Hello and welcome to the Fairfax Cryobank Family Forum!
The forum has a new look and the Fairfax Team is so excited to create the best experience for our users.
To Note:
Private Donor Groups and Private Sibling Connection Groups are now located under the category "Groups". Search the donor number in the search box and you should find exactly what you're looking for!
Questions about your forum access? Email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com
Follow these steps to join a private donor group:
1) Press "Join" at the right of the group
2) Once prompted to confirm your request please list this information so we can verify your information:
Name (under which the vial was purchased)
Email
Clinic Name
Donor number
Child Date of Birth
*If you are looking to start a private group for a PRS donor please email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com with the above information and that you are looking for a PRS group*
If you have any questions about the verification process please email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com
The forum has a new look and the Fairfax Team is so excited to create the best experience for our users.
To Note:
Private Donor Groups and Private Sibling Connection Groups are now located under the category "Groups". Search the donor number in the search box and you should find exactly what you're looking for!
Questions about your forum access? Email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com
Follow these steps to join a private donor group:
1) Press "Join" at the right of the group
2) Once prompted to confirm your request please list this information so we can verify your information:
Name (under which the vial was purchased)
Clinic Name
Donor number
Child Date of Birth
*If you are looking to start a private group for a PRS donor please email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com with the above information and that you are looking for a PRS group*
If you have any questions about the verification process please email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com
Allison's story
I had decided a long time ago that I was going to be a mom. In this little book I filled out each school year, it asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I had numerous things listed there throughout the years but the one constant was “a mom.” I remember being fascinated by pregnant women at a very young age and puffing out my belly to pretend I was pregnant! When I was in college, I decided that if I didn’t meet that “special someone” by the time I got to a certain age (I never really definitively defined that age), then I would figure out how to do it myself. I did tons of reading and talking and thinking and decided that donor insemination was the way I wanted to go. I was never and am still not opposed to adopting, but I really wanted to try to have a genetic connection to my child. I have 2 friends who have gone the donor insemination route, 1 anonymous and 1 known. I knew this was something I could do given that I was raised mostly by a single mother and have lots of family and friends supporting me.
I finally made an appointment with the fertility clinic in September 2009. I was 36 at the time. I spent a month doing the fertility testing they suggested (not all, because I knew I did not have a fertility problem; my only problem was lack of free, fresh sperm). I had been charting my BBT and cervical fluid for close to a year at that point and had used a (borrowed) fertility monitor for a few months and everything seemed OK. I also started doing acupuncture that summer. I had blood tests done throughout my cycle that month and an ultrasound to check my ovarian reserve. (I refused anything having to do with Clomid!) Nothing revealed any evidence why I shouldn’t go forward. So I picked out my donor. It was really pretty easy to find. I picked an identity release donor who has similar characteristics as me (except I wanted a thin donor to give my child a genetic chance to maybe be thin). This one seemed to be perfect. I ordered 2 vials and was ready to go.
In October, my fertility monitor did not give me a peak reading, which had me puzzled and disappointed. In November, I had a peak reading and went in for my first IUI. Unfortunately it didn’t work that time. In December, I tried again and it worked! I was so excited and proud! I had turned 37 in November. I had an early ultrasound and they were concerned about the heart rate; it was too low. I refused any other ultrasounds beyond that because I just wanted to enjoy being pregnant, even if it wasn’t going to last. I miscarried Saturday February 20th, 2010. I was actually at a friend’s house 2 hours away. I woke up with bleeding, tried to will it away, which didn’t work so I drove the 2 hours home! Stupid maybe, but I knew I only wanted to be home if this was going to happen. My friend who I was visiting just had to put her cat down and she was an emotional wreck and her mother who was visiting was not a warm fuzzy sort of person. I really believe in signs and as I pulled into my driveway, a red tail hawk flew in front of me down the driveway. I was on the phone with a friend at the time (trying to stop myself from passing out) and I immediately started sobbing, but only because I knew it to be a good sign. Everything passed as it should, as soon as I was home and my body was supported.
My body seemed to recover fairly well. I started charting again and the fertility monitor told me I was ready again at the end of May. I had debated whether or not to go with the same donor but figured I was receptive to him the first time, might as well try with him again. I ordered 2 vials. I was also debating whether or not to start in May. I wasn’t sure my body was truly ready, but figured, “why not?” It didn’t work in May or June. I ordered 2 more vials. Neither of those worked either. Then, maybe another sign, but that donor became unavailable. I spent lots of time searching for another. This time it seemed harder. I found one who fit my criteria, but something was missing. I showed his profile to a couple friends and one “didn’t feel it” either. She grabbed my computer and started searching. She came up with one and showed me. I had missed him. He looked pretty good so I decided to go with him. This was Labor Day weekend. I was supposed to ovulate that week and I still hadn’t ordered the goods. The bank was closed on Labor Day so I called first thing Tuesday morning. I realized I needed to fill out a consent for the new donor, so I did that, e-mailed it back, and luckily they were able to order my goods that day. I bought 2 vials and had it shipped fast in order to make it on time. Turns out I would’ve been fine with regular shipping, but you never really know with ovaries. I went in (this was not my 7th time “having expensive sex” under fluorescent lights with my feet in stirrups.) I did ask to look at the swimmers under the microscope with the nurse, but otherwise, it was the same old thing. I had plans to drive about 4 hours away to attend a meeting the next day for my 5 year old nephew at his school. I was at the tail end of a cold so I decided to get up really early in the morning and drive to the meeting, which was at 8am! I did just that and spent the afternoon with my nephew when he got out of school. He had some friends over and it was a real challenge to hang out with them that evening being tired and trying to get over a cold (preparation for motherhood, I guess). To top it off, his mother was late getting home from work. By the time I got to the hotel room at 9pm, I was ready to crash. Little did I know that throughout all this, 2 cells were getting together and doing some magic! Maybe that's what my baby needed-mom to not think about it for once!
