Being an egg donor is not a commitment to take lightly, and requires a lot of your time, but I would highly recommend to women, who are healthy, to consider being a donor. There is no better thing you could do for another woman. When I first signed up to be an egg donor, it was solely about the money but I learned that the experience was much more emotional and satisfying for me.

I underestimated the time and commitment that would go into something like being an egg donor and was honestly scared when I came in for my initial work-up, did the medication teaching and psychologist evaluation. I just told myself that it was too late to back out now! I knew a couple was waiting to have a family with my help, so I stayed with it and I am glad I did. I was accepted into the program in less than a month, and was finished with the whole process about 2 ½ months.

The first time I had to give myself the injection in my stomach and hip, it took me about 5 minutes to build up enough courage, but after that, it was easy! It was not always easy trying to explain to my boss about why I would be coming into work late because of my daily ultrasounds and blood work, but everyone was supportive and understanding. I was not too nervous going into my retrieval, and was surprised and relieved about how quickly it was over. After I was given the anesthesia, I do not even remember going into the operating room, but just woke up in recovery about an hour later in a little bit of pain, but it was not too bad. I went home about 30 minutes later, and got to lie in bed for the next day and a half.

I decided to donate two more times, not for the money, but because of how it made me feel. I felt good about the gift I was giving to another woman. I received heartfelt thank you cards from the recipient couples and it made me feel incredible! I was giving the most precious gift I could give to anyone. In addition, I was able to pay off all of my debt, take my mom to Europe for 2 weeks, and have a good amount of money in savings. Overall, it was an easy and worthwhile experience, that I would recommend to anyone willing to help a deserving couple have a family.