My name is Bethany and I am about to turn 30.
When I was 21 I decided to donate my eggs and I want to share my story to help encourage others to come forward.
I had read a magazine article about how egg donation was needed and it really made me question if I could help. I will be honest , the incentive they advertised also helped sway me as I was saving to go travelling - but as I started my donation journey, I discovered that the experience brought me so much more.
As a young fit and healthy women the article really stood out so I first checked the internet to read more about what was involved and to make sure I fitted the criteria…which I did. So there and then, I filled out an online form to be considered. The clinic contacted me to come in for some baseline investigations including bloods and a scan – along with a full medical and family history. I also had a counselling session so that the team could make sure I was fully informed of egg donation outcomes and that I understood that this could lead to somebody having a family in the future. I was really comfortable with this - and actually that part really pleased me, as there was a purpose to what I was doing, and it made me realise that I could make a difference to another women’s life - and that felt so good. That was it – I decided to go ahead. This feeling of being able to help someone was actually outweighing any financial gain and was becoming so much more important to me.
For me, the process of treatment and the injections were straight forward and didn’t really bring me many side effects, but on the morning of my first egg collection, I was very nervous. I had never been in a hospital setting before, never mind under anaesthetic, but I kept reminding myself of what I was doing and the joy my eggs could bring to a couple, family or individual who dreamt of having a family. The egg collection process was quick and painless - I was put to sleep and it only took 15 minutes.
I was able to donate 10 eggs!
I found the whole process so incredible, and I remain very proud that I did this. My boyfriend at the time was (and is still) very supportive – which really helped. I didn't know anyone who had ever had IVF at the time, and I couldn't believe the science behind it. I recovered quickly and not long after I flew off to South America to begin my travels – which was amazing.
Whilst I was travelling, I had a lot of down time to think and reflect - and I had a long think about what I wanted to do for my career when I got home. I was so fascinated by the world of IVF I decided I wanted to be part of the fertility world in a professional way - making a difference every day. I remember sitting watching the sunrise one morning and I was googling how to become a fertility nurse and what qualifications I needed.
I returned from my travels in 2018 - and I decided to donate my eggs a second time. I went through the same process and this cycle I donated 11 eggs, and shortly after I started a local college course where I gained a health professionals access to higher education qualification.
In 2019 I started my adult nursing degree and again where possible I chose to do my assignments about fertility and every year, I would request a placement at a fertility clinic to learn more. I graduated in 2023 and the first and only job I applied for was at the Hewitt Fertility Clinic in Knutsford - and I was successful!!
Working as a Fertility Nurse really opened my eyes to just how important egg donation is and how much it is needed. What better gift to give.
I decided last year that I would like to donate my eggs a third and final time, before starting a family of my own. Being older and having much more knowledge, gave me more of an insight into what our patients go through. I found that I was so emotional this time, but again I was able to donate 21 eggs.
Donating my eggs has definitely been one of the best things I have ever done. In total I have donated 42 eggs and I am so thrilled and proud that I have been able to give other women, or same sex male couples, opportunity and hope of a family of their own.
This has definitely been the best and most selfless thing I have ever done, and it changed the whole trajectory of my life and shaped who I am as a person today.
I am the biggest advocate and promoter of becoming an egg donor and encourage anyone who fits the criteria to do it.
Read more about becoming an Egg Donor here. There is a form you can complete to find out more Become an Egg Donor | The Hewitt Fertility Centre