The donation experience, was for me, both very intimate and very isolating. The intimacy of the experience came from within. Thousands of thoughts would go through my head - but I never doubted my decision personally. I wanted to donate and I want to make a difference - even in the slightest of ways.
My mother raised me to be kind, she always said two things to me, that have stayed with me all my life: kindness is never wasted, and what goes around comes around. I feel so many wonderful people are denied the most precious gift life can give. Here is where I can make a difference, share a little magic.
I felt quite alone, during the process - as it is seen as quite controversial. I told my closest friends, as I needed the support. They were naturally supportive, despite their views on donating my 'very own' potential children. One negative thought that resonated with me about this process was that said to me by my father: "you have no control as to what home this child is going to, you are giving your seed and you have no way to ensure that that child gets the best he or she deserves". What he said to me concerned me, although I did not feel I was giving up a child, I felt somewhat responsible. The more I thought about it the more comforted I felt. The people who go to such lengths, spend so much money and take the emotional risks of miscarriage to have a child - would give that child everything they possibly can.
I have donated twice. The first time was quite unpleasant. I was woken up in a dark room, with a nurse holding a stethoscope to my chest. I was very confused. I had quite a bit of pain and nausea for the next 2 days, but apart from that I was fine. The second donation, in the month of September, was much better. The staff at the clinic were all nice and very accommodating. I did however miss several classes during the 2 weeks preceding the donation, which set me back quite a bit as the donation occurred during the middle of my semester tests. Driving to the clinic took me between an hour and an hour and a half depending on the traffic, so on days that I had scans I ended up missing all of my morning classes - there was nothing "quick" or "convenient" about coming in for a scan.
After the second donation I spoke to the Doctor, he said they took 25 eggs. As a biologist my first response was "okay so that is 2 years of my child bearing window gone seeing as I have a finite amount of eggs" ( assuming 1 egg a month, 12 months a year), it was then that I realized that I would have to watch the clock - before I know it I might be too old. * See comment.
When I left the clinic I was handed a gift from my recipient (not directly of course) - it was heartwarming, they put in a lot of effort to say thank you - and I suddenly felt grateful that my little genetic contribution was going to such beautiful down-to-earth people. I really, truly, hope that this donation was a successful one, and that they may be happy.
