VIP & CELEBRITY SURROGACY: WHAT SURROGATES SHOULD KNOW PREVIOUS ITEM NEXT ITEM When a surrogate learns she is being considered to carry for a VIP client, she generally has a lot of questions. More often than not, she also may have a few assumptions about these potential intended parents. Considering VIP or celebrity surrogacy can be exciting and challenging, and we're here to provide helpful information about what to expect. WHO ARE VIP INTENDED PARENTS? Perhaps the most common first thought is, “Is it someone famous?” While it can be true that you are about to be asked to carry for a celebrity, it could also be the case that the profile you’re about to receive is that of an everyday person. Not all VIP profiles are of celebrities, and not all famous intended parents will wind up as VIP clients. The one thing that all VIP cases have in common is that they are all a bit outside of the box. Every VIP is different and has different requirements. HOW TO BE A SURROGATE FOR A VIP OR CELEBRITY Be open to additional privacy concerns. In general, a VIP client will be one with needs that fall beyond standard protocol. These clients are often leaders in their fields. While you may not recognize their faces, others in their industries would. To protect their privacy, they’re often seeking additional confidentiality requirements in their surrogacy agreement. Desired constraints of VIP clients can range from very strict to nonexistent. Some VIP clients will request that no photos be taken and that no names or identifying information be shared with anyone (sometimes including your own family members). Be prepared for a different birth experience. Many clients from Asia, specifically China, will seek out a VIP relationship and journey. In these situations they may ask a Client Service Coordinator to attend the birth in order to translate between the intended parents and the surrogate. Expect less personal information. Finally, if you choose to consider a VIP client, know that you may not receive a traditional profile of the couple . These clients are not required to fill out our typical intake profile. In place of the traditional questionnaire with photos, you may receive a simple letter from the IPs instead. This letter is like a profile, containing a few photos of the intended parents and introducing you to their lives in their own words. Be prepared for additional, specific surrogate requirements . Many VIP clients seek a surrogate with a clean pregnancy history, a low BMI, healthy lifestyle, and a clean personal, legal, and medical background. Often these clients are looking for women who have college degrees, are established in their fields, or are active in their communities. Carrying for a VIP couple can be challenging, but it can also be exciting. If you have additional questions about what it means to carry for a VIP client, do not hesitate to reach out to your Admissions Specialist at any time. If you or someone you know is considering becoming a surrogate, use our online application to get started.

CAN YOU DONATE EGGS ON BIRTH CONTROL OR WITH AN IUD? PREVIOUS ITEM NEXT ITEM Since most of our egg donors come to us on some form of birth control, we're often asked whether you can donate eggs with an IUD or other form of birth control. Having prospective egg donors on birth control is normal and expected and, most times, has no impact on your egg donation journey . However, certain methods of birth control can cause your donation journey to slow down. Here’s a look at what those birth control methods include and why they’ll cause us to hit “pause” on your journey. DEPO-PROVERA More commonly referred to as “the shot,” Depo-Provera delays the egg donation process for a period of six months. If you are on the shot, we will ask you to discontinue use and contact us again in six months. The first six months following discontinuation have been shown to lead to a lower fertility return. We want to make sure there is ample time for all of the medication to exit your system before attempting to stimulate your body to produce a large number of eggs. You will need to have regular and normal menstrual cycles before we’re able to move forward. NORPLANT/IMPLANON Commonly called implants , this form of birth control slowly releases progestin into your bloodstream to prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs. It's effective for about 3 years. Some clinics may require you to have the implant removed and have one or two normal periods prior to starting the donation process. HORMONAL IUD There are two types of intrauterine devices used to prevent pregnancy. The first, Paraguard or other copper based products, may be left in place during the entire donation process. The second option is a hormone based IUD, commonly the Mirena. Some clinics may require the hormonal IUD to be removed prior to starting the donation process. Timing your egg donation journey and planning to stop birth control takes some forethought. You can read our egg donation timeline post for a summary of the process. If you have additional questions about your method of birth control and how it will impact your donation, talk about your concerns with your admissions specialist. If you are interested in becoming an egg donor with Growing Generations apply online .

