Kelsey’s Egg Donation: The Highs, the Lows, and the Lessons

Why do people choose to become egg donors? And what is the experience really like? At Egg Helpers, we believe the best way to answer those questions is through the voices of our donors themselves. Kelsey’s story offers an honest look inside the journey: what surprised her, what she learned, and why the experience continues to mean so much to her.

How did you feel going through the donation process, and did those feelings change from start to finish?

I was excited to help a family in need and committed to seeing it through. Adjusting to the hormones was the hardest part and almost made me second-guess my decision, but as things improved my body and mind adjusted, and I was ultimately able to complete the donation successfully.

What’s one misconception you’d like to clear up about egg donation or egg donors?

Some people think that donating means giving away all your eggs and that you may not be able to get pregnant afterward. That’s not true. Around the age of 30, which was my age when I donated, a woman typically has between 100,000 and 150,000 eggs. I had more than enough to share.

What part of the process surprised you the most?

How quick the egg retrieval process was. It was a bit of waiting time before the doctor arrived but was in and out super fast.

How did your friends or family respond when you shared your decision to donate?

My friends were very supportive and fascinated by the idea of egg donation, I even referred some of them to consider donating as well. My family, on the other hand, was more old-fashioned, so I had to take the time to explain the process to them. They struggled to understand why I was so eager to help another family instead of starting my own, especially since I am currently child-free.

Did you experience any side effects during the process? If so, how did you manage them?

All of my side effects were typical from the hormone injections. I did notice a heightened sense of smell, it felt almost superhuman, like I could smell everything and everyone. I was also a little more emotional than usual.

I experienced some pressure in my pelvic area as the follicles grew and the eggs matured in preparation for retrieval.

On top of that, I had frequent hot flashes, which was unusual for me since I normally have very low blood pressure and tend to feel cold all the time. Honestly, it was kind of nice to feel warm for once! (lol)

What qualities would you encourage future donors to look for in an egg donor agency?

Caring, responsive, and quick to follow up before and after the donation.

What personal insight or lesson did you take away from the donation experience?

I learned that the donation process can take a real toll on both the body and mind, especially while on the medication and during recovery after retrieval. Having a strong support system around you makes all the difference.

What would you tell someone who is considering becoming an egg donor but feels unsure?

Everyone has their own unique reason for donating, but it’s important to make sure this is truly something you want to do, as it requires a lot of commitment. Still, being able to help a family in any way, shape, or form is such a true blessing ❤

What has been the most meaningful or rewarding part of being an egg donor for you?

I wanted to be a known donor, and I was fortunate to form a beautiful relationship with the dads and grow close to the surrogate. They even invited me to be present for the birth, and I got to meet the baby. It was one of the most amazing experiences—witnessing life being brought into the world, starting from the egg donor.

He is now one year old as of August, and they keep me updated with photos. I can even see that he has my eyes.