FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Originally, RattleStork is a platform for sperm donation, home insemination, co-parenting, and various types of pregnancy. Not everyone is fortunate enough to conceive a biological child, and in some cases, it makes more sense to consider the topic of adoption.

This topic is controversially discussed in science! The question of declining fertility or infertility in men is complex and has various factors that can contribute. It is important to note that this is a continuously researched topic, and the exact reasons can vary depending on the region and population. Some of the possible reasons for reduced fertility in men are:

• Environmental Factors:
  Exposure to environmental pollution, toxins, and chemicals can affect fertility. For example, pesticides, endocrine disruptors, and heavy metals can have negative effects on sperm quality.
• Lifestyle Factors:
  Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drug abuse, an unhealthy diet, and lack of exercise can impact fertility.
• Stress:
  Chronic stress can affect the hormonal system and reduce sperm production.
• Overweight and Obesity:
  Overweight and obesity are linked to reduced fertility in men. This can be caused by hormonal changes and increased temperatures in the scrotum.
• Temperature:
  Wearing tight underwear or sitting with heated laptops on the lap can increase testicular temperature and affect sperm quality.
• Advanced Age:
  Older men may have reduced sperm quality, and the risk of genetic abnormalities in their offspring may be increased.
• Medical Causes:
  Some medical conditions such as varicocele (varicose veins in the scrotum), infections, and genetic anomalies can affect fertility.
• Hormonal Changes:
  Endocrine disorders or hormonal imbalances can affect sperm production.

It is important to emphasize that not all men are necessarily affected by these factors, and many men remain fertile nonetheless. If a couple experiences difficulties in conception, it is advisable to consult a specialist in reproductive medicine or urology to determine the exact cause of fertility problems and discuss appropriate steps for treatment or improvement of fertility.

There are several variants of Artificial Insemination that can be used depending on individual circumstances and medical requirements. Here are some common methods:

• In-vitro Fertilization (IVF):
  Eggs are retrieved outside the body and fertilized with sperm in the laboratory. The resulting embryos are then transferred into the uterus.
• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI):
  A single sperm is directly injected into a mature egg to facilitate fertilization.
• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI):
  Sperm is directly introduced into the uterus to increase the likelihood of fertilization. This is usually done during the natural menstrual cycle or after hormonal stimulation.
• Intracervical Insemination (ICI):
  Sperm is directly introduced into the cervix. In contrast to IVF or IUI, this is done without medical supervision and can be performed at home.
• Egg Donation:
  A woman donates her eggs, which are then fertilized with the partner's or a donor's sperm and transferred to the recipient.
• Sperm Donation:
  Donated sperm is introduced into the woman's uterus, either through IUI or IVF.
• Gestational Surrogacy:
  A woman carries a child for another couple, either with her own eggs and the partner's sperm or with donated eggs and sperm.

The decision for In-Vitro-Fertilisation (IVF) can be attributed to various reasons. For example, the woman's fallopian tubes may not be open, or the man's sperm may be too sluggish to navigate to the fallopian tubes.

In the context of IVF, multiple eggs are retrieved from the woman after prior hormonal treatment (the medications are often expensive). This procedure requires a surgical intervention and is performed under general anesthesia. After retrieval, the egg is fertilized outside the body, and it is stored in an incubator for several days. If there are no complications during hormonal treatment, such as cyst formation, the fertilized egg can be transferred to the woman's uterus in the same cycle. This process generally proceeds similarly unspectacularly to insemination in a doctor's office.

The success of IVF is highly dependent on the woman's age. On average, the likelihood of getting pregnant is about 40%. Transferring two fertilized eggs in the same cycle only slightly increases the probability to about 45%.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a method of assisted reproduction that is typically classified as artificial insemination. In this procedure, medical professionals usually transfer sperm cells via a catheter into the uterine cavity (uterus) at the time of conception optimum, bringing them closer to the matured egg(s) than in a natural fertilization immediately after sexual intercourse.

Intracervical Insemination is a method of artificial insemination where sperm is directly introduced into the cervix (neck of the uterus). Unlike in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI), ICI is performed without medical supervision and can be conveniently done at home.

Yes, women can theoretically get pregnant from pre-ejaculate, although the risk is very low. The actual pre-ejaculate is not produced in the testicles and does not contain sperm, but pre-ejaculate can come into contact with sperm on its way.

The term ovulation describes how eggs are released from the ovarian follicle during a woman's menstrual cycle. When the egg (or in rare cases, eggs) is released from the ovarian follicle, it is ready to be fertilized by a sperm cell. Ovulation occurs after the LH surge, which takes place about two weeks after the first day of menstruation.

