Advice wanted on donating an egg

**lilipad23** · 03-09-2007 19:54

Hi everyone.
I am seriously considering donating an egg to a couple who would love to have a family. Although i think it something i very much want to do i would love any advice on donating. I am aware of the practicalities such as age, having to have a family etc. whatt i am after is advice from people who have donated -their experience (positive or negative)and although through this thread i am not looking for a recipient - all people looking for an egg are welcome to reply and give me an insight into their life and how being unable to concieve has affected them.
thank you everybody.
ann.

xxxx

**Roxy** · 03-09-2007 20:43

Hi Lilipad!

There is loads of information in this section - and a really good place to start in in the sticky's at the top. They contain some really good stuff about the who's, what's, why's and wherefores that a donor starting out should know.

If you have any other questions - fire away!

**Mash** · 03-09-2007 21:24

Hi Ann.. Good on you for wanting to donate and find out info!
I have a daughter who I love to pieces and she is only here because my good friend Rox decided to donate her eggs and we became friends.. Its been a really positive experience for us and we have a great relationship.. My daughter is 9 months old.
Just wanted to say asking recipients to come here and share what their life is like being unable to concieve is probably a bit raw for any of us to do.. Its heartbreaking for all of us. We all have stories of how we got to where we are. When you are looking for someone.. find someone who wants the same as you and who you click with, because a lot of stories will pull at your heartstrings..but you can't help everyone. Anyone on this journey wants children desperately, and has had a tough road.
My daughter completes me.. and our little family. theres not much more that I can say besides that. This was the only way I could have had that..and been so blessed with her and the little person that she is and the person that she will become.. That is what you are thinking about giving someone..

**lilipad23** · 04-09-2007 09:43

thanks for your advice mash!
In time i hope to find a person i click with and hopefully have the wonderful outcome that you , your family and donor have experienced.

Thanks again.
ann.
xxx

**kandd** · 04-09-2007 10:10

Hi Lillipad,

Thank you for considering to be a donor. I hope one day you may find a recipient couple who you "click" with and are willing to give this wonderful and generous gift to.

I like Mash am a recipent. I was lucky enough to find our donor here on Bubhub 12 months ago. The link in my signature will take you to our joint story that we decided to publicly share in the hope of somehow helping/encouraging others. You will see that we have developed and absolutlely wonderful friendship and that a very close bond has developed between our two families.

Unfortunately, I fell pregnant and had a very early m/c. We have 6 embryos on ice and will be having a second attempt very soon. Sarah (our donor) has given us an opportunity to have a family after many years of heartbreak. There are no words that can relay how grateful that I feel for the opportunity.

Diana xx

**lilipad23** · 04-09-2007 10:32

Thanks for your reply, it is really nice to hear from you.
Getting encouragment is very welcome as the whole process is a bit overwhelming. But reading everyones stories helps.
I think donating would be easier if you didnt have to have a family to donate. It is my child that makes it even more daunting. The fact that she is very much involved in this and not just during the donating stage with possible travel and all that is involved but in the future if a child was born from my eggs.

I am taking my time to make sure i make the best decision for my own family aswell as helping someones dream of having a family come true.

Thanks again.

Ann. xxxxx

**Roxy** · 04-09-2007 10:37

Ann,

I took my kids to Melbourne with me when it came time for egg pick up. I treated it like a holiday for them, and they had a great time. They spent the morning with Mash and her DH whilst I was in hospital, but that was the only time that I couldn't be with them.

The next time Mash and I cycle, we will arrange EPU to be during my DD's school holidays, so it won't impact on her schooling, and again, a holiday in Melbourne for them will just be another grand adventure!

Good on you for taking your time and doing your research. It really makes a difference to your expectations when you have taken the time to get to know all you can about egg donation.

**lilipad23** · 04-09-2007 10:41

thanks for that - it is great to hear from toher people who have children involved inthe process.
i must admit my daughter is only 1 so it would make it easier to travel with her if i had too.
I do not know alot on the actual process of transfering the egss though.
Could you give me advice on the medical side - what tests i will undergo and what drugs etc and procedures for them to take eggs.

thanks heaps!!

ann.xxx

**Roxy** · 04-09-2007 10:53

As a donor, you will undergo some intial bloodtests (most clinics just check for STD's, some do more testing for genetic conditions like Cystic Fibrosis etc).

Then, after counselling, you undergo a full IVF cycle - normally starts with you and your recipient on the pill to sync your cycles, then the donor will use a down regulation drug that puts her ovaries into a peri-menopausal state (so that you don't ovulate!). This is normally done with either a nasal spray or injections.

During the down-reg phase, you will have a trans-vaginal scan, to ensure that your ovaries are "sleeping", and once that is confirmed, then you get to start on the stim drugs, that will stimulate your ovaries into producing more than one egg. The stim drugs are injections, but are more often than not injected using a pen like system (a bit like an epipen). You will most likely have at least 2 more trans-vaginal scans, to check on follicle development, and once the follicles are nearly ripe, you have your last injection (trigger shot) to get your ovaries ready to ovulate.

Approx 36hrs after your trigger, you will be in a hospital gown, being greeted by the specialist who will remove the eggs from your ovaries using a very fine needle, that is inserted vaginally. You can choose to have a sedation or full anaesthetic for this.

After that, you go to recovery, and your eggs are whisked off to the lab where they get to tango with your recipients partner's sperm. It's is the embryo's that are formed in the lab that will then be transferred to your IM after a few days. Then you go on to get AF and hopefully your IM gets her BFP!

Sorry for the novel - I hope that is what you were asking!

**lilipad23** · 04-09-2007 14:10

no -that was great! I want to be well informed before i get someones hopes up about being a possible donor.
If you have time could you please tell me what happens after the eggs are extracted. how long til i can leave the clinic - 1hr etc. And do i continue on with any drugs after that? And can i go off the pill or do i have to stay on it until my IM has a successful transfer.
And what if any are the side effects from the nasal spray and shots? i did read a query about weight???

Thanks for all your help.

Ann.
xxxxx