Egg Donation

Egg donation is a complex procedure in IVF where the healthy eggs are extracted from a woman’s body and then it is donated to a couple who are unable to get pregnant through natural conception. This effective artificial reproductive technology is also highly effective in reducing the risks of passing on a genetic disorder to the child.

Egg Donor Requirements

• The first requirement that a woman must meet to become an egg donor is to have good psychological and physical health.
• The egg donor must also be between 21-35 years of age. This is an essential requirement to ensure an optimal ovarian reserve with good quality and quantity of eggs.
• The egg donor also shouldn’t be a carrier of any infectious, genetic, or hereditary diseases. This will help in decreasing the risks of passing on a genetic issue to the offspring.
• It is essential to have one healthy child conceived through natural conception in order to become an egg donor.

Apart from ensuring these important requirements, the doctor will also conduct various physical examinations and diagnostic tests to determine the health condition of the donor. Some of the important tests include screening for genetic disorders, ultrasound of the reproductive organs, blood tests, mental health assessment, and infectious disease screening.

Types of Egg Donation

There are basically 4 types of egg donation and the type of donation decided for you will depend upon the origin of the eggs.

Vitrified Egg Donation

It is not necessary for the recipient and donor to synchronize in Vitrified egg donation. In this technique, the donor oocytes are retrieved and vitrified and once a compatible recipient is found, it is then fertilized with the sperm. Before this method, the recipient will also undergo the endometrial preparation procedure.

Fresh Egg Donation

Hormonal cycle synchronization between the recipient and donor is the most important part of the fresh egg donation. In this type of donation, the endometrium preparation of the recipient and the ovarian stimulation of the donor are done together.

Mini Egg Donation

Mini egg donation is a cost-effective type, where only a small amount of eggs are donated to the recipient. The pregnancy success rate in mini egg donation remains the same as it is in complete egg donation.

Bank Eggs

Eggs can either be used fresh or can be frozen for further usage. Bank eggs are those that have been thawed until an infertile recipient comes with the requirement of it.

Procedural Details

Ovarian Stimulation

The first step of egg donation is ovarian stimulation which is usually done through hormone therapy medications and injections. The main aim of this process is to induce the maturation of multiple oocytes. This treatment will be continued by the donor for more than 6 days. During this hormone stimulation stage, the follicular size and estrogen levels will be continuously measured to determine the growth of the oocyte.

Follicular Puncture

The next step of the donation includes follicular puncture, which is an effective surgical procedure to remove the oocytes. This stage is guided with an ultrasound and the eggs are retrieved trans-vaginally.

Advantages of Using Donor Eggs

Nothing beats the happiness of starting a new family and using donor eggs can instigate the hope of becoming parents among infertile couples. The common advantages of using donor eggs include:

• Reduced Chances of Ovarian Failures
• Increased Success Rates in Attaining Healthy Pregnancy
• Minimal Risks of Genetic Illnesses
• Helps to Become a Parent With Advanced Age

Benefits of Becoming an Egg Donor

You can change a couple’s life by becoming an egg donor. Through this method, you and many infertile couples can get benefitted. Some of the benefits that you can attain by becoming an egg donor are:

• You Can Empower Infertile Couples
• Legal Protection
• Free Health Evaluation
• Financial Rewards
• No Serious Health Effects

Side-Effects and Risks

Similar to other infertility procedures, egg donation can also be associated with certain side effects, such as

• Psychological Distress
• Allergic Reaction to Medications
• Ovarian Hyper-Stimulation Syndrome
• Irregular Menstrual Function
• Ovarian Cancer
• Headache and Hot Flashes