Harvesting Eggs

[Lilith]

I'm going to post this in the pregnancy section too, but it may get more views here from someone who knows the answer...

I've been thinking about things I need to put in my living will, and after a discussion with Rick (my fiance), we've decided that, if possible, I want my eggs harvested and kept for future use, in case in the event of my death he decides down the road that he would like a child using my DNA. That choice will be up to him, but at least the option would be there.

Two questions:
1) Can it be done (pretty sure it can, but just to verify...)?
2) Can it be done post mortem when my other organs are harvested for donation, or must it be done while I'm still around (i.e. before, say, transplant surgery)?

It might sound like a dumb question, but I wanted to make sure before I wrote anything in my will. If there's anything else anyone thinks I should know, please share! I know virtually nothing about this.

Thanks for any info!

 

[Lilith]

I'm going to post this in the pregnancy section too, but it may get more views here from someone who knows the answer...

I've been thinking about things I need to put in my living will, and after a discussion with Rick (my fiance), we've decided that, if possible, I want my eggs harvested and kept for future use, in case in the event of my death he decides down the road that he would like a child using my DNA. That choice will be up to him, but at least the option would be there.

Two questions:
1) Can it be done (pretty sure it can, but just to verify...)?
2) Can it be done post mortem when my other organs are harvested for donation, or must it be done while I'm still around (i.e. before, say, transplant surgery)?

It might sound like a dumb question, but I wanted to make sure before I wrote anything in my will. If there's anything else anyone thinks I should know, please share! I know virtually nothing about this.

Thanks for any info!

 

[Lilith]

I'm going to post this in the pregnancy section too, but it may get more views here from someone who knows the answer...

I've been thinking about things I need to put in my living will, and after a discussion with Rick (my fiance), we've decided that, if possible, I want my eggs harvested and kept for future use, in case in the event of my death he decides down the road that he would like a child using my DNA. That choice will be up to him, but at least the option would be there.

Two questions:
1) Can it be done (pretty sure it can, but just to verify...)?
2) Can it be done post mortem when my other organs are harvested for donation, or must it be done while I'm still around (i.e. before, say, transplant surgery)?

It might sound like a dumb question, but I wanted to make sure before I wrote anything in my will. If there's anything else anyone thinks I should know, please share! I know virtually nothing about this.

Thanks for any info!

 

[lightNlife]

As far as I know, the eggs will no longer be viable once you've passed. It's not like organ donation in that respect. It must be done while you're still around mostly because there's a better chance of success when the eggs are younger. So if you're thinking about having them harvested, the sooner the better. I don't remember how old you are, but as you pass the age of 27, fertility decreases dramatically. If you're close to 40, the odds of the eggs being suitable for pregnancy are quite low (10%). So, if this is really what you want to do, do it now.

I can't imagine that a guy would want to make a baby using your egg once you're not in the picture. What would be the point? The emotional ramifications alone for all involved seem overwhelming, particularly for the child. I'm sure you could find a surrogate in which to implant your combined genetic material. But that's quite costly as well.

 

[lightNlife]

As far as I know, the eggs will no longer be viable once you've passed. It's not like organ donation in that respect. It must be done while you're still around mostly because there's a better chance of success when the eggs are younger. So if you're thinking about having them harvested, the sooner the better. I don't remember how old you are, but as you pass the age of 27, fertility decreases dramatically. If you're close to 40, the odds of the eggs being suitable for pregnancy are quite low (10%). So, if this is really what you want to do, do it now.

I can't imagine that a guy would want to make a baby using your egg once you're not in the picture. What would be the point? The emotional ramifications alone for all involved seem overwhelming, particularly for the child. I'm sure you could find a surrogate in which to implant your combined genetic material. But that's quite costly as well.

