Egg Donation Process: What to Expect

Egg donation, as a part of assisted reproductive technology,  has provided many couples and individuals an opportunity to conceive a child. These couples rely on egg donation for many reasons, both physical and emotional, ranging from infertility to a desire to avoid the transference of genetic conditions or diseases.

The process of egg donation includes extensive tests, a course of treatments with hormone treatments, and an extraction procedure that is simple and brief. Ideal egg donors are typically aged between 21 and 31. In order to be considered, they must be in generally good health, without a predisposition to inheritable diseases.

In this article we shall discuss what egg donation is, the process of acquiring donated eggs, egg donation eligibility, safety, and other important aspects related to egg donation. In other words, we shall be talking about what to expect out of egg donation. 

What Is Egg Donation?

Egg donation is a process in which healthy eggs are retrieved from one person’s ovaries to help another person conceive a child. The person from whom eggs are retrieved is referred to as the donor, and the person who receives the eggs is referred to as the recipient.

Recipients have different reasons for seeking egg donation. Perhaps they did not respond well to hormonal treatment, or maybe they had previously responded poorly to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques. Menopause could be another reason, or they simply are unable to produce their own eggs. 

Other broader reasons may include surrogacy for same-sex male couples or individuals. At times, recipients may carry a genetic disease or have a predisposition to certain genetic conditions that they do not wish to pass on to their child. 

Whatever the reasons, the process of egg donation serves to provide recipients with an alternative of carrying a baby to term. The process is also fairly similar from one case to another. There are several steps each potential couple or individual will go through.

The Egg Retrieval Process

The egg retrieval process involves check-ups to ensure the health of the donor, hormonal treatments to stimulate ovaries, and finally, the actual egg retrieval process.

Pre-Retrieval Checkups

Several tests need to be done before the egg retrieval process can begin. These serve to ensure that the eggