I use spermcenter.com?
Yes, if it's legal in your country. Most of the sperm banks we list
will ship specimens anywhere in the world, provided it's legal. When
you join spermcenter we list which banks do and don't ship
internationally. You'll probably have to pay additional shipping fees,
but generally there is no issue unless it's illegal in your country.
For example, as of this writing Australia and New Zealand do not allow
sperm to be shipped into their countries. Also, most banks will ship
only to a doctor or clinic?see our tutorial on home insemination.?
http://spermcenter.com/faq.htm#faq21


Clinics Outside of Sydney
=========================

(Not all locations have a website)

Westmead Fertility Centre 
Westmead Hospital 
Hawkesbury Road 
WESTMEAD NSW 2145 
Tel: +61 (0) 2 9845 7484 
Fax: +61 (0) 2 9845 8320 
http://www.westmeadivf.com.au/

Locations
http://www.westmeadivf.com.au/WFCpages/referrals.html

Maps
http://www.westmeadivf.com.au/WFCpages/location.html


King George V Hospital 
Fertility Ward 
Missenden Road 
CAMPERDOWN NSW 2050 
Tel: +61 (0) 2 9515 8824 
Fax: +61 (0) 2 9515 7976 

Lingard Fertility Centre 
23 Merewether Street 
MEREWETHER NSW 2291 
Phone: +61 (0) 2 4969 6799 
Fax: +61 (0) 2 4965 3721 

North Shore ART 
Level One 
24 Thomas Street 
CHATSWOOD NSW 2067 
Tel: +61 (0) 2 9904 8900 
Fax: +61 (0) 2 9904 8911 

Royal Hospital for Women Fertility Group 
Fertility Clinic 
Barker Street 
RANDWICK NSW 2031 
Tel: +61 (0) 2 9382 6633 
Fax: +61 (0) 2 9382 6638 

St George Fertility Centre 
172 - 174 Forest Road 
HURSTVILLE NSW 2220 
Tel: +61 (0) 2 9580 5533 
Fax: +61 (0) 2 9580 9543 

Wagga Wagga Reproductive Medicine Unit 
329-333 Edwards Street 
WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2650 
Tel: +61 (0) 2 6925 4700 
Fax: +61 (0) 2 6925 4777 

Australian Capital Territory 
Canberra Fertility Centre 
John James Memorial Hospital 
Strickland Crescent 
DEAKIN ACT 2600 
Tel: +61 (0) 2 6281 8106 
Fax: +61 (0) 2 6281 2087 
South Australia 

Flinders Reproductive Medical Program 
Flinders Medical Centre 
Department of Obstretrics & Gynacology 
BEDFORD PARK SA 5042 
Tel: +61 (0) 8 8204 5511 
Fax: +61 (0) 8 8224 0337 
http://www.flinders.sa.gov.au/ 

Repromed 
The Reproductive Medicine Unit 
Wakefield Clinic 
270 Wakefield Street 
ADELAIDE SA 5000 
Tel.: +61 (0) 8 8232 5100 
Fax: +61 (0) 8 8224 0337 
http://www.repromed.com.au/ 

Repromed 
The Reproductive Medicine Unit 
Queen Elizabeth Hospital 
28 Woodville Road 
ADELAIDE SA 5001 
Tel.: +61 (0) 8 8222 6782 
Fax: +61 (0) 8 8222 6080 
http://www.repromed.com.au/ 


Tasmania 
Sydney IVF Launceston
37 Elphin Road
LAUNCESTON TAS 7250 
Phone: +61 (0) 3 6331 6400 
Fax: +61 (0) 3 6331 4617
http://www.sydneyivf.com/ 

TasIVF 
St Helen's Hospital
186 Macquarie Street
HOBART TAS 7000
Tel: +61 (0) 3 6221 6501
Fax: +61 (0) 3 6223 4996
Victoria 

Melbourne IVF 
320 Victoria Parade 
EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002 
Phone: +61 (0) 3 9473 4444 
Fax: +61 (0) 3 9415 7101 
http://www.mivf.com.au/ 

Mercy Assisted Conception Centre 
2nd Floor, St. Francis Building 
Gipps Street 
EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002 
Tel: +61 (0) 3 9270 3674 
Fax: +61 (0) 3 9270 2673 
Mildura Reproductive Medicine Unit 
4 Healthscope Court 
MILDURA VIC 3500 
Tel: +61 (0) 3 5021 4404 
Fax: +61 (0) 3 5021 4405 

Monash IVF 
4th Floor 
89 Bridge Road 
Epworth Hospital 
RICHMOND VIC 3121 
Tel: +61 (0) 3 9429 9188 
Fax: +61 (0) 3 9427 1973 
http://www.monashivf.edu.au/ 

Monash IVF 
Suite 2 
Monash Day Surgery 
252 Clayton Road 
CLAYTON VIC 3168 
Tel: +61 (0) 3 9543 2833 
Fax: +61 (0) 3 9562 7710 
http://www.monashivf.edu.au/ 

Royal Women`s Hospital 
Reproductive Biology Unit 
132 Grattan Street 
CARLTON VIC 3053 
Tel: +61 (0) 3 9344 2826 
Fax: +61 (0) 3 9349 1387 
http://www.rch.unimelb.edu.au/rwh/spec-health/RBU.htm 

Western Australia 
Concept Fertility Centre King Edward Memorial Hospital
Bagot Road 
SUBIACO WA 6008
Tel: +61 (0) 8 9382 2388 
Fax: +61 (0) 8 9381 3603 
http://www.conceptfert.com.au/ 

Fertility West 
Suite 47A 
Mount Medical Centre 
146 Mounts Bay Road 
PERTH WA 6000 
Tel: +61 (0) 8 9321 1997 
Fax: +61 (0) 8 9321 1962 
http://www.mounthospital.com.au/fertility_services/ 