ARE YOU BORN WITH ALL YOUR EGGS? PREVIOUS ITEM NEXT ITEM If you're considering becoming an egg donor , you may be wondering about the number of eggs needed for donation. Are you born with all your eggs, or does your body make more eggs over your lifetime? HOW MANY EGGS ARE IN YOUR OVARIES? Conventional science has taught us for years that women are born with all of the ovary eggs they will ever have. The theory has been that a woman is born with one to two million immature eggs at birth, and will slowly begin losing them over the course of her lifetime. Many of those eggs will be lost before puberty sets in through a natural process called ovarian follicle atresia, leaving a woman with around 300,000 eggs at the time of puberty. Of those eggs left at puberty, it is estimated that a woman may lose as many as a thousand eggs per month over her fertile years. Of the roughly 400 follicles that will reach ovulation over the course of a woman’s fertility, a woman can expect 20 follicles to mature each month with just one egg being released. DOES THE QUALITY OF EGGS IN YOUR OVARIES DECREASE OVER TIME? Science goes on to tell us that only the best quality eggs will be released and that, over time, the overall quality of these eggs begins to diminish as menopause approaches. This is commonly believed to be the reason women of an advanced maternal age may have difficulty achieving pregnancy with their own eggs. DO OVARIES PRODUCE EGGS AS YOU AGE? New studies are beginning to suggest that a woman may, in fact, be able to produce new eggs in her lifetime. The theory is based around the existence of stem cells found within the ovaries. This theory stems from a finding back in 2004, when researchers encountered germ cells called oogonial stem cells in the ovaries of female mice. In 2012, a study conducted by scientists from Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Edinburgh and published in PLOS Genetics found the same stem cells inside of a human female’s ovaries. These cells are capable of dividing and generating new oocytes which then become new eggs. Advanced medical tools allow scientists to see how many times a cell has divided over its lifetime, and if conventional science stands true, all human eggs would have the same number of divisions, as all eggs should be present at birth. However, scientists have found that some of these cells have many more divisions which suggests that new eggs were forming over a woman’s lifetime. While the research is still in its infancy and has only been conducted on mice at this point, it suggests that fertility and egg development may continue long after birth. Whether or not your body produces more eggs, only 10 to 20 eggs are donated during egg retrieval . Donors usually have ample eggs to donate and use for their own family building. Learn more about what to expect during your egg donation journey on our Egg Donation Process page. GET STARTED If you're considering becoming an egg donor, but you haven't taken that next step, we're here to help. To learn more about becoming an egg donor with Growing Generations contact us online or apply today .

WHEN TO ARRIVE FOR THE BIRTH: DOMESTIC IPS PREVIOUS ITEM NEXT ITEM Being present for the birth of your child is something most intended parents will want to strive to achieve. The reality is that sometimes birth can happen with little or no warning, and it may not always be possible to guarantee your presence at the birth. Even so, many intended parents spend a lot of time considering exactly when they should be heading to the surrogate’s hometown for the big day. Understand that due dates are not an exact science. In fact, research shows that only about 5% of women will actually deliver on their due date. In most cases birth occurs two or three weeks to either side of the actual due date. Of course, this makes the question of, “When should I arrive?” even trickier. Generally, we advise domestic intended parents expecting a singleton to plan to arrive in the surrogate’s hometown as close to 38 weeks gestation as possible. If this is not feasible, you should, at a minimum, arrange your life so that you’re able to jump on a plane at any moment from 38 weeks forward. For twin pregnancies we recommend arriving or being prepared and able to travel as soon as possible from 36 weeks gestation. Over the coming days and weeks your surrogate and her OB will be paying very careful attention to her body as it prepares for labor and child birth. Her OB will be monitoring her swelling, blood pressure, and the heart rate of the baby to ensure that no one is in distress. Elevated levels could lead to a medical induction. The OB will also be performing internal exams on your surrogate’s cervical opening to check for softening, thinning, or dilation, as these can mean labor is approaching. Our surrogates are experienced mothers, and often have a hunch when labor is nearing. A woman who has experienced childbirth multiple times will notice slight changes in her body and may be able to have an idea of when labor is nearing. Try to relax and enjoy the last weeks and days of your journey as much as possible. Being prepared for travel, or in town with no hard set plans, is the best thing you can do to be prepared for the upcoming birth of your new baby.

