I’ll be honest, at first I was only keen to earn extra money to help pay down my student loans. After a few cycles, the meaning of being an “egg donor” changed for me. It became about the experience, the people you meet, and the families you’re helping. My egg donations have always been 100% anonymous, but the families still manage to find a place in your heart.

Yes, I have donated a few times.

I’m quite an active and social person so I feel most challenged feeling sluggish, moody or bloated. During my first couple donations, I was probably less self-aware of my hormones and reacted more the unplanned mood swings. Now, after several donations, I’m more aware and know when emotions feel intensified or the feeling of “weight gain” is just bloating.

I can’t say there is. But so it doesn’t go unanswered, I wish I was better educated on the process during my first cycle. Sure, you receive instructions from the nurses, but I caught myself googling and trying to understand the terminology being used and each medication I was injecting myself with.

As a donor, you are 50% of this process. Without your eggs, there would be no baby. Without your time and dedication, there would be no baby. It’s a serious but rewarding responsibility. I have handled each donation as a ‘job’. So, be friendly but respectful with every nurse and doctor – nourish the relationship.Don’t be scared to ask questions either.

Donations aren’t always easy but in the end, I think the reward outweighs the challenges.