For those interested in egg donation process, I’m posting a description of the experience which was written by someone who successfully went through it.

This gave me hope and swayed my way to try it

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

“My history is this: I could get pregnant but they all resulted in miscarriage. This was definitely strong evidence to me that I had an egg quality issue. My fertility specialist tried to support my pregnancies with drugs but nothing worked. Her next suggestion was IVF with genetic testing of embryos - which would be done in another city. With a hearty minimum charge of $18000. I could not stand the thought of spending that much, knowing there was a strong chance of me just miscarrying in the end. After all, I could get pregnant and I really believed IVF was for patients who had trouble conceiving.

One day, while I waited for an appoint with Dr B, I read a magazine she had there called creation families. There was an article about a family who went to Prague for IVF.
So that started my whole research about having treatment there. I, like you, was so conflicted about whether I should give up the idea of my own genetics.

So I went over for a round with my own egg retrieval. There, they could price genetic testing for much less. Alas, at the end of it all, I only had two embryos survive, so I didn’t do genetic testing (as genetic testing was primarily to choose the best ones to transfer). I transferred both and it failed.
(Just for info: an IVF trial there was 1200EU. Drugs were 900EU. And genetic testing would have been an extra 1000eu.)
In restrospect, maybe I should have done the genetic testing to really find out of my egg quality. Then maybe I would have had info on that.

But after that didn’t work, I went through a lot of emotional challenge on whether donation would be the right decision. I spent days and days on forums with people who had done it, I researched endlessly...
I had so many questions: will I feel the same about my child as if it were genetic, will it look like us at all, will the child grow to have emotional issues about her history etc.

In the end, my husband and I made this decision more of a pragmatic one: we wanted a child. Our odds of success were over 50% with donor and less than 20% with my eggs.
I can tell you now that every little bit of anxiety and worry I had is completely gone. I have zero worries of whether our child will have questions about her history and zero worries about if she will have any issues. I love our story and have already started to share bits and pieces with her.

In terms of treatment, there are several options available overseas - all also available in Canada for much more $. I just met a new friend here who did egg donation through Toronto twice. She remortgaged her house and it cost her $100000 for the two trial. In Czech it costs 4500Eu for a fresh donation.

In terms of treatment - for fresh donation you have to be there in Czech. All donations are anonymous by law. So you cannot take any eggs or embryos back to Canada. Canada’s law requires information about the eggs / embryos that you would not be privy to.

For a fresh donation cycle you would need to be in Czech for about 10 days. And just once. Hubby needs to be there for retrieval for fertilization and then 5 days later for transfer. You also need to have a doctor on board at home who will follow your drugs, do ultrasound for lining etc. Here, that was a challenge: we don’t have a fertility clinic so I had to drive to a neighbouring province for ultrasound. You do not need to go for an assessment. I happened to be in Paris a few months before my plan for first IVF treatment. So I caught a train and went for an assessment - but it’s not necessary and it’s unusual for their international clients.

One thing to know about Fresh donation in Czech is that you own all the eggs - so you would likely have enough embryos for multiple transfers. You can also do a shared cycle for cheaper. My fiend did two shared cycle treatments. Gives you an idea of $$$ difference. They also have a 3 failed cycles = 4th free. But it would never come to that. Stats show for donation that after 3 cycles over 90% are successful.

I should tell you though - I’m giving you tons of info on egg donation in Czech. But I didn’t do egg donation. I did embryo donation. It was cheaper, better odds of outcome, simpler procedure and chad didn’t need to fly over. We figured since donation would not produce a full genetic child, we didn’t care about it being half.. sometimes I think maybe we should have gone the other way - donated eggs. But now that we have our daughter we would have it no other way. It’s so funny .... people say she looks like me. I think she’s a spit of My husband. So remarkable. And she is so much like him!

But i had researched intensely about egg donation in Czech so can help with any questions. And I have a friend would went over after me for egg donation and I know extensively of her experience.

One thing that came up in my research of donation etc is that all humans are 99.9% genetically similar (or something like that). It’s a very small percentage that make us all unique. So even though she’s not a genetic offspring, she’s already so genetically similar. That fact made it easier for me to let go of wanting the genetic offspring.

