The Truth About Egg and Sperm Donor Family Limits: What They Mean for Your Family

By Lisa Schuman, LCSW

The news often highlights stories of donor-conceived children unknowingly dating in high school or feeling overwhelmed by the number of donor siblings they have. Some programs have attempted to share information with each other in order to “track” how many times a donor contributes. The response to these efforts is often relief or excitement. But are egg and sperm donor family limits actually feasible? 

It’s understandable that the idea of a solution prompts a positive reaction—after all, the alternative feels overwhelming. While it is upsetting, managing this issue is not impossible. In fact, it’s essential to take steps to address it. 

Why Donor Limits Matter for Families

The Netflix film The Man With 1000 Children has drawn significant attention to the topic. While the story can feel paralyzing, it’s important to look at the facts and consider what can realistically be done. 

Understanding Sperm Donor Family Limits

Jonathan Jacob Meijer, the principal subject of the film, lived in Denmark—a small country that attempts to limit the number of donations per donor. Even with these guidelines, he was able to donate to multiple clinics worldwide and to many individual families. The U.S. is far larger and lacks federal regulations. While some programs try to limit donor activity through contracts or inter-clinic communication, if Denmark couldn’t control one donor in a small country, it’s unlikely that donors can be fully limited in the U.S. 

Understanding Egg Donation and the Potential for Multiple Donor Siblings

Because sperm donation is easier than egg donation, children conceived via egg donation are less likely to have numerous donor siblings—but it’s still possible. A donor can contribute eggs to multiple programs, clinics, or even friends and family. A young donor may produce more eggs than one family needs, leading to extra embryos that are frozen for years. In the U.S., over 1 million embryos are in storage, some of which have led to live births decades later. 

What Donor Siblings Mean for Your Family

What does this mean for families? Your child may have many donor-related siblings worldwide, including some much younger than them. 

Exploring Donor Sibling Registries or Limits

Could software or stricter limits solve this? Should we monitor donors or restrict embryo storage? These are complex questions without immediate solutions. 

Talking With Your Child About Donor Siblings

What can be done? Parents can connect with donors when possible and maintain open communication with their children. Face-to-face or virtual contact can reinforce a donor’s commitment, though it’s no guarantee.

The most important step is talking with your child. Help them understand that having many donor-related siblings is possible, and that some may be classmates—or even potential dating partners. If curiosity arises, home DNA tests can provide clarity. Children may respond differently to this knowledge—some embrace it, others may feel uneasy. 

Openness and Honest Conversations

Ultimately, openness and honest conversation are key. While you can’t control everything, you can help your child navigate their family story with understanding, preparation, and care. 

Every Family’s Story Is Unique

If you’re exploring egg or sperm donation, Everie offers the guidance, transparency, and care you need to feel confident at every step. Find an egg donor and learn how we support ethical, informed family building.