2009 - We Begin the Egg Donor Process

In Spring 2009 we decide that trying IVF using an egg donor is our next step.  The Reproductive Clinic at Froedtert has an egg donor program.  They have a pool of donors that they recruit by advertising.  Each woman that applies to be a donor is screened to be sure that she is essentially responsible, serious about it, mentally stable, and not a complete idiot.  The donor earns $3,000 for her time and eggs.  I feel comfortable about the screening process when the nurses tell me that most of the women that apply to be a donor are rejected for one reason or another.

So the first step for us in the process is for me to have a psychological review to be sure I am "mentally stable" to go through it.  At first I think - "Is this some kind of joke?  Do you THINK I am mentally stable after years of this roller coaster ride?"   They want to be sure you think about success - what will you tell your child about his/her heritage?  Will you be prepared to share how he/she came to be?  Surprisingly I pass this evaluation with flying colors - he he!  Oh yes - that will be another $450 not covered by insurance.

With that out of the way Dan and I are now on the "Waiting List" to have our choice of egg donors.  Each couple has exclusive "use" of the donor list for a few days to make their selection - which makes sense.  We would not want to fight with another couple over one woman!

BUT - the wait would be about 6 months.  So that means I'll be 41 before we can even start. Sigh.