10 Reason to be an Egg Donor

The following was recently published in our December Donor Enews...just thought I would share!

Financial Gain

Egg donors are compensated generously for the time and treatment required. In a short amount of time donors can earn several thousand dollars, which can give them a head start on personal and professional goals.

Helping A Couple

Your gift will change the lives of a couple who yearn to be parents and are unable to do so without your help. Your donation will help fulfill the life-long dreams of one very grateful couple.

Positively Changing the Lives of Many

The lives you change go beyond just the couple you help. Their aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, grandparents, mothers, fathers and friends will be excited about the new family member they have the opportunity to love.

Get the 411 on Your Personal Fertility

While going to have your annual checkup keeps you healthy, women do not know the inner workings of their fertility unless they undergo detailed treatment. Through the process of egg donation, doctors are able to do an evaluation of your fertility and gynecological health and inform you of any potential roadblocks - or conversely set your mind at ease.

Join the Thousands Who Have Donated Before You

Sharing the Wealth Makes You Feel Good

Truthfully, you likely have more eggs than you will ever need. Rather than not use them at all, you can share the wealth and feel good about the positive impact you are making.

There is an Egg Donor Shortage

There are more families that need egg donors than there are egg donors available. Quite frankly, you're in demand!

Learn About an Interesting and Exciting Industry

The more you learn about the fertility industry, the more you will want to know. We have seen this with countless donors and couples. The intricate science and cutting-edge techniques have turned many into fertility industry followers and even fertility industry professionals. Just ask Egg Donor Coordinator Melissa Braden!

Make an Impact

The disease of infertility affects over seven million people of child bearing age. You can make a direct impact by personally changing that statistic through egg donation.

Good Karma

Karma has been described as such: "for every event that occurs, there will follow another event whose existence was caused by the first, and this second event will be pleasant or unpleasant." By becoming an egg donor you are giving yourself a strong and powerful dose of good karma - who wouldn't want that?

Log on and get started NOW...www.fcidonor.com

We want to hear from you...

Yes, you, we want to hear from you!  Have you donated with us in the past?  Are you currently a donor with us?  We would love to blog about your experience since every experience is different.  Also, if you're thinking about becoming a donor and are on the fence about, we would love to hear from you as well.  Sometimes talking to our staff or other donors can ease your mind about the process as well as get your questions answered.  Our staff at FCI is always there for you to answer any questions you have.  Please do not hesitate to visit our website at www.fcidonor.com, it is loaded with tons of great information.  Also, I would personally love to hear your story or questions, please email me at danielle.swanson@integramed.com. 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Comes to A Close!

As breast cancer awareness month comes to a close, I just wanted to share with you what FCI has been doing for it's patients to help.  Click Here to read about the amazing things that FCI is doing!  

We are not just using fertility preservation for breast cancer patients, but rather patients with any type of cancer. 

I have had loved ones pass from cancer but defiantly have the "that would never happen to me" mentality about it, which I know is not true.  As I head into my 30s it has become a scary reality that it can happen to me!  I was surprise to hear at my last pap exam just this week that since I am in the < 30 range they would be running extensive test for cancer cells or anything abnormal that they felt could potentially lead to cancer.  The plus side of hearing this news was that if you get the "all clear" you only need to have it done every 3 years, however it made me feel one step closer to the potential of having cancer or knowing someone who does.     

Why I Became a Donor!

I know that I already touched on this a little in the first section of my donor story, but thought that I would revisit what it was that made me become a donor.  I know that the first thing was the money, I fantasized about what my family would use it for, what we would pay off, how much it would help us get through this tough economy, etc. 
However, once filling out the application, turning in my pap and photos and being thoroughly pre-screened, it became so much more.  Once you get into the heart of egg donation it is hard to get back to "I'm just doing it for the money."  Don't get me wrong, the money is always and will always be a good thing, but there is so much more to egg donation that you only get from going through the process yourself. 
I think that the light bulb went on during my pre-screening psych appointment when she asked me, "why do you want to be a donor?"  I lead with the money thing but soon found myself talking about the meaning it would bring into my life.  I was a new mom and on cloud nine and just couldn't imagine for a minute not being able to experience motherhood. 
As a woman, our bodies are made to reproduce and carry a baby to term.  Imagine if someone told you that you were broken and wouldn't be able to carry your own child, give birth, have a first birthday party...the list goes on and on.  For someone outside looking in I think we just hear infertility, but for the hundreds of couples and individuals struggling with these issues they hear no baby, no giggles, no family...etc.
Being a mother is the single most rewarding thing that I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing and being an egg donor isn't too far behind on that list. 
Everyday woman are told that their dream of a family is simply that a dream, you can help make this dream come true.  We are in need of new donors everyday to fulfill the growing needs of our patients.  Please log onto fcidonor.com and find out how you can become a donor with us today.

