Part 1: My Egg Donating Experience

My Eggy Bloggy by Jill

So, I'm about to embark on something pretty adventurous and exciting in the next few days -No, I'm not going to shave all my hair off, or buy a Porsche. Waaaay too common.

I decided some time last year that I wanted to do something for other people out there who are missing a particular element in their lives. Something they yearn for but can't achieve themselves, something they desire so desperately but haven't been blessed with the vital ingredients to satisfy their wish.

I am going to donate my eggs. Free range, organic Jilly-eggs. Something like that.

Looking at my own life, I have a job, a car, a house, 2 cats, 2 fish, a shedload of worldly experiences good and bad, and a daughter. Many people take being a mother/parent for granted. Some would simply never ever want to have kids, some prefer to have a career. Some people can't help but pop them out like peas every year. 
And then some would simply love to have that opportunity of choice to have a baby. But they can't.

I've heard and read about childless couples at their wits end, desperate for a child of their own to complete their family. I often look at my own situation and think about how times been really tough, bringing up a child on my own, with very little and often no support. For example, I've been unable to progress onto uni and get that nursing degree I've wanted to study for aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaages, I can't just get up and do what I want, go where I want, please myself, as there's a wee person I have to consider first. But having another think, I realise I've done bloody well to get where I am, and managed to raise a top-notch bairn who wants for nothing, she's not spoiled, she appreciates everything, and she's intelligent. I'm adding that last part, as I’m totally expecting her to do well for herself and support her mama when she’s auld and decrepit.

So anyway, bla bla bla.

I suppose I just have a heart and really do feel for people at times who, in some ways are less fortunate than myself. I don't want money for it, and I don't want the praise and recognition for it. I just want to let you in on what I’m up to and raise a bit of awareness for something that’s so highly in demand, but not enough support for the cause..

I can't even remember how I got the notion to do this. I think I was reading an article online which covered the topics of IVF and egg donating, which caught my interest.  I work in a hospital and so approached one of the gynaecologists with a few questions. It just so happens, that she is one of the consultants in the Assisted Conception Unit in Ninewells Hospital, so was able to provide me with all the information needed to make some decisions. During a couple of appointments in the department, I was swabbed and pricked and tested for all sorts of diseases and conditions,  filled in a load of forms and then I was counselled, to answer all my questions, make me aware of what could happen and what to expect.

I suppose a few of the things which played on my mind were, will the kid who is born as a result of my eggs come knocking on my door when they fall out with their mum, looking for money, or a bed to sleep in?  Will I be financially responsible in any way for him/her? How would I feel if their parent/s died when they were young? Who would look after them? Would it have to be me??

And so the decision I have made, is to remain completely anonymous- to have no connection whatsoever with anyone who is born from my jilly-eggys. I only want to know if and when there's a child born. I feel that by then, I'll have done my part and it's been a success. That's all. They will have a mum and dad.

Shit!  Imagine- there could be loads of wee Jilly’s roaming round the country soon. OOOOOF

When I get my visit from "Mother Nature" in the next couple of days, that is when I begin the daily injections of a FSH.  Follical Stimulating Hormone. The idea is to produce quantity. Lots of eggs. It's administered with one of these pen-type injectors, the same kind you'd see diabetics use. You twist it to the required dose, pull the end out, then stab the needle into either my thigh or my belly and press the top to release. It should be pretty easy, as I've got plenty chubbs there which don’t contain too many nerve endings. Plus, having had a couple of tattoos, needles don't particularly scare me.

I should then have a scan on around day 6 to see how well my body's responding to the drugs, then a further scan or 2.... Should all be going well, I would anticipate the egg retrieval to happen about 2 weeks from the start of the injections.

It's all a bit vague, but I'll give you a detailed report of my journey as it happens. 

Wish me luck!

XX