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IMAGE Talks Fertility Podcast: Egg Donation Treatment

In this episode, we discuss everything you need to know about egg donation treatment with consultant Dr Eithne Lowe and fertility counsellor Marian O’Tuama.

The journey toward starting a family is an exciting time, even if it isn’t always easy. Fertility journeys can be filled with highs, lows and sometimes a bit of uncertainty: what are the best things to do? What happens if you have difficulties?

Fertility is a deeply personal and emotive topic, and so often, these fertility journeys remain unspoken – they can be straightforward or rollercoaster rides made more complicated by contradictory information on the internet. Our fertility podcast – IMAGE Talks Fertility – helps break down all of this information, opening conversations and demystifying fertility in Ireland today.

In this second season, we talk to women and men about their fertility journeys. We will hear from some fantastic people who have been through it all and take inspiration and learnings from their experiences.

We also hear from Ireland’s leading experts in fertility, many of whom come from Waterstone Clinic – our partners in this podcast.

Season 2: Episode 4: Egg Donation Treatment

In episode four, we are talking about a treatment we don’t often hear about when discussing fertility options, and that’s treatment with donor eggs. Donor egg treatment (sometimes called “egg donation treatment”) is a treatment that involves a patient using eggs that have been donated by another woman.

To donate to the recipient, a donor undergoes a round of IVF treatment to collect her eggs, and when the eggs are collected, they are fertilised with sperm, and the resulting embryo is transferred to the recipient’s uterus.

Our host Dominique McMullan, IMAGE Media’s Editorial Director, sits down with Dr Eithne Lowe, a highly experienced consultant in reproductive medicine who leads the team in Waterstone Clinic Dublin, to ask the questions you need answers to.

When might egg donation be suggested as a treatment option? How common is egg donation treatment in Ireland? Are people apprehensive about this treatment? What are the pregnancy success rates when using donor eggs? Who are the donors and what is the process to find an egg donor? Dr Lowe discusses all these topics and more.

Later in the episode, Dominique is joined by Marian O’Tuama, who is a specialist Fertility Counsellor. Donor egg treatment might be difficult to get your head around, and fertility counselling provides a safe space in which to do just that. Being able to talk about what might come up emotionally, how you may feel and what is worrying you, is essential for mental health at this potentially challenging time.

So how do people get their heads around egg donation? What feelings most commonly come up? What is ‘implications counselling’ and why do patients have it? How do people manage the information with their children? How do people manage the information with family, friends and others?

Dr Lowe explains that donor egg treatment is a very successful treatment and that the team is there to support you throughout, including offering specialised counselling. Marian similarly reassures listeners to get all the information about it from the experts, so you are informed and supported.

Let’s be real here; getting started might feel daunting. Obtaining scientifically-backed information without any confusing jargon is crucial, and in this episode, we break it all down, so you are empowered with knowledge and know your next step.

So get comfy, and maybe even get out a notepad, and Let’s Talk Fertility.

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Our Host

Dominique McMullan

Dominique McMullan is passionate about storytelling, and the power of women’s stories in particular. As Editorial Director of IMAGE Media, she guides the editorial vision of the company as it prospers in an ever-changing media landscape. With confidence, curiosity and passion Dominique continues to work with women across Ireland to tell the stories that matter.

Our Guest Speakers

Dr Eithne Lowe

Dr Eithne Lowe is a highly experienced consultant in reproductive medicine who leads the team at Waterstone Clinic Dublin.

She graduated from Queen’s University of Belfast in 1987 with a Distinction in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and she completed her post-graduate specialist training during ten years spent in London.

Dr Lowe has more than twenty years of experience in fertility and has a special interest in working with couples on lifestyle issues to try to improve their chances of natural conception.

She believes working on overall health and wellbeing will ultimately improve outcomes if fertility treatments are necessary.

Marian O’Tuama

Marian O’Tuama studied Counselling and Psychotherapy at CIT, graduating with a 2.1 honours degree in 2013. She has been in private practice since then.

Marian developed an interest in fertility counselling and perinatal mental health and undertook several short courses with Kings College London and IACP in this area.

She is a specialist fertility counsellor in Cork City. She is also a member of the Irish Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists and the Irish Fertility Counsellors Association.

For more on Let’s Talk Fertility, check out episodes, reads and more here.