For years, people have talked about choosing their dream baby. An ability to choose good looks, intelligence and be free of health problems.
Now some of the best looking people on the planet are giving would-be parents the opportunity to see how the finished product may look.
Egg ‘agents’ are targeting the city’s models and actresses whose good looks are coveted by couples turning to in-vitro fertilization.
Great eggspectations: Robyn Marie Young was accepted as an egg donor and is now embarking on her third round of donation. She has made close to $30,000 from the procedure
Removal: The procedure to harvest the eggs only takes 30 minutes but it is extremely painful and participants often feel sore for days afterwards
‘I waited a year and a half for the second one. I kept saying no, no, no and finally said OK,’ she recalled.
Ms Young, who has appeared in Boardwalk Empire believes she’s something of a desirable commodity because she is athletic and has green eyes.
She is now considering donating eggs for a third time. The maximum number of times you can donate is six.
‘I haven’t even started with the hormones for this one, and the agent is already trying to get me to sign the contract for the fourth,’ Ms. Young said.
The hormones are taken for between two to nine weeks to increase egg production.
The process works much like an acting audition with the egg agency setting up interviews with different couples until one picks her.
A full background check is carried out on each of the participants. It involves standard health checks such as a blood test for diseases, however it even goes as far as to check her high school grades.
The better you did at school, the more money you can command for each donation session.
Ms. Young says she was nervous during her first interview.
‘I want them to know who I really am. I’m not trying to put on a mask, because it’s ultimately going to be their kid,’ she said. ‘They want to make sure it’s someone with a good head on their shoulders.’
The most painful part of the process is the harvesting of the eggs which is painful.
‘You’re put under for about 20-30 minutes, and afterwards you feel sore, bloated and just want to rest,’ she said.
There are some side effects but there have not been any specific studies that can explain the risks.
Some doctors say that apart from losing eggs, there is a risk of getting cysts.
It may be strange to Ms Young that in a few years from now, there may be many children running around created from eggs donated by her – but she’ll never know.
She has signed a waiver agreeing that she is not promised any information on the outcome.
Not everyone is approving of her donating. ‘If I’m going to give a gift, I’m not going to be ashamed,’?’ she recalled. “Knowing you’re giving life is what gets me through it.’
reprolife.net