What to do first...?

I know that when I was thinking of becoming a donor for the first time I really didn't know where to turn.  Our website, www.fcidonor.com,  is very helpful and has a quick and easily survey to fill out to see if you are eligible to be a donor with us.  We do have some height and weight requirements as well as you have to have a resent clean pap.  Once you fill out the online form you will receive one of two responses from us, basically accepting or denying you as donor. 
If you do get an acceptance email there will be an application attached for you to fill out.  It can be intimidating at first to fill out all that medical information as well as the family history but it's worth the time it will take you.  Once you return that to us with some photos, and your pap, we will review the application and if we like what we see then we'll set up a time to have you come in for a day of pre-screening.  Our pre-screening process takes about 3 hours.  At this appointment you will meet with our in house psychologist and be evaluated, have a physical exam, blood workup, genetic testing and an internal ultra sound.  We do advance you $300 from your final $7,000 at this time and the check should arrive to you within days of your appointment.
Results from this day will take at least 2 weeks to receive back and in some cases can take longer.  If everything is ok we will then upload your profile to the website to be viewed by our patients.  Since we have more patients looking for donors then donors, the time between when you're put on and when you're picked is usually very short.  From start to finish, once you are picked by a patient, the process takes about 3 months or so.  As I mentioned before, I have donated with FCI two times in the past and would be happy to answer any questions that anyone might have.  I can be reached via email at danielle.swanson@integramed.com.

Will Donating Now Have An Effect On My Fertility Later?

Many questions arise as potential egg donors consider the possibility of providing eggs to an anonymous recipient couple. Questions naturally arise as donors learn that they will be taking injectable medicine in order to generate multiple eggs during a single donation cycle. When the normal pattern in all reproductive age women is that only one egg comes to maturity and ovulates each month, it's logical to question whether retrieving multiple eggs during one cycle, will eventually result in decreased future fertility of the donor.

The good news is that there is no evidence to suggest that donors will experience a decreased potential for fertility and/or childbearing by donating eggs. A well documented decline in fertility naturally accompanies aging in women, and the occasional egg donation cycle among otherwise normal cycling women does nothing to alter their long-term fertility. By the same token, women may wonder that if by taking birth control pills and therefore inhibiting ovulation, they may have a longer fertility potential, but that is also false. The major correlation with fertility over an individuals' life-span is age and age alone.

In fact, the number of eggs any female has occurs even prior to birth. Female infant ovaries, at approximately 20 weeks gestation, contain roughly 5 million eggs. When the child is born, the ovaries contain roughly 2 million eggs. There is always a gradual decline throughout the life of the young female child such that by puberty, the ovaries contain roughly 400,000-500,000 eggs. Over the course of a woman's childbearing years, only about 400-500 eggs actually make it to maturity and get ovulated. The vast majority of eggs never reach maturing and never ovulate, but are gradually absorbed by the body between puberty and menopause. However, the age of maturity is 51+ years, and no evidence to date suggest that the use of fertility medication or egg donation will decrease the egg reserved to any degree that results in premature menopause. 

Jane Nani, M.D.

Fertility Centers of Illinois

Written by Jane Nani, M.D., FCI Medical Director,

2nd Time Around Part 4

So there I was going to Lindenhurst everyday, feeling boated and uncomfortable!  But at least I wasn't driving to the city, thank god for FCI's multiple locations!  Finally the day came, and man was I ready.  Unlike last time I was uncomfortable the majority of the time and just really crabby, which I am sure my husband loved!  But I assure you that the $7k was well worth the discomfort that I went through. 
The retrieval went just fine and this time 20 eggs were harvested.  I was told by the doctor that this was most likely why I was more sore and uncomfortable this time, but again, well worth it.  Also, something else happened this time that didn't the first.  Right before they took me back the doctor came in and went over the routine stuff with me like before but then took my hand and thanked me for doing this on behalf of the patients.  This really touched me.  Don't get me wrong, I was well aware of what an amazing thing I was doing and felt great about it, but there is something to be said for someone else giving your good deed some recognition.  I went home feeling ok and this time with pain medicine.  Spent the rest of that day resting and doing absolutely nothing at all.  The following morning I awoke to the worst period like cramps ever, took some pain pills and back to bed I went.  Throughout the whole day I felt really bad but by evening was feeling a little more myself and by the next day getting even closer to normal. 
Even though my recovery took longer this time and I was in more discomfort from start to finish I wouldn't take it back for the world.  I gave someone the chance to have a family, which without me would not have been possible.  I am moving on to trying for my second child and will be retiring from egg donation as I am getting too old LOL : ) (No really I am getting too old)!  

