S1, Ep 1 - The Realities of Egg Donation
Season 1, Episode 1, Oct 24, 2021, 11:00 PM
In this first-ever episode of Bun in the Oven I’m talking to Senior Consultant in Reproductive Medicine Dr Meenakshi Choudhary and the wonderfully honest Sophie Johnston about egg donation, and the logistics both practically and emotionally.
I’ll be honest I couldn’t believe my luck when Meenakshi agreed to take part in the podcast as she is an incredible incredible, important, woman.
In this episode we’ll be talking all about egg donation and how it works, how eggs are in short supply in the UK, and the logistics of using a donor egg. Donating your eggs, to help others become pregnant, is one of the most selfless things a woman can do and it blows my mind at the science that goes on behind the scenes here. You may need some tissues for this episode.
Guest Bios
Dr Meenakshi Choudhary
Dr Choudhary is a leading Clinician in Reproductive Medicine at the internationally renowned Newcastle Fertility Centre at Life and oversees the world first mitochondrial donor program. She is passionate about empowering women who volunteer to be donors and give a ‘gift of life’ to several women who suffer from infertility or deadly inheritable diseases. She is a Trustee on the board of national UK Charity, Sperm, Egg, Embryo Donation (SEED) Trust. To read her full bio head to our show notes as she is an incredibly inspiring woman.
https://fertilityinternational.org
Follow Dr Choudhary on Twitter HERE
Sophie Johnston
Sophie Johnston first reached out to me when I announced I was recording this podcast, and offered to share her incredible story of infertility, followed by egg donation. I will admit I cried many times during this episode and I can’t thank her enough for sharing her journey. Sophie works as a dietitian for the NHS with people with neurological conditions and those who have suffered major traumas, and I can confirm since recording this podcast she has given birth to a beautiful baby girl Flo and says that all her dreams have come true.
Useful links:
I’ll be honest I couldn’t believe my luck when Meenakshi agreed to take part in the podcast as she is an incredible incredible, important, woman.
In this episode we’ll be talking all about egg donation and how it works, how eggs are in short supply in the UK, and the logistics of using a donor egg. Donating your eggs, to help others become pregnant, is one of the most selfless things a woman can do and it blows my mind at the science that goes on behind the scenes here. You may need some tissues for this episode.
Guest Bios
Dr Meenakshi Choudhary
Dr Choudhary is a leading Clinician in Reproductive Medicine at the internationally renowned Newcastle Fertility Centre at Life and oversees the world first mitochondrial donor program. She is passionate about empowering women who volunteer to be donors and give a ‘gift of life’ to several women who suffer from infertility or deadly inheritable diseases. She is a Trustee on the board of national UK Charity, Sperm, Egg, Embryo Donation (SEED) Trust. To read her full bio head to our show notes as she is an incredibly inspiring woman.
https://fertilityinternational.org
Follow Dr Choudhary on Twitter HERE
Sophie Johnston
Sophie Johnston first reached out to me when I announced I was recording this podcast, and offered to share her incredible story of infertility, followed by egg donation. I will admit I cried many times during this episode and I can’t thank her enough for sharing her journey. Sophie works as a dietitian for the NHS with people with neurological conditions and those who have suffered major traumas, and I can confirm since recording this podcast she has given birth to a beautiful baby girl Flo and says that all her dreams have come true.
Useful links:
- Check out Seed Trust Website – click HERE
- Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority: find out about sperm and egg donation HERE
- The Daisy network – a charity for those with premature ovarian insufficiency – click HERE
- Paths to Parent Hub – a private space to find support, information, friendship, and a sense of community all about parenting via donor conception – click HERE
- Follow Becky, the founder of Defining Mum HERE
- Finally, a lovely lady called Amanda Dawn has created YouTube videos on her donor egg/IVF journeys (she is now a mum of two!), her ovaries also failed at a very young age. You can follow her on Youtube HERE
A Word From Our Sponsors
The Bump Plan
This episode of Bun in the Oven is sponsored by The Bump Plan.
Given the theme of this podcast I imagine that some of you are currently pregnant or planning a family. So many women I know just aren’t sure how to move their body safely during this changing time? Or they want to stay active but need someone to show them the way and hold their hand? That’s where the Bump Plan comes in. The Bump Plan is a holistic prenatal fitness plan that allows you to work out with confidence at each trimester of your pregnancy.
Founded by myself, Hollie Grant, The Bump Plan has already helped over 30,000 pregnant women stay active safely, and feel empowered throughout their pregnancies. Through its trimester specific workouts in which I am always at the same stage of my pregnancy as you will be in yours, hypnobirthing subscription, and extensive Education Hub, you’ll feel supported and part of a welcome community.
