Hi,

Just in terms in answering your questions about donation (in general).

Firstly, it is a wonderful thing that you are considering.

Hopefully some of the others from DC thread or LTTTC thread will see this thread and come and answer specific questions about egg donation (we are using donor sperm).

However I can answer these questions:

- If you go via an IVF clinic,one of the things that the counsellors will talk to you about is whether you are able to separate the difference between donation of an egg or sperm and seeing yourself as the parent. For those of us that are using a donor, we can see a difference between those that donate (the biological parent) and those that are the raising parents. The way I see it, my child will be 'partially adopted' - biologically related to my known donor, but DH and I will be the parents.

- If you donate your gametes as an anonymous donor, the child will have access to your information once they turn 18. Depending on the state, you may also be placed on a register so that the child has easy access to the information. This is because they have found that most children need to know biological information about their parents (again, like an adopted child).

Adoption is not as easy as you would think, particularly in Australia. However, hopefully someone from the adoption thread will talk about this. Fostering is an option, but it is a very hard path, particularly when you have to return the child to a home that may not be ideal.

Anyway, hopefully that has helped a little.