An Egg Donor's Experience

Becoming an egg donor was not something that I had ever considered before meeting with Sharon at Northwest Fertility. The process was unfamiliar to me, and I was unsure about the potential effects that donation could have on my body. However, after meeting with Sharon for our initial consultation, I felt extremely informed about each step of the process and also felt that the decision was entirely up to me; I was not pressured one way or another.

After witnessing the birth of my nephew and experiencing the absolute joy and unconditional love that he gave to my family, I was sure that I wanted to help another couple experience the wonder of having their own child. I underwent several health screenings and chatted with a psychologist, and decided I was fully ready to undergo the process of egg donation.

The entire process from start to finish (which primarily consisted of quick blood draws or ultrasounds to check hormone levels and follicle development) was only a couple of months, and was surprisingly easy. I was given specific instructions about each injection, and each evening I spent five minutes or less self-administering the medications. The clinic staff was amazing and constantly monitoring how I was doing, and always ready to answer questions, no matter how minor. I was lucky enough to have no side effects beyond some mild bloating, and after the actual egg retrieval only had slight cramping for about two days. I felt fully recovered and ready to resume daily work outs within two weeks after the retrieval.

Sharon was also an amazing person to work with for the entire donation cycle. She kept me very well informed, checked up on how I was feeling each week, and was always available to answer questions. I felt comfortable the whole way through, and was so grateful for her guidance and willingness to communicate quite often.

Throughout the donation process, I received several e-mail updates and letters from my recipient couple. Each letter brought me to tears because of the gratitude and sincerity of these amazing people. These notes solidified my decision and made the overall process even more positive than I had expected. I was so lucky to have the health and capabilities to be able to give the gift of a child to this family.

I would strongly suggest to anyone considering egg donation to work with Sharon at Northwest Fertility. She made this experience an extremely positive one, and her passion for helping families is evident in her kindness and attentiveness throughout the entire donation process.

~ Amanda