2nd Time Around ...Part 3

So I was ready yet again to go through this process.  My husband, not so much.  I think that he remembered the crabby me and was not looking forward to her return! 
I began my injections just after my 30th Birthday and within 48 hours, was quickly feeling the effects.  Now last time I didn't feel bloated or crappy till nearing the end so this was new for me.  By the 3rd day when I went it for my first round of blood work and ultra sound there they were big and black on the screen (the eggs I mean).  You see when you have your ultra sound you can see your little tiny eggs like black circles outlined in white on the screen and each and everyday they get larger and larger (truly amazing to see).  Last time it was further along until they were that big, but every time is different! 
Like clock work, the nurse called that evening to relay my results...estrogen levels were high so I would be heading in again the next morning.  In most circumstances you'll go every other day unless they see reason to monitor you more closely then everyday it is...I was on my way to being one of the everyday donors!

2nd Time Around Part 2

So there I was feeling selfish and at the same time completely justified in my decision.  The wedding planning quickly swept me away again and within a few days I had long forgotten about the phone call from FCI.  As the wedding inched closer and closer the stress of "how the hell am I gonna pay for this" really became almost overwhelming...(this might have been part of why I donated a 2nd time : ). 
I think it was about a month before the big day that I received another phone call from the donor coordinator, Melissa Bradon, from FCI...I must say that we had a very good relationship my first go around and that's probably why she felt that she could call me and plead the case of the patient.  It was in this phone conversation that I found out the previous phone calls were for this same patient and my heart fluttered a little.  I felt like this was my chance to make this right since I had been feeling so crappy about saying no the previous two times.  She mentioned that the patient said she "had to have me"...talk about flattering...There are literally hundreds of girls out there willing to donate their eggs and she wanted MINE, it really is a great feeling!  I am not gonna lie, by the time we hung up the phone my mind was made up, I was doing this, but said "Let me check with Kevin and I'll get back to you."  Kevin, my fiance, took a little more convincing, but gave into my wishes and we were ready to get married, honeymoon, and start the hormone injections again!!!

2nd Time Around...part 1

So in case you missed it I have been a donor two times and loved them both.  I previously blogged about my 1st experience and am now moving on to round two.

Let me set the stage for you.  I finished my first cycle in January (just in time for new years resolutions, mine being to workout and fit in my wedding dress) and my wedding was only 6 short months away. 
As a side note you cannot workout while in cycle...only walking or swimming, which normally wouldn't have been an issue at all because I, like most woman, hate to workout!
So, like I planned, I started my workout routine and 2 months later was well on my way to fitting into my dream dress for my big day and that's when I got the call.  Now if I was ready to donate again this would have been a happy call but I was not since cycling again would mean that I would have to stop workingout and it would really set me back.  I politely declined and sadly hung up the phone.  I remember not sleeping well that night...rolling around thinking about the woman that also received a call saying "sorry the donor that you really want would rather workout then help you start a family" LOL ...I know that's not what they told her but I couldn't help feeling like crap!  I mean how selfish was I?
Again about a month later I received another phone call just to double check that I would not be donating again.  I reassured them that I was interested in donating in the future but was working on my wedding and then wanted to expand my own family right away.  I just didn't see anytime in there to cycle again and really didn't want to push my own dreams of another baby back for someone I did not know.  Again...lost some sleep over my decision and even now as I type this hate how selfish I was being. 

The F Word...Fertility?

I guess in most cultures Fertility is still a taboo topic, but the idea of running at the sound of the word is so foreign to me.  I have been walking around various events downtown and stopping at local spots near the various FCI locations sometimes before I finish the word Fertility people have already turned the other way.  I guess to some it's still a dirty word!  Don't get me wrong some conversations of reproduction will still make me blush at 30, but all I'm trying to say is "Hi I'm from the Fertility Centers of Illinois...let me share this great opportunity with you."...but oh no it's like I am trying to give them the plague through my words.  I end up just handing them the information or whatever we have to give away and just letting them figure it out on their own, in private.  This is disappointing since I have a lot to say and feel as though if they would just hear me out they would see the great experience that I see!  Don't get me wrong, not everyone that I've met has been this way...in fact more have welcomed my words, asked questions and show strong interest, but still I can't understand why the simple word Fertility turns so many way.  Please help me understand and any suggestions about starting such a conversation are welcome.

Egg Donor Child

Saw this tonight and it really made me feel good.  Just wanted to share it with all my donor friends out there.  Thought it was just so cool to hear about egg donation from this side of the fence.  I hope it brings a small to your face as it did to mine!

Part 4 of My Donor Story...How do you feel?