Also, there is so much research now into genetic manifestation. Genes are determined at conception... no question. But how genes manifest are also affected by incubation. So the carrying mother actually does have so much to do about how the child develops. For example, they transferred two identical horse embryos into two different carrying mother horses. Bring identical, the horses should have been also born identical. But they were not. They were very unique from one another. It was solid evidence that the mother’s incubation environment helps genes manifest in a unique way. Kind of getting off topic here - but that really helped me let go of the need to be the genetic mom. Having my daughter grow in my belly was enough. And knowing that my pregnancy would help determine the person she would be born as also helped me cope with letting go of the genes idea.

likeuplifting

Thank you for the detailed information

like

Thank you for sharing

like

Please post thecontent

Related Posts

like

Any Tik Tok referrals? I applied today for the Learning and Development business partner, US safety role in Los Angeles. Thank you!

like

Anyone working for any analytics position - would love a referral - open to any summer internship position :) beggars can’t be choosers, so I would be infinitely grateful for any opportunity :)

like

I joined ofss last Jan. Since my earlier package was very low, my current package is 15Lpa for 9 years experience. Can I expect a hike or correction in such a short span?

likefunny

Hi, I’m looking into a career in AM. Could anyone who is currently an Analyst or Associate give me a brief insight in what their day entails?

like

Thoughts on the Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) certification? Hoping to add some more certifications on my CV for director of strategy roles. Thank you!

like

Is Knowledge Services in KPMG better than PwC? How is the work culture in both these companies as compared to Deloitte?

like

Hello - can anyone drop base salaries or guarantees for Television Account Executives?🧐thanks in advance

like

Hi!! Is anyone hiring for a part time, remote marketing or graphic designer position?

like

How many billable hours per week keep you in the game at an agency making cuts? 60? 70? I have no idea what’s normal anymore.

like

Joe is my man 👍🏻

likefunny

Quick reminder that the former president, and current Republican 2024 front runner, gets a lot of his information from here.

Post Photo
likefunnyuplifting

What could be the average salary package for 3+ yoe guy for application support

Can someone please help me refer my friend in JP Morgan?

Is there any job like TDD that doesn’t require report writing?

like

Happy with hikes this year?

likeuplifting

Not work related but looking for recommendations on budget TVs.

TCL Qled 4k 43" vs LG LED 4k 43"?

like

Additional Posts in Fertility Bowl

Hi! Any OBGYN recommendations for those in NYC / with PCOS?

like

Has anyone used melatonin (3mg) to help egg quality? Also, has that had an effect on your prolactin levels?

like

Anyone can recommend a good RE at Weill Cornell in Nyc?

like

Anyone use fertility supplements? Specifically with myo -lnositol?
Or any others recommend

like

Fertility warriors who’ve made it… what were the best baby gifts you’ve received upon delivery? My friend and I were both TTC together. I’m still going but her baby is due this week. I’ve gotten her a hatch robe earlier in the process. any really thoughtful or luxurious gifts to celebrate ? (Considered a high quality personalized blanket?)

like

Morning! So I am in the process of an IUI. I started letrozole Wednesday and have to go back next Wednesday for blood work and ultra sound. I was so excited that I forgot I had booked a trip for a family event for 4th of July. I am leaving on the 28th and won’t be back till the 5th. Did I just screw myself over? I’m waiting for the nurse to call me back but I’m so anxious figured I’d ask here!

like

Did my 4th embryo transfer today. Currently in the two week wait. Any June transfers here?

likehelpful

Which insurance company are you going with and why?

like

For those of you that went through IVF - how many cycles did you go through? Did it result in a successful live birth?

like

Has anyone ever worked with reproductive science center of NJ?

like

Has anyone done ovarian prp?

like

Insight into fertility benefits at capital one? Would appreciate any input

like

Anyone have experience to share with back to back ivf cycles? I am still recovering from my bloat 3 days past retrieval but have a laparotomy scheduled for early dec. I really want to squeeze in another cycle prior to that but don’t want to put my body through it if the yield will be low due to recovery from my first cycle. Thank you in advance.

like

Does anyone know why I would have multiple LH surge days in a week? Newly TTC after 20+ yrs on BC, and both digital and traditional LH tests showed an LH surge in Tues and Sat of this week. What does it mean???

like

In my first trimester and have come back positive for UTI. Anyone on antibiotics for UTI? If so how far along are you and what were you prescribed?

Hi friends- finished my first IVF cycle and anxiously waiting PGT results for my blastocysts. 13 eggs retrieved, 11 fertilized, 8 to blastocyst. Only 6 embryos being biopsied and really hoping I can end up with 2-3. The wait! Anyone with positive affirmations? :-) I had Horrible unexpected OHSS despite after the egg retrieval and ended up in the ER that night for 12 hours.. had 5 days where it was difficult to breathe because I had so much fluid and blood that was pushing against my organs. 🤞🤞

like

My RE is putting me on estrogen pills for a mock cycle. Has anyone else done this? Any guidance or thoughts on this?

like

Hi everyone! For those that feel comfortable, would love to see the breakdown AFC > eggs retrieved > fertilized > embryo > genetically normal (please feel free to include other steps, add in more numbers/details). I've read the averages of how it gets narrowed down, but always prefer hearing real breakdowns. I'm in the process of my first egg retrieval and trying to stay realistic. Really appreciate it!

like

Hi all- I have to get a saline sonogram next week. How is that procedure ? Will it be painful? Thanks!

How many weeks does EY provide for maternity leave at full pay vs weeks at partial pay?

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal