Has your journey made you want to give back???

Hello,
This was something that I discussed with my DH the other day - the feeling that I needed to give back or somehow make a difference due to our positive journey (to date).

Since falling pg I have thought that I would maybe like to become an egg donor after our family is finished as the heartache that people go through to have their families has really struck me since begining ours...mind you DH is not so keen on that idea - wants a sex life back before I go back on those fund drugs again!

I spoke to a group of health professionals a few days back about our journey and how it had contributed to my PND (there, I've said it) and that felt good. It was interesting some of the comments...I'm really glad that I did it.

So, I'm just wondering if others have felt the need to do something positive around IVF or their journey, and if so, what??

FG

Yes...


But how? We don't know yet. I thought that being an egg donor would be a wonderful thing to do. But I have read a lot on BB and (for now) it's not something that I personally have the emotional strength/maturity to do. I admire those who do it.

I am much better at discussing infertility and breaking as many myths and stereotypes that I can. I used to never discuss it at all. Maybe someone out there will be more supported and better understood through that.

We started to sponsor a child when we were ttc to remind us of how precious all children are. DH is super keen to sponsor another now, as a way of acknowledging our second blessing.

We (me and DH) will forever be 'LTTTCers' in our minds, and maybe one day an opportunity to 'give back' will be apparent.

Short answer: yes.

Longer answer: would love to, but can't.

I thought after my first IVF cycle that it would be nice to donate eggs when I was done, especially considering the numbers I produced. Then the reality of OHSS and how long it takes to recover set it and I just can't do it.

I also thought before we started that I would donate any embryos we couldn't use. I kept thinking that up until I held Sam in my arms... knowing he could have another full sibling out there that we wouldn't know is making that an especially difficult decision. I honestly don't think I would cope if I were to find out that someone had a daughter from one of our embryos.

I guess, for now at least, that I am stuck with raising awareness and trying to make sure that infertility isn't such a taboo subject.

BW

I'm not sure I could donate my eggs or our embryo's. We have discussions every now and then about donating them, but in all honesty, I'm not sure I could.
For some reason I have this huge emotional attachment to them as embryo's, yet, that attachement isn't there when I think of the process they go through when we advise that we no longer need/want these embryo's....weird??
I have someone who will probably benefit from stem cell research one day, and I have no problems donating my embryo's towards that research. I just don't think I would cope real well walking down the street one day and seeing a child who looks eerily familiar to my children IYKWIM??
I feel horrible thinking that I have a few in storage that would give a couple so much happiness..
So, I can talk about it I suppose. Tell people that their perceptions of what we went through aren't entirely correct.

i WANT to give back, i just don't know HOW - like Nic,i'd be more likely to volunteer for some research or something as opposed to being able to donate eggs or embies - i dont know why though!

i too try to take the stigma away from infertility, and will talk openly about our journey so that the next person who has to walk this path doesn't face the same ignorance from those around us...

i totally understand i never got to IVF (almost did one month before we got a natural BFP) but we did struggle for 2 years, because of this im a third of the way , 4 years into my study to become a reproductive endocrinologist (fertility specialist) as I now know what my calling is.

me+him+bub - wow how amazing. what is the course and do you know what unis offer it? you must be looking forward to finishing - almost there.

I am getting involved in my local children's centre as a volunteer with the pregnancy support group and I plan to give support to LTTCers. Perhaps even study counselling so I can do it properly.

Wow - just think of the power of this group of women breaking down the myths of AC :) MHB - good luck with your study!

Thanks for the responses - I'm glad that I'm not the only one struggling with finding a creative way to continue to make a difference!