Alaina76

Hi Cece-
I just saw your reply to my "Adoption" post. I haven't been on the board lately because we've been busy starting our adoption process (!!!) and because even reading about infertility is sometimes too difficult.

I would be more than happy to answer any questions you have about egg donation. I was actually surprised at how smooth the process went. As far as any long-term effects to the donating women - there is a very small risk that it would effect her fertility in the future. I don't know the exact number, but the risk is very small.

As far as any other side effects, she was uncomforable for awhile after the procedure because she had hyperstimulation. The shots were also uncomfortable, but not bad at all (she didn't have any side effects from them.) She also had to go into the doctor's office almost everyday for a couple of weeks for ultrasounds (not fun, but not painful either.) They gave her a sedative for the actual retrival so she was in and out of consiousness and when she was awake, she said it hurt. She doesn't have any long-term effects though. The procedure for her was exactly the same as "non-donating" woman have for IVF - except, of course, they transfered them to me instead of her!

For me, I had to take progesterone shots 2 times a day starting about a week before the transfer until 6 to 8 weeks of pregnancy (had I made it that far.) These can be pretty painful and I was sore the entire time, but they weren't unbearable.

One thing I wasn't aware of with donor eggs is that you have to have an attorney draw up a legal form transferring ownership of eggs to me and DH. This is an added expense of about $1,000.00 That just popped up in my head so thought I would share....

As far as asking her - many people have asked us this question, and neither one of remembers. It wasn't like we sat down and had a conversation about it. (Other than telling her we were ready to begin and I don't even really remember that conversation.) As far as I remember, I went to the gyn and had blood tests done that confirmed I wouldn't be able to have a baby the "normal" way, but the doctor told me a little about egg donation and I mentioned it to my sister (as I was crying....) I'm not sure if I asked her then or she told me should would??? I know it sounds strange not to remember, but I guess at that point it was so far off that neither one of us really thought seriously about it.

Anyway, hope this makes sense. I just sort of started rambling. Please let me know if I can clarify anything or you want me to share more about something. Please ask any questions you have about anything (the actual procedure, my sister, me....). I would be more than happy to help!


[This message has been edited by Alaina76 (edited 02-01-2003).]