Finding Purpose Through Egg Donation

My Emotional Connection, Twice Over

There are moments in life when you do something that quietly changes you. Not because it’s flashy or dramatic, but because it connects you to something bigger than yourself. For me, that moment came when I decided to become an egg donor—not once, but twice. What began as a practical decision quickly became one of the most meaningful experiences of my life, rooted deeply in a sense of purpose I still carry with me today.

When people ask what egg donation was like, they often focus on the logistics: the schedule, the medications, the recovery. And while those details matter, they only tell part of the story. The truth is, the emotional impact far outweighed any physical inconvenience.

From the beginning, the process felt surprisingly manageable. The schedule was easy to work around, even with everyday responsibilities. Appointments were outlined in advance, and even those visits that were ‘to be determined’ felt well-discussed. I felt supported by my egg donor agency—like I was part of something intentional and thoughtfully designed. That alone created a sense of calm and confidence going into each cycle.

The injections were the part I was most nervous about. I won’t pretend otherwise. The idea of daily shots felt intimidating at first, and I remember staring at the medication box thinking, Can I really do this? But something incredible happened: after the first few days, it simply became routine. What once felt daunting quickly turned into a habit—just another small step in my day that reminded me why I was doing this in the first place.

The egg retrieval itself was straightforward, and recovery was what my care team prepared me for. For about three to five days afterward, my body asked me to slow down. I rested, stayed cozy, and leaned fully into guilt-free binge watching. I curled up with my black cat, Prunella, who was more than happy to enjoy this with me. My body had done something remarkable, and it deserved patience and care. I listened carefully to my recovery instructions, and had access to my care team with any discomforts or concerns.

But what stayed with me long after the physical recovery was complete was the emotional weight of the experience—in the best way. Egg donation gave me a profound sense of purpose. Knowing that something my body could do might help someone else build the family they were dreaming of was incredibly grounding. It reminded me that generosity doesn’t always look grand or public. Sometimes, it’s quiet, private, and deeply powerful.

Donating eggs twice only strengthened that feeling. It wasn’t just a one-time decision; it became a reaffirmation of who I am and what I value. I found a deep purpose from choosing to help in a way that feels aligned, meaningful, and compassionate.

Egg donation showed me that my body was capable of more than I ever gave it credit for—and that I could be part of someone else’s story in a way that truly mattered. That sense of purpose, of contributing something beautiful and lasting, is something I’ll always hold close. It’s a quiet pride, a deep gratitude, and a reminder that small acts can carry extraordinary meaning

Meet the Founder of Cloud9 Conception

Shelby is a two time prior egg donor, IVF advocate, and founder of Cloud9 Conception, LLC. She has worked in the field of fertility for over 7 years, during which time she has dedicated herself to the specialized role of third party reproduction in IVF. Her professional and personal mission is to make Egg Donor IVF more accessible and personal for those building their families.