The LH surge is a term used to describe the increase in luteinizing hormone and typically occurs on the 14th day of the menstrual cycle. When luteinizing hormone levels rise, it triggers ovulation within 36 to 40 hours. Once the egg is released, it can remain viable in the uterus for about 24 hours. This period is commonly referred to as the "fertile window," which is the only phase in a woman's menstrual cycle when conception is possible.

In a natural menstrual cycle, the LH surge usually occurs around the 14th day. However, if you are undergoing fertility treatment, whether with donor sperm or your partner's sperm, you receive a trigger shot to stimulate the production of necessary hormones, including the LH surge, to trigger ovulation.

What does the LH surge indicate?

The LH surge signals that ovulation is imminent. Ovulation is a crucial part of the female reproductive system, where an egg is released from the ovary. The hormone is produced by a part of the brain called the anterior pituitary. Throughout most of the menstrual cycle, LH levels remain relatively low.

How to detect the LH surge?

Recognizing and monitoring the LH surge is crucial when trying to conceive to increase your chances of conception. The most effective method for tracking your LH surge is to monitor your ovulation, determining the beginning and end of your cycle. You can use a calendar or a dedicated app to track and estimate when the LH surge might occur. It may take several cycles to become familiar with this process, so patience and consistency in your efforts are important.

Is an LH surge necessary for conception?

In short, yes, you need an LH surge to have ovulation and get pregnant. However, some women may have difficulty recognizing their LH surge as it can be relatively short. Monitoring your LH surge accurately is crucial to determine your fertile window and increase your chances of successful conception.

Implantation refers to the process in which a fertilized egg is embedded or implanted into the uterine lining.

A semen analysis , also called seminogram or spermiogram, evaluates certain characteristics of a male's semen and the sperm.

The transmission of diseases through sperm donation cannot be completely ruled out, although donors usually undergo comprehensive health tests.

The concept of semial congestion (blue balls) is a modern myth suggesting that the male testicle, due to continuous sperm production, leads to increased libido and alleged swelling of the scrotum during sexual abstinence without release through sexual intercourse or masturbation.

Sperm cramps is not a recognized or commonly used term in the medical field. It's possible that the phrase is a misunderstanding or a colloquial term. If you are experiencing discomfort, pain, or unusual sensations related to the reproductive system, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation and diagnosis.

The hope of becoming pregnant can be dashed by the occurrence of bleeding. However, not all bleeding is actually menstruation, and it is entirely possible for a woman to be pregnant despite bleeding.

As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, there is insufficient scientific evidence to suggest that vaccinations negatively affect sperm quality. Most vaccinations routinely administered are designed to strengthen and protect the immune system against specific diseases. They generally should not have a direct impact on sperm quality.

In the past, it was avoided to burden small children with the unadorned truth about their conception and birth. Therefore, the story of the stork bringing the children was invented. A white stork floats in flight above a house, without carrying a baby in its beak. Hence, the story of the stork bringing the children was invented. But where does this story of the rattling stork come from?

RattleStork.org has the largest database of sperm donors worldwide. You can easily sort them by distance or filter by area, making it very simple to find a sperm donor near you.

Take the opportunity to register now on RattleStork.org and contact a sperm donor or recipient.

RattleStork.org is the world's largest platform for private sperm donation, with the most women seeking sperm donors. You can easily earn money by helping women near you become pregnant.

You can register for free on RattleStork.orghere and start donating sperm.

Of course, there is no general answer to this question. However, one should be prepared for the fact that the legal situation changes more often than with other legal matters.

Donor children often have the right to claim unpaid child support for the rest of their lives. In some cases, attempts are made to avoid the issue by means of an adoption contract or other legal means. However, the legal situation is unclear and can change at any time.

This case study is valid for many countires around the world. A recent case (in Germany) demonstrates that private sperm donors may be granted visitation rights. A man provided a private sperm donation to a couple, agreeing to the adoption by the mother's partner, making them the legal parents of the child. Nevertheless, he had visitation rights with the family until 2018. When he sought to expand visitation, the parents declined, and contact was severed. Subsequently, the biological father applied for visitation rights, which were initially denied in the first two instances, citing a lack of legal basis. The Federal Court ruled in June 2021 that there might be a right to visitation under § 1686a (1) No. 1 BGB under certain circumstances. This depends on the genuine interest of the father and the welfare of the child (Decision of 16.06.2021, Ref. XII ZB 58/20). It does not matter that the child was adopted. The situation would be evaluated differently if the consent to adoption included a waiver of visitation rights, which was not the case. The Higher Regional Court must now decide how visitation rights will be structured. Since the donor demonstrates a genuine interest in his child, the child also has a right to their father. This judgment sets a precedent for other private sperm donors who wish to fulfill their duties as biological fathers.

In many countires donor-conceived children have the right to know who their genetic father, the donor, is. In many countires, there is a right derived from fundamental rights to knowledge about obtainable information regarding lineage (see Sperm Donor Registry Act).