Category: Blogs

It Takes a Village to Raise a Child:
Talking to Your Partner & Family
About Donating Eggs

Providing the gift of life through egg donation is a wonderful helping hand to those in need. Although the benefits of egg donation are clear, the decision to be an egg donor is difficult and should be given careful consideration, including discussing the decision with loved ones and friends who will support you through the process and understand your generosity and empathy for families struggling with infertility.

Common Question:

• How can I alleviate worries and concerns?
Be open with others and create a support system during the process.

• Why do you want to become an egg donor?
You want to help those grappling with infertility, but also consider the other benefits that drive you to help others.

• Is egg retrieval dangerous or painful?
A retrieval is a short outpatient procedure. The procedure is done with anesthesia and no discomfort is experienced. Risks include the risks of general anesthesia and other general risks which will be discussed prior to the procedure.

• Will it put your future fertility at risk?
No, egg donation does not deplete your eggs. The eggs retrieved would be lost in that cycle unless used.

• Do egg donors have responsibility to offspring?
No, legal documentation ensures the parents of the IVF children, not the egg donor, bear all responsibilities.

• Where can I learn more?
Resources are available on our website, answer common questions on the myths & misconceptions of egg donation and to explain the application, screening and medical process at International Egg Bank. Our medical staff is also available to answer your questions at (630) 810-0212.

For women in the military, family planning can be more complicated due to being deployed during their most fertile years. A large majority of servicewomen are in their reproductive primes. “There were 2.2 million active duty members and ready reserve personnel in 2017, 16 percent were women and about 40 percent were under the age of 26,” according to the journal Military Medicine.

Ellen Smith is a soldier for the U.S. Army and has always wanted to be a mother but was not involved in a relationship, stating “dating in the military is different and complicated.” At the age of 37 she became concerned about her fertility declining . After being deployed several times, Ellen “blinked her eyes, and then I was 41.” Without giving up her dream to becoming a mom, she decided to freeze her eggs – all 80 of them. Since military health care services do not cover the procedure and she decided to outsource to a private clinic.

Ellen encourages other women serving to consider the option before deployment. She also hopes the Military will consider changes in the system to allow coverage. “It’s kind of consistent with everything else we do before we deploy – you’re supposed to come up with plans, you are supposed to work on your will and talk with your family” she says. “Cryopreservation is just good insurance.”

The Midwest Fertility Center proudly supports our military personnel. The center specializes in fertility, egg donation and sperm bank services. For more information, please visit our website at https://mfcfamily.com/ or call us toll free at (888) 261-5916.