Using an egg donor is not for everyone. Fundamentally, as far as science is aware at present, my son does not have any of my DNA. Does that mean he is not my son? To some people, the answer will be yes.
When I first spoke to my mother about the possibility of using a donor, she suggested that I might feel he wasn’t really my son. I have never felt like this. As far as I am concerned, I borrowed some cells from an incredible donor. These were mixed with my husband’s sperm, implanted in my womb and miraculously I grew a baby. Our son.
I am a member of The Donor Conception Network which has some amazing information, links and groups. If you are considering donor conception, do have a look at their website. We joined after David was born as my key concern was how it would impact on David that he was conceived using a donor. I talked to a mother of two donor conceived children through the network and took on board her advice to make it a familiar part of David’s life. He wouldn’t grow up and be shocked to discover that some of his genes come from elsewhere.
We have two books that I read fairly regularly to him. My favourite is two rabbits who (ironically for rabbits!) couldn’t have babies so another rabbit mummy gave them a special gift. A cell that was put with daddy’s seed into mummy’s womb and grew into a fabulous baby boy (rabbit!!). David knows that he isn’t a rabbit but he also knows that he was grown in mummy’s womb with the help of lots of doctors, a lovely donor and bucketfuls of love.
If you would like to ask me anything about our route to becoming parents, please do contact me.
I’d be curious to know the titles of the two books you read regularly!
Hi Mariam
The first one about the rabbits is called: A tiny itsy bitsy Gift of Life by Carmen Martinez Jover. I think they had versions for boys and girls and that I bought it from Amazon.
The second is Our Story – How we became a family. This is published by the Donor Conception Network and I believe is printed to match different families and genders.
Hope that helps.
Thanks
Susie
Hi Susie, please can you tell me is the book itsy bitsy gift of life book in American language? We have Our Story and love it. I bought a couple of kids books about egg donor conception and prefer Our Story as the language is more us – we’re Scottish. 🏴 thanks, Lotte
Hi Lotte
I haven’t noticed it as being American English. I read it to David again last night and I noticed they use Autumn and not Fall so should be okay. It is a lovely story. Thanks Susie
I’d like to buy another one and itsy bitsy looks lovely…