Southern California egg donor
Friday, September 23rd, 2011
While it may seem logical to assume that “more is more” in terms of increasing your chances of getting matched for a donation, registering with multiple agencies can actually work against you — and lead to a host of problems down the road when and if you do get chosen by a couple.
At BHED we ask all of our active donors to sign an exclusivity policy before being added to our database, in which the donor agrees not to register with, or commit to a donation through, any outside agency or clinic during her first six months with us. We adopted this policy after years in the industry and countless conversations with intended parents, doctors, and colleagues about the issues that come up when a donor is registered with more than one agency. We know that our donors are eager to get matched and help a couple in need (and the sooner the better!), but our clients have frequently told us that they’re very uncomfortable seeing donors listed on multiple websites and often shy AWAY from booking those donors who seem to be spreading themselves too thin. Beyond that, we’ve had clients who have gone to reserve a particular donor for a cycle to start right away, only to find out that she’s already accepted a match elsewhere and is – in reality – not available for several months. For intended parents who have spent weeks, months, and often longer searching for their perfect donor, this can be incredibly disappointing.
Of course, if a donor hasn’t been matched through BHED by the time her exclusivity policy expires we completely understand that she may want to register elsewhere. After six months, donors are free to sign up with one outside organization provided they notify us in writing and inform us within 24 hours of accepting an outside match.
Donors can always feel free to contact a member of our staff with any questions or concerns about this policy. As always we appreciate your commitment to our program and look forward to working with you to help create a family.
Tags: Beverly Hills Egg Donation, BHED, egg donation, egg donor, egg donor agency, Southern California egg donor
Posted in Staff Corner | No Comments »
Thursday, February 24th, 2011
 I have had the amazing opportunity to become an egg donor. It’s extraordinary that such a simple time commitment can have such a big impact!
I think that when a person first considers donation, it’s easy to get caught up in fear of the unknown (and maybe even a little bit of what people will think). When I first thought I might want to donate, I was scared and wasn’t sure if it was worth the risk. But it’s funny – experience truly is the best teacher. After my first cycle, I realized just how simple it really is. You think to yourself, how is it possible to give someone something so special by going through such a simple (relatively) process. The funny thing about becoming a donor is that at first you think that you’re the one giving something of yourself, but after the retrieval you get such a strong feeling of being able to do something even bigger. It’s amazing, and I think it’s something that people don’t tell you going into it.
I’ve done a lot already in my short time on Earth. I’ve been a professional athlete, an NYPD police officer, and have received many accolades. Of all the things I am proud of, being able to help someone in this capacity is the most rewarding thing I have ever been a part of. I can honestly say that becoming an egg donor – giving someone the chance to have a child – is probably one of the most important things I will ever have the opportunity to do.
- Kimberly, BHED donor #9564
Tags: Beverly Hills Egg Donation, BHED, egg donation, egg donation agency, egg donor, egg donor agency, Southern California egg donor
Posted in From Donor's Perspective | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 5th, 2011
We at BHED are so excited to be ringing in 2011, and to have closed out 2010 on such a great note. As you may have noticed, the last couple of pieces we’ve posted on this blog are from two of our international recipients. Our client list stretches far and wide across the globe; in fact, we’ve worked with intended parents from over 50 countries. Whether you’re coming to us from just down the street in Southern California, or based in another city, state or time zone, our staff will guide you through egg donation with experienced professionalism.
2010 saw the launch of “Ask Kate” (www.askaneggdonor.com): an interactive forum for prospective donors, recipients, and anyone else with questions about what goes into being a donor. Ask Kate is helmed by our own Kate Lee (a 6-time previous donor), who brings her unique perspective to “shedding light” on the donor experience.
We would like to wish ALL of our donors, recipients and colleagues a happy and healthy year ahead. If you’re a recipient, we look forward to helping you find your donor match in the coming year. We have more impressive candidates than ever before and are adding new donors to the database every week. For our prospective donors, now is a great time to join BHED. Our donor team is here to be an advocate for you and help guide you through the process to start to finish.
Here’s to a wonderful New Year!
