Let's Go Through The Journey Together....
DoingItAlone
Posts: 62
I am 31,
0
DoingItAlone
Posts: 62
Comments
I haven't picked any donors yet, but I am looking at them, and I think having a few key criteria that you absolutely want in your donor would help, and I also plan on getting input from two of my best friends (they would be the godparents).
There will be a lot of questions, no doubt about that, but what I am doing for now is looking at profiles, educating myself on the process, and reading posts from the very beginning of the boards...there's a lot of wisdom packed in there. Good luck! I'm sure you'll see me posting from time to time, as well as many others that are where we are.
I'm have my first IUI in September or October (depending on my crazy cycle).
I am am planning to be a SMBC as well. I like guys but haven't found the right one and I've wanted to be a mother since I was like 8. haha.
I'll be 25 when I deliver (if everything works out).
You should look on instagram if you have one. just look under the #ttc and you'll find soooo many other ladies. :)
Once I get ready to do the IUI, I'll look up SMBC groups in my area (a member here mentioned www.singlemothersbychoice.org), which is great if you want to find people in your shoes in your local area. For someone like me who is out here on my own with my immediate family hundreds of miles away, having someone local who can offer advice and support is a great thing...especially while pregnant.
At my age, I knew I had to make a decision to do something if I wanted any biological children. With my career in the military winding down and just having finished all of my college (finally!), I feel I am at the time in my life that I have to get moving...especially if I want more than one child.
Are either of you planning on buying many vials of the same donor so you have the option of your child having full siblings? I am on the fence about that because it costs a lot financially, and what if the donor doesn't work for me? Now I am stuck with a lot of vials that I won't use. Or what if it takes me multiple tries with the same donor to get pregnant? So many questions...
I am back and forth on how much it matters if my kids are full siblings or not...I mean, they'll be related through me anyway. Starting this process when I am starting a second career makes me a little nervous, especially if I successfully get pregnant and have to tell my boss. However, at my age, I don't want to put it off anymore.
I checked out that website when I first heard about it, and to join it costs $55 yearly, and with that, you get a listing of members/contact people in your area, access to a 24/7 online forum, different resources regarding the donor process, and a quarterly newsletter...a lot of potential peace of mind for $55. I am definitely joining once I get this process really rolling.
Due to finances, I understand not wanting to buy a lot of vials, and if you have extras, you can always post that info on the boards and see if anyone wants to buy them off you. Selling back to CCB should be the last resort since you do lose 50% of your investment. I see posts all the time about women who want a full sibling, but the donor stopped donating, and they are seeking anyone who has vials on a particular donor. I say, do what feels right to you. I would get two though...I've heard that doing the insemination two days in a row increases the odds of success. Might be worth considering. :)
Julie
There is never going to be a "perfect" time to do this, so for me, my biggest thing was finishing up graduate school before I began trying. I'm really glad I am not trying until Sept/Oct timeframe since between now and then I need to job hunt and finish a massive portfolio needed for certification in my state to work in the schools. Both of those issues should be resolved by September. In the meantime, I do work in the military and I will be doing that until I get a job in the schools, so at least I'll be employed through this process.
I am absolutely interested in joining an already existing group of ladies for support and encouragement. My friends are supportive (well, the ones I've told so far), but I don't want to bombard them with every little detail, especially since they can't really understand this process unless they've experienced it. My e-mail is: Camochick04@gmail.com
The full sibling vs. half-sibling debate is really based on preference. They'll be related, regardless. I guess I just rationalized that if I can have full siblings, it'll almost be like if I had been married and had all of my children with the same man. In the end though, all I want are healthy children. There are many great donors out there, so maybe it's best for me financially not to put myself in too of deep of a hole.
I just took my first prenatal vitamins today... this is all starting to seem so real! Are the other ladies originally from this board and doing the same thing?
Julie
My name is Jenn. I am 31 years old. I live in Arizona and I too am on the same time line as the rest of you. I just had my first appointment with a fertility specialist on Thursday July 2nd. I just started doing my ovulation record keeping. I am supposed to have my first ultrasound and blood work done next week. Although due to insurance and my financial responsibility, I may push that back.
I have found a couple donors that I like but haven't made the final selection yet.
I basically have been reading articles and doing research on insemination for a couple months now, yet I still don't feel prepared some how. I do have support of friends and a couple family members which has been so great, but I would love to keep in touch with you guys as we all have a different perspective of the process.
Jenn