Email sent... and the reply received. I open it with a little trepidation and inside contains some quite detailed information that I need to know to donate.
As it turns out, there is a LOT of information about the process, requirements and obligations. Nothing too scary though so far. I'm not nervous about the actual procedure but I am nervous as to how I'll feel if its not successful.
The next step, after a phone call from one of the nurses, was a round of bloods. When I say 'a round' I really mean it. The phlebotomist took 7 vials of blood. Eek!
Amongst other things, they tested for Hep C, HIV, The Cystic Fybrosis gene, and my AMH level (Anti-Müllerian Hormone).
The AMH level is an interesting one as this hormone is a good indicator of how many eggs you have left in your ovaries. A week later and my result came back slightly below average but thankfully this does not rule me out from donating.
Along with the forms for the blood work, came a folder with forms like an expense form (donors are not paid, but expenses are reimbursed), reproductive health questionnaire a health and lifestyle declaration and of course, a donor profile. To be honest, I haven't really looked much at the rest of the forms and information, just in case I end up not being a good candidate.
It sounds a bit strange re-reading that but I really dont want to get my hopes up lest it doesn't come to fruition.
The next step is to meet with one of the specialists, a nurse and counsellor. Its all booked in and I know where to go, but I'm still nervous.
xJ
Sunday, 28 July 2013
Saturday, 20 July 2013
Beginnings
The thought started years ago, reading the little ads in the paper and magazines
"We are a couple desperate to start our family. After years of failed tries, we are seeking an egg donor. If you are aged between 21 and 37 years old, have completed your family and are considering donating your eggs, please call...."
Sometimes I would read them and feel nothing. Other times it would tug at my heart and make me long to start my family so that I can eventually help another family do the same.
Before having children, despite reading these things on and off I had never considered the fact that so many people have problems conceiving. In fact, I thought it would be really easy- I mean, you hear of teenagers getting pregnant after a one night stand, so it can't be that hard... right?
My desire to have a family came on suddenly. We had always intended on having children and talked about starting after 3 or 4 years of marriage. 4 years came and suddenly I HAD to start trying. The instinct was there and in full force. Hubby wasn't so certain, but I don't think many people are at first!
My first boy took around 8 months to conceive, which I believe is near average. It hadn't occurred to me that it would take more than 2 months, naive as that seems, so every time my period arrived it was heartbreaking. We were naturally elated when it happened and 9 months later came our first son.
Our second boy took around a year to conceive. We had intended on an 18 months gap between them (so tidy) but ended up with a 2 1/2 year gap.
I started to remember those feelings of everything not happening straight away and then read more of the ads in the magazines
"After suffering several miscarriages, we need an egg donor to make our family complete. If you are interested in being our donor, please contact...."
I kept having this feeling that I should be doing something about it. So I sent off a little email to a local Fertility Specialist
"I would like some information about becoming an egg donor. I have been thinking about it for a number of years and I recently had my second child recently who I breastfeed full time at the moment. I am a non smoker with no health issues.
A feeling of relief came over me as I sent it, and I waited eagerly for a reply...
"We are a couple desperate to start our family. After years of failed tries, we are seeking an egg donor. If you are aged between 21 and 37 years old, have completed your family and are considering donating your eggs, please call...."
Sometimes I would read them and feel nothing. Other times it would tug at my heart and make me long to start my family so that I can eventually help another family do the same.
Before having children, despite reading these things on and off I had never considered the fact that so many people have problems conceiving. In fact, I thought it would be really easy- I mean, you hear of teenagers getting pregnant after a one night stand, so it can't be that hard... right?
My desire to have a family came on suddenly. We had always intended on having children and talked about starting after 3 or 4 years of marriage. 4 years came and suddenly I HAD to start trying. The instinct was there and in full force. Hubby wasn't so certain, but I don't think many people are at first!
My first boy took around 8 months to conceive, which I believe is near average. It hadn't occurred to me that it would take more than 2 months, naive as that seems, so every time my period arrived it was heartbreaking. We were naturally elated when it happened and 9 months later came our first son.
Our second boy took around a year to conceive. We had intended on an 18 months gap between them (so tidy) but ended up with a 2 1/2 year gap.
I started to remember those feelings of everything not happening straight away and then read more of the ads in the magazines
"After suffering several miscarriages, we need an egg donor to make our family complete. If you are interested in being our donor, please contact...."
I kept having this feeling that I should be doing something about it. So I sent off a little email to a local Fertility Specialist
"I would like some information about becoming an egg donor. I have been thinking about it for a number of years and I recently had my second child recently who I breastfeed full time at the moment. I am a non smoker with no health issues.
If someone could please get back to me with some information at some point, that would be great."
A feeling of relief came over me as I sent it, and I waited eagerly for a reply...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)