Egg donation is not something we take lightly. For both intended parents and egg donors alike, there are many emotions that become part of the process. Learning to identify and deal with these emotions can be mentally, emotionally, and physically draining for everyone involved.
No matter what you’re feeling at any particular time during the egg donation process, just remember that you’re not alone. Your emotions are essential and completely valid. We want to help our clients feel confident in the choices they make regarding egg donation.
Here’s our guide on how to navigate through the emotional side of egg donation.
Egg Donors
Women who have decided to donate their eggs will face an array of emotions as they navigate through the egg donation process.
Decision Making
Most egg donors are young women who are just starting to find themselves. Deciding to donate their eggs to a family in need may be one of the most significant decisions they’ve had to make so far during their lifetime.
It’s okay to take your time when making big decisions. Think about why you want to donate your eggs. The most successful egg donors are those who want to donate because they want to help others.
Donating your eggs is not a decision that should be rushed. Take the time to think about how you feel about donating. It’s best to be confident in your choice before you sign with any agency. Intended parents need to be assured the donor will not back out once they’ve started the egg donation process.
New Procedures
The egg donation process involves a lot of new medications and procedures that can cause anxiety for those who haven’t been through it before.
Take a deep breath, and don’t worry.
The egg donation process has been proven to be very safe and effective. We will monitor your cycle carefully and help you administer, manage, and watch the dosage of your medications. There is minimal risk, with the potential risk of OHSS which happens in a very, very low percentage of women who go through IVF in general.
And about that egg retrieval, it’s a quick 15-minute procedure done under light aesthetic. After a day of rest, you’ll be back on your feet. You may feel a bit bloated and tender as you recover and flush your system out.
We only use the best doctors and clinics for our egg retrievals. Because of that, some travel may be required, but you can be assured you’ll be treated in the best clinics in the country.
Legal Agreements
Yes, there will be some legal paperwork involved. And while the thought of lawyers and binding contracts may intimidate some, the legal agreements are here to protect all parties involved.
The legal work done will be straightforward, and nothing will be signed until everyone agrees with all the terms of the contract. We understand legal jargon can be confusing, which is why we encourage our egg donors to take their time reviewing documents and asking questions.
Trust Your Instincts
The egg donor must listen to her instincts. Egg donation is one of the greatest gifts a woman can provide, but we understand the decision, and the process may feel overwhelming.
Take your time, ask questions, and don’t hesitate to call with any concerns.
Intended Parents
Intended parents know all too well the feelings of desperation, grief, and disappointment. After all, they’ve usually spent years and years wanting a child and dreaming of the day their dream of a family becomes a reality.
Coming to Terms
For some parents, especially mothers, the idea of having to use an egg donor can feel disappointing. It may take some time for the mother to come to terms with the fact that her baby won’t be genetically linked to her.
It’s okay to feel that way.
Using an egg donor is an alternative way to have a family. Your child’s conception story will be a little different. But the only thing that matters is your child is cared for and loved — which all intended parents are completely capable of.
We find that families who have gone through infertility and alternate forms of conception often have the strongest bonds. They have had to sacrifice so much and wait for so long to complete their family. And in the end, they’re the ones who are most grateful for their precious children.
Finding a Donor
After parents have turned to egg donation to build their family, they must go through the painstaking process of choosing a donor.
Intended parents often face anxiety and indecisiveness when it comes to choosing a donor. After all, this donor will have a biological connection to your child.
When it comes to finding a donor, our advice is to find a donor who you think you would connect with. Read her bio, look at her pictures, and decide if this donor is someone you would want to spend time with.
Her personality is more important than any educational or career accomplishments.
The Unknowns
Unfortunately, the egg donor process does have some unknowns. As much as we would like to be able to guarantee how many viable eggs a couple will get, it’s just not possible to know ahead of time.
We can tell you that the egg donor process is very effective. The majority of our donors can donate enough eggs to give the intended parents options.
Becoming a Parent
Believe it or not, our intended parents often voice concerns about actually becoming a parent. They have waited so long, and now they’re not sure what to do.
We often get questions like, “Will my baby bond with me?” or “How do I tell my baby about egg donation?”
Don’t worry. We have many resources that can help ease new parents’ concerns — no matter what they are. And here’s a little secret: all parents are scared and feel inadequate, regardless of how their baby came into this world.
How to Prepare Emotionally
The emotional side of the egg donor process is often overlooked. But, for our clients, it’s very real.
At Elevate Egg Donors and Surrogates, we believe in being open and honest with our clients. We encourage you to talk about any concerns you may have along the way. We have specialists and staff who are available to assist our clients and answer any questions.
We want our clients to be prepared with all the information they need. We feel that education is an essential part of making any decision. We will provide you with all the facts before you sign anything.
Just remember what the end goal is. For egg donors, it’s to help another family have a child; for intended parents, it’s to have the family you’ve always wanted. We are all here for the same reason: to grow families. Contact us today.
