This is a sponsored guest post and does not necessarily represent the views of Mommy Ramblings.
Many couples assume that when they are ready to start a family, getting pregnant will be easy. In fact, most put more focus on preventing a pregnancy before they are ready. So, when the time comes to start trying, it can be an unpleasant surprise if the pregnancy tests continuously come up negative. You may try different remedies and still get the same disappointing result.
But if you begin to think that you may not be able to get pregnant on your own, and have your suspicions confirmed by a doctor, you’ll find you still have donation options that can help you achieve your dream of parenthood.
Let’s take a closer look at infertility and how donor eggs can help.
The Struggle with Infertility
There’s an entire spectrum of emotion that comes with the news that you’re unlikely to conceive a baby naturally. Like any loss, a loss of fertility comes with stages of grief that include shock, depression, and anger. It’s completely normal to wonder, ‘why me?’ and to feel alone, isolated, and like you have failed at something. There’s the strain it can put on your relationship and the unspeakable questions of blame. It’s important to work through all of these feelings and to have open, honest discussions with your partner and possibly even a therapist.
The reality is that infertility is not uncommon. In fact, after age 30, the average woman’s chances of getting pregnant declines quite rapidly, and by age 40 she has only a 5% chance of pregnancy per cycle – that’s 15% less than the average 30-year-old. While you might feel frustrated at the prospect of undertaking an alternative conception method – and undergoing invasive procedures – you can feel reassured that, thanks to significant advances to fertility medicine over the past few decades, you can greatly raise your chances for success. Egg donation in particular accounts for over 8000 babies born in the USA every year.
Using Donor Eggs as a Solution
When is egg donation commonly looked to as a solution? A few common scenarios include intended mothers over the age of 40 who are having problems conceiving naturally, women who have had repeat miscarriages due to unviable eggs, premature ovarian failure, women who have gone through cancer treatment, or women who carry a genetic disease that they would rather not pass on to a child.
How it Works
- The first step is to browse through the available donors at a donor bank and to choose the one that is the best fit for you.
- If you opt for fresh donor eggs, you will be required to take fertility supplements to sync your menstrual cycle with that of the donor.
- Once you’re in sync or if you opt for frozen eggs, estrogen supplements are provided to thicken the lining of the uterus in order to maximize the chances of implantation.
- If you chose frozen eggs, the egg will be thawed.
- The egg will then be fertilized with a partner’s or donor’s sperm.
- The embryo that develops is implanted into your uterus.
- After implantation, you will return after about two weeks to take a pregnancy test.
- On each cycle, there is roughly a 50/50 chance that pregnancy will occur. If it does, post implantation check-ups are standard and your pregnancy will be monitored closely.
Are Donor Eggs Right for You?
Choosing to use donor eggs to get pregnant is a big decision. It is one that may enable you to bring the child you and your partner desire into the world. However, there are other important factors to consider, such as having a child with genetic material from another person and how that information will be shared with the child. Many face anxiety about what their friends or family will think. All of these considerations should be weighed and talked about to decide if this route is the right one for your situation.
At the end of the day, donor eggs do give those who are struggling with infertility a potential road to parenthood.