Tags: Beverly Hills Egg Donation, BHED, egg donation, egg donor, egg donor agency, Southern California egg donor
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Thursday, September 9th, 2010
If you’re reading this, you are most likely as bewildered as my partner and I were when we started this process…
 So many moving parts, so many businesses ready to “help us create our family”.
How does one choose the perfect place? This was the biggest thing we’d ever take on. This was not buying a new car. Our fertility doctors sent us his top 4 recommendations for Egg Donor Agencies. We found 4 others on our own. We spent MANY weeks searching the sites. After awhile, it felt like online dating. Only the “date” would be the genetic mother of our child.
Fairly quickly, it became clear what we should focus on. In addition to the actual donor profiles, we realized the importance of the egg donor agency itself. Because we’d be going into business with BHED, the particulars mattered a lot. The fees , the management, the rules, it all became important. Of the 8 sites we kept searching, BHED’s language and demeanor was the fit we were looking for. Very upfront. Very reasonable. Very tidy. In terms of profiles, we found several profiles where the Donor only offered the perfect answers from top to bottom, with absolutely no familial health risks or conditions. It simply was not realistic. Because we’d be placing so much trust in someone, honesty was crucial to us, even if we never met that someone. Several times, we had specific questions about a donor. Not only did Lisa Greer answer them immediately (yep, I said immediately), she took it all a step further by providing her email, and all of her phone numbers to us. This spoke volumes to us about BHED’s level of dedication. How many Managing Partners make themselves completely available to you in this day and age? Not many.
Once we selected our Donor (not an easy process), Lisa hosted a conference call wherein we spoke to our donor. There’s an inherent awkwardness to that phone call, and Lisa could not have navigated it any more perfectly. She kept it discreet, kept it moving, and somehow kept it comfortable. Because we live close by, I wanted to not only meet Lisa, but see the office. I felt like it was a good idea to see the business in person. I’m very glad I did. It only made me feel even better about entrusting BHED with our Egg Donation.
 From then on, my partner and I were graced (yep, I said graced) with Liz Bader-Natal as our Case Manager. Over the next 3 months, Liz gently and firmly guided us with such straightforward knowledge, it was a gift. Granted this was all a business transaction of sorts, but given the nature of the process, there is very much a human element. I had no idea how important she would become to us in the coming months. Amazingly, Liz answered the phone each time I called. Each time. I still don’t know how she did it. My partner and I are 2 men, far from well-versed in terms of the Fertility world. Lupron? Follistim? Menopur? Each step of the way, Liz explained everything to us with the patience of a Saint. Really. As with anything complicated, so much can go wrong. Every single thing Liz and/or Lisa said to us we believed. We were never given a reason not to. And everything they said was true. In hindsight, I realize now how amazingly they anticipated situations, as opposed to only handling them as they occured.
We still have a ways to go. 8 months to be exact. Sadly, our actual time with BHED is finished. I’m not sure it Lisa and Liz know this, but they will be posted with all upcoming milestones. Given how tremendous they were with us at every turn, it’s the least we can do.
-Seth, BHED Recipient
Tags: Beverly Hills Egg Donation, BHED, egg donation, egg donor, egg donor agencies, egg donor agency, egg donor wanted, egg donors, IVF, ivf cycle, Southern California egg donor, surrogacy and egg donation
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Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
Becoming an egg donor was one of the easiest decisions I have ever made.  From the moment I learned about egg donation, I was convinced that it was something that I wanted to do.  Unfortunately, it was because of an awful experience that I discovered egg donation, but I’ve learned that often good things can come of tragedy.  I had an abortion in May of 2009, and afterwards I started researching the possibility of being a surrogate mother to an individual or couple.  It was then that I discovered egg donation and immediately committed to the idea.  I didn’t even know it was a possibility until I stumbled across it in my research.
 When I got pregnant, I was on birth control (Nuva Ring). Â The shock of the pregnancy was nothing compared to the horror of realizing that the man I was with at the time was not a very nice person. Â In the same week that I learned of my pregnancy, I learned that he was doing drugs when I was not around, and when I told him the news he became violent and angry. Â I ended the relationship and went home to live with my mother. Â When I made the decision to have an abortion I think I must have cried for two weeks, but I believe I made the best decision that I could have at the time. Â It is because of that horrible experience that I am so excited to donate to another individual or couple.