Let me help you move safely through your pregnancy, maintain your fitness and strength, and enter parenthood strong and prepared for all the demands it poses.
► As a listener of Bun in the Oven I am offering you £5/month off the cost of your monthly subscription to The Bump Plan simply by entering the code ‘bun‘ at checkout. To get started today simply head here and enter the code ‘bun‘ at checkout.
Join our community today and stay strong throughout your pregnancy
► Follow The Bump Plan on Instagram HERE
Sprout
This episode of Bun in the Oven is also sponsored by Sprout!
Sprout is the first-ever discount club for pregnancy and parenthood. Born out of the reality of just how expensive having a baby can be, Sprout is here to help you save at what we know to be a truly expensive time.
Founded by Sophie, Mum to 2 - Sophie found the adjustment to statutory maternity pay a challenge and when reflecting on her time as a student when she had lots of lovely discounts, she found it crazy that as a new parent, there wasn't anything out there for those with little ones.
And so Sprout was born...since launching in 2020, Sprout has now saved its members over £28k and now partners with over 90 brands including JoJo Maman Bebe, My 1st Years, Mama Mio Skincare, Natal Active, Bloom & Wild, Latched, Bugaboo and so many more to offer members repeat discounts to help them save.
Whether you are pregnant, your partner is pregnant, you are adopting, have little sprouts or older ones, membership is open to all parents and parents to be. Either join for a year or life and you can now buy a membership for a friend to help them save too!
A lifetime membership to Sprout comes with a free gift box and, as a listener of this podcast, by using the code bunintheoven you can save 50% on a lifetime membership and sign up today for only £10. Yes, that is access for life for only £10 by using the code bunintheoven.
To join the club, simply head HERE , choose the lifetime membership and enter the code bunintheoven, all lowercase, all one word and You will be given instant access to the discounts so you can start saving straight away!
Follow Sprout on Instagram HERE
The Bump Plan
This episode of Bun in the Oven is sponsored by The Bump Plan.
Given the theme of this podcast I imagine that some of you are currently pregnant or planning a family. So many women I know just aren’t sure how to move their body safely during this changing time? Or they want to stay active but need someone to show them the way and hold their hand? That’s where the Bump Plan comes in. The Bump Plan is a holistic prenatal fitness plan that allows you to work out with confidence at each trimester of your pregnancy.
Founded by myself, Hollie Grant, The Bump Plan has already helped over 30,000 pregnant women stay active safely, and feel empowered throughout their pregnancies. Through its trimester specific workouts in which I am always at the same stage of my pregnancy as you will be in yours, hypnobirthing subscription, and extensive Education Hub, you’ll feel supported and part of a welcome community.
Let me help you move safely through your pregnancy, maintain your fitness and strength, and enter parenthood strong and prepared for all the demands it poses.
► As a listener of Bun in the Oven I am offering you £5/month off the cost of your monthly subscription to The Bump Plan simply by entering the code ‘bun‘ at checkout. To get started today simply head here and enter the code ‘bun‘ at checkout.
Join our community today and stay strong throughout your pregnancy
► Follow The Bump Plan on Instagram HERE
Sprout
This episode of Bun in the Oven is also sponsored by Sprout!
Sprout is the first-ever discount club for pregnancy and parenthood. Born out of the reality of just how expensive having a baby can be, Sprout is here to help you save at what we know to be a truly expensive time.
Founded by Sophie, Mum to 2 - Sophie found the adjustment to statutory maternity pay a challenge and when reflecting on her time as a student when she had lots of lovely discounts, she found it crazy that as a new parent, there wasn't anything out there for those with little ones.
And so Sprout was born...since launching in 2020, Sprout has now saved its members over £28k and now partners with over 90 brands including JoJo Maman Bebe, My 1st Years, Mama Mio Skincare, Natal Active, Bloom & Wild, Latched, Bugaboo and so many more to offer members repeat discounts to help them save.
Whether you are pregnant, your partner is pregnant, you are adopting, have little sprouts or older ones, membership is open to all parents and parents to be. Either join for a year or life and you can now buy a membership for a friend to help them save too!
A lifetime membership to Sprout comes with a free gift box and, as a listener of this podcast, by using the code bunintheoven you can save 50% on a lifetime membership and sign up today for only £10. Yes, that is access for life for only £10 by using the code bunintheoven.
To join the club, simply head HERE , choose the lifetime membership and enter the code bunintheoven, all lowercase, all one word and You will be given instant access to the discounts so you can start saving straight away!
Follow Sprout on Instagram HERE