Anderson Karyn, Goedeke Sonja, Bertrand Solene, Hamilton Rebecca, Snelling Jeanne, Ahuriri-Driscoll Annabel, Wakeman Sarah, Farquhar Cynthia
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
Fertil Steril. 2025 Aug 6. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2025.07.1221.
To study whether parents are disclosing donor conception to their children and what their experiences of disclosure are.
Cross-sectional survey, inclusive of all parents of donor-conceived children born from 2006 to 2016 after clinic-based sperm, egg, or embryo donation in New Zealand, conducted over 6 weeks from June 2024.
Parents with a donor-conceived child aged 7-18 years were invited to complete an anonymous, online survey. Parents with more than one donor-conceived child, were sent a single invitation and asked to complete the survey with reference to their eldest eligible child.
Parents with a donor-conceived child born after the introduction of legislation in 2005 mandating donors be identifiable.
The survey included questions about disclosure decisions and experiences, including familiarity with legislation and support services accessed; Quantitative data were statistically analyzed using Stata 17BE (2021, Stata Statistical Software: Release 17, StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX). Qualitative data were analyzed drawing on Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis steps.
Three hundred eighty one responses were received from 1,317 invitations; 7 were not eligible and 374 responses were included in data analysis (response rate 28.4%). Overall, 86% of parents had disclosed, whereas 12% had not yet told but planned to. No differences in disclosure were found across donor (clinic/family/friend), donation type, or having current access to donor identifying information. Although most parents felt comfortable with disclosure, 23% had at least some concerns about disclosure/use of donor conception, and 25% reported receiving a mixed or negative reaction from their child. Most parents (71%) had not had professional support to disclose. Qualitatively, themes highlighted belief in the rights of children to access their genetic information, concerns around stigma, and the impact of donor conception on parent-child relationships, and the absence of support after donation.
Although most parents who answered the survey had disclosed, these results represent incomplete disclosure of donor conception among parents of donor-conceived children in New Zealand. Results may not be representative, given that parents who are open about donor conception may be more likely to participate in research on disclosure. Counseling services should be made available beyond those provided in the fertility treatment period to support parents in disclosing.
