Posts Tagged ‘infertility’

Jilly’s Journey - Becoming an Egg Donor: Afterwards

Monday, December 6th, 2010

The last few days have been quite strange as the fate of my eggs is out of my hands. I no longer have to do anything. No more injections, appointments or phone calls to the hospital.

It’s really odd, but nice, to be back to normality and I suppose it’s now I realise how much I was doing.

I think I have taken it all in my stride but I now realise how much I need to be thankful to my family for making my life easier throughout for childcare, cooking me meals, running me hot baths and generally being positive towards the situation.

I feel like it’s been a little team effort from my family and close friends - their reaction to the news the implant of the two eggs has so far been successful just goes to show we are all so delighted and excited for someone none of us have any idea about.

I think this is great and a testimony to how great my family and close friends are, but also to how egg donation is such a positive thing to bring people together.

Jilly’s Journey - Becoming and Egg Donor: Egg Collection Day Arrives

Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

My Mum picked me up this morning and we took the train together to London. It’s great to have some moral support but also essential to have someone there for the return journey where you may experience side effects from the anaesthetic. I felt very sick on the way home but you can also feel dizzy and disorientated.

We arrived at the hospital and after being shown to my cubicle the Anaesthetist came round to formally explain the procedure, check how I was feeling and verify my medical history to eliminate any complications. Very shortly afterwards after changing into a stylish robe and slippers(!) I was wheeled off for the op. The nurses are lovely – so happy, friendly and reassuring they did a final confirmation of who I was and made sure I was comfortable and …..zonk.

I woke up in the cubicle with my mum sat next to me and a nurse stood at the end of the bed with a cup of tea and a biscuit. Apparently I’d already come round enough to say “milk, no sugar” but have no recollection of it! I felt a bit woosy but fine. The nurse asked me if I wanted to know how many eggs they’s got…Of course I did, “22” I was elated!! It had all been worth it. I’d managed to do my bit.

After a short rest, a trip to the loo (essential before they let you home) and a blood pressure check I was discharged. We took the journey home slowly and carefully and I got home at 6:00pm where I had a lovely bath, cuddle from my son and went to bed. It had been an exhausting day.

Jilly’s Journey - Becoming and Egg Donor: Egg Collection Day Arrives

Jilly’s Journey- Becoming an egg donor: Egg Collection

Friday, November 26th, 2010

After the first scan.

I’m ready for egg collection tomorrow – and am feeling really excited. The last few weeks have been really different from usual but not in a bad way. I have got into a real routine with the injections so have felt really in control of that side of things. The Buserlin and latterly the Buserlin and Gonal F have meant me now injecting twice a day – I don’t have a fear of needles so have only had to contend with being occasionally sore and a little bruised. I think this sometimes is more due to me trying to injecting in a hurry or not paying enough attention.

The scans have meant I’ve been up and back to London a lot in the past fortnight – I’ve had three scans this week to monitor how I’m responding to the drugs. I’ve actually enjoyed this aspect of things. Although I’ve had to still juggle family life and work life I have taken my son with me on the train which he found really exciting and also managed to fit in coffee with friends who have moved to London from home.

My attitude to this has very much been that although the process has changed my life quite dramatically for a few weeks I take great comfort that it is just for a very short time and I’m doing something really worthwhile.

Jilly’s Journey- Becoming an egg donor: Egg Collection

Desperately seeking an egg donor - Lydia’s moving story

Friday, November 12th, 2010

Every woman who needs an egg donor to help her become a mother has a heartbreaking story to tell.

Some have suffered repeated miscarriages or IVF. Others have been left infertile by chemotherapy or disease.

Lydia suffered a string of medical conditions, including fibroids, and these have left her unable to conceive naturally.

“Being part of a family has always been important to me so when I found out I couldn’t have children of my own I was devastated,” Lydia recalls.

“IVF won’t work for me so despite five years of treatment I’m still not a mother. I know my husband and I would make great parents and we can’t wait to share our lives with a child but we can only do that with the help of an egg donor.”

Lydia is from Ghana in West Africa, which makes her plight even more of a challenge.

Alison Bagshawe, founder of fertility organisation Altrui, explains: “There is such a huge shortage of egg donors generally but this is even more true in black and Asian communities where we struggle to find people to help women with similar ethnic backgrounds.

“The only way forward is to raise awareness of the need for egg donors and hope that with the right information women will decide that this is something they would really like to do to help someone else become a mum.”

Desperately seeking an egg donor - Lydia’s moving story

Thinking about Becoming and Egg Donor? Five Common Concerns

Wednesday, November 10th, 2010

There are lots of women in the UK who could have the baby they long for with the help of an egg donor but there are too few women coming forward to help them. The shortage of egg donors is leaving many couples with a long and anxious wait and some may never become parents because that wait will be too long.

So why are so few women becoming egg donors? One reason is that they don’t know they can. Many people we’ve met hadn’t realised it was something they could do and were unaware of the need for more donors. Others know about it but have concerns.

Here are five of the most common questions people ask us:

1. Will I be anonymous?

Women who decide to become Altrui donors know that we will only disclose the information they want us to. Sometimes both sides like to know who the other is but this information is only given with the consent and agreement of everyone involved.

2. Will donating my eggs affect my own fertility?

It is very unlikely that becoming an egg donor will affect your future plans for your own family or your health. Altrui donors are given the best information and care every step of the way and any concerns specific to you can be discussed with our fertility experts before and during treatment.

3. How will my eggs be used?

Altrui is unique because your eggs will be used exclusively by one recipient. They will not be shared between several women. Altrui’s service is extremely personal and individual. You will be matched with someone very similar to you and the fact that your eggs are going to one recipient gives them the best chance of success.

4. Isn’t IVF a stressful procedure to undergo?

Women who go through IVF treatment because they have had problems conceiving are already under enormous emotional pressure and much of the stress involved is a result of the desire to have a successful outcome. This will not be the case for you.

5. Wouldn’t I be giving away my baby?

IVF is a process and your eggs, instead of being naturally lost each month, become part of this fertility process. Any baby that results from the IVF will have been fertilised by dad and grown by mum. The donor is an amazing, essential and yet temporary part of this process.

To find out more or to discuss your own concerns call Alison on 0844 745 3033

Thinking about Becoming and Egg Donor? Five Common Concerns
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