AS A SURROGATE, WILL I GET ATTACHED TO THE BABY? PREVIOUS ITEM NEXT ITEM It is not uncommon for potential and first-time surrogates to ask, "Will I get attached to the baby during pregnancy?" Though it is an understandable concern for surrogates—and sometimes, intended parents as well—the truth is that such an attachment is quite rare. As a surrogate, you embark on this surrogacy journey to help others build their path to parenthood. For you, it is a deeply compassionate and empathic act, motivated by helping others build and grow their families. We share other reasons you are unlikely to form an attachment to the baby you carry below. YOU ARE NOT GENETICALLY RELATED TO THE BABY One of the key factors differentiating surrogate pregnancy from traditional pregnancy is that surrogates understand that the baby is not genetically related to them. Because you, as a surrogate, undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF), the process ensures that the baby is genetically linked to the intended parents (or donors) and not you. This awareness—as well as undergoing the process —helps you maintain a healthy emotional distance, and reinforces your commitment to helping another family achieve their goal of parenthood. YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR OWN FAMILY You and many other surrogates choose this path precisely because you feel you have completed your own family. You feel a deep sense of fulfillment in helping others experience the joys of parenthood. Your decision to become a surrogate is driven by a desire to make a positive impact on someone else’s life rather than a longing to expand your own family. YOU CAN MAINTAIN A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PARENTS & BABY Many surrogates and intended parents maintain their connection even after the baby is delivered. Surrogates and parents will have discussed the level of communication and relationship after the baby’s birth , and you may have the opportunity to see the baby again either in person or through photos and updates shared by the intended parents. The ongoing relationship reinforces the collaborative and supportive nature of the surrogacy journey, providing you with a sense of fulfillment and closure. YOU ARE SCREENED TO ENSURE YOU'RE EMOTIONALLY READY Before embarking on the surrogacy journey, you undergo a thorough screening process to ensure you are prepared for the experience, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Surrogacy agencies work with medical professionals to evaluate your psychological well-being and assess your ability and capacity to maintain appropriate boundaries throughout the pregnancy and beyond. These screenings help identify any potential attachment challenges and ensure that you are equipped to navigate the emotional complexities of surrogacy with compassion and professionalism. While concerns about your emotional attachment to the baby are natural, the reality is that as a surrogate, you are able to maintain a healthy emotional distance from the baby. You are motivated to help others on their journey to parenthood. You approach your surrogacy journey with a sense of purpose and altruism. By debunking the myth of attachment, there is a better understanding and appreciation for the selflessness and compassion of surrogates who play a vital role in building and growing families. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a surrogate, you can fill out an application or contact us online for questions or more information.