Hollywood Fertility Centre 
Hollywood Private Hospital, 
Monash Avenue, 
Nedlands, 
Western Australia 6009 
Tel: 08-9346 7100 
Fax: 08-9386 1463 
http://www.hwfc.com.au/ 

Pivet Fertility Centre 
166 - 168 Cambridge Street 
LEEDERVILLE WA 6007 
Tel: +61 (0) 8 9382 1677 
Fax: +61 (0) 8 9382 4576 
http://www.pivet.com.au/ 


Repromed
University of Adelaide
http://www.repromed.com.au/

About 
http://www.repromed.com.au/ABOUTUS.html


A bit farther south of you!
?The Reproductive Medicine Center in Albury, 560 kilometers (340
miles) southwest of Sydney?
http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/auspac/12/18/australia.sperm/


Albury Reproductive Medicine Unit 
1084 Pemberton Street 
ALBURY NSW 2640 
Tel: +61 (0) 2 6041 2677 
Fax: +61 (0) 2 6041 2118 
City West IVF 
12 Caroline Street 
WESTMEAD NSW 2145 
Tel: +61 (0) 2 9689 1313 
Fax: +61 (0) 2 9633 3730 
http://www.ivf.com.au 



Counseling Place
Perhaps an appointment with the Counseling Place can offer you some insight.
http://www.counsellingplace.com.au/



 About donors and artificial insemination

http://www.bchealthguide.org/kbase/topic/detail/other/hw202610/detail.htm

http://www.obgyn.ufl.edu/ENDO/PatientHandouts/Artificial%20Insemination%20Using%20Anonymous%20Donors.pdf

http://www.monashivf.edu.au/library/factsheets/donor_embryo.html

http://www.fertilitext.org/p2_doctor/ai.html

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/ideas_belief/bioethics/Bioethics_Fertility_TO/Bioethics_AI/Bioethics_SingleAI.htm

http://www.locateadoc.com/questions.cfm/337

http://lesbianlife.about.com/b/a/189365.htm

http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/preconception/fertilityproblems/4092.html


I hope this will help you locate a clinic. If any part of my answer is
unclear, I will be happy to assist you further, before you rate.
Simply request an Answer Clarification, and I will respond as soon as
possible.

Sincerely, Crabcakes


Search Terms
============= 

Reproductive medicine + Sydney, Australia
Sydney, Australia + IVF
Sydney, Australia + infertility clinics
Sydney, Australia + artificial insemination
AI + anonymous donor

Hi

I must say, you're lucky you live in Sydney. In Victoria, the law
expressly forbids single women and lesbians from having access to
donor sperm or fertility treatments, unless they are 'medically'
infertile!!! We're working on getting that changed.

I don't know if you're straight, but in any case, you'll probably find
yourself facing the same arguments that lesbians and gay men face
about becoming a parent. This means that many sites about lesbian
parenting will have relevant info/links/support for you.

To this end, in addition to the suggestions that Google have offered,
I suggest it's worth contacting Maybe Baby in
Melbourne(http://www.maybebaby.org.au/ or email
maybebabymelbourne@yahoo.com.au). It's a group for lesbians and gay
men, but they can probably hook you up with other straight women who
are wanting to become parents. They also have useful/relevant info on
their website. Don't confuse this Maybe Baby with the Sydney-based
site called Maybe Baby which is for a fertility testing product!!!

Also, the Women's Hospital published an excellent booklet called
'Preparing for Parenting' which, whilst written for lesbians, gives
lots of excellent info.

Best wishes, hope your dreams for becoming a mum become reality!

Elizabeth

IVF does not have a great success rate even when all conditions are
right. Your advanced maternal age (35+) will not make you a good
candidate.  Also, fertility treatments are reported to be quite
painful.  This may not be an option for you at this time, but your
best option may be to try the "old fashioned" way to get pregnant.

Hi. I am 46 and have just had a baby via IVF donor. I got pregnant
first try. Your main problem is age related birth disorders (i.e.
Down's Syndrome) but now you can have Aneuploidy screening to clear
your embryos of genetic disorders before they are implanted. Do not
listen to the woe is you crowd. You will NEVER have a baby if you
don't try! I found the IVF procedures had minimal side effects and NO
pain. Others have had side effects due to the hormones and feel pain
for a day or two after egg collection. Even if you are one of the
minority who have an extreme pain sensitivity, surely this is
preferable to the horror of a life without children. Contact You may
waste a whole year trying to get pregnant via sex...you do not have
this time to waste...also genetic abnormalities chances put you at 1
in 20 of having a child with a disorder with no testing. I went to
Repromed http://www.repromed.com.au
 in S.A. where single women are treated and they supply a screened
donor and there is a good range of donors to choose from. I did all my
preimplantation treatments at a local clinic and then went to S.A. for
about 10 days for egg collection, fertilisation, embryo testing and
implantation.
Current statistics say only 5% of women over 40 using IVF should have
a live birth but in my local mothers' group 4 out of the 9 mothers are
over 40 and had children via IVF. So don't govern your life on
statistics. Someone has to be one of those 5 women...why can't it be
you? Take no crap from anyone. If you are determined...you will have a
child. If it doesn't work, why not apply for overseas adoption now? It
will be cheaper and not take as long.
I got approved in a year but was told I had to pull out when pregnant.
The Donor Support Group is great and has lots of contacts and info; 
http://www.dcsg.org.au
I will not wish you luck. People often congratulate me on being so
lucky to have a child at my age...I say...no luck involved...I MADE my
luck and so can you. Make your appointment tomorrow, every month is an
egg!