Artificial insemination by donor as an alternative for childless couples in South Africa: A pilot study

Data obtained during 1981 - 1983 from an investigation of artificial insemination by donor (AID) as an alternative for childless couples in which 93 gynaecologists participated undeniably proved that AID, although operating on a relatively small scale, is already firmly established in South Africa. General practitioners appear to be well informed as to which gynaecologists couples can be referred to for AID. Gynaecologists who practice AID do not necessarily prefer AID to adoption. With the exception of a few, the majority of gynaecologists are in favour of a counseling service for childless couples where they can freely discuss their feelings of loss and evaluate various alternatives, such as remaining childless, adoption or AID. Despite the fact that selection of couples for AID in terms of the important psychosocial parameters is primarily a non-medical activity, it appears that by far the majority of gynaecologists carry out this selection themselves without necessarily being trained for such a task.