 

[lightNlife]

As far as I know, the eggs will no longer be viable once you've passed. It's not like organ donation in that respect. It must be done while you're still around mostly because there's a better chance of success when the eggs are younger. So if you're thinking about having them harvested, the sooner the better. I don't remember how old you are, but as you pass the age of 27, fertility decreases dramatically. If you're close to 40, the odds of the eggs being suitable for pregnancy are quite low (10%). So, if this is really what you want to do, do it now.

I can't imagine that a guy would want to make a baby using your egg once you're not in the picture. What would be the point? The emotional ramifications alone for all involved seem overwhelming, particularly for the child. I'm sure you could find a surrogate in which to implant your combined genetic material. But that's quite costly as well.

 

[Lilith]

Thank you, lightNlife, for your input. Somehow I knew you might have the answer.

As far as why? When filling out my advanced directive, the thought just popped into my head. I'm trying to think of all aspects that might need to be included, and since I have absolutely NO intention of getting pregnant during my lifetime (for many different reasons), this would be the other option if he so decides he wants children down the road and I'm either too sick or (god forbid) dead. We haven't talked a lot about it yet, but I wanted to get some information on the subject. Its more curiosity than anything at this point.

As far as age, I'm only 21, but I'm sure I'm not very far away from being listed for a transplant so I'm trying to prepare accordingly.

 

[Lilith]

Thank you, lightNlife, for your input. Somehow I knew you might have the answer.

As far as why? When filling out my advanced directive, the thought just popped into my head. I'm trying to think of all aspects that might need to be included, and since I have absolutely NO intention of getting pregnant during my lifetime (for many different reasons), this would be the other option if he so decides he wants children down the road and I'm either too sick or (god forbid) dead. We haven't talked a lot about it yet, but I wanted to get some information on the subject. Its more curiosity than anything at this point.

As far as age, I'm only 21, but I'm sure I'm not very far away from being listed for a transplant so I'm trying to prepare accordingly.

 

[Lilith]

Thank you, lightNlife, for your input. Somehow I knew you might have the answer.

As far as why? When filling out my advanced directive, the thought just popped into my head. I'm trying to think of all aspects that might need to be included, and since I have absolutely NO intention of getting pregnant during my lifetime (for many different reasons), this would be the other option if he so decides he wants children down the road and I'm either too sick or (god forbid) dead. We haven't talked a lot about it yet, but I wanted to get some information on the subject. Its more curiosity than anything at this point.

As far as age, I'm only 21, but I'm sure I'm not very far away from being listed for a transplant so I'm trying to prepare accordingly.

 

[cf4life]

I think there has been some advancements in freezing of eggs in recent years, though I am not sure on the status. Not looking for a controversy here, but you can certainly freeze fertilized embryos. Your eggs can be removed and fertilized using your husbands sperm and then frozen. They can then be thawed and put back later. It is delicate process so you would need to do many in order to hopefully have enough that thaw properly and then stick properly when put back.

 

[cf4life]

I think there has been some advancements in freezing of eggs in recent years, though I am not sure on the status. Not looking for a controversy here, but you can certainly freeze fertilized embryos. Your eggs can be removed and fertilized using your husbands sperm and then frozen. They can then be thawed and put back later. It is delicate process so you would need to do many in order to hopefully have enough that thaw properly and then stick properly when put back.

 

[cf4life]

I think there has been some advancements in freezing of eggs in recent years, though I am not sure on the status. Not looking for a controversy here, but you can certainly freeze fertilized embryos. Your eggs can be removed and fertilized using your husbands sperm and then frozen. They can then be thawed and put back later. It is delicate process so you would need to do many in order to hopefully have enough that thaw properly and then stick properly when put back.

 

[NoExcuses]

I beg you to consider what it would be like for a child not to have a mother

 

[NoExcuses]

I beg you to consider what it would be like for a child not to have a mother

 

[NoExcuses]

I beg you to consider what it would be like for a child not to have a mother

 

[lightNlife]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>sakasuka</b></i>

I beg you to consider what it would be like for a child not to have a mother</end quote></div>

I too, think that should bear a lot of weight in your decision. A child could be irreparably harmed, and that's inexcusable.

