Q & A with ConceiveAbilities President Nazca Fontes
Why did you start ConceiveAbilities?
As a young woman imbedded in the field of science—specifically assisted reproduction—I was witnessing the challenge many clinics and agencies were having recruiting and appealing to the types of women they hoped to have egg donors. One of the reasons I felt these clinics and agencies weren't effective in their recruitment effort was because they weren't appealing to women's sensibilities on the subject. I think many potential donors ended up feeling as if they were being shunted through a system that may not have had their best interests at heart. I felt that young, professional women who were listened to, who were given time and space to have their questions answered and who were given resources during this process would trust the system more, especially if someone amongst their peer group had great experience in the field. My own personal experience as an egg donor spoke volumes.
What's the best reason for a woman to become an egg donor?
As a mother of two small children, I know full well the joy the birth of a child brings to couples who have struggled to create the family they've always wanted. And what greater reward than to see donors achieve their goals of "giving back" and the significant steps many young woman can take with the compensation earned? The compensation has helped other young woman meet their dreams of home owner-ship, entrepreneurial start-up, graduate school, travel abroad and educational nest eggs for their young children.
Why do you make it a point not to "sugarcoat" the process for potential egg donors?
Every woman considering this process should speak to qualified professionals about her decision to donate her eggs. We recommend every woman speak with her own physician and gynecologist to get the assurance she needs about the procedure's level of safety. While we thoroughly explain the complications that exist to let donors make an informed decision—and while it is very low risk with an approximate 2% complication rate associated with it—it is not risk-free. There is inherent risk with any elective procedure and it's important for donors to speak with knowledgeable professionals to get the heart of the facts and not rely on sensationalized misinformation.
What are some of the most outlandish myths you've heard about egg donation?
There are quite a few of them! I think some of the most amusing—or concerning, depending on how you look at it—are the misconceptions that egg donation causes a donor's eggs to be "used up" or causes some other kind of future infertility. I hear it all the time and it concerns me that young women have very little understanding of their bodies and human reproduction. I'm also amused by the "stories" of women growing hair in unwanted places and gaining 15 pounds!
What are you most proud of regarding your work?
I'm proud that ConceiveAbilities has earned the reputation for being personalized, extremely knowledgeable and professional. We get amazing thank-you notes from clients who describe the ConceiveAbilities experience as warm, caring, up-front and honest, always demonstrating the highest level of professionalism. I am proud to offer such a service for egg donors!
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