Sometimes it takes more than two to make a baby.
Family building can look different for everyone. Whether it’s due to expected or unexpected medical intervention, using donor gametes or embryos, or a gestational carrier, the road to creating the family you’ve dreamed of may not be so straight and narrow. I’m here to provide support, education, and consultation as you navigate the many choices and decisions to create the family you’ve dreamed of.
Dr. Jensen has extensive training in screening gamete donors and providing educational counseling for those using donor gametes or embryo(s), or a gestational carrier.
The requirement to obtain a psychological evaluation or attend an educational counseling session may feel like another task on an already complicated and long journey to having a baby. My goal is for our time together to be valuable and to assist you in feeling prepared for the unexpected and unknown as you take the next steps to building your family.
Psychoeducational Counseling for Intended Parents and Recipient Parents
If a part of your family building journey involves using donor eggs, sperm, embryos, or a gestational carrier, it’s likely that you’ve been recommended or required to meet with a mental health professional. While this may feel like one more task or box to check off, I strive to make this a valuable experience where we can explore a variety of topics and increase your preparedness for parenthood. We’ll address topics including the implications of a donor or GS arrangement, feelings of grief and loss, when and how to disclose, how cultural background and identities intersect and impact beliefs and communication, and how to have conversations with your child about their conception. At the conclusion of the appointment, I will provide a written summary to your clinic or agency and provide you with a tailored resource guide.
Psychological evaluation for gamete (egg and sperm) donors.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommends that all sperm and egg donors undergo psychological screening and implications counseling prior to making a donation. The psychological screening involves an interview and completing a questionnaire and aims to gather a picture of the donor’s psychological health. The counseling portion of the appointment tends to be more educational in nature and involve discussion about privacy and identity disclosure, future contact with offspring, risks and considerations of being a donor, and implications for communicating with one’s partner and/or children. A written report is provided to the referring agency or clinic and recommended resources are provided to the donor.
Embryo Donation Consultations
The decision to donate an embryo and be the recipient of an embryo involves several considerations. Dr. Jensen provides educational consultation and counseling for those who are looking to donate, those who will be recipients, and for donor/recipient groups who have been matched. The consultation session is focused on discussion regarding disclosure, long-term impacts on the family, needs of the donor conceived person(s), grief and loss, values when selecting a donor, anonymity and privacy, donor sibling contact, how to manage learning and sharing medical and health information, and preparing for unsuccessful treatment. Following the appointment, a written summary will be provided to the referring agency or clinic and all parties will be provided with a recommended resource list.
Gestational carrier evaluations and arrangements.
Having a child through surrogacy or a gestational carrier (GC) can feel like a complex process. From identifying an agency to considering important qualities and expectations for your GC, there’s a lot to consider and big decisions to make.
Becoming a gestational carrier and giving another family the gift of a child is a gracious act. Prior to becoming a GC, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommends that the GC (and her partner, if applicable) undergo psychological evaluation and counseling. The evaluation involves an interview and a standardized psychological test to gather information about the GC and her partner’s psychological health and interpersonal factors.
It also involves education and counseling about the risks and implications of being a GC, various medical and health considerations, communication between GC and intended parents, and managing future contact and relationships.
Following a “match” between a gestational carrier and the intended parents, it is strongly recommended that both parties attend a joint meeting to discuss and communicate expectations prior to, during and after the pregnancy and birth. This ensures that there is agreement about expectations, communication, and a positive experience for all parties throughout the journey and well into the future.