I decided to donate my eggs after going through IVF myself. Through my own fertility challenges, I came to understand from my own perspective the struggle of infertility. Although my journey was ultimately successful and I was fortunate to have had a positive outcome, it was still a dark and difficult road to follow.
And knowing how much harder it must be to not be able to use your own eggs, I wanted to help other women in any way that I could.
I chose to use London Egg Bank because as soon as I contacted them with an enquiry, everyone was so lovely and caring.
At the start of the donation process, the staff at London Egg Bank were encouraging and helpful, they took me through the fertility assessment and genetic tests, explaining everything as we went through it and even helping me understand my own fertility better.
The journey really was a smooth process. Everything was explained along the way with what was happening, the support and the instructions were very clear and caring, and knowing that after the initial process and donation, the donor welfare programme is there to support me into the future means a lot.
I was pleased with the number of good quality eggs that I was able to donate and knowing that these eggs might help someone else create a longed-for family of their own was very rewarding.
I know that I have given a family or an individual the opportunity to realise their dream of a family. I’m comfortable that if the child or children grow up and want to know the identity of their donor, I’ll be very happy to meet with them if that’s what they wish.
I’ve been completely open to my friends and family throughout my journey of donation. They’ve all been amazingly supportive and think it’s such an amazing thing that I’m doing.
I want to encourage other women to think carefully about donating their own eggs if they can do so, as it’s a simple thing for them that could change other people's lives for the better.
If I were to think back to the experiences I have had during the process, I wouldn’t have too much advice to offer, as it is such a personal decision to donate and a personal experience to go through.
What I would say is to allow yourself to be honest about how it’s going and ask for help if you need it. I found with London Egg Bank that the help was always there, whatever my concerns or questions.
Egg donation is such an amazing opportunity to give to someone else, as well as a chance to find out more about yourself and feel that you have really made a positive difference and contribution to the world.