How to prioritize mental health as an intended parent

At Chosen Egg Bank, we believe that egg donation is a wonderful, heart-warming and unforgettable experience. And dedicating our lives to helping families conceive children, who otherwise could not, has been eternally rewarding for all of us. But the process is often not without challenges. When couples and individuals decide to begin down the road to parenthood through egg donation, they’ll undoubtedly have to navigate a variety of social, physical and mental obstacles along the way. 

Whether it’s overcoming the small-mindedness often directed towards those whose family building path falls outside of convention, dealing with the expectations of society, or even simply having to reimagine what parenthood was going to look like — families will often need real mental health support to make it through the entire process with as little stress and anxiety as possible. 

That’s what we’re here for. To start helping you lighten the emotional load, we’ve created a list of practical ways to prioritize your mental health as you navigate the egg donation journey. 

Acknowledge and accept your grief

This first piece of advice is directed at couples — specifically women — who are unable to conceive children with their own egg supply, and thus are working with an egg donor. Many women have spent their lives with a clear vision as to how exactly they’d start their family. Many often build their hopes, dreams and expectations around their idea of parenthood. And when these set-in-stone plans change, it can leave them feeling overwhelmed, scared, and filled with grief for the life they thought they’d be living. If this sounds like you, just remember that there’s nothing wrong with feeling a sense of loss at some perceived future, in fact it’s perfectly normal. Just give yourself time to grieve this process, allow yourself to feel sad, or guilty, or jealous — because your emotions are beautiful, every single one of them. 

Surround yourself with positive influences

When beginning the egg donation process, you may be feeling a sense of shame or vulnerability moving forward. That is also totally normal. These feelings may stem from past experiences, family expectations, or even societal influences. To make your journey smoother, be sure to surround yourself with friends and loved ones who understand and empathize with what you’re going through, and who make strides to comfort and support you, through thick and thin. If you’ve got some friends and acquaintances who try to instill negative or pessimistic thoughts, it might be a good time to steer clear of them for the time being, at least until you feel more comfortable with the entire process. 

Find community in your own uniqueness

For our LGBTQ+ clients, who have faced a lifetime of marginalization, it could be difficult to undergo yet another life experience that runs counter to society’s norms. But luckily, there is an entire world of community just waiting to support you! When starting down the path, arm yourself with vital support from those in your community. Tell those you trust what you’re going through, and accept the help they offer. 

Get the support you need

When making the choice to start your family through egg donation, we believe you should do so proudly. And if you need professional help to help reduce the stigma once and for all — then we say go for it! There are several family therapists who have vast experience in dealing with those in your situation. Look around for therapists who have dealt specifically with egg donation, who will know the ins and outs of what you’re experiencing. You can also go online and find social media support groups that connect thousands of people who have been through, and are currently going through, a similar experience. 

At Chosen Egg Bank, we are here to be your support system and your guide through the entire egg donation process. We strive to make the entire journey a smooth and seamless one. And our team of warm and compassionate experts are ready to help you achieve your dreams of growing your family — however you choose to do so. To get started, visit us at choseneggbank.com.