CREATING A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR SURROGATE PREVIOUS ITEM NEXT ITEM It’s important during this phase of your process to establish the foundation of your relationship with your surrogate. Here’s what I hear from surrogates about what they are looking for. Surrogates are not looking for a new best friend. Their goal is to help you create your family and the pay-off for them is seeing you gazing at your newborn for the first time. During the process, however there are things that can help make your relationship smooth and pleasant. I always tell surrogates and intended parents that there are four things that make a surrogacy relationship work. They are trust, communication, appropriate boundaries and flexibility. The most important ingredient in any surrogacy relationship is trust. Trust is the foundation of surrogacy and should be at the core of your relationship with your surrogate. This is not total, unconditional, blind trust, but trust as a mutual gift that you give one another. Surrogates want to feel that you trust them and that you know that your baby is in good hands. They don't want or need to be managed by you (although of course it's understandable that you want lots of details). If you have a solid foundation of trust in your surrogate and she in you, you will be able to relax and enjoy your surrogacy journey. The next important ingredient in your surrogacy relationship is communication. While you and your surrogate will have a team of professionals that you can talk to throughout your journey being able to communicate with each other about your relationship and about the pregnancy will help you feel that you are really participating and it will help your surrogate feel that you really care. At the core of good communication is having clear and articulated expectations. It is totally appropriate to ask your surrogate how much and what kind of communication she wants. It is also important for you to be clear about how much communication you want. The best way to keep open lines of communication with your surrogate is to be interested in her and her life, but you can keep it light and let the relationship develop naturally. Boundaries are an essential part of any relationship and the surrogacy relationship is no different. You can always open a boundary as the process progresses, but once you open a boundary up it is very hard to close it again. Be careful not to make promises that you can't keep--remember your surrogacy relationship exists for one goal: to help you create your family. Intended parents sometimes make the mistake of "falling in love at first sight" with their surrogate when they meet her and realize that she is the woman who will help them fulfill their dream of parenthood. In that honeymoon phase they may reveal things or promise things that they later regret. The rule of thumb is: take it slow, be warm and authentic and have good boundaries. The final ingredient in the surrogacy relationship is flexibility. Surrogacy is not a linear process and there are many points in the journey where flexibility will be essential. Remember that your surrogate probably has a very full life outside of the surrogacy and although your journey to parenthood may be first and foremost on your mind, she also has to think about her kids, her partner, and her job, and the surrogacy may not always be first in line for her attention. So, be flexible in your expectations of her. She doesn't need to return your call instantly to be taking good care of her body and your baby! Overall, your surrogate's primary goal is to succeed at having your baby--the relationship that you have along the way is the backdrop for that unfolding story and the beginning chapter in your child's life. When you trust each other, have good, open communication, live inside of appropriate and fluid boundaries and bring flexibility to all of your expectations you set the stage for a wonderful journey together!

Egg Donors Intended Parents Surrogates CATEGORY It's natural for a surrogate to be concerned about whether they'll feel emotionally attached to the baby they'll carry. Discover why this attachment is uncommon. Read More AS A SURROGATE, WILL I GET ATTACHED TO THE BABY? Gay and LGBTQIA+ intended parents often face unique hurdles and challenges during the family-building process. Discover how Growing Generations helps same-sex couples navigate the surrogacy process. Read More SURROGACY PROCESS FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES: BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS Before committing to embarking on your egg donor journey, it's essential to keep these simple yet vital egg donation "do's and don'ts" in mind. Read More EGG DONATION DO'S AND DONT'S As you consider surrogacy to grow your family, understanding the pros and cons of gestational versus traditional surrogacy is vital. Discover what you need to know before making this important decision. Read More TRADITIONAL VS GESTATIONAL SURROGACY In preparing for surrogacy, prioritizing your physical and mental well-being can help ensure a. healthy and positive journey for all parties involved. Use these tips to embark on the surrogacy journey with confidence. Read More PREPARING FOR SURROGACY: TIPS TO HELP PROSPECTIVE SURROGATES HAVE A POSITIVE JOURNEY Becoming a surrogate? You shouldn’t feel