A Checklist for First-Time Users of Donor Matching Platforms

Everything you need to know before getting started

Starting Your Journey with Confidence

Taking the first step toward building your family using donor conception can be exciting, emotional, and at times overwhelming. Whether you’re exploring artificial insemination or natural conception options, donor matching platforms offer access to potential matches who align with your personal values, preferences, and vision for the future.

For first-time users, it’s important to know what to expect and how to prepare. This guide is designed to walk you through the key considerations and steps so you can feel confident and informed as you begin your journey.

1. Clarify Your Intentions and Family Goals

Before registering on a platform, take time to reflect on your motivations and what you’re looking for in a donor or co-parenting partner. Some important questions to ask yourself include:

Are you seeking a sperm or egg donor, or looking for a known co-parent?
Do you prefer natural conception, artificial insemination, or IVF support?
How involved do you want the donor to be in your child’s life?
Are you open to co-parenting arrangements, or do you want to be a sole parent?

Understanding your family-building goals will help guide your decisions and conversations on the platform.

2. Choose a Reputable Platform

Not all donor matching platforms are created equal. Choose one that prioritises:

Safety and ethical standards
Profile verification and background checks
Advanced matching filters (e.g., eye colour, ancestry, medical history)
Privacy protection and identity management
Resources and emotional support for users

Platforms like Two Worlds One Family are designed to uphold compassionate values and ethical practices, providing a trusted space for people navigating fertility and family planning.

3. Prepare Your Profile Thoughtfully

Creating your user profile is your first opportunity to share your story and intentions. A strong profile can help you connect with people who resonate with your values.

Include:

A warm and clear introduction
Your family vision and what you’re looking for in a donor or match
Non-identifying but meaningful personal information
Preferences about donor involvement (anonymous, known, co-parent)
Your openness to different communication styles or arrangements

Be honest and respectful. Clear communication sets the foundation for strong, informed connections.

4. Understand the Legal and Emotional Implications

Donor conception is not just a medical decision; it’s a personal and legal one as well. Before proceeding, consider:

Legal contracts: These outline roles, responsibilities, and parental rights. A fertility lawyer can help you create or review agreements.
Donor identity access: In many places, children born through donor conception have the right to access information about their donor when they reach a certain age.
Family limits: Some states or countries limit the number of families a donor can help create.
State or national registers: In Australia, registers like the NSW Health Central Register document donor births and ensure transparency.

You should also prepare for the emotional realities of donor conception. Counselling is often recommended and sometimes required for both donors and recipients.

5. Use the Platform’s Tools to Narrow Your Search

Matching platforms provide filters that can help you find people whose values and traits align with yours. Some of the criteria you may wish to explore include:

Physical attributes (eye and hair colour, ethnicity, height)
Age, location, or willingness to travel
Medical or genetic history
Religious or cultural values
Willingness to be identifiable vs anonymous

Some users are drawn to physical resemblances, while others prioritise shared values or open communication. There is no right or wrong — just what feels right for your journey.

6. Take Time to Build Trust

Once you begin connecting with potential donors or recipients, approach conversations with curiosity, openness, and caution. Ask questions, take your time, and don’t feel pressured to make decisions quickly.

Some key topics to discuss early on include:

Family background and upbringing
Health history and any known genetic concerns
Expectations about contact, anonymity, and future involvement
Values around parenting, identity, and donor disclosure to children

If at any point something feels off or unsafe, trust your instincts. Reputable platforms should allow you to report concerns and block accounts.

7. Consider Counselling and Support

Connecting with a fertility counsellor or psychologist can offer valuable emotional support. Counselling can help you:

Clarify your intentions
Navigate complex emotions like grief, hope, or anxiety
Plan how to talk to your future child about their origins
Prepare for interactions with donors or co-parents

Many platforms and clinics require counselling as part of the process, but even when it’s optional, it’s often incredibly helpful.

8. Prepare for the Next Steps

Once a connection is made, you may move on to:

Fertility clinic consultations
Legal agreements or documentation
Medical screening for donors
Timing and planning for insemination or IVF

Be patient with the process – it may take time to find the right match and complete the necessary steps. Remember that support is available at every stage.

Using a donor matching platform can be a deeply empowering way to build your family. With the right preparation, honest communication, and emotional support, you can approach the journey with confidence and clarity.

Every path to parenthood is unique. Whether you’re starting as a single parent, in a couple, or navigating infertility, donor conception offers hope, connection, and the chance to create the family you’ve dreamed of.