My partner and I always dreamed of becoming parents, but we got married later in life, both at 40. I grew up in a big family, with my mom having seven kids, the last one at 40, so I thought getting pregnant wouldn’t be an issue. After several years of trying and a few doctor visits, we found out there were some complications that needed fixing. We gave it another year, relying on an ovulation kit, but by age 45, we sought help from Dr. Smith. We gave artificial insemination a shot, but it didn’t work. So, we decided to go straight to IVF with a donor egg, knowing our age played a significant role in our chances.
We were fortunate to find a donor who not only shared my ethnic background and appearance but also had similar interests and traits. At 46, after our first IVF cycle, we welcomed a beautiful, healthy baby girl! She’s lively and hitting all her milestones, though she definitely keeps us on our toes with her energy levels. Since I chose to stay home with her, finances have become a bit tight. After much thought, when our little one was five months old, we decided not to pursue more children. Instead, we wanted to give other aspiring parents a chance to experience parenthood as well. So, with the guidance of Dr. Smith, we offered our 17 embryos for adoption.
It felt like the right thing to do; we wanted to ensure our healthy embryos could become babies for couples who might struggle to conceive or afford the costs associated with donor options.
If you’re curious about the intricacies of embryo adoption, it can be a beautiful way to help others while navigating your own fertility journey. You can also check out this interesting article on the best bottle brushes of 2025 for when you start preparing for your little one’s arrival.
For more guidance on artificial insemination and fertility journeys, Make a Mom offers great resources. And if you’re looking for a comprehensive guide on pregnancy, you can explore March of Dimes’ week-by-week pregnancy resource.
In summary, our journey was filled with challenges, but we found our path through embryo adoption, allowing us to share our blessings with others. It’s a rewarding experience that brings hope not just to us but also to those who long for children.