The following are resources for new and prospective parents via egg and sperm donation. Included are books for children, parents and prospective parents as well as websites and Instagram accounts. I’ve also included websites that share insights and perspective directly from donor conceived people. No matter where you are at in the process, the time to read and research is NOW. Happy reading!
Children’s Books
Please note that the best book about donor conception is the one that you READ to your child. Research shows that telling a child “early and often” (3 years and younger) is best and, no matter what book you read, and telling is better than not telling. There is a wide variety of childrens books on donor conception – pick the books that resonates with you and your family, even if it’s not on my list, below.
General Books About Reproduction
Making A Baby
By Rachel Greener & Clare Owen
“An INCLUSIVE guide to how every family begins.”
Please note that this book contains content and an illustration of vaginal intercourse.
It’s NOT the Stork!
Written by Robie H. Harris & Illustrated by Michael Emberley
Ages 4 and up. Please note that this book describes vaginal intercourse, without illustrations.
What Makes a Baby
Written by Cory Silverberg & Illustrated by Fiona Smyth
“A book for every kind of FAMILY and every kind of KID”
This is a general book about how babies are made. It does not describe IVF or intercourse but does describe and illustrate vaginal and cesarean delivery. Especially wonderful for trans and non-binary parents, as gender is not assumed.
Books About Donor Conception
Building My Family: A Story of Egg Donation and Surrogacy
Written by Carrie Eichberg, Psy.D. & Illustrated by Elizabeth Parkinson
Our Story: How We Became a Family
Written by Nina Barnsley & Stephanie Clarkson, Illustrated by Gabi Froden
Published by Donor Conception Network
Stories for various conception and family types.
Happy Together
Written by Julie Marie & Illustrated by Ashley Lucas
Stories for various conception and family types.
From The Start: A Book About Love and Making Families
Written by Stephanie Levich & Alana Weiss, Illustrated by Darren Gate
-A concise, inclusive book about how families are made via IUI and IVF, donor gametes, surrogacy and adoption.
Books for Recipient Parents
Talking with Friends and Family 2 Booklet Bundle
Donor Conception Network
Includes: “Telling and Talking with Family and Friends” + “Our Family”
Telling and Talking 0-7yrs
Donor Conception Network
A BRIEF guide on how to share your child’s conception story with them
Let’s Talk About Egg Donation
by Marna Gatlin & Carole Leiber Wilkins MFT
Three Makes Baby
by Jana M. Rapnow LPC
Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love
by Dani Shapiro
We Are Family: The Modern Transformation of Parents and Children
by Susan Golombok
“Susan Golombok is one of the world’s leading experts on new family forms. She is Director of the Centre for Family Research at the University of Cambridge, a Professorial Fellow at Newnham College, Cambridge, and was a Visiting Professor at Columbia University in New York in 2005-2006 and retains an affiliation there. Golombok has often testified before governments and her research was used as evidence in the US Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage in 2015. She lives in Cambridge, England.”
Websites
Fertility Out Loud
Resources and guidance about infertility, in general
Resolve – The National Infertility Association
Find a support group near you and more
Donor Conception Network
Resources for Recipient Parents – UK based organization
US Donor Conceived Council
US Donor Conceived Council – Resources
“US Donor Conceived Council strives to increase awareness of the needs, interests, and challenges of donor conceived people that advance change that promotes and protects their health, welfare, and human rights.”
We Are Donor Conceived
Resources for donor conceived people
A lens into the experiences of donor conceived people and their unique experiences.
Donor Sibling Registry
A place for parents and donors to register, in hopes of connecting with genetic family. Many parents register to connect their DC children with siblings.
Parents Via Egg Donation
Nonprofit with various resources for recipient parents
EM•POWER with Moxi is an organization dedicated to all things embryo donation. Whether you are considering embryo donation as a disposition option for your remaining embryos, or interested in family building through embryo donation, EM•POWER offers education, virtual events, individual and group support, and a unique virtual community specific to embryo donation. EM•POWER has also created a first-of-its-kind open matching platform where embryo donors and recipients can connect and match and get the psychosocial and logistical support they need along the way.
Connect: hello@empowerwithmoxi.com
Instagram
@expectinganything
Victoria Nino, mama of Flo (Non Identified egg donor conception) and her “Star” baby (Identified egg donor conception).
@pursuingfatherhood
Daddy of Delaney, via sperm donation.
*Please note: Links are provided for convenience and are NOT affiliate links. I do not financially benefit from purchases via the links above.
