Egg Donor Testimony

Written by: Barette Best | Posted: April 2, 2020

I am about to complete my third cycle donating eggs to families who need them to have children! It’s been such a rewarding journey. I’m not posting this to toot my own horn, I think it’s important to raise awareness and let others know how it’s positively affected my life!

The first family that I donated to had their baby a few months ago and shared with me how thankful they were for my contribution. They were overwhelmed with gratitude and, until that moment, I really hadn’t understood how much my choice had changed their lives. I was primarily interested in the financial incentive.

Seeing their baby was an amazing feeling, I don’t even know how to describe it. I felt so happy knowing that I had positively contributed to their lives and their dreams of having family. The fact that we have the ability to give the opportunity of having children to those who otherwise couldn’t is absolutely incredible.

Fun Facts on Egg Donation

Written by: Barette Best | Posted: March 19, 2020

An egg donor is an accountable, healthy, non-smoking woman between the ages of 21 and 28, of any ethnic and religious background, who is willing to donate her eggs to help someone else build their family.

This special lady donates a few of her eggs to a recipient who highly wishes to have a child but is incapable of generating eggs of her own. Or in some cases, the donation is made to a male(s) choosing to build a family without a female partner. An egg donor donates one of the most wonderful presents possible—the gift of possibly having a family.

Why do other women need donated eggs?

Women who cannot produce or use their own eggs need contributed eggs. Below are some of the reasons why:

• Premature menopause
• If the mother is carrier of a genetic disease which she does not want to pass to her offspring
• Hormonal stimulation does not generate a positive ovarian response
• Hysterectomy or partial hysterectomy
• Previous sterility problems as a result of chemotherapy

Does egg donation affect my fertility or chance of having children in the future?

Are you worried about having your own kids one day? There are no long-term studies that link donating to infertility. Each woman is created with many eggs in her ovaries. Every month, a woman’s body releases a specific number of eggs. The egg donation procedure is only using the number of eggs the body would normally generate in a month.  The stimulation treatment given during the egg donation process is assisting to mature the donor’s eggs to hopefully be of high quality. Egg donations do not appear to have any long-term effects on sterility. The egg donor will be working with extremely qualified physicians who will take every step to ensure her health and safety. As you go through the donor process you learn about your own fertility & genetics.

Can someone donate after having a tubal ligation (tubes tied)?

Yes, the egg is removed from the donor’s ovaries so this is not an issue.

How many times can I donate with Egg Donor Solutions?

Our standards are set by ASRM and their guidelines. Therefore, six egg donation cycles is the most you can donate in your life-time.

Can the recipient couple or woman ever discover who I am?

Egg Donor Solutions usually facilitates unidentified egg donation matches. In these cases, our office will only discuss with the intended parents the information on your profile and photos. We don’t provide your name or contact details. However, there are now more recipients who are enthusiastic about open or semi-open cycles.  This is a personal choice you can make if you want to be in touch with the intended parents.

How many eggs does the common egg donor produce?

Most egg donors produce an average of 13-24 eggs. This number depends on the donor and how her body responds to the medications. As few as 5, or as many as 35 or more, eggs can be produced in each cycle.

We appreciate you & your wiliness to help create a family. To begin your journey as an egg donor fill out the online application https://eggdonorsolutions.com/prescreen-registration/

Donating after OHSS, an egg donor’s story

Written by: admin | Posted: March 12, 2020

A story from an experienced donor with Extreme OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome)

I have donated eggs three times, and the first two times were very smooth and uneventful.  (In fact, despite the clinic’s protocol, I actually went to work after one retrieval.  This is NOT recommended.  Do NOT do this!)

After my third retrieval, I woke up & knew something was wrong. I could barely breathe & I felt so sore which had never occurred before. I left the clinic and went right to bed.

Extremely sick, I gained 15-20 lbs of water weight instantly!  The doctor wanted to aspirate my ovaries which meant surgery, but my sweet friend cured me!! 😉 She brought me sweet tea from Chick-Fil-A, and the fluid began to break up and I began losing the water weight right away. I was finally on the road to recovery, but I did take some time off work.

My Family is so proud of me for my willingness to help create families despite this fluke experience.

The OHSS was a crazy experience, but to me, continuing to help create families is more important.  I would risk it again to continue to help others. I think of the years of heartache and the things these childless families have endured and this little fluke will not prevent me from helping other families in the future.

Despite this horrific event, I have continued my journey as an egg donor & my next retrieval is this week. I know that some may think I am crazy to do another round because of my last experience, but that is where they are wrong! If am I capable to do this & I have the capability to help create a family, why wouldn’t I? I think of all of the horrific things that the intended parents have been through.  How could I let one fluke accident prevent me to further help them?

OHSS is Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome can occur in 3-6% of women taking fertility meds to stimulate egg production. If the medicines stimulate the ovaries too much, the ovaries can become very swollen & painful in addition, fluid can leak into the belly and chest area.  OHSS is not super common and occurs in 3-6% of patients. During your time as an egg donor you will have many monitoring appointments to ensure that your ovaries are not over-responding.

Symptoms of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome often begin within a week after using injectable medications to stimulate ovulation, though sometimes it can take two weeks or longer for symptoms to appear. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may worsen or improve over time.

With mild to moderate ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, symptoms can include:

• Mild to moderate abdominal pain that may come and go
• Abdominal bloating or increased waist size
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Tenderness in the area of your ovaries

Severe OHSS

• With severe ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome, you might have:
• Rapid weight gain — more than 2 lbs in 24 hours
• Severe abdominal pain
• Severe, persistent nausea and vomiting
• Blood clots
• Decreased urination
• Shortness of breath
• Tight or enlarged abdomen

If you have any symptoms, please consult your clinic right away! They may want you to come in for monitoring & can help advise you if you may need further treatment. Like we said OHSS is very unlikely but it very beneficial to be informed & educated on what to do if you are having any symptoms.

5 Ways to Prevent OHSS

1. Adjusting and/or changing your medication protocol.
2. Stay hydrated.
3. Drink electrolyte filled drinks.
4. Eat a high protein diet, salty fries
5. Pay attention to your body.