My husband and I never imagined that I would have trouble getting pregnant. I had two children from
my previous marriage and had no issues conceiving them. So twenty years later, when we were told by my fertility specialist that I had extremely low egg reserves, we were surprised. We were also told that we were not candidates for IVF and that egg donation was our only option. However, once we started pricing the costs associated with egg donation, we quickly realized that the hefty price would make reaching our goal quite challenging.
my previous marriage and had no issues conceiving them. So twenty years later, when we were told by my fertility specialist that I had extremely low egg reserves, we were surprised. We were also told that we were not candidates for IVF and that egg donation was our only option. However, once we started pricing the costs associated with egg donation, we quickly realized that the hefty price would make reaching our goal quite challenging.
Around the same time, we were planning a trip to Europe to attend my step daughter's wedding in Greece. While arranging our travel, I happened to come across an article online discussing affordable
IVF abroad. The article discussed how many US couples are foregoing expensive IVF treatments in the United States for less expensive IVF options in Europe. After numerous internet searches, we learned that a number of options were available in some European countries.
IVF abroad. The article discussed how many US couples are foregoing expensive IVF treatments in the United States for less expensive IVF options in Europe. After numerous internet searches, we learned that a number of options were available in some European countries.
Due to my husband being in his later
fifties, we had already started to consider whether embryo donation
might be best for us. We knew that we could love a child without regard
to any
genetic connections. So when we learned that clinics in the Czech Republic and Spain offered anonymous embryo donation, we immediately knew that this was the best option for us.
genetic connections. So when we learned that clinics in the Czech Republic and Spain offered anonymous embryo donation, we immediately knew that this was the best option for us.
Embryo Donation Articles:
In the US, many couples who can no longer afford or no
longer want to store their embryo's will donate them to couples trying
to conceive. However, because these couples had difficulty conceiving as
well, these embryo's may not always be of good quality. Therefore, it
may take several attempts before a successful transfer will result in a
pregnancy. There's also a very good possibility that none of the donated
embryo's will take.
Each state in the US also has its own laws regarding embryo donation. For example, here in my home state of Ohio, it is called "Embryo Adoption." A couple donating their embryo can require that the recipient of the egg go through the same process that would apply if you were adopting a child. This involves interviews, adoption classes and home visits before any possibility of approval. Furthermore, in Ohio it is also not as easy to acquire embryos. You can contact a fertility specialist to see if they have any clients who are interested in donating embryos. Alternatively, you can contact one of the private organizations who help individuals locate an embryo. Either way, you have to locate a couple who are willing to pass on their embryo. Sometimes these donors want to be able to have contact with your child after it is born. These are obviously challenging issues.
In the Czech Republic and Spain, egg and sperm donors are anonymous. There are plenty of donors, and the donors must be by law no older than thirty-five. The screening of donors is also very rigorous. They are screened for both sexually transmitted and genetic diseases, and must undergo psychological counseling. There are also no waiting lists because there are so many donor.
European clinics offering anonymous embryo donation:
Czech Republic
Spain
We hope that by sharing our story, we can help other couples in similar circumstances.
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