Despite infertility being widespread (approximately 1 in 7 UK couples struggle to get pregnant or stay pregnant), it isn’t something we think about until it happens to us.
Why would you?
In your thirties, however, that biological clock starts to tick – and it gets loud. So loud, in fact, that it can start to feel all-consuming. And as the days start to turn into months and the months possibly turn into years without a positive pregnancy test, that statistic starts to look more like a reality.
Donor egg is one of the most innovative fertility solutions available to those suffering from infertility. It removes one of the main issues with female infertility – poor quality or quantity of eggs – while still giving you the chance to carry and give birth to your baby.
Let’s look at some of the challenges you may come up against throughout this journey, as well as the rewards you’ll see when overcoming these hurdles.
How Do I Begin to Find a Donor?
One of the first steps in this process is choosing your egg donor. After all, they’re going to play a significant role in this part of your journey.
Do you choose someone you know? Or do you consider a donor from an egg bank?
Both have their positives and negatives.
Using someone you know may give you comfort and reassurance. You’ll know exactly where your baby’s genes come from and will already have a lovely connection with your donor. But could there be a risk of complications further down the line? Many intended parents worry about how they and their donor will feel after the baby is born. Could it cause tension in years to come?
A donor from an egg bank removes these potential complications, but your selection does require further thought, time, and patience.
Fortunately, frozen donor egg banks have large databases of candidates you can search through to find your ideal donor. This may seem intimidating at first, but once you find possible connections, you’ll start to feel hopeful that a match for you is out there. For example, you may find someone who shares your unique characteristics or someone whose personality and achievements stand out above the rest.
It’s important to feel 100% confident in your donor choice, so be sure to take your time.
Am I Going to Connect with My Baby?
Another chief concern many have is whether they’ll connect with a baby that isn’t genetically related to them.
This thought is completely normal.
You may worry that an initial bond won’t be there, or that you won’t be able to see past the donor when looking into your baby’s eyes.
Yet, once you feel your baby growing inside you, delight at their first kick, and meet them for the first time, all these fears will dissipate as quickly as they arrive.
The truth is, you’re the baby’s biological mother. You carried and gave birth to them. You’ll nurture them and love them as they grow. It’s this that creates those unbreakable bonds between a mother and child.
Will My Other Children Love the Baby?
If you already have children, you may also worry about their bond with your new arrival.
This is just another completely natural thought that you’ll face along the way. But, like the bond you’ll create with your baby, being a sibling is so much more than genetics. It’s watching mum’s tummy grow, it’s feeling their baby brother or sister’s first kicks, and it’s taking on the role of being an older sibling.
Forging a Family with Unbreakable Bonds
Your biological clock’s ticks may be deafening, and the path that awaits may initially be frightening and unknown, but one fact is for sure – you’re about to create the family you’ve always dreamed about. Yes, there may be challenges along the way, but in overcoming these – as a family – you’re forging bonds that are unique, unbreakable, and full of love.