I’m now engaged to a wonderful guy, and I know that there will be a time when I welcome a pregnancy (even an unexpected one). Â I am so happy that I will be able to have a family with him someday, and it is important to me to be able to give that same chance to someone who is ready. Â Anyone going to such great lengths to start a family truly deserves to have that, and if I can help that happen I would be honored. Â In a small way I feel like I am giving back what I took away, even though I know that I can never undo or nullify the abortion. Â My primary motivation, however, is to help someone bring a child into the world. Â The whole process of egg donation and IVF is an extension of the miracle of creating life and I am grateful and happy to be able to lend myself to such an amazing purpose.
- BHED donor, Maggie #8228
Tags: become a donor, become an egg donor, Beverly Hills Egg Donation, BHED, donate my eggs, egg donation, egg donor, egg donor agencies, egg donor program, egg donor wanted, IVF, Los Angeles egg donation, Southern California egg donor
Posted in From Donor's Perspective | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
Below is our final topic in Brenda Fahn-Hardt’s series of discussions for Intended Parents. Â Thank you, Brenda, for all of your contributions over the past few weeks!
Will I Feel Bonded to My Child?
One fear that intended parents sometimes bring up is that they may not feel as connected or bonded to their child because they used an egg donor. Â I don’t think I have encountered any cases that substantiate this fear, but of course it is a valid concern. Â I tell intended parents that they may be more prepared to handle their child than parents who have biological children. Â Biological parents many times assume that they will understand their  child, yet each child is unique and may or many not resemble their biological parents either. Â The key to parenting is to be attuned to who your child is. Â When you enter the world of parenthood, it is a daily challenge to let go of who you think your child “should” be and accept them for who they are. Â A daily lesson as a parent is to listen and accept your child for who he/she is. Â If you can do that there is no doubt that you will feel connected to your child.
- Brenda Fahn-Hardt M.S., MFT
Beverly Hills Egg Donation Staff Psychotherapist
Tags: assisted reproduction, Beverly Hills Egg Donation, BHED, Brenda Fahn-Hardt, egg donation, egg donation southern california, egg donor, egg donor agencies, egg donor agency, egg donor psychologist, egg donors, intended parent, intended parents psychological issues, IVF, ivf cycle, resources for intended parents, Southern California egg donor, Southern California egg donor agency
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Thursday, May 13th, 2010
Part two in our series of discussions on psychological issues for Intended Parents.
Choosing a Donor
 Once intended parents have made the decision to use an egg donor, anxiety can arise surrounding the donor choice. Â Every intended parent usually approaches the issue with ‘preconceived’ criteria for choosing their ‘perfect’ candidate – beyond the standard medical screening that is done, scholastics, personality, and appearance are usually at the top of their list. Â I empathize with individuals and couples as to how difficult it is to make such a big decision. Â It is important to remember that there is no rush in choosing a donor. Â It takes time to find the right match. Â Whatever the intended parents are looking for, I encourage them to get as much information as possible from their egg donation agency regarding their donor, while also trying not to ‘over-control’ the situation. Â Once one feels they have made the best decision, according to the information they have, then the challenge can be trying letting go. Â There are no guarantees in life, all of us who are parents usually begrudgingly learn that a lot more of life is out of our control than we would like. Â Parenting is about being able to handle all the imperfections that come with a child, whether you have your child through an egg donor or not. Â When couples do have difficulty containing their anxiety during this process therapy can help.
As the ‘screening’ psychotherapist, my process is analytical and involves assessing the donor for her maturity and ability to follow through with the process, as well as the presence of any major psycho-pathology (i.e. personality or mood disorders). Â An interview and psychological test are used to check for either of the two preceding elements.
- Brenda Fahn-Hardt M.S., MFT
Beverly Hills Egg Donation Staff Psychotherapist
Tags: Beverly Hills Egg Donation, BHED, egg donation agency, egg donation los angeles, egg donor, egg donor cycle, egg donor database, egg donor los angeles, egg donors, fertility clinic, how to choose an egg donor, ivf cycle, Oocyte Donation, Ova donation, Southern California egg donation agency, Southern California egg donor, Southern California egg donors
Posted in Advice From Our Colleagues | No Comments »
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