I was due to get my period about a week and a half later. I hadn’t had a temperature shift yet but my temps hadn’t dropped either. I decided I might as well take a pregnancy test. It didn’t seem to take long for the test to register and it said yes! I couldn’t believe it. I was jumping all around my house, yelling and screaming. My dog was joining in on the excitement. It was a happy morning! I refused an ultrasound or any other testing the fertility clinic wanted to do. I just wanted to enjoy this pregnancy and be happily oblivious. It was difficult trying to stay positive and optimistic. On November 15th, I heard the heartbeat for the first time. It was a perfect 140 beats per minute. I literally felt this huge layer being peeled off of me. When I stood up, I was lighter on the earth! I am now 14 weeks pregnant and can’t wait for the next opportunity to hear the heartbeat!
I am very open to hearing from other families who share this donor. I feel like the more connections my child and I can have to "the other side of the family" the better.
I finally made an appointment with the fertility clinic in September 2009. I was 36 at the time. I spent a month doing the fertility testing they suggested (not all, because I knew I did not have a fertility problem; my only problem was lack of free, fresh sperm). I had been charting my BBT and cervical fluid for close to a year at that point and had used a (borrowed) fertility monitor for a few months and everything seemed OK. I also started doing acupuncture that summer. I had blood tests done throughout my cycle that month and an ultrasound to check my ovarian reserve. (I refused anything having to do with Clomid!) Nothing revealed any evidence why I shouldn’t go forward. So I picked out my donor. It was really pretty easy to find. I picked an identity release donor who has similar characteristics as me (except I wanted a thin donor to give my child a genetic chance to maybe be thin). This one seemed to be perfect. I ordered 2 vials and was ready to go.
In October, my fertility monitor did not give me a peak reading, which had me puzzled and disappointed. In November, I had a peak reading and went in for my first IUI. Unfortunately it didn’t work that time. In December, I tried again and it worked! I was so excited and proud! I had turned 37 in November. I had an early ultrasound and they were concerned about the heart rate; it was too low. I refused any other ultrasounds beyond that because I just wanted to enjoy being pregnant, even if it wasn’t going to last. I miscarried Saturday February 20th, 2010. I was actually at a friend’s house 2 hours away. I woke up with bleeding, tried to will it away, which didn’t work so I drove the 2 hours home! Stupid maybe, but I knew I only wanted to be home if this was going to happen. My friend who I was visiting just had to put her cat down and she was an emotional wreck and her mother who was visiting was not a warm fuzzy sort of person. I really believe in signs and as I pulled into my driveway, a red tail hawk flew in front of me down the driveway. I was on the phone with a friend at the time (trying to stop myself from passing out) and I immediately started sobbing, but only because I knew it to be a good sign. Everything passed as it should, as soon as I was home and my body was supported.
My body seemed to recover fairly well. I started charting again and the fertility monitor told me I was ready again at the end of May. I had debated whether or not to go with the same donor but figured I was receptive to him the first time, might as well try with him again. I ordered 2 vials. I was also debating whether or not to start in May. I wasn’t sure my body was truly ready, but figured, “why not?” It didn’t work in May or June. I ordered 2 more vials. Neither of those worked either. Then, maybe another sign, but that donor became unavailable. I spent lots of time searching for another. This time it seemed harder. I found one who fit my criteria, but something was missing. I showed his profile to a couple friends and one “didn’t feel it” either. She grabbed my computer and started searching. She came up with one and showed me. I had missed him. He looked pretty good so I decided to go with him. This was Labor Day weekend. I was supposed to ovulate that week and I still hadn’t ordered the goods. The bank was closed on Labor Day so I called first thing Tuesday morning. I realized I needed to fill out a consent for the new donor, so I did that, e-mailed it back, and luckily they were able to order my goods that day. I bought 2 vials and had it shipped fast in order to make it on time. Turns out I would’ve been fine with regular shipping, but you never really know with ovaries. I went in (this was not my 7th time “having expensive sex” under fluorescent lights with my feet in stirrups.) I did ask to look at the swimmers under the microscope with the nurse, but otherwise, it was the same old thing. I had plans to drive about 4 hours away to attend a meeting the next day for my 5 year old nephew at his school. I was at the tail end of a cold so I decided to get up really early in the morning and drive to the meeting, which was at 8am! I did just that and spent the afternoon with my nephew when he got out of school. He had some friends over and it was a real challenge to hang out with them that evening being tired and trying to get over a cold (preparation for motherhood, I guess). To top it off, his mother was late getting home from work. By the time I got to the hotel room at 9pm, I was ready to crash. Little did I know that throughout all this, 2 cells were getting together and doing some magic! Maybe that's what my baby needed-mom to not think about it for once!
I was due to get my period about a week and a half later. I hadn’t had a temperature shift yet but my temps hadn’t dropped either. I decided I might as well take a pregnancy test. It didn’t seem to take long for the test to register and it said yes! I couldn’t believe it. I was jumping all around my house, yelling and screaming. My dog was joining in on the excitement. It was a happy morning! I refused an ultrasound or any other testing the fertility clinic wanted to do. I just wanted to enjoy this pregnancy and be happily oblivious. It was difficult trying to stay positive and optimistic. On November 15th, I heard the heartbeat for the first time. It was a perfect 140 beats per minute. I literally felt this huge layer being peeled off of me. When I stood up, I was lighter on the earth! I am now 14 weeks pregnant and can’t wait for the next opportunity to hear the heartbeat!
I am very open to hearing from other families who share this donor. I feel like the more connections my child and I can have to "the other side of the family" the better.