Experience of pregnancy with donor eggs

[jinis]

Hello - I'm currently 11 weeks pregnant with a donor egg.

At the first appointment with a midwife I have been referred to a consultant-led care due to being categorised as high risk pregnancy. This involves more frequent than the standard antenatal appointments schedule and serial growth scans from 28 weeks.

I did some reading and there have been some studies relating significantly increased risks of pre-eclampsia with pregnancy with donor eggs.

I would really appreciate if you could share your experience of going through pregnancy with donor eggs.

Thanks lovelies x

[Boo718]

hiya we have a beautiful little donor girl and honestly pregnancy was fab. No preecclamsia she was 10 days late. No sickness I had sciatica near the end but honestly I had a fantastic pregnancy got more scans and check ups as they said ivf was high risk but can’t complain at all xxx I actually had a wayyy better pregnancy than some of my non donor friends so honestly don’t worry about it xxx

[jinis in reply to Boo718]

Aww, how wonderful to hear you had a lovely pregnancy with your little one 💛

I have some minor symptoms but so far luckily nothing too horrible, so hoping it will stay uneventful xx

[Kitkat10]

hi, I’m currently 17 weeks with DE and I read the same studies. However, my midwife, nor the GP, nor the obstetrician at the hospital made this association between DE and pre-eclampsia when I mentioned it. I took from the studies that while the risk is higher with DE, the absolute risk of preeclampsia is low and most cases are not severe and can be treated. That’s what I’m telling myself anyway 🤞🤞

I was classed as a high risk pregnancy and had consultant led care and had frequent growth scans with my OE son as I was over 40, first pregnancy and IVF. It was nice and reassuring to be looked at so regularly. I felt very looked after and thankfully had a straightforward pregnancy, so I was not disappointed to be under the same care again this time. They monitor blood pressure really closely and scan the placental flow etc as the pregnancy progresses so that any rise in blood pressure can be managed.

I have the same worries as you but when I posted a similar question a couple of months ago, the responses were positive and I have since met other DE mums and no one I talked to experienced preeclampsia 🤞🤞

Definitely something to be vigilant for but the midwives are on close watch. Are you on aspirin? Xx

[jinis in reply to Kitkat10]

Congratulations!

I got a bit concerned as my blood pressure was already higher than my usual range at the first appointment and it's still an early stage. But I'm glad to hear they'll monitor closely.

I'm on 75mg aspirin from before the transfer as prescribed by my IVF clinic, but the midwife told me that the consultant might increase it to 150mg which seems to be their standard dosage for higher risk pregnancy.

What was/is your dosage? xx

[Kitkat10 in reply to jinis]

Yes 150mg daily. I did this throughout my pregnancy with my son and I know other people who have relatives who have had preeclampsia who are only on aspirin as a precaution/ preventative 🤞🤞

[Zeebee14]

They said I was also high risk because I was over 40 and used DE, however I had a very easy pregnancy with no symptoms. Towards the end I had more scans than standard, but I enjoyed these as I got to see my little bubba more often than most people and it gave me reassurance.

I would say the only negative thing was the increased pressure from the consultants not to go over 40 weeks without intervention, so I ended up being induced. But this didn’t work anyway and my waters broke naturally at 40+5. It’s your own decision whether to accept intervention so keep this mind.

I’d recommend looking at hypnobirthing by The Positive Birth Company. It really puts you at ease in terms of birth and the control you have over decisions, and how to enjoy the birth of your child.

My little girl is almost 1 now and is the most wonderful little thing who I love more than anything in this world! X

[jinis in reply to Zeebee14]

Aww, so happy for you

Thanks you for the reminder re the right we have over our own body - it's hard to remember sometimes in this journey.

It reminded me of the time when a consultant at my IVF clinic wanted to prescribe steroid and blood thinner for this round after 2 FET failures. Honestly it didn't feel right (and too early) to start taking these, especially without even doing some basic blood tests, so I kindly but firmly declined. I'm glad I stood my ground because I clearly didn't need it for this one to stick.

I'll check out the Positive Birth Company - thank you xx