Before entering the world, sisters Olivia and Zara Masucci had travelled halfway around the globe to help their Epping parents Melissa and Alfie create a much-wanted family.
The pair was among a special delivery of donated eggs from the United States through Monash IVF fertility that affiliates with The World Egg Bank, TWEB.
Melissa and Alfie Masucci, who met later in life, started trying for a family in 2018 but Ms Masucci had a miscarriage at five and half weeks.
Before turning to their only option – donated eggs – the couple began the next step most Australian couples consider, In vitro fertilisation, IVF, but were still unsuccessful after three cycles of using Ms Masucci’s eggs.
Mr and Ms Masucci then began searching for a possible donor from overseas, but it meant countless of emails with TWEB to look for someone who somewhat matched the profile of Ms Mascucci.
“We had originally actually chosen someone and then I just could not sleep that night. I’m like … ‘I need to look again’ and I literally did that night – I woke up in the middle of the night,” she said.
“I suppose the biggest challenge was the time difference because in America, the middle of the night [here] is their daytime, so I’m emailing back and forth ….”
Of seven eggs, two embryos were created that delivered Olivia in September 2021, and then her sister Zara earlier this year.
Ms Masucci said it was the ‘most amazing feeling ever’ after what was an emotional journey to create a family.
“It was an absolute miracle – science is just unbelievable with what can be done,” she said.
“The fact that we got eggs from America, they came here fertilised with my husband’s sperm, put inside me and then I have these two beautiful girls – it’s still mind boggling.
“I’m thankful for them, everything, even when they are cheeky.”
Ms Masucci said she was grateful for her donor, but would like to see more Australian woman become donors to offer people like her greater options.
“If there were donors locally, I think it would just be easier in a way. I don’t expect to meet the donor, but just to know that the eggs are here,” she said.
She also suggested for women to consider their options when facing challenges to start a family.
“Trying to get rid of the stigma behind a donated egg, the stigma of it not being yours because it is, you’re carrying that embryo that forms into your child – don’t be afraid,” she said.
“If you desperately want a family, the way my husband and I wanted a family, you will do absolutely anything you can to get it, and if that’s your option then take it. The options are there for us to take.
“I would suggest honestly getting yourself checked out and seeing your egg quality because then as you get older, obviously the quality decreases and if you want a family, there’s an option to freeze your eggs.”
Dr Virochana Kaul, who guided the couple through their journey – treating them at Northpark Private Hospital in Bundoora and delivered both girls at Freemason Hospital – echoed Ms Masucci’s wish for more local donors.
“This year marks the 40th anniversary of the first birth from a donor egg, which happened right here in Melbourne,” she said.
“Monash IVF doctors were involved in that historic moment and since then we have helped countless people like Melissa and Alfie to become parents using donor eggs.
“Egg donation is a truly, amazing gift and I would urge anyone who can donate their eggs to consider helping others unable to use their own eggs.”
