Max's Known Egg Donor Journey - Fertility Testing
26th Nov 2023
SurrogacyUK
In the second instalment of our enlightening series, we continue to follow Max’s incredible journey as a known egg donor with SurrogacyUK.
This edition delves deeper into her experiences with fertility testing, providing unique insights into the world of egg donation. For those considering known egg donation, Max’s story offers valuable perspectives.
Learn more about becoming a known egg donor here.
What were your initial thoughts and feelings when you decided to undergo fertility testing with Hertility?
I suppose being that I’m only 27, I expected to have fantastic results and that I would have nothing to worry about!
Looking back it’s probably slightly naive and also something I should consider myself incredibly blessed about, unlike so many women who don’t have that mindset of knowing they’re super fertile.
How did you prepare for the fertility testing?
Hertility sent out a kit with a handy little QR code which linked to a video.
I’m quite a visual person so I watched it as I did the test and that was super helpful as a walk through.
I leaned on my support worker Jemma (Surrogate Mentor) as per usual, who is still talking with me most days despite the fact my first journey is essentially finished now.
And I also sought some advice from two of the other lovely ladies, Rena & Vicky (KED Mentor), who are known egg donors and a huge support to me within SurrogacyUK.
Can you walk us through the actual process of fertility testing?
The test was a really simple blood sample, similar to one I’d conducted as part of an STI test during my surrogacy journey when I registered with the clinic last year.
I had to prick my finger with a lancet, then massage it downwards and fill a small vile with my blood.
My partner and mum who was in my house at the time both thought I’d done it wrong when they saw how much blood was in the pot!
“Are you SURE you’re supposed to squeeze that much out?!”
How did you feel during the testing process? Were there any moments of anxiety, hope, or surprise?
Unfortunately, I made the mistake of doing the test just after finishing an extremely heavy period – and was therefore already fairly weak and anaemic – and I almost passed out!
It’s really unlike me to be affected by blood but my poor fiancé had to stand and hold me up on my seat while I recovered for a few moments!
I struggled to get a flow going at first so I was coated in blood all over the table and my hands where I’d missed the pot a few times and it had gone all over my acrylic nails.
I can’t say it was the smoothest process, granted, but just another step in the journey!
How were the results of the fertility tests communicated to you?
Waiting for the results was SUPER nerve wracking and the longer it went on the longer my mindset shifted to “what if the results aren’t good?!”
I also got them via email as a total surprise on a Sunday morning (having thought it would only be delivered on working days!) and opened it as I was with my son at soft play.
I was initially a bit disheartened.
The average “normal range” is between 4-30 for women of my age, and mine was 8.3. Although normal, it’s on the lower end so I was a little surprised.
However, I then reminded myself I’m on contraception and had a baby 14 weeks ago, as well as pumped milk for a good 2-3 weeks post partum, so my hormones essentially are still fluctuating, and there is probably some discrepancies with all of those factors – and it’s probably likely my egg reserves are actually a little higher.
But within myself, my BMI, my reproductive health otherwise, I’m fit and healthy, conceived and gave birth to a baby this year, so in all other areas, I’m good to go.
Has this process changed or enhanced your understanding of fertility and reproductive health?
It’s definitely surprised me.
I think seeing all the numbers and reading the different advice for the different hormone levels has been a real eye opener and an education!
I also read that they are suggesting my results say I have endometriosis, which is consistent with a diagnosis I already have so that was very accurate.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering undergoing fertility testing as part of becoming an known egg donor?
Don’t get hung up on the numbers!
As long as you’re within normal range, you’re within normal range!
The advice I’ve been given since receiving my results from a lot of women also, is quality over quantity.
A low egg reserve doesn’t mean poor eggs – they could get 3 eggs from me which are fantastic, or 23 from another woman and find they’re all poor.
Now that you have completed the fertility testing, what are the next steps in your journey as a known egg donor?
Myself and my fiancé have spent a lot of time debating and we’ve connected with a few IPs over the last few weeks especially since I fully got back into the SurrogacyUK swing of things and have been able to access profiles.
We have a solid idea in mind of who we’d like to offer to now after making a quick and solid friendship – and we can’t wait.
We’re really excited and ultimately, just desperate to get my advisory session done so we can ask Dawn (Journey Coordinator) to make The Call!
Max’s journey, from her initial optimism to the detailed process of fertility testing with Hertility, provides an invaluable look into the life of a known egg donor.
Her candidness and resilience are not just inspiring but also educational for anyone interested in the field of reproductive health.
Revisit the beginning of Max’s journey here.
Inspired by Max’s journey and considering egg donation?
Learn more and apply to become a known egg donor at SurrogacyUK through this link.
Your choice could change lives and create new beginnings.