Information Needed

[kazntrace]

Firstly, let me say that I had briefly heard of egg donation but didn't realise it was even a possibility in Australia until today when I come across information on the Melbourne IVF website. I was, incorrectly, under the assumption that surrogacy and egg donation were not really a viable option in Aust. This lead me to other websites and I found this site via a Yahoo search.

Next, I am one half (the younger half) of a committed, family orientated lesbian couple and we are going through the process of trying to get pregnant. We would both love to carry a child and my better half (who is 38) is up first being the older of us two by 7yrs. During the pre-pregnancy testing we've come across some possible problems so are waiting to see one of the leading fertility specialists in Melbourne (it's a long wait). It seems a likely possibility that my partner may need to use IVF.

Our dilemma is that we would love our children (those carried by both of us) to have the same father and with the possibility of my partner needing to use IVF and me probably having to go interstate for artificial insemination (AI) it will make it virtually impossible to use the same donor.

I (the younger half) have always had a very strong urge to be able to help (either via surrogacy or egg donation if it was ever available) others that are having trouble conceiving as I think children are the most beautiful, precious gift . This would be, of course, dependent on me not having any fertility issues of my own.

Now onto what I am wanting to know - does a woman have to already have completed her family/had children to be eligible to donate her eggs? Would it be legal for a heterosexual couple needing a egg donor and a lesbian couple needing a sperm donor to come to an agreement? This seems to me to be a situation that may not have been contemplated to many times (if at all) in Australia but it's an option that I would like to consider if it was allowed. If anyone could offer any advise I would very much appreciate it.

Many thanks.

[JJ's mum]

Hi

Would it be an option for you to donate your eggs to your partner? Why do you have to go interstate for AI? Do they not do it in Melbourne? I am not sure of the current rules in Brisbane as they have just changed due to shortage of sperm, but you used to chose a donor and buy so many 'straws', which are kept frozen for you.

I'm sure the Melbourne fertility clinic would be able to answer all your questions and would be very used to your situation.

Good luck with your journey

[Roxy]

Hi Kazntrace!

You are a wonderful person for wanting to help someone...

You have a few questions, which I will do my best to answer for you...

does a woman have to already have completed her family/had children to be eligible to donate her eggs?

No....it is preferable, as there is a very slight chance that your own fertility can be comprismised, but I have to say that I have only heard of one donor where that has happened. I know more who have gone on to either have children or complete their families AFTER donating.

Would it be legal for a heterosexual couple needing a egg donor and a lesbian couple needing a sperm donor to come to an agreement?

I don't think that it would be illegal, but I think that there could be some emotional issues involved for all parties. What if you got pregnant, and his wife didn't? Knowing more than my share of women who are desperately trying to fall pregant via IVF, I would be sure that their devastation would be immense if you mananged to fall pregnant with their hubby's sperm and they didn't.

With your future children (and your partner's future children) all sharing the same father, is it possible to find a donor who would donate to you both? The only reason I ask is that I knew a same-sex female couple a few years ago who had a close male friend who donated to them, and they inseminated themselves to become pregnant. Your partner would need him to do his donation at the clinic, but there would be no reason why you couldn't do a home insemination...

HTH...

[BrookeinOz]

Hi,
I would love to talk to you privately. I am 42 and my husband is 45. He has three girls from a previus marriage and recently had his sperm sample tested prior to us doing IVF. He had great numbers etc etc and is medically fit. (all his records would be made available to you) I cannot use my own eggs due to my age and we are very keen to find a donor. I have four chidren from a previous marriage but we would love to have a child to raise together. It is just our bad luck that we finally met our soulmates when we were in our forties!

[wa mum of 4]

Hi Kazntrace!

You are a wonderful person for wanting to help someone...

You have a few questions, which I will do my best to answer for you...



No....it is preferable, as there is a very slight chance that your own fertility can be comprismised, but I have to say that I have only heard of one donor where that has happened. I know more who have gone on to either have children or complete their families AFTER donating.




I don't think that it would be illegal, but I think that there could be some emotional issues involved for all parties. What if you got pregnant, and his wife didn't? Knowing more than my share of women who are desperately trying to fall pregant via IVF, I would be sure that their devastation would be immense if you mananged to fall pregnant with their hubby's sperm and they didn't.

With your future children (and your partner's future children) all sharing the same father, is it possible to find a donor who would donate to you both? The only reason I ask is that I knew a same-sex female couple a few years ago who had a close male friend who donated to them, and they inseminated themselves to become pregnant. Your partner would need him to do his donation at the clinic, but there would be no reason why you couldn't do a home insemination...

HTH...

What roxy said...All this advice is wonderful roxy well put.