And in even better news, youve officially set the record for the most eggs retrieved at our clinic.
But setting a record certainly clicked with my foggy brain.
Im not sure exactly when I first considered donating my eggs.
But I had so many questions and insecurities about the process that I backed out.
Yet over the next few years, I couldnt shake the idea.
I was still apprehensive and only told my mom and a couple of close friends about my first donation.
nurse practitioner at Poma Fertility in Kirkland, Washington
I signed all of these before my first donation, wanting to stay as private as possible.
Next up I created a donor profile, which helps prospective couples gauge if youre a fit.
Over time, this part has become second nature.
The first week of the process is pretty easygoing.
I give myself twice daily injections and make a few visits to the clinic for blood samples and ultrasounds.
The changes in my body initially are minimal.
I verify to drink plenty of electrolytes and maintain a fiber- and protein-rich diet to help reduce bloating.
At this point, donors need to refrain from sexual intercourse and drinking alcohol, Alexander says.
And after day five, I also recommend my donors tostop any form of heavy exercise, she adds.
nurse practitioner at Poma Fertility in Kirkland, Washington
This is the point when I start to feel uncomfortable.
As the eggs are growing in size and number, my abdomen area is increasingly tender.
The couple of days before and after the retrieval are the most challenging.
The ovaries enlarge due to the growing follicles, says Alexander.
This can result in abdominal bloating and a sense of heaviness.
An ultrasound-guided needle identifies follicles and aspirates fluid from them and finds the eggs, says Alexander.
Its sort of like a blood draw through the vaginal area.
Ive found I always need to plan a day or two of rest afterwards.
Between the anesthesia and the soreness from the retrieval, I stay in bed for most of the day.
The bloating gets worse before it gets better, walking is uncomfortable, and my energy levels remain low.
Although I was terrified, the symptoms subsided within about 48 hours.
Prospective donors also may worry about the myth that donation compromises future fertility, says Alexander.
The body normally recruits a certain number of follicles every cycle and only one follicle becomes the dominant follicle.
The remaining follicles wither away during a process called atresia and are no longer available.
This process is repeated each month.
During the donor IVF process, it is only this months recruited follicles that are matured for donation.
It is not possible to recruit future follicles, meaning your future fertility isnt impacted.
While I remained very private during my first couple of donations, Ive now become transparent about it.
I also find a sense of empowerment in donating.
I also find a sense of empowerment in donating.
Ive now donated seven times over the course of about five years.
And that might be it for me.
Recently, clinics have tightened restrictions and capped the limit at six donations.
In this case, it was a gay couple who otherwise wouldnt have a biological child of their own.
Its an experience that is at once intangible and irreplaceable.
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