alone; it can be comforting to hear from people who have been through it. Get advice for surrogates, from surrogates here. Read More BECOMING A SURROGATE: SURROGACY ADVICE FROM SURROGATES Learn about the D&C procedure, often recommended after a miscarriage or abnormal pregnancy, including its process, potential complications, and signs to monitor during recovery to ensure proper healing. Read More D&C PROCEDURE AFTER MISCARRIAGE: RISKS & RECOVERY Going through a miscarriage or D&C is a taxing experience. Get some peace of mind on certain topics, like when to expect your first period afterwards, here. Read More FIRST PERIOD AFTER A MISCARRIAGE OR D&C One question we commonly receive when surrogates are preparing for embryo transfer is whether embryos can fall out after a transfer. Get the answer and the reasons behind it here. Read More PREPARING FOR EMBRYO TRANSFER: CAN AN EMBRYO FALL OUT AFTER TRANSFER? When you begin your surrogacy journey, you will have to be paired with an IVF doctor. Don’t let this stress you out; you have options. Read More DURING SURROGACY, WHICH IVF DOCTOR WILL I USE? In order to complete your screening process, you will need to provide your medical records. See how to get your medical records here. Read More HOW TO GET YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS Mosaic embryos, with both normal & abnormal cells, offer new hope in IVF despite potential risks & uncertain long-term impacts. Read More WHAT ARE MOSAIC EMBRYOS? RESOURCES TESTIMONIALS PARENT TESTIMONIALS JOSÉ AND MIQUEL INTENDED PARENTS 1/6 PARENT "We want to explain our child that he or she is the result of a sum of very generous acts: most of all that of his surrogate mother and the egg donor who also made it possible for him to exist. This gesture of offering the potential of one’s own body to others is something beautiful. This makes us think that this baby will bring with him this sum of generosity, solidarity, hope and understanding. He will not be born by surprise, but rather our surprise will always be in him, in his amazing existence to which so many people have contributed with professionalism, love and dedication." TIM PARENT 2/6 PARENT "Thank you, for my new family. The twins are beautiful and perfect in every way. After my parents, who gave me life, you have given me the most important gift I will ever receive. I will be forever grateful. What joy this is… like nothing I have ever known! Yours is the work of angels! Much Love." ERIC AND DOUG SAN FRANCISCO, PARENTS TO TWIN DAUGHTERS 3/6 PARENT "Growing Generations was by our side throughout the process of becoming parents – on the good – as well as the bad days. Now, we’re blessed with the two most beautiful girls in the world. Thank you GG for helping make our dreams come true." PARENT "Don and I want all of you to know that we will be forever grateful to Growing Generations for helping to make our dream come true. We appreciate the professionalism and care that everyone has shown us through this journey. Sometimes, it doesn’t seem real. Words cannot express how much we love our little babies." DAVID AND DON, ARKANSAS PARENTS TO DAUGHTER ALENA AND SON AIDEN 4/6 ANTHONY AND IRA, LOS ANGELES PARENTS TO DAUGHTER NOELLE 5/6 PARENT "Thank you guys for seeing us through. We feel so fortunate that you decided to do what you do, when we decided to do what we’re doing with your help. How’s that for a tongue twister!" PARENT "We want to express our deepest gratitude for making our lifelong dream of becoming parents a reality. Thank you all for helping us through a process that at times was overwhelming. Your professionalism, support, and love made us feel at ease." ERIC AND JOSE, BOSTON PARENTS TO DAUGHTER ALEXA 6/6 BECOME A DONOR BECOME A PARENT SURROGATE TESTIMONIALS CHRISTINA S. SURROGATE 1/6 SURROGATE "Thank you for this incredible opportunity you’ve given me! Being a surrogate has been one of the most fulfilling things in my life and I cannot imagine doing any of this without you. Your support has been incredible and it means the world to me. I could never thank you enough!" TINA SURROGATE, DELIVERED TWINS 2/6 SURROGATE "I wanted the thank you for the adorable silver bear to add to my charm bracelet. It was very thoughtful of you. It being your job or not, you all do a distinguished part in making your surrogates happy. I cannot say enough good things about GG and all you do." JESSICA SURROGATE 3/6 SURROGATE "There are so many things I am thankful for when it comes to Growing Generations and the staff. I don’t think I could name them all. In a “nutshell”, thank you for taking such wonderful care of me and my guys." SURROGATE "I just needed to let you all know how touched I am by all the support and true concern you have shown me. Through the highs and lows, I have felt so surrounded by kindness." JENNIFER, SURROGATE 4/6 TONYA, SURROGATE 5/6 SURROGATE "I wanted to thank you all for making my experience as a surrogate so amazing! It exceeded my expectations. Very few things in my life turn out better than I expect or imagine." SURROGATE "Thank you seems like such a small thing to say for how much I feel. How do you thank people for helping me with one of the GREATEST experiences of my life! You each treated me like I was the most important person in your care." JENNIFER, SURROGATE 6/6 BECOME A SURROGATE BLOG MORE BLOG POSTS...

