When Sarah and David decided to start a family, they were both committed despite being a little older. After trying for several months without success, they sought assistance for their fertility journey.
Realizing that their age might impact their chances of having a child, Sarah was determined to explore all options first. “I felt like I needed to leave no stone unturned before considering donor eggs or adoption,” she recalls. After two and a half years of treatments that didn’t work, the couple finally had a serious conversation about using donor eggs. “Our main goal was to love and nurture a child, regardless of how they came to us,” Sarah shared.
The option of donor eggs opened doors for Sarah and David to build the family they had always dreamed of.
Embracing a New Path
Accepting that they might not have biological children was a tough pill to swallow for Sarah and David. However, after numerous unsuccessful attempts, they found themselves ready to embrace the idea of donor eggs. “It was difficult to shift our mindset, but we were grateful to have this alternative,” Sarah explained.
They were initially hesitant about adoption, having seen friends face challenges during the process. “Adoption can be unpredictable—you can invest a lot and still end up with nothing,” she said. “We wanted to pursue what we believed would give us the best chance of success, which led us to donor eggs.”
For Sarah, one of the greatest benefits of using donor eggs was the opportunity to experience pregnancy. “I’ve always dreamed of being pregnant since childhood. I wanted the full experience of carrying and giving birth to my child,” she expressed.
Finding the Right Donor
Couples often seek donors who resemble them culturally and ethnically, as it helps the child feel a sense of connection. “We both have brown hair and green eyes, and we’re Jewish,” Sarah said. “We knew that family and friends would look for resemblances, so we wanted to choose a donor who looked somewhat like us.”
Additionally, they paid close attention to the donor’s medical history to ensure a healthy outcome for their future child. They also considered the donor’s education and interests. “We hoped for a well-rounded individual, and if she shared any of my interests, that was a bonus,” Sarah added.
After selecting two different donors, they finally achieved success, leading to a pregnancy with twin girls. “The entire experience was beyond my expectations,” Sarah said. “Even though there’s no genetic link, I felt so connected to them while I was pregnant. They were a part of me, and that makes them mine.”
A Life-Changing Decision
Sarah and David are overjoyed with their new family. “They mean everything to us,” Sarah said, getting emotional at the thought. “I hold them at night, and tears of joy just stream down my face. It’s hard work, but it’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.”
If she could, Sarah would send a heartfelt message to their donor. “I wish I could tell her thank you. We are so grateful for her decision to donate. We don’t know her, but we love her for what she has given us. Without her, we wouldn’t be a family,” she shared.
She believes that if more women knew the immense impact they could have on others’ lives, there would be more egg donors available. If you want to read about another family’s journey, check out this post on how a family shares their journey on NBC’s California Live. For more information on artificial insemination, Make a Mom is a great resource.
In summary, the journey of Sarah and David highlights the emotional and fulfilling experience of egg donation and the joy it can bring to families. Their story serves as an inspiration for others navigating similar paths.