The Importance of Support In Egg Donor IVF

The Benefits of Emotional Wellness

Counseling helps improve communication, fosters empathy, and creates space for both partners’ experiences to be acknowledged and validated. It can also support single parents by choice and LGBTQ+ individuals, who may face additional emotional or societal pressures throughout the process.

Choosing to build a family through egg donor IVF is a courageous and deeply hopeful decision—but it can also bring up complex emotions that deserve care and attention. Counseling plays a vital role in supporting intended parents as they navigate both the practical and emotional layers of this journey.

Genetic Grief

One of the most common, yet rarely discussed, experiences during egg donor IVF is genetic grief. This refers to the sense of loss some individuals feel when coming to terms with not having a genetic relation to their child. Even when donor eggs offer the best or only path to parenthood, it’s natural to grieve the family story you once imagined. These feelings do not mean you are less excited or less committed—they simply mean you are human. In fact, in our recent Eggs-cetera! webinar, we discussed grief with Kimberly Koll of Partum Health. Kimberly explained “everyone’s journey is very unique, and that grief that comes along with that journey is also very unique.”

Importantly, emotional support does not mean someone is “not coping well.” Seeking counseling is a proactive step toward resilience and self-care. IVF requires strength, and mental health support helps people access that strength more consistently. Many patients find that counseling empowers them to feel more grounded, informed, and emotionally prepared—regardless of the outcome of treatment.

Counseling is not about questioning your decision—it’s about strengthening you through it. Intended parents who engage in counseling often report greater emotional clarity, reduced anxiety, and increased confidence as they move forward.

You Deserve Grace

Egg donor IVF is a journey built on intention, generosity, and love. Giving yourself grace and access to mental health resources helps ensure that emotional well-being is supported alongside medical care, creating a healthier foundation not only for treatment, but for the family you are building.

Ultimately, caring for mental health during IVF is about treating the whole person, not just the reproductive system. When emotional well-being is prioritized alongside medical care, individuals and families are better supported through one of the most vulnerable chapters of their lives. IVF may be a clinical process, but compassion, understanding, and emotional care make the journey more humane—and more sustainable.

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.