Philipp Marx
Founder of RattleStork
Philipp Marx is a founder of RattleStork and a former international sperm donor. He writes from first-hand experience about sperm donation, co-parenting, and alternative paths to parenthood.
Before founding RattleStork, Philipp donated sperm in several countries. That experience showed him how differently people approach donor conception, trust, personal boundaries, and co-parenting.
At RattleStork, he combines that perspective with publicly available sources and practical guidance for donors, recipients, and prospective co-parents. His personal experience is not a substitute for medical or legal advice.
Articles by this author
Total published articles:220
Home insemination in Canada: timing, safety, and legal basics
A practical guide to home insemination, from ovulation timing and fresh sperm handling to safety and Canadian legal basics.
How long does sperm survive? Practical timelines for saliva, air, skin, water, and condoms
Most people are not asking for theory. They want to judge one real situation: semen drying on skin, saliva contact, a used condom, toilet water, or a sample cup.
Pregnant from pre-ejaculate? Risk without ejaculation, facts on fertile days and protection
Starting question: can you get pregnant from pre-ejaculatory fluid alone, without ejaculation inside the vagina.
Blue Balls (Epididymal Congestion): Causes, Symptoms & Relief
Blue balls - medically known as epididymal congestion or testicular congestion - describe a dull ache or sense of heaviness in the testicles after sexual arousal without ejaculation.
Egg Donation in Canada: Process, Costs, Success Rates, Risks, and the Legal Framework
Egg donation can be the most realistic path to pregnancy for some people, but in Canada it is never only a medical decision.
Sperm cramps - an internet myth with no medical basis
The phrase “sperm cramps” sounds technical, but it is not a medical term.
Co-Parenting in Canada: Definition, Common Models, Daily Life, Communication and Planning
Co-parenting means sharing parenthood intentionally, without a romantic relationship being required.
Semen analysis: what happens, how to prepare, how to understand results, and what to do next
A semen analysis is a standardised lab test of a semen sample and is often the first check when male-factor fertility issues are suspected.
Preimplantation Genetic Testing 2025 - Process, Costs and Law in Canada
Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) allows embryos created in an IVF or ICSI cycle to be analyzed for specific genetic conditions before they are transferred to the uterus.
COVID‑19 vaccination and male fertility: Can it make you infertile?
What research and semen analyses tell us about COVID‑19 vaccination, male fertility, and unvaccinated donor sperm.
In vitro fertilization: IVF steps, timeline, success rates, and costs explained
In vitro fertilization, usually called IVF, is a medically guided fertility treatment with clear steps but many decisions: which protocol to use, timing, transfer strategy, safety management, and budget.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection: ICSI process, indications, success factors, risks, and costs explained clearly
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, known as ICSI, is a specialized form of in vitro fertilization that was developed primarily to overcome significant male-factor fertility issues.
Intrauterine insemination: IUI process, success chances, timing, risks, and costs explained clearly
Intrauterine insemination, often called IUI, is a well-established fertility treatment.Intracervical insemination: ICI process, timing, success rates, safety, costs and how it differs from IUI, IVF and ICSI
Intracervical insemination, or ICI, is a form of artificial insemination in which a semen sample is placed close to the cervix and fertilization still takes place inside the body.
Assisted reproduction in Canada 2025: methods, success rates & costs
“Assisted reproduction” isn’t a single procedure but a toolkit.
Linea nigra in pregnancy – what it is and what to do
Linea nigra is a darker line down the middle of the abdomen that many people notice during pregnancy.
Implantation: When it happens, how long it takes, and what symptoms are realistic
Implantation is one of the most searched topics during the wait after ovulation.
Luteal phase deficiency: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and evidence-based treatment
Luteal phase deficiency means progesterone doesn’t work strongly enough, or long enough, in the second half of the menstrual cycle; it’s also called luteal insufficiency.
Understanding cervical mucus: identifying fertile days and noticing warning signs
Cervical mucus changes over the course of the menstrual cycle.
Ovulation explained: your fertile window, signs and tests
Your chance of pregnancy clusters into just a few days per cycle.
LH surge and ovulation tests: a practical guide to fertile days
The LH surge is an important timing signal around ovulation and can make fertile-day planning more realistic.
Breast growth and breast pain in pregnancy: causes, tips, and FAQs
If your breasts feel tight, tingly, or tender to the touch during pregnancy, that is often part of normal changes.