It's natural for a surrogate to be concerned about whether they'll feel emotionally attached to the baby they'll carry. Discover why this attachment is uncommon. AS A SURROGATE, WILL I GET ATTACHED TO THE BABY? Read More Gay and LGBTQIA+ intended parents often face unique hurdles and challenges during the family-building process. Discover how Growing Generations helps same-sex couples navigate the surrogacy process. SURROGACY PROCESS FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES: BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS Read More Before committing to embarking on your egg donor journey, it's essential to keep these simple yet vital egg donation "do's and don'ts" in mind. EGG DONATION DO'S AND DONT'S Read More As you consider surrogacy to grow your family, understanding the pros and cons of gestational versus traditional surrogacy is vital. Discover what you need to know before making this important decision. TRADITIONAL VS GESTATIONAL SURROGACY Read More In preparing for surrogacy, prioritizing your physical and mental well-being can help ensure a. healthy and positive journey for all parties involved. Use these tips to embark on the surrogacy journey with confidence. PREPARING FOR SURROGACY: TIPS TO HELP PROSPECTIVE SURROGATES HAVE A POSITIVE JOURNEY Read More Becoming a surrogate? You shouldn’t feel alone; it can be comforting to hear from people who have been through it. Get advice for surrogates, from surrogates here. BECOMING A SURROGATE: SURROGACY ADVICE FROM SURROGATES Read More Egg Donors Intended Parents Surrogates CATEGORY LOAD MORE

HOW MUCH DOES SURROGACY COST? FACTS ABOUT FEES, USING YOUR OWN EGGS & MORE PREVIOUS ITEM NEXT ITEM Budgeting is an important part of planning for surrogacy. You may ask how much surrogacy costs and get a variety of answers. That's because your final cost depends on many variables, including the number of pregnancy attempts you'll need to finally bring your baby home. IVF TRANSFER SUCCESS RATES & YOUR COSTS A 2012 Centers for Disease Control study on IVF success rates reported that over 56% of transfers using eggs from an egg donor younger than 35 years resulted in a live birth. This is compared to 37% for women aged 35-37, 28% for women 38-40, 16% for women 41-42, and 6% for women 43-44. Women over 44 years of age had a 3% chance of achieving a live birth. Based on these statistics, we recommend understanding and budgeting for the costs related not just to one attempt at pregnancy, but also to second and third attempts. Further, if you are implanting two or more embryos, you want to consider the costs for at least having twins. Let’s take a closer look at the figures. WHAT IS THE REAL COST OF SURROGACY? A major gripe we have with professionals in the surrogacy industry is that they do not accurately quote the costs of the process. For instance, at the time of this writing, there is an agency on the U.S. East Coast that estimates that costs of this process at $85,400 “TOTAL Excluding 3rd Party Medical and Insurance Services.” Sadly, those excluded costs, and the ones not mentioned, can amount to another $65,000-$70,000. That’s a pretty big exclusion. Budgeting correctly for surrogacy costs at the beginning of the process could be key in completing your journey with a baby (or two). It is not uncommon for an intended parent to need to pause or stop the process completely because they are unable to access the funds needed to continue. SURROGACY COST BREAKDOWN You can often save $16,000 to $20,000 or more on egg donation costs by using your own eggs or the eggs of an unpaid known donor without the help of an agency. But if you are using eggs over the age 35, it might take you longer to achieve pregnancy. One attempt at pregnancy/One baby (US-based intended parents): If your surrogate got pregnant on the first attempt, your costs would range between $134,000 and $138,000 on average. Note that only $25,000 is the Growing Generations agency fee, meaning that the remainder of the expenses for the surrogacy and egg donation process are standard expenses you will incur no matter where you go. In fact, a study of 20 different surrogacy agencies in the United States showed that the total ROUTINE costs of this process vary by 2% from agency to agency. Additional attempt using frozen embryos: If