*Collaborative post.

 

“I’m infertile.”

When you say those words out loud, whether it’s for the first time or one-hundredth time, they no doubt sound surreal.

No woman believes they’ll face this challenge. After all, giving birth is one of the most natural things you can do, isn’t it?

Sadly, so many of us – too many of us – face the heartbreaking news of infertility.

Fortunately, thanks to modern medicine many of us will find the hope we need in fertility treatment, via donor egg IVF.

Whether you’re looking into the qualifications for egg donor candidacy or you’re wondering whether donor eggs are right for you to grow your family, we want to highlight how donor egg IVF can provide the pregnancy and birth experience you’re looking for.

Intrigued?

Good. Let’s get started!

 

 

Will My Baby Look Like Me? The Questions You Face at the Start of Your Journey

When you begin looking into egg donation, you’ll have a whole host of questions that need answers:

Will my baby look like me?

What if the baby look looks like the egg donor?

Will I share a bond with my baby?

All of these questions are completely normal because this isn’t the usual route you expect to create your dream family.

It’s important to work through these questions and find the answers you’re looking for, perhaps even talking through your goals and concerns with a counselor.

Over time, and with the right research, you’ll gain an understanding of what connections you can expect to have with your baby.

 

Choosing the Genetics of Your Baby

When you start searching for an egg donor, you have two choices – using someone you know or using an anonymous donor from a donor program.

The first option may initially appeal to you, as you can opt for a family member whose genes you share. But, always consider how this will work in the future; will the donor want your baby to know who they are?

On the other hand, with an anonymous donor, you won’t know the donor’s full name and details, but you’ll know their educational, professional, and medical backgrounds. You’ll know what they look like, what academic achievements they have, what type of personality they have, and other information.

This gives insight into the potential genetics your baby will have, allowing you to choose a candidate similar to yourself, if you desire.

 

Passing on Your Own Genetic Material?

As well as having the ability to influence your baby’s genes through your choice of donor, recent research demonstrates how women using donor eggs may still influence how their baby’s genes are expressed.

How?

Tiny molecules containing genetic material (microRNAs) may pass from the endometrial fluid to the baby, acting as an information system. This can potentially influence your baby’s genes, thus adding to the unbreakable connection you’re already creating with your baby.

 

Weaving Your Own Unique Bond

Genetics aside, egg donation gives you the unique and heartwarming ability to carry and give birth to your baby – something adoption is unable to offer.

Whether it’s feeling their first kick or simply placing your hand on your stomach with the knowledge that they’re growing inside you, these experiences help forge a bond only a mother and child can enjoy.

You, and only you, are this child’s mother – and genetics alone cannot forge this irrevocable connection.

 

Remember – Genetics Aren’t Everything

Not sharing a genetic connection with your child is often one of the hardest hurdles to overcome about egg donation. Understandably so, as it’s a significant concern.

But don’t forget – no mother, whether she gives birth to her baby naturally or through traditional IVF, can guarantee her genes will make her baby look like her, act like her, or resemble those all-important family traits.

As you can see, you – the donor egg recipient – have more control over the genetics of your baby than most others. You’re the one who’ll bring them into this world, help them grow, and develop their own personality and individual traits, which goes way beyond genetics.