I hope my eggs will allow this one couple to experience the wonder of a baby

"They were elated to hear a stranger was willing to donate eggs to make their dream of starting a family come true."

It is currently illegal to buy eggs for conception in Australia.

This needs to change. I say this not from a place of mere opinion, but from firsthand experience – having just gone through the physically and mentally challenging process of donating my eggs, with the goal of helping others start their own family.

Want to join the family? Sign up to our Kidspot newsletter for more stories like this. 

"My decision could change a family's fate"

It has been a year marked by therapy sessions (for myself and with my husband), genetic evaluations, countless medical scans, appointments, and endless forms. Finally, I reached the moment where I could contribute, where my decision could change a family's fate.

A decade ago, doctors told me I would likely never conceive due to a health condition, so years later, I felt extremely fortunate to prove them wrong by bringing two beautiful children into the world. Not everybody is this fortunate.

And so, after my kids, I chose to donate.  As I perused the potential egg recipient list, I stopped on a couple who had been through six failed rounds of IVF.

The couple I chose – only knowing their story but no identifying details to preserve their privacy – were elated to hear a stranger was willing to donate eggs to make their dream of starting a family come true.

Through the clinic, I was told they believed the chances of someone donating was so low, they would likely never have a child.

Image: iStock

RELATED: How the 90-day IVF ban would have broken me

"There's an egg shortage in Australia"

My experience made me think about the donation process in Australia.

There's an egg shortage here - because altruistic egg donation is not that common. There aren't many who feel strongly about giving others the chance of parenthood to the extent that I do.

But what if there was an incentive of payment, as there is in other countries? I am sure more would sign up to donate - or at least realise the very real value in doing so.

And there's a cost factor for recipients, too. IVF rounds can cost $5000 - $10000. I think people would love a wider variety of donors to choose from, to maybe increase their chances of success.

But right now in Australia, the waitlist for anonymous donors just keeps growing, while those desperate to become parents hang on to slim hopes.

Stefania with one of her children. Image: supplied

RELATED: Couple turn to AI to help overcome IVF challenges

"They now belong to the couple I chose"

I do understand that donating eggs is an altruistic act and can become tangled with complexities.

Legally, in 18 years, the child born from my donation can seek me out and make contact.

My husband and I have made peace with this as my reasons for donating feel right. But this alone could be enough to make others decide not to donate.

So this is why I did it as a gesture from my heart.

After going through the process of preparing to become a donor, I underwent a round of IVF to then have my eggs harvested. Twelve eggs were retrieved and the second they left my body, they were no longer mine. They now belong to the couple I chose from the long list of potential recipients.  

Out of the 12 eggs, five embryos were suitable to freeze. This means the couple has five chances of becoming parents. 

I will get a text message potentially in nine months notifying me of a baby being born and that is all I will hear, possibly for 18 years. It is my hope my eggs will allow this one couple to experience the wonder of parenthood. With more awareness, I hope to inspire my women to consider becoming a donor.

But most of all I hope Australian law makers will see the merit in making it legal to pay for eggs under a proper system.

Originally published as I hope my eggs will allow this one couple to experience the wonder of a baby