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 India: timing, safety, and legal basics
A practical guide to home insemination, from ovulation timing and fresh sperm handling to safety and Indian legal basics.
How long can sperm survive? Practical timelines for saliva, air, skin, water, and condoms
Most people are not looking for textbook biology.
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 India: Process, Costs, Success Rates, Risks, and the Legal Framework
Egg donation can be the most realistic route to pregnancy for some people, but in India 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 India: Meaning, Models, Daily Life, Communication and Planning
In India, families are changing.
Semen analysis: procedure, preparation, understanding the numbers, and next steps
A semen analysis is a standardised laboratory test of a semen sample and is often the first investigation when male-factor fertility concerns are suspected.
Preimplantation Genetic Testing 2025 - Process, Costs and Law in India
Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) allows embryos created during an IVF or ICSI cycle to be analysed for specific genetic changes before they are transferred into 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 fertilisation: IVF process, timeline, success rates and costs explained
In vitro fertilisation, usually called IVF, is a medically managed fertility treatment with clear steps but many decisions: protocol choice, timing, transfer strategy, safety planning, and budget.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection: ICSI process, indications, success factors, risks and costs explained clearly
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, commonly called ICSI, is a specialised form of in vitro fertilisation developed primarily to overcome significant male-factor fertility issues.
Intrauterine insemination: IUI procedure, success chances, timing, risks, and costs explained clearly
Intrauterine insemination, commonly called IUI, is a well-established fertility treatment.Intracervical insemination: ICI process, timing, success rates, safety, costs and differences 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 fertilisation still takes place inside the body.
Assisted Reproduction in India 2025: methods, realistic success rates and costs
Assisted reproduction isn’t a single procedure but a toolkit - chosen based on cause, age and history, ranging from home insemination (ICI/IVI) to lab-based IVF/ICSI.
Linea nigra in pregnancy – causes, care, and when to consult
Linea nigra is a darker line along the midline of the abdomen that can become visible 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, testing and evidence-based treatment
Luteal phase deficiency means progesterone is not effective enough, or for long enough, in the second half of the menstrual cycle; it is often called luteal insufficiency.
Understanding cervical mucus: spotting fertile days and noticing warning signs
Cervical mucus changes across the menstrual cycle.
Ovulation explained: finding your fertile window, signs and tests
Your chance of pregnancy clusters into just a few days per cycle.
LH surge and ovulation tests: plan fertile days with a realistic window
The LH surge is an important timing signal around ovulation and helps you plan fertile days more realistically.
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.