Egg donor screening update

We received more news from the Denver clinic on our donor E's progress through the many layers of the approval process. Here's where she is on everything:

day 3 bloodwork (FSH, E2, LH) 

psychological evaluation (including MMPI-2) 

baseline ultrasound

physical exam

pap smear/breast exam

urine toxicology screen

blood typing and Rh factor

CBC/chem panel, AMH

communicable diseases panel (syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hep B, hep C, HIV I & II)

and genetic testing (karyotype, cystic fibrosis, fragile x, spinal muscular atrophy, and hemoglobinopathy)
So everything is done minus the day 3 bloods and her karyotype. We're getting there...this is starting to feel more real...

We actually had E's day 3 bloods drawn prior to sending her out for her one day work up, so we already know she will pass this with flying colors. I can't remember the exact numbers, but her FSH was something between 6 and 7, and her E2 was 15ish. So no worries there, although Denver won't accept this as her "official" day 3 results since it's not from their lab. Also, her AMH came back great at 4 (!) and her resting follicle count is 33, so we are really hoping she will have a great response. It's a help her numbers are so good since she is a first-time donor. Puts our minds a bit at ease about this part.

Unfortunately, E. was camping in a remote area when her period came (she's a big lover of the outdoors) and wasn't able to make it this month for her day 3 bloods (aargh!), so we have to wait until next cycle. Apparently, the Denver clinic decision makers are still thinking we can cycle in early December despite this...here's hoping!

Our donor's blood  type is A+, which means that if we have a child with her eggs, our child's blood type will not immediately identify him or her as not related to me. We didn't choose the donor based on this, but it is a relief to me that our child won't be "outed" in a junior high or high school biology class based on their blood type not being possible from the combination from Will and me. Reassuring to me that our child will be the one in charge of when and where and with whom they want to share this info about themselves. E's Rh factor is compatible with mine as well, so no Rhogam shots in my future, which is also nice.

The Denver clinic recently instituted a new procedure with egg donors in which they are offered the choice to sign documents giving their name, birthdate, and social security number to any resulting offspring on that child's 18th birthday. Our donor declined to sign this. I will find out more about why from our agency, but have to say I was disappointed. At the same time, I would not be so comfortable giving out my social security number to a stranger, so I totally get her reticence on at least that level. I asked the Denver clinic if she could opt to disclose name and birthdate without social security number, or maybe just the last four of her social security number, and they said no. Weird to me. If we were trying to track her down later, even the last four digits would help us determine which of several people with similar names is her but without leaving her feeling so exposed. I'll write a whole post soon on our desire for our child to be able to access the donor in the future as an adult if she/he wants to. It's a big deal to me/us.

So that's the update as of today. More soon on a bit about E. and why we chose her, as well as the relationship we're trying to establish with her (aiming for a semi-known donation...)

Mo

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