SGF is home to the largest fresh-cycle egg donor program in the country. Each year, we work with thousands of women who are interested in helping people become parents through egg donation. With 85,000 babies born since the center first opened its doors in 1991, our egg donors have played a significant role in building families; with more than 8,000 babies born from donor eggs.
With a simple online application and transparent screening process, SGF receives thousands of applications to our program each year and we are grateful for the women who choose to donate. One of our donors recently decided to share her experience at SGF and what it meant to her.
Making a Difference with Egg Donation
“Deciding to donate my eggs was not always an easy choice for me. Personally, there was a lot to consider. However, after a week or two of thought, when it came down to it, the choice was clear … I knew that this was the right choice for me at this point in my life. I had always wanted to make a difference. Even if that difference only affected one person. So, when I heard about the donation program through Shady Grove Fertility, things just began to click. I had always known about egg donation but it wasn’t something that I had given serious thought to until right after I graduated college. I had just finished a huge chapter in my life, and I wanted to start the next doing something meaningful. That’s when I found Shady Grove Fertility.
From the moment that I filled out my application, to the day of my retrieval, I could see and feel the difference that I was making in lives of multiple women and families. Each staff member who I interacted with made me feel not only welcomed, but valued. The application process was very in depth, which helped me to learn important aspects about myself as well as my family. One part that I am extremely thankful to have learned was my genetic makeup. Being able to know what genetic disorders I carry is something that will benefit me so much in the future. Each step in the process only reassured me more that donating would make such a positive impact.
To this day, donating my eggs is the best thing I could have done for myself, and for my matches. The entire experience was so humbling. The day of my retrieval, each person I encountered thanked me, and told me what a difference I was making. The retrieval process itself was the most daunting aspect. I had never been under anesthesia before, and there were minor risks involved. Before the procedure both my doctor and my nurse walked me through exactly what would happen, which calmed my nerves. The procedure took about 30 minutes. Afterwards, I stayed for an additional 20 to 30 minutes and then was able to go home. The procedure was much easier than I anticipated, and I knew that day that I would return for a second donation cycle.
I decided to donate my eggs because I wanted to make a difference, and through Shady Grove Fertility I was able to help change the lives of multiple people. I am now currently in the process of starting my second donation, and I couldn’t be happier to work with the Shady Grove Fertility team again.”
If you are interested in sharing the story of your egg donation or learning more about our program, e-mail our Donor Team for information.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in March 2018 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness as of August 2019.
