The Egg Donation Process

The Egg Donation Process: How Does It Work?

The egg donation process begins when an egg is extracted from one woman and given to another female to help her achieve conception. Egg donation is a step in assisted reproductive technology (ART). These donated eggs are fertilized in a laboratory. Embryos that result are transplanted into the recipient woman’s uterus using in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Egg donation may be sought by women when they are unable to use their own eggs resulting from conditions such as advanced aged, ovarian failure or to prevent genetic defects.

Who may donate eggs?

Every egg donation program has their own set of qualifying criteria. Typically, these include the following: - Donor age must be between 21 to 34 years because women in this age group respond best to fertility medications. They also have a higher quantity and quality of eggs, resulting in an increased chance of pregnancy and reduced risk of inheritable diseases.

- Egg donors must be free of certain infections such as hepatitis C, HIV and cannot be carriers of inheritable diseases like cystic fibrosis.

- Women who are unable to produce a detailed list of their family’s medical history are not qualified to donate.

- Women with an increased risk of contracting HIV or other diseases are also not eligible to qualify.

- Women who have successfully given birth and or donated eggs in the past are considered favourable candidates.

What is the egg donor screening process?

A reputable egg donation screening program attempts to minimize the chance of birth defects and other diseases. The following are general steps that you may find across all fertility clinics: - Completed application - Telephone and in-person interview - Physical exam - Blood tests - Ultrasound test - Drug tests - Psychological and medical history - Screening for infectious diseases - Screening for inheritable diseases

What’s involved in the psychological screening process?

The egg donation process can be an emotional one for both the intended mother and egg donor. In a reputable agency, psychological screening will occur for both which may include psychometric testing. Evaluating the donor’s mental health is important as it indicates whether she is capable of making informed decisions and beginning the actual donation process.

What can you expect in the egg donation process?

After undergoing required screening and legal steps, the egg donor will be prescribed meds to arrest her regular menstrual cycle. She will be required to take prescribed fertility medications to stimulate her ovaries into producing multiple eggs at the same time. Donors will be required to self-administer these meds into their muscle or under their skin.

During this time, donors are requested to abstain from intercourse or use contraception during intercourse as the risk of becoming pregnant is quite high.

During the course of donation, the donor will have to undergo regular blood tests and ultrasounds to monitor her reaction to the fertility medications.

What happens during extraction?

Before the eggs are retrieved, the donor will receive an injection to prepare her for egg removal. Through a process called trans vaginal aspiration, a doctor will insert an ultrasound probe into the donor’s vagina to remove the eggs from the follicle. She may be prescribed painkiller, anesthetics or sedatives prior to the procedure. The entire extraction process takes up to 30 minutes.

What occurs after donation?

After the eggs are removed, donors are requested to take rest for a couple of days and refrain from heavy work, i.e. lifting bags of groceries.

Where can I get more information about the egg donation process?

To learn more about egg donation process, please contact Rite Options.

GET IN TOUCH Address(1): 1225 Franklin Avenue Suite 325, Garden City, NY 11530 Address(2): 1800 JFK Blvd Suite 300, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Phone: (516) 512-8888

Fax: (516) 512-8892

Website: https://www.riteoptions.com/donor-process/