First Consultation!!!! (Also Good Books to Read??)

MichelleM · Post by **MichelleM** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:55 am

Hi all,

Not sure if you remember me, but I posted in the Intro section last week (I believe). DH and I are in the beginning process of finding an egg donor.

Well, we decided to contact a clinic in Spain, which I was referred to by a friend who's going through IVF. They came highly recommended. Well, DH and I have an appointment on November 4!!!!! We just found out late yesterday and I think I'm in shock. I, of course, had to call and tell my mom the news.

Can anybody give me an idea of what to expect at the consultation? Has anybody received eggs from other countries? Thank you.

Also, I really need to learn about egg donation and the whole process. I'm getting so confused with everything I'm reading online. I thought I get a book (or two

) to read. I checked Amazon, but they don't give much of a description. Has anybody read any books regarding egg donation? If so, what can you suggest?

Thank you.

An excited, scared, nervous, happy....
Michelle

Smita · Post by **Smita** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 10:55 am

Michelle,
Just wanted to wish you lots and lots of Luck at your consultation..
I'm of no use regarding the questions to be asked or the books, but just wanted to say that am happy that you've gotten started in his journey..
Good Luck,

smita

MichelleM · Post by **MichelleM** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 1:19 pm

Thank you Smita. It means a lot to know there are people out there that care.... and most importantly, know what I'm going through.

Will definitely keep you all posted.

Michelle

pauline69 · Post by **pauline69** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 4:17 pm

Hi Michelle

Not able to offer any advice but just want to wish you all the best. Not long now until 4th November.

Let us know how you get on.

Pauline x

LittleP · Post by **LittleP** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 4:53 pm

Michelle

Unfortunately I can't help, but just wanted to wish you loads and loads of luck and send huge hugs and good amounts of PMA to you.

Take care

Little P

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 9:02 pm

Hi Michelle

I am with Instituto Marques in Barcelona and due to go back out there end Oct/beginning Nov for ET, I am on medication at the moment to get me ready to receive embryos (hopefully) made from donor eggs and DH sperm.
At our first consultation we went through all the notes from my previous ICSI attempts and filled in a load of forms, had blood tests to find our blood groups & a couple of tests for infections, they did a dummy run for ET and DH did his sperm sample (sadly not good enough to freeze so we will use fresh when donor has EC) . They took our picture and some other details to get a good match with a donor. All in all it took a couple of hours.
That was 2nd Sept and I am as I said now due for ET in a couple of weeks tops. Compare that to the UK...I am registered with a clinic for a donor here and I have not heard from them for nearly a year, not a peep!

Where are you going in Spain? PM me if you like, or email or ask any more questions on here, I am happy to answer if I can. I don't have any books on the subject though, if you find any good ones, let me know.

Hope all goes well, keep us posted & go & have a look at the general forum if you haven't already, there's loads going on over there!

Lots of love
Kat xx

PS cheapest Barcelona hotel deals I have found are on www.ratestogo.com

MichelleM · Post by **MichelleM** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 8:33 am

Thank you Pauline and Little P for your positive words and thoughts. :X

Kat, it's so great to hear from you! What a brilliant story you have. I'm so happy to hear that about your good experience (so far) with the Spanish clinic. DH and I feel really positive about this. (But not too much to get our hopes up, of course). And, how great that it's happening so fast - I'm sure it's a bit daunting, though.

We're going to IVI Valencia Clinic. I was referred there by a friend of mine, whose friend, had found a match in less than two weeks.

I know I'll have questions, but I'm a bit overwhelmed right now. Thank you so much for you response. I will keep in touch.

DH and I will be heading to a big bookstore on Friday, so I'll let you know what I find. I just feel I need more info, and if I'm reading something it'll make me feel better.

Love,
Michelle xxx

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 7:24 am

Hi Michelle
Just wanted to let you know we are off to Barcelona tonight and will hopefully be having ET on Tues. My donor is having EC Sunday morning and DH has to give his sample at that time. Then we wait for fertilisation....
Excited and scared, as you can imagine....
Take care
Lots of love
Kat xx

MichelleM · Post by **MichelleM** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 9:41 am

Hi Kat,

Best of luck to you and DH. I'll be sending lots of positive vibes your way. (Try to) stay positive and relaxed. And, enjoy your trip to Spain. Has to be better weather than England right now!

Hugs and love,
Michelle

JudeM · Post by **JudeM** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 12:16 pm

Michelle

Hope this gives you some encouragement.

We wasted years on waiting lists for an egg share donor at 3 clinics in this country which resulted in 3 aborted attempts due to the donors not responding to treatment & 1 failed course of treatment.

Then DH & I saw an article on going overseas for treatment & picked the Instituto Marques in Barcelona. They responded immediately to our email & the only delay we had was due to the fact that they closed down during August for their summer break.

We went out there for preliminary tests (as Kat has described) and had our first course of treatment last year. Although the result was positive it sadly turned out to be a chemical pregnancy & the following FET failed.

We decided to have one last attempt last May & I am now 32 weeks pregnant with twins and 2 frozen embryos in storage.

I only wish that clinics in this country had suggested this route to us at the outset but I guess it is in their (financial) interests to keep you hanging on just in case they come with a donor.

IM in Barcelona is very professional, friendly and helpful & I wish you success in Valencia, I'm sure their standards will be just as high.

All the best too, to Kat.

Jude

MichelleM · Post by **MichelleM** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 8:41 am

Hi Jude and thank you so much for your reply.

HUGE Congrats on your pregnancy with twins! That's wonderful news.

I agree, I wish it was out there a bit more, the fact that you can go abroad. But, like you said, it's not in the best interest of the UK clinics. I will thank everyday my friend who told me about IVI, and going abroad in general.

Thanks for your positive words, Jude.

Hugs and all the best on the rest of your pregnancy.

Michelle

alisonn · Post by **alisonn** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 8:59 pm

jude, can i ask a question, now the law has changed over here
and children born can now find out the name of their biological mother
that is not the case in spain ??
tks alison

JudeM · Post by **JudeM** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 10:07 am

Hi Alison

In Spain the medical team chooses the donor according to donor's blood compatibility and physical resemblance to the recipient and it is forbidden to know donor's identity. Family or friend donors are excluded. Donation must be anonymous.

Jude

First Consultation!!!! (Also Good Books to Read??)

First Consultation!!!! (Also Good Books to Read??)

Advertisements