Being an egg donor - A conclusion

Deciding to be an egg donor was a very personal decision. And with any decision, there were pros and cons on both sides of the equation. Listed below are some of the issues I wrestled with before going forth with my decision.

Pros:

• Being able to help someone. The women I donated eggs to had been trying to have children for "years." She was capable of barring a child but the eggs she produced were the root issue; in basic terms her eggs were defective and were incapable of developing. By donating eggs, I was able to help her in the one area she could not improve alone, by her own means.
• The clinic I donated through were EXTREMELY well-organized, endearing, comforting, flexible (in terms of my schedules and in my own personal needs) and thoroughly educated and consoled me every step of the way. I was able to contact them when and wherever and they answered every last one of my silly questions and/or expresses of concerns. It was absolutely motherly! I basically told them when I could be seen anytime during the week, including weekends, and no matter the time they saw me.
  
• The compensation money was in my case several thousand dollars. After the initial application and genetic screening process which took place months prior, the true donation round (injections, blood work and ultrasound appointments & egg retrieval) totaled about 3 weeks. To receive the amount of money I made for 3 weeks of minor conveniences (6-7 appointments, giving yourself needles, minor surgery, some pain/discomfort, etc.) still baffles me.
  

Cons:

• Egg donation is one component of IVF, which is fairly a new technology and even the most experienced IVF specialist can not rule out the procedure and/or the hormones COULD possibly have unknown side effects that have not yet been discovered.
• Injections involve needles and if not administered with caution (in a sterile environment, using rubbing alcohol., etc.) this could potentially lead to infection.
• This was never an issue for me, but some people are reluctant to to pass on their genes to strangers. I myself have zero qualms with this as I signed away all rights and legalities to the eggs and the child or children that may develop from them.
  
• Egg Retrieval involves a final surgical procedure (Oocyte_retrieval ) which requires anesthesia and as with any anesthetic there is always a risk for complications to occur. Other surgical risks are also a factor as well; approximately 1 in 100 donors require hospitalization for complications.
• If the hormone levels aren't properly monitored or prescribed, over stimulation can occur.
• The hormone injections require a set schedule every day where you have to not only never skip or miss a dose but also, very much like birth control, make certain to take it at the same time or times every day.
  
• Towards the end of the hormone doses, there is some discomfort present. This discomfort includes or can include emotional distress (much like with PMS), bloating, temporary weight gain, lower back pain, irritability, nausea. etc. I personally only experienced some minor discomfort towards the end of the hormone injection process where I felt bloated and slightly uncomfortable sitting, leaning and/or laying in certain positions.

I am sure there are more pros and cons that could be hashed out but off the top of my head that is the list I comprised. There are many other factors to consider when making this decision. I am a health conscious person who did a MASSIVE amount of research on the procedure and EVERYTHING it entailed before moving forth. I researched so much, I am fairly sure I could write a book on the subject matter. I also did amble research on the clinic I choose including their statistics (success rate, surgical complications, etc.) and donor reviews. It was around this time last year that I applied for the program and in that time since, I did everything I could to ensure my safety and sanity were in check. I can't lie - There were times I felt nervous and some what scared, but in reality I felt very educated and safe with my decision.

So, the big question is: Would I do this again? And to this, I answer yes. Not right now, but in a few months or a year or two down the line, I would definitely donate my eggs again. My experience was a good one and in the end, the fact that I was able to help someone have children, over shadows everything.

Day 64 - Egg donor program complete!

I had my last ultrasound today and during it, the nurse contested that my ovaries were still quite swollen. In fact, her exact words were, "Your ovaries are kissing." My next period, which is slatted for next week will be heavier then usual, but afterward my ovaries will return to their normal size. This should help clear up any left over bloating, but I am not experiencing much bloating at all anymore.

The cramping has let up a fair bit and at this point I am only experiencing cramps 2 or 3 times a day when I am extra gassy or need to use the bathroom.I weighed myself this morning for the first time since before starting Gonal F and I am actually 3lbs less then I was then (I was 142 this morning; my usual weight is 145 which is what I was before starting Gonal F.)