How do you feel...?  This is a questions we hear many times throughout our life, and even more while you're donating.  Why is it that whenever we are asked this question we never give an honest answer?  During a typical cycle you'll be seen about 5 or so times for ultrasound and blood work before you go in for your retrieval.  At each appointment you'll be ask by at least 3 people "How are you feeling today?" 
Everyone at FCI is super friendly and always smiling so you know that they genuinely care how you are feeling.  My response was always along the lines of "great, good, sun is out so can't complain..."  When what I should have been saying, and what I want to tell you, is the truth... "Bloated, uncomfortable, crabby, irritable...basically all the joys of PMS without your period." 
Don't get me wrong it's a very small price to pay for $7,000 and giving an amazing gift to someone, but I feel that you should hear what it's like from someone who's been there. 
So basically this is how I felt for about 10 days and then it was over.  I went in for my retrieval, my husband by my side, and walked out a few hours later with a badge of honor that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.  That first day was filled with sleep, sleep and more sleep.  By the next morning I was back on my feet, taking it easy of course. 
This first cycle they retrieved 14 eggs and afterwards I needed no additional pain medicine other then some Tylenol.  I had some crapping and bloating but no more then a bad menstrual cycle.  My next time was a little different...more on that to come.

If you are a donor and would like to share you're story I would love to blog about you...send me an email at danielle.swanson@integramed.com. 

Part 3 of My Donor Story...

So like I said I was ready...but not sure for what! 
I knew that I had to give myself shots, well I was told this from the nurse handling my cycle and all of my friends that had donated in the past, but wasn't really ready to do it.  The first night came and shaking, I got ready to inject myself, got scared, tried again, got scared again...!  Decided to wait until my husband got home and would just have him do it.  Then changed my mind again, grabbed some belly fat (I'm not fat but we all have a little extra around the middle) and jammed it in.  Really I have to be honest I was worked up for nothing...hurt less then a bee sting...really, honest! 
So the next night came and I reminisced about the previous night with my husband and his eyes lit up, "really you were going to let me do that...awesome."  Trying to get it off his mind was clearly not going to happen so I thought, what the hell, I'll let him do it!  I can tell you it wasn't as smooth as my closed eye stab from the night before and actually hurt a little.  Moral of the story is truly if you want something done right (and not hurt) just do it yourself! 
For those of you with a needle fear this might not be the best thing for you to undertake or at least make sure you have a husband, boyfriend, close friend or family member that would love to jab you with a needle full of hormones : )

Part 2 of my Donor Story...

So after weighing out all of my irrational fears...ie what if their is a baby (girl) born and my son marries her?...like that would ever really happen, I mean what are the chances, sounds like a made for TV movie if you ask me! - but still the same this was something that ran through my mind! 
Also, you know how they say "no question is a dumb question."...well I had one that I am sure every potential donor has asked in the history of egg donation!... "Will donating my eggs make me infertile?"
To this question I now laugh, the idea of a fertility clinic, whose sole purpose is to help people with infertility issues have babies would take that away from it's donors is just out of the question...but like I said no question is a dumb question and I would say about 99% of donors have this fear.  I will post a response from one of our physicians regarding this topic in the near future. 

Anyways...after I got my questions answer and all the irrational fears ruled out I was ready, not really sure for what, but I was ready!

My Road to Becoming a Donor

When I was in college, many moons ago, donating your eggs wasn't really talked about among my peers and defiantly not something that I thought would ever be for me.  One of my best friends was the first person that I knew personally to donate her eggs and to be honest everyone, myself included, thought it was so weird. 
Fast forward seven years and one baby of my own and I was in a different place...
Well, again, I will be honest, I was in a I have a 1 year old, boyfriend got layed off, bank account was low, fridge was getting more and more empty every month, slow at work ...kind of place!  So basically the money is what pushed me to get online and email FCI to see where to begin. 
I was lucky to have a circle of friends that were all past or current donors to turn to for guidance and advice.  If you aren't this luck, don't worry we have tons of different people that are willing to educate you on the whole process and make sure that you are 100% comfortable before moving forward.  If you find that you have some initial questions, please email Melissa Braden at Melissa.Braden@integramed.com.

...more on my story later so stay tuned!

Thanks for stopping to check us out!

The Fertility Centers of Illinois is proud to have it's very own in-house egg donor program.  We at FCI think this is an amazing opportunity to give our patients the best variety of qualified donors all in an environment that feels familiar to them.  We are looking for new donors daily as, unfortunately, there are more recipients then donors.  Not only is donating your eggs great money in your pocket...(we pay $7,000 by the way), it is also a very self-less gift to give to another human being. 
Egg donation is not for everyone, but maybe you know someone else that would be a good fit for our program...please do not hesitate to spread the word!  Word of mouth has proven to not only be an inexpensive but also an effective marketing tool, which happens to be the exact reason that we've started this blog.  I, myself, am a two time egg donor and will not only be here to answer any questions you may have but also to share my personal experience with egg donation at FCI.  Our goal is to use this blog to get the word out about egg donation, answer questions, hear from past and current donors as well as some potential parents/patients.  Please share this blog with your friends/family..like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and everything in between...can't wait to have you back.