Donor Embryo issues

[ivyandriollo]

Hi everyone,

I'm 36, dh is 35. I'm a poor responder to IVF and had failed with the treatments. Now we are considering the different options available such as DE, donor embryo or adoption. I find that there are many discussions about DE and adoption. However, there are not much said about donor embryo.

We are still confused and don't really know what to do. I'm hoping that I could learn something from this BB about using donor embryo to help us in making our decision.

Would anyone care to share their thoughts/views about using donor embryo (even if you didn't go through it before), like pros and cons, or own experience etc. Any info would be very much appreciated.

Thank you so very much!!

Ivy

[CathyNC]

Hello Ivy,

I have been on a waiting list for 5yrs for donor embryo. Of course at a larger clinic this would not be the case. I just got the call last Friday night that they have a match for us! I will begin the journey on my next cycle. I too was wanting more info on donor embryo and how I can better my chances. We've done IVF/ICSI twice plus one cancelled cycle with no success. My reg. gyn put me on prenatal vitamins and an extra folic acid. I am also taking 1 baby aspirin a day. I've heard this may help with implantation.

If anyone has any more info to give for us, please respond.

Ivy, are you waiting now for a donor? Good luck and keep me posted.

CathyNC

[skitcher]

Ivy,

Hello, I just wanted to let you know that I have used donor embryos and have a beautiful baby girl as a result. She is now 16 months old and just perfect! She (ha) had been frozen for 10 years before coming home with me...hard to believe!

We also have an adopted daughter and we love them both tremendously! I am unsure as to what kinds of questions you might have, but I can honestly tell you that it doesn't matter to me where my children come from. DNA is way over rated!!!

The procedure is easy, the cost is reasonably low, and the only hard part, is finding the embryos. But, it is not impossible!

Please feel free to email me at kitchs@sbcglobal.net if you have any further questions, or post on this thread. I love talking about it!

[jmaw]

I went through 9 years + of infertility treatment, 5 mc and 1 failed adoption. I think I did a total of 7 ivf/icsi. I was never a good responder and didn't ever get great quality embryos. I pursued treatment for possible immune issues and did ivig also. I am now the proud mother of 2 daughters (I just turned 40) 1 through domestic infant adoption and the other through private embryo donation. My daughters are 1 yr and 6 1/2 months. My embryo adoption was done through a friend of friend. The donor had triplets at 51 and gave me and my husband her 4 frozen embryos, 1 didn't survive the thaw and the other 3 were transferred and 1 implanted. After all the years of heartache I had a very easy pregnancy (I was treated like a normal pregnant woman after being released by my clinic to my regular ob/gyn), I was also caring for my newborn adopted daughter. The Dr.'s thought it was highly unusual to transfer embryos from a 51 yr. old to a 39 yr. old, but I did it anyway and have a perfect little girl.

If you have any other questions please ask. I feel so blessed and thankful that I didn't give up and want to give others hope.

Jamie

[flicka7]

From what I've read of other ladies' experiences, donor embryos is not all that expensive. Finding a donor for eggs is not difficult at all, but it is very expensive because you have to pay for the IVF cycle and pay the donor for her services.

My DH always checked out fine, but I am a poor responder so we wanted to go for donor eggs. Our child will have DH's genes. If both of us had IF issues, then donor embryos would be a great option. We want children however we can have them!

Good Luck!

[msfriend]

Choosing to use Donor egg, Donor Sperm, or Donor Embryo all are great ways to become a parent.

I finally accepted I just want the experience of being pregnant. We chose Donor Egg so at least one of us will be the biological parent.

So many clinics now offer refund programs if you don't become pregnant you get a portion of your money back. And really I think that is the best option. Houston, Chicago and California all have these programs. Check with the local RESOLVE chapter in your area for information. I am sure alot more clinics are doing the refund programs.

Donor Embryo list are really long. So, the more clinics you list with the more of an opportunity you might have. Try the larger cities where you can get a cheaper flight.

[msfriend]

Choosing to use Donor egg, Donor Sperm, or Donor Embryo all are great ways to become a parent.

I finally accepted I just want the experience of being pregnant. We chose Donor Egg so at least one of us will be the biological parent.

So many clinics now offer refund programs if you don't become pregnant you get a portion of your money back. And really I think that is the best option. Houston, Chicago and California all have these programs. Check with the local RESOLVE chapter in your area for information. I am sure alot more clinics are doing the refund programs.

Donor Embryo list are really long. So, the more clinics you list with the more of an opportunity you might have. Try the larger cities where you can get a cheaper flight.

[mmi]

All i can say is however you become a parent... the moment that miracle is in your arms, you will know that this was the baby you were suppose to have. It is instant love, even if you have doubts that it could be... INSTANT. I would chose the quickest, cheapest way to be a parent. We spent so much money trying to have biology.... all we really wanted was a family. good luck.

[ivyandriollo]

Thank you, everyone, for your replies and precious information that you share with me. I really appreciate it a lot. And they have provided me with some food for thought. Although we haven't made a decision yet, but I certainly feel more confident and calm now with these new information.

A big thank you again!!

Sincerely,
Ivy

[CathyNC]

Ivy,
I once checked with an agency called snowflakes that deals strictly with donor embryos from clinics from all over. You may want to check into this. It is definitely cheaper than adoption or IVF and probably not as stressful.
Maybe you could post something asking if anyone has ever used them. They do have a website. If you cant find any info on it, you can email me and I will go dig the info out.
Good Luck.
CathyNC

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