subject: Seven Things You Must Learn Before Deciding To Donate An Egg [print this page] If you are curious about or interested in egg donation, you need to know what egg donation is, learn what the motivations are for donating eggs, know the different types of egg donors, find out about egg donation requirements, understand the process, find out about the costs and fees involved, and learn about the risks and side effects of egg donation.
There are social stigmas associated with egg donation, which can cause psychological stress. Nevertheless, many women still think it helpful to donate eggs to other women to help them conceive a baby. To help you understand the process and to make well informed decision, here are some important things you need to know about egg donation to decide whether or not to donate:
Know what egg donation is
When a woman donates her eggs for reproduction by another female or for research purposes, it is known as an egg donation. Several clinics, mainly the fertility centers, like egg donation florida clinics, accept donors for assisted reproduction.
Learn what the motivations are for donating eggs
Many women donate their eggs since they recognize the benefits it offers to other women and families. This is especially true if the beneficiary is a relative or a friend of the donor. Some women donate their eggs for the money. Studies reveal that most donors are compelled to donate eggs because of both altruism and payment.
You will want to familiarize yourself with information about the different types of egg donors
There are three kinds of egg donors: designated donors, undesignated donors, and in-vitro fertilization patients.
Designated donors are usually friends or relatives of patients who donate eggs specifically for their friend or relative.
Undesignated donors, on the other hand, are usually unrelated and anonymous to the recipients and come into fertilization clinics to donate eggs for monetary or altruistic reasons.
In-vitro fertilization IVF patient donors are those women who undergo the process by which her own egg cells are fertilized by a partner's sperm outside of her body when natural and other assisted reproductive means have failed. After eggs are taken out of her body, some of the unused eggs may be used for egg donation.
Find out the egg donation requirements
Even if the will is there, egg donation is not possible for every woman. Donors are usually between the ages of 21 and 30 years old and must be healthy. You should have a good family background without indications of hereditary diseases and other conditions. Certain clinics also need some degree of education for you to be qualified. Aside from these qualifications, you need to go through a screening process including physical and psychological examinations, drug testing, and infectious disease testing.
Educate yourself to better understand the process
You will undergo the entire screening process as soon as you decide to become an egg donor. Once you pass this juncture, a psychologist will evaluate your suitability to finish the egg donation process. If your mind is made up, you can sign the contract to begin the process for matching you with an egg recipient. Once you are matched, you begin the process by taking birth control pills to synchronize both menstrual cycles, and you are on your way! You will then be injected with a drug that suppresses your menstrual cycle. These injections are administered daily for about one to three weeks. Hormones are then given to you to increase your mature eggs. You will be tested to make sure your follicles and egg sacs are doing good. After the follicles have developed the procedure can be done. The retrieval process usually takes around 30 minutes under light general anesthesia. A small needle is inserted into the ovary through the vagina of the woman, taking the help of an ultrasound, in order to remove the egg follicles. After the procedure, you will rest in the recovery room for 1 to 2 hours prior to your release. Many donors carry on with their regular activities the next day, but it is typically advised that you rest for a full day after the retrieval process.
Calculate the costs and fees involved for your knowledge
The donation of your eggs is completely cost-free to you. All the expenses, inclusive of medical examinations, legal, and transportation expenses are shouldered by the recipient. Egg donation rates generally ranges between $5,000 and $10,000. If you are an IVF patient, it will be very cost-effective, since the recipient shall contribute to your IVF procedure expenses.
Learn about the risks and side effects of egg donation
Like any surgery, donating eggs has side effects and health risks. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome may also be the result of hormones you consume to increase the number of mature eggs. Egg donation can result in liver failure in very rare cases.
Contact your gynecologist to learn more about egg donation. Whatever other concerns you may have your doctor can help to address it.