At the end of my visit I received my compensation check.

Day 57 - Final day

It's just before noon and I am home from the hospital. I have actually been home for close to an hour now and am set up quite comfortably in my bedroom.

Yesterday I felt less bloated then the days prior and this continued into the morning. As I was leaving for the hospital I was reflecting on this; I honestly thought the final full dose of Gonal F would be far more impacting.

Overall, my egg retrieval procedure went very well. I arrived at the hospital at 7:30AM where I met with the OR nurses to prepare for the procedure. They took my vitals, set-up my IV and went over my post operative information. I was told that post-op I would feel crampy and that I may experience some light blood 'spotting.' They explained that the cramping was temporary and would diminish as the day went on and the week progressed they would subside completely.

I was wheeled into the OR around 8:45AM. I first met with my anesthetist who made small talk with me about who I am and what I do for a living. As he was hooking me up to the various vital machines he asked if I was a runner to which I answered yes. He commented that he could tell because, as he put it, I had an "awesome" low resting heart rate in the 40's and that he had to reset his machine so the heart rate monitor wouldn't keep going off during the procedure. This happens every time I can hooked up to a heart rate machine so this wasn't news to me. Two minutes later, he started pushing the anesthesia through my IV and next thing I knew I was being woken up by the nurses and told I was all done. I felt groggy but not so much so that I couldn't focus or pick my head up. I also instantly felt the relief of no longer being bloated even though I had already started to feel the cramps. I would have been given Tylenol with codeine for the pain (I had very little admittedly) but I am allergic to codeine so I was instead given extra strength Ibuprofen and Toradol for the cramping. I was then wheeled into a recovery room where I watched old ER episodes and finally got to drink water (before a standard surgery/operation you can't eat or drink anything after midnight the night before.) A little after 10:30, I was fully awake and ready to go. I got dressed and left with my dad, who was awesome enough to drive an hour to pick me up and take me home.

I am sore, but overall, I just feel as if I woke up from a long mid afternoon nap. I have off from work today and am working from home the rest of the week so any extra rest I will need be within my grasp.

The nursing staff was not able to tell me how many eggs they were able to retrieve from my ovaries because the lab has not yet sent the results. However, barring I had so many eggs prior to retrieval there is a good reason to believe they got a fair bit from me ;)

My post-op appointment is scheduled from one week of today (July 1st.) I will have a final ultrasound and receive my compensation check at this time.

Day 55

I took my last injection about an hour and a half ago! The procedure is still over the horizon, but it feels good to be done to the injections and their timed schedule.

I was reading more anonymous online blogs of other donors earlier and found that the donors who had been children before eventually deciding to donate eggs compared the cramps of the tail end of egg growth (exactly where I am stationed) to...child labor pains! Dear lord, I don't think mine have been that bad but if never more then before, my admiration for pregnant women has definitely grown!

Day 54

Today was my last ultrasound and blood work appointment. At Friday's appointment (yesterday) the nurse counted 35 eggs total; 18 in the left ovary and 17 in the right. The majority of them were about 12-13mm in size. That extra egg in the left ovary makes ALL the difference pressure wise - That much I assure you!

Around Thursday was when I started to really 'feel' the WRATH of the plethora of eggs and their growth. I can best describe it as feeling extra heavy, and somewhat sore around my mid drift area. Basically, it feels like a very strong period. Sitting is certain positions started becoming a bit more uncomfortable and overall, I feel very large and very slow - Honestly, there is no way in hell I could run or jump or play in this state. I have been monitoring my weight and although I have gained no weight, it feels as if I have. I have continued biking which helps in terms of cramping (exercise heats up the muscles and heating muscles helps prevent cramping.) Even still, I have been able to stay mobile and do almost everything I normally do - I'm just doing it a bit slower! I definitely have to pee more often because of the increased pressure and gas is a serious downer as it makes normal cramping feel like a little kid is jumping on my bladder. But, as soon as it is EXPELLED, the feeling goes away ;)

Due to the slight discomfort, I wound up asking my boss if I could work from home the rest of the week into next and he agreed. This is definitely a huge relief for me. Being able to work in sweat pants and work from my bed and couch has made me feel much relief! I could function in the office, but given the option, I don't have any issue pampering myself.

