Egg donation
A fertile female provides one or several eggs to an infertile woman to assist in reproduction.
Infertility
The inability to conceive children.
Reasons for Egg Donation:
- Satisfaction and happiness to help someone else
- To help a family member or friend conceive
- 29% donate for the compensation of money
Reasons for Infertility:
- Pelvic inflammation disease
- Previous infection
- Polyps in uterus
- Endometriosis(scar tissue or fibroids in uterine walls
- Chronic illness
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Birth defect
- Congenital absence of eggs
- Reduced egg quanity/quality
Reasons people use egg donations:
- Prevent genetic disease transfer to baby
- Poor quality eggs
- Premature ovarian failure (menopause begins early)
- History of miscarriages
- Advanced maternal age
Is the Egg donation/IVF process painful?
The Egg donation process itself is not painful since the donor will be sedated during the aspiration surgery. There may be some spotting and abdominal pain after but these symptoms should go away in a few days. Call a physician if the spotting turns into bleeding and the pain increases in abdomen.
The patient who is infertile and choses to have IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) goes through an emotional pain when the IVF does not take. Upon getting the menstrual cycle, the patient will need to be comforted.
How much compensation does a donor for Egg donation receive?
The donor for Egg donation can receive $8,000 to $14,000 depending of the number of eggs that are donated. The donor may choose to donate at future time to get more money.
How much does it cost for IVF for an Infertile patient?
It costs $12,000 for one IVF cycle with an additional $3,000 to $5,000 for fresh eggs. This includes the mixing with fresh sperm.
How does a patient get tested for Infertility?
- Ovulation testing-blood test to measure hormone levels
- Hysterosalpingography- tests the condition of uterus and fallopian tubes
- Ovarian reserve testing- tests quality and quantity of eggs available for ovulation
- Laparoscopy- examines uterine walls for scaring or blockage.
What are the requirements for Egg donation?
- Must be between ages 18-35
- Non-smoker
- A clean medical history from any major genetic diseases (cancer, Diabetes, birth defects, etc.)
- Must attend regular appointments and counselling to ensure that donor understands implications of Egg donation
- Consent that any child born from donor’s eggs may find out information from donor when child turns 18(2005 law in right to know about individuals background)
Does the donor of the Egg donation ever meet the infertile recipient?
The infertile recipient will not know the donor personally. However, if the recipient should conceive with the Egg donation, the recipient will gather information of the hair and eye color as well as the height of the donor. Donors have been known to write a description oif themselves known as a Pen Picture to give to the child at age 18.
The process of Egg donation to one who has been diagnosed with Infertility can be very rewarding to both parties. The process should not be rushed on both sides. Talking to partners and physicians is always the first step.
