Egg Donation in South Africa #13

[Cathy69]

Hi Ladies

It has been a long time since I was on this thread as once my SA DE twins were born in Jan there seemed to be not enough time funnily enough ! I was recently explaining my TTC journey to a medical professional and I realised just how much we all go through and how important groups like this are. Without this thread in particular I doubt I would have gone down the DE path as it all seemed so hard and tbh, weird. BUT I got my confidence from people like Em and did 2 fresh DE cycles and 1 FET at CFC and voila - I never have to stick another hormone needle in my butt again ! I can't talk more highly of CFC and Dr PLeR - and I also needed a bit of help on the immune front so I had an Aussie Dr involved too (Dr G M) who is also a star in my book.

Good luck everyone cycling and those that are still struggling try to breathe out and look at the next step positively. I am a firm believer that the embryo that becomes your baby is the one that was meant to be. For me, as emotionally devastating as they are, the blighted ovums, early miscarriages and Chem Pregs are just trial runs.

Even though my bubs are here and I don't expect to be going back to SA (I am one of the ahem, older, ladies around here) I might hang around for a while and post occassionally if I have anything to add. Of course if anyone has questions, more than happy to answer. Hope that is OK.

[JulieMalooley]

Yes I found the concept of DE weird to start with too. it was much more easy for me to deal with using anonymous donors from CT. once I decided that was our only option it all just fell into place in my mind and the fact that it so affordable (compared to Australia) and happens so fast was a big bonus. No regrets here 😁

[Minniemin]

Ladies, thanks so much for these last two posts.
Hearing about your happy endings and no regrets is reassuring.
This past week I've been having massive anxiety about it all.. just silly stuff really, but I went to see a counsellor which helped a bit.
This thread has been an incredible support and knowledge base - I don't know anyone who has used a DE and, although we will be open with our (hopefully) future child, we are, at this point, keeping it to ourselves as we continue to process this experience. It's been incredibly comforting to be able to call out from a dark place and have some friendly voices answer me. Thanks everyone xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Minniemin]

PS @Cathy69 I have Dr PLR too, yay!

[emski72]

I was with dr le roux too

[Tahli]

Me too, thanks to Em's recommendation, and the rest of the girls reinforcing how lovely he is.

[Tahli]

Is any-one else in CT next weekend?

[Cathy69]

Minniemin - I only told literally 3 people about the DE and CFC journey - everyone else thinks I did a cycle in Oz before immediately heading to Cape Town for a holiday. I have only lied once about using DE, then again she is the only person rude enough to have directly asked me if I used DE (and I know her desire to know is to sticky beak, not because she was thinking of the same journey). Who you tell is entirely up to you and remember you can always expand the circle of knowledge but it is hard to bring it back in. I know using DE 's feels weird and for some people they can never get past that but for me, it was almost the same as using Donor Sperm (which I did). It took 3 people for my kids to come into the world and i was the most important bit because without me, the egg and the sperm would never have come together or grow using my body. One of the other issues to do some reading on if you haven't already is EPIGENETICS about how genes are turned on and off in an embryo. Let me give you a tease ..... my twins both have light blue eyes (same as mine) but the egg and sperm donors have green and brown eyes. Hmmm ... think back to high school science - THAT isn't meant to happen. Those eyes are mine !

Julie - I could have written your post word for word - my attitude as well. My only regret is that I didn't stop cycling in Aus and go to CFC years earlier.

[Tahli]

Girls, I've just done my first Gestone injection gearing up for transfer on Friday. I'm wondering whether to add Provera (2 tablets x 4 times a day). WDA was fine with Gestone instead of his recommended Progesterone pessaries and Provera combo. But I'm just wondering if any of you did the Gestone and Provera combo? TIA.

[Minniemin]

@Tahli I can't help out here but just want to wish you luck lovely! xxxxxxx