Embryo donation for sibling

[kirstysmbc]

Hi all,

I'm looking at moving to donor embryos in my attempts for a sibling for my daughter after own egg IVF has failed at 43. I'm looking at clinics in Portugal as I want open donors and as a solo mum it is legally very difficult in the UK.

Can anyone give any recommendations / places to avoid?

Also, has anyone had one child with own eggs and then one with donor? I'm a bit worried about the impact on both me and the children.

And respectfully, if you disagree with donor eggs / embryos, please move on by, I'm looking for advice not judgement. Thanks

I would assume that the issues that could possibly occur between the children would be the same as those between any sets of siblings, but with the added complication that if they have an argument -as siblings tend to do - your eldest child could make a throw away comment such as ‘well you’re not really mummy’s baby’ that you’d then have to deal with. I didn’t look like my mum growing up, my sister was identical to her and would comment about this when she wanted to annoy me!

I have a donor egg 5 year old and an own egg 4 year old so the other way round than most, I do worry when they are older how the eldest may feel and I have tried to speak to him an age appropriate way but he isn't phased at the moment

I have two OE children and one DE baby. This was due to secondary infertility.

The love I feel for DE baby is exactly the same as OE baby.
Spain is an excellent place to start for DE.
It’s cheaper and more efficient.

I went to Prague initially and had a terrible experience. I would not recommend. 3 embryos all wasted. The communication was poor and once your credit card was swiped they were not interested. Unprofessional.
I raised a complaint but sometimes you have to walk with your feet.

I got pregnant first time in Spain. It was all quite easy. Communication was excellent. They just felt more caring and compassionate.

I now know several people with DE children, once I opened up about my own infertility. It’s more common than you think. it’s quite a personal subject.
None of these parents are less because of it. In fact, having a baby regardless of genetics, only enhances your life.

I certainly do not look at my OE children and think genetics! They are their own soul.
They just want to be loved and cared for. It’s about the journey with children, not the making.