How long is the cooling off period for psycho-social preparation/counselling in cases of known donation?
The Directions under the Human Reproductive Technology Act 1991 state that a cooling off period for psycho-social preparation/counseling must follow the completion of the initial counselling session in cases of known donation. The cooling off period for both egg and embryo donation is three (3) months followed by the quarantine period of 180 days. Therefore recipients of donor eggs or embryos are required to wait nine (9) months before proceeding with treatment using the donated eggs or embryos. The cooling off period for sperm donation is six (6) months. This period generally coincides with the 180 days quarantine period required for donated sperm. In cases where the donor sperm has already been quarantined for six (6) months, the cooling off period is reduced to 3 months. Generally recipients of donor sperm are required to wait six (6) months before proceeding with treatment. (See NOTICES on Information for Clinics page).
