The path to infertility is full of challenges, especially for those women whose diagnosis does not allow them to conceive with their own eggs. The use of donated eggs opens a door of hope to all those women who, despite this, do not want to give up the idea of becoming mothers.
Today we share with you the story of Stéphanie, a woman who, after several failed attempts, found in egg donation the opportunity to fulfill her dream of being a mother.
An unexpected diagnosis
After five cycles of unsuccessful in vitro fertilization (IVF) in France, Stéphanie was diagnosed with ovarian failure. Their chances of conceiving with their own eggs were virtually nonexistent. At that time, the doctors presented her with two options: adoption or egg donation.
Assimilating the news was not easy. Doubts and the fear of not feeling her baby as her own invaded her. However, she decided to take the step of trusting the Barcelona IVF team to start her treatment with donated eggs.
Overcoming fears: an essential support in the process
One of Stéphanie's biggest fears was whether she would be able to feel a real connection with her son knowing that they did not share her genetic makeup. The accompaniment of the clinic's medical and psychological team was key to helping her understand that motherhood goes far beyond genetics.
For greater peace of mind, a donor who shared physical characteristics with her, as well as her same blood group, was chosen.
A simpler treatment than expected
After previous treatments in her country, Stéphanie was surprised by the ease of egg donation treatment. Unlike previous cycles, this time she only had to follow a treatment with oral medication to prepare the endometrium, leaving behind the daily injections.
In the first transfer cycle, she managed to get pregnant and in addition, they were able to preserve three embryos for future attempts.
A second attempt with obstacles, but with a happy ending
When Stéphanie and her partner decided to look for a second child, they were confident that it would be a simple process thanks to the vitrified embryos. However, they discovered that none of the frozen embryos were valid and that they would have to start a new treatment.
This was the first obstacle, since, for them, it was essential that the donor was the same as in their first pregnancy. Although it was not easy, they managed to access the same person again.
In this new attempt, they encountered the second obstacle. After the transfer, one of the two transferred embryos implanted outside the uterus, developing an ectopic pregnancy. Despite the fact that the prognosis was poor, the medical team's performance was able to resolve the ectopic pregnancy without putting the other embryo at risk, which continued to develop normally.
Five months later, Stéphanie and her family are looking forward to the arrival of their second daughter.
Egg donation: a new way of creating life
Accepting that one's own eggs cannot lead to pregnancy can be a painful process. However, for many women like Stéphanie, egg donation has been the answer to transform the desire to be a mother into a reality. Because the most important thing is not where life comes from, but the love with which we receive it.
Stéphanie's full testimony can be heard on the IN-Fertile Cast podcast "Devenir parents grâce au don d'ovocytes" (only available in French).
Dr. Cristina Guix
Gynecologist specialized in fertility at Barcelona IVF