At today's final appointment, I met with the physician who will be preforming the procedure. My eggs averaged about 14-15mm so after my blood work came back and my hormone levels checked out ok, I was told to take my last lose-dose Gonal F injection tonight and then tomorrow, take the final full dose of Gonal F (10,000 units) tomorrow at 9PM sharp! (The shot needs to be taken 36 hours before the procedure) I no longer have to take my Lurpon/HCF injection in the AM, making tomorrow's injection the final shot. Admittedly the daily injections didn't inconvenience me too much or freak me out because they didn't hurt and eventually I became a pro at it, but really who wants to deal with that every day?

My procedure is set for Tuesday June 24th @ 9AM. I have to get to the hospital at 7:30AM to check in and get settled. (Like with any other surgery, I can't eat after midnight the night before.) I will be put to sleep prior to 9AM and will be woken up shortly after as the procedure only takes 5-10mins. All-in-all I should be ready to leave by 10:30AM and home by 11AM.

I am feeling positive and am definitely ready to set these things free!

Day 51

This morning I had another round of blood work and an ultrasound. Last visit my eggs were approximately 6 millimeters. As of this morning, they measured about 10 millimeters. Once they are 16-18 millimeters, they will be ready to be retrieved. Again I was told my growth is a tad bit slower but that this was something conscious on their part because I have developed more eggs then donor's usual do and most importantly, the doctors and nurses want to avoid over-stimulation. So far, I have developed 17 eggs per ovary, which is 34 total. Apparently, as I said, this is more then usual; ironically I was told the fact that I am tall is a god-sent because this allows more "room" for the growth and that is most likely why I am experiencing next to no discomfort. Honestly, besides the occasional full/gassy feeling, I feel no difference physically or mentally. If I wasn't giving myself injections every day or 'taking it easy' with exercise I wouldn't be able to tell the difference from my normal routines.




I must say, the hospital I am going to is VERY accommodating. They work with and around the hectic nature of my schedule. They will see me when my schedule allows and last minute changes are never an issue. They also have me in and out of there within a 1/2 hour each time. I usually go before work as the hospital is pretty much on my usual work commute route, but they would squeeze me in anytime I had available should I need that option. They are also very encouraging and comforting and well, motherly. It's nice to not be treated like a pawn in a game!

Day 49

The cramping has gotten a bit more intense but again, it just feels menstrual and is causing me minor discomfort. Last night when going to bed I found my sides were a bit tender and that sleeping on my back was a bit more comfortable.

I was alarmed yesterday when I returned home from work to find two medical bills from Quest labs totaling more then $3000.00! These were bills from my genetic (DNA) and blood tests. I knew this was a mix up as the clinic is responsible for these bills so I called the clinic to ask if I needed to call the lab independently or if their billing department would; They told me the bills should have not been sent to me and asked me to bring them in at my next visit so they can contact the lab for payment. Things like this have happened to me even as an insured patient, at routine doctor visits so really this was a minor inconvenience. My main concern was having my name submitted to a collection agency and my credit being affected! I am a stickler for my 800+ score!

I go for more blood work and an ultrasound tomorrow morning before work. I have a feeling my estrogen levels will be higher. I have traded in my usual strenuous exercise activities for medium paced stationery biking and honestly, this is probably the hardest part of the process for me. I am so accustomed to long distance running and lifting weights that taking a break from both just feels alien. I have even had to stop using elipitical machines because of the "bouncing" and the risk involved in that effecting my ovaries negatively. In the end, it's a small price to pay. I will be back to my normal routine in a little over two weeks ;) I guess I will have to teach myself how to relax and sit still, even if for a small wrinkle in time !