Please consider the following, taken from the book "Growing Up with a Single Parent: What Hurts, What Helps" by Sarah S. McLanahan and Gary D. Sandefur *note* Allie, this description is not intended to encompass widowed parents. The book is the result of more than a decade of study on the subject.

<i>Children who grow up in a household with only one biological parent are worse off on average, than children who grow up in a household with both of their biological parents, regardless of the parents' race or educational background...</i>

 

[lightNlife]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>sakasuka</b></i>

I beg you to consider what it would be like for a child not to have a mother</end quote></div>

I too, think that should bear a lot of weight in your decision. A child could be irreparably harmed, and that's inexcusable.

Please consider the following, taken from the book "Growing Up with a Single Parent: What Hurts, What Helps" by Sarah S. McLanahan and Gary D. Sandefur *note* Allie, this description is not intended to encompass widowed parents. The book is the result of more than a decade of study on the subject.

<i>Children who grow up in a household with only one biological parent are worse off on average, than children who grow up in a household with both of their biological parents, regardless of the parents' race or educational background...</i>

 

[lightNlife]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>sakasuka</b></i>

I beg you to consider what it would be like for a child not to have a mother</end quote></div>

I too, think that should bear a lot of weight in your decision. A child could be irreparably harmed, and that's inexcusable.

Please consider the following, taken from the book "Growing Up with a Single Parent: What Hurts, What Helps" by Sarah S. McLanahan and Gary D. Sandefur *note* Allie, this description is not intended to encompass widowed parents. The book is the result of more than a decade of study on the subject.

<i>Children who grow up in a household with only one biological parent are worse off on average, than children who grow up in a household with both of their biological parents, regardless of the parents' race or educational background...</i>

 

[mom2lillian]

I will answer the question that was asked.

A women's ages cannot be collected post mortem like a man's sperm can be (there have been 5 succesfful uses of post mortem sperm last I knew). While a woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have they are not 'developed. They are waiting for the right time and thus about 1 develops and drops per month hence ovulation. YOu would have to go through IVF up to the point of the egg retrieval to get a substantial # of eggs. Freezing eggs is very new right now and not very successful. When you 'save' a mans sperm there are millions to use, the # eggs you might gte from one cycle could vary greatly and then probably wouldnt thaw rigth, not to mention your husband woudl need a surrogate carrier willing to go through the IVF stimulatory drugs all over again to get her body ready to accept them. Someone is right that freezing embryos is more successful at this point but even then there is a 'best used by' point and alot stickiness regarding what to do with the 'leftovers'.

(I knew a woman going through IVF with post mortem sperm, her and her husband were trying to get pregnant when he was killed in line of duty and she decided to carry on anyway that is why I know the stats mentioned above).

There you go, I have answered question without interjecting any of my other thoughts on the topic I hope it is helpful.

 

[mom2lillian]

I will answer the question that was asked.

A women's ages cannot be collected post mortem like a man's sperm can be (there have been 5 succesfful uses of post mortem sperm last I knew). While a woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have they are not 'developed. They are waiting for the right time and thus about 1 develops and drops per month hence ovulation. YOu would have to go through IVF up to the point of the egg retrieval to get a substantial # of eggs. Freezing eggs is very new right now and not very successful. When you 'save' a mans sperm there are millions to use, the # eggs you might gte from one cycle could vary greatly and then probably wouldnt thaw rigth, not to mention your husband woudl need a surrogate carrier willing to go through the IVF stimulatory drugs all over again to get her body ready to accept them. Someone is right that freezing embryos is more successful at this point but even then there is a 'best used by' point and alot stickiness regarding what to do with the 'leftovers'.

(I knew a woman going through IVF with post mortem sperm, her and her husband were trying to get pregnant when he was killed in line of duty and she decided to carry on anyway that is why I know the stats mentioned above).

There you go, I have answered question without interjecting any of my other thoughts on the topic I hope it is helpful.