Myths and Misconceptions About Using an Egg Donor
In recent years, using an egg donor has become an increasingly popular form of assisted reproduction for both people struggling with infertility and LGBT couples. However, in spite of its growing popularity, the idea of using an egg donor is sometimes distorted by stubborn myths and misconceptions. These mistaken beliefs can hold an influential yet negative power over intended parents, potentially ultimately discouraging them from exploring donor eggs as a family-building option.
Myth #1: Egg Donors Aren’t Always Properly Screened
Some people mistakenly believe that third-party reproduction is an unregulated industry where genetic mysteries and hidden illnesses are passed around unknowingly from egg donors to babies. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Not only are egg donor agencies and clinics required by federal law to adhere to strict tissue guidelines when determining the eligibility of a donor, the vast majority also have their own rigid requirements in place for screening egg donors. These requirements help ensure that intended mothers, gestational surrogates, and newborns are healthy and safe during pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond.
Myth #2: Egg Donors Are Uninformed or Motivated Only by Money
It’s common for people to believe that egg donors are wide-eyed young women who, after being tempted to earn compensation, are manipulated by dishonest egg donor agencies into undergoing a potentially risky procedure.
The truth of the matter is that many egg donor agencies do everything in their power to make sure that egg donors are well-informed and well-counseled. Reputable agencies cherish the women who generously donate their eggs. For example, at Fertility Source Companies, we go above and beyond to provide counseling and education for our donors so that they know exactly what to expect in terms of the health and safety of egg donation.
Although egg donors are compensated for their time, money is rarely the primary motivation. The vast majority of egg donors have a strong desire to help others create a family. For them, being part of someone else’s story is an incredible, fulfilling experience. Furthermore, women who are interested in egg donation solely for money are typically weeded out by the psychological evaluation and other checks and balances during the screening process.
Myth #3: I Won’t Be Able to Bond With My Baby
Some people worry that, because they lack a genetic connection to their baby, they will be unable to bond with their child. However, this often isn’t the case. A connection begins with the love the intended parents have for each other when deciding to have a child through egg donation. Their son or daughter is a wonderful gift that have been longed for and is finally a reality. Loving and nurturing a child makes a parent, not solely chromosomes.
There are some ways to feel closer to your baby:
Touch: A baby uses touch as a first language so being able to do skin-to-skin contact helps create an initial bond for both male and female parents. Other ways to promote more touch is by cradling, rocking, and cuddling baby.
Face-to-Face: Being up close to baby will help him or her make eye contact and communicate nonverbally. Babies try to imitate expressions early on so taking time to be in close range can improve the connection between baby and parent.
Talk: A baby can differentiate the voice of their parent(s) in a few short weeks following birth. Talking, singing, and reading are simple ways to help baby feel connected.
The most important thing to remember is even if bonding takes time, it WILL happen. By meeting baby’s needs everyday, a parent can rest assured that baby is forming bonds from the beginning.
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Don’t let myths and misconceptions about using an egg donor hold you back from your dream of having a family. Contact Fertility Source Companies today to learn more about what using an egg donor is really like.
