“Will My Baby Look Like Me Using Donor Eggs?”

“Will my baby look like me when using donor eggs? Do IVF babies look like their parents? Do babies from egg donation share genes with the birth mother?”, − are some of the most frequently asked questions among intended parents considering an Egg Donor. The reply depends on the circumstance. But if donor egg IVF is the best method, then start looking for the ideal donor. One of the most crucial milestones for infertility problems and future human development is selecting the appropriate donor.

Experts claim that the prevalence of infertility is rising and will continue to do so. However, several choices are available today for people with infertility issues, including in vitro fertilization, surrogacy, and the success of IVF with donor eggs. Nevertheless, treating infertility issues is challenging for couples. It can leave them quite vulnerable.

Recipients may face various fertility challenges and concerns while thinking about donor eggs for IVF. Many women who use egg donation worry that they will not be biologically connected to their baby since the child will have half the genetic information from the egg donor and half the genetic information from the sperm donor.

In this article:

What Factors Does It Depend On?

In response to the inquiry, “Does a child born using donor eggs resemble its birth mother?”, the majority of the people are willing to say “no”. However, a straightforward “no” is the wrong answer.

Several factors, singly and cumulatively, influence how much infants created with donor eggs resemble their birth mothers. The way you select your egg donor is the primary variable in this situation. Finding a donation through an egg bank is the most standard approach. Egg donors who give through agencies are thoroughly checked and assessed based on appearance, morality, family history, medical history, etc.

By having some influence over the physical characteristics of the egg donor, you also have some control over the physical trait genes of the potential child born. You may affect your child’s personality and predetermined qualities in specific ways. Even further, the intended mother can employ specific natural approaches to raise the likelihood of having an egg donor baby of a particular sex.

Expression Of Phenotype

Considering everything said above, your donor egg baby could look like you even if you utilized donor eggs. Several things are physiologically imprinted on it while your fetal development goes through its gene expression within your embryonic fluid and the womb. We all have a genotype and phenotype. The genotype, or genetic code of human cells, determines characteristics like height, eye color, and hair color.

The genotype that gives you individuality is expressed in your phenotype. Small eccentricities are noticeable to those who are familiar with you. Such are facial expressions, behavioral qualities, sensitivity, and even your sense of smell.

The maternal environment of two persons might lead them to have the same genotype but distinct phenotypes. If you are familiar with identical twins, you know that each has distinctive qualities that define them as identical twins. What forms does this take? For instance, the child’s father gave them the shape of their lips, but their intended mother’s facial emotions mimic their grin.

How Will My Baby Look If I Use An Anonymous Egg Donor?

Two options are available at many egg donor banks: Anonymous Egg Donor and Open Identity Egg Donor.

The common misconception is that genetic similarities are eliminated via the fertilized egg. Unfortunately, donated eggs from an egg bank won’t include any genetic material from you, but the child could still possess some of your personality or physical features.

Accepting that your baby conceived by a donor might not physically resemble you can make it easier for them to acquire your interests, manners, sense of humor, and facial expressions. Additionally, since environment and exposure particularly impact a baby’s development, these factors endow your children with more similarities than DNA or personality characteristics.

How to Find the Perfect Donor?

Once the recipients have decided to use a donor egg for IVF, they must develop egg donor selection criteria. The following are some qualities potential parents seek in an egg donor:

1. Medical History

One of the most crucial components is compiling a medical and family history. This knowledge can reduce the danger of developing an illness in a newborn and provide solid immune health.

2. The appearance of Egg Donor

When finding an egg donor, attractiveness and a healthy lifestyle might be important to certain patients. There is a list of characteristics from which recipients can select an egg donor if they desire one with certain physical similarities:

  • Ethnicity;
  • Height & weight;
  • Eye/hair color;
  • Personality;
  • IQ and education level.

IVF treatment can allow you to pick your child’s personality and success, but it’s vital to realize that all depends primarily on upbringing.

3. Interests and Achievements

Additionally, some receivers look closely at information like accomplishments and hobbies while examining egg donor profiles. However, not all of these characteristics will necessarily be inherited by your kid from your donor egg, while certain traits may be handed down genetically.

Power of Love

We comprehend the spectrum of emotions that expectant parents who choose egg donation go through. Will the baby look like you or not? It does not matter even if you are unhappy or disappointed by it; the most crucial question is whether you will love them. And there is no doubt in the yes. After all, you will care for and adore your child, and he will feel the same way about you. That is all that counts.

Keep in mind that Ovogene is there for you at all times! If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

by Dr. Uliana Dorofeyeva