your surrogate did not get pregnant on the first attempt, but you had embryos remaining from the first attempt, you can do a “frozen” cycle, which is usually an additional $12,000 to $17,000. This takes into account the medical fees to the IVF doctor, the medications for the surrogate , her travel to the IVF clinic and several other ancillary costs that need to occur for a frozen cycle to happen. Additional attempt using fresh embryos: Imagine that you did not get pregnant on the previous attempt(s) and are now out of embryos. This means you have to do a second “fresh” cycle, adding approximately $38,000-42,000 to your costs. Some doctors have special IVF packages that will save you money if you have to do additional attempts; this can lower your costs significantly. Twin pregnancy: If your surrogate is pregnant with twins , this adds $7,750 to her compensation package. Depending on her health insurance, there might be an increase in her deductible (i.e., out-of-pocket limit required to be paid by the insured before the insurance company pays 100% of covered services). Additionally, the surrogate’s doctor may limit her physical activity, requiring the need for paid help at home. This is a tough cost to estimate because each pregnancy is different, but we recommend budgeting $10,000-$20,000 for this item. At Growing Generations, we're dedicated to cost transparency, and we're happy to answer all your questions. If you're ready to build your family with surrogacy, complete our online application to get started.

TOP CHILDREN’S BOOKS ABOUT EGG DONATION PREVIOUS ITEM NEXT ITEM Stories have always been a powerful communication tool, and that’s no different when we’re talking to little ones about about how they were created. Whether you’re an egg donor , surrogate , or intended parent , you likely will be excited and proud to tell your current and future children about your decision. However, finding a way to explain something so scientific to young minds can feel challenging. Children are full of curiosity, even at a young age. As a parent, you can educate your child on the subject of their birth story or the birth story of another child without it being an uncomfortable topic of conversation. One way to broach the subject, especially with younger children, is through topical books. As assisted reproduction grows in popularity, more and more authors are penning books for children about egg donation that explore the topics in an age-appropriate way. Here are a few books to consider, including those that can open the door to discussion with slightly older kids. EXPLAINING EGG DONATION TO YOUR CHILDREN Stories to Share “A Tiny Itsy Bitsy Gift of Life, An Egg Donor Story for Boys” by Carmen Martinez Jover : Egg donation is explained through the context of a family of rabbits in this touching story. “One Little Egg” by Kimberly F. DeMeo : Readers follow the journey of an egg all the way from the “Donor Egg Academy.” “The Pea That Was Me: An Egg-Donation Story” by Kimberly Kluger-Bell : This is one of many books in a series that helps parents explain birth stories. “A Very Special Lady: A Story about IVF, an Egg Donor and a Little Girl” by Nell Carswell : Discover a beautifully illustrated story about “a very special lady.” “Mommy, Was Your Tummy Big?” by Caroline Nadel : Great for small children, this book explains egg donation through a mom and baby elephant. “A Part Was Given and an Angel was Born” by Rozanne Nathalie : With phrases that lift the heaviness of the topic, this is a sweet story about egg donation. “How We Became a Family” (Version Egg Donor — Twins) by Teresa Villegas : Find a combination of science and a love story in this helpful book for parents. “Hope & Will Have A Baby: The Gift of Egg Donation” by Irene Celcer : This is part of a series addressing various topics with subtitles such as “The Gift of Sperm Donation” and “The Gift of Surrogacy.” If you want to keep the conversation going with your kids, we also list helpful children's books about surrogacy in a related blog post . Our Growing Generations team delights in helping you navigate the wonders of egg donation and surrogacy. If you're considering becoming an egg donor or surrogate or you want to build your family through surrogacy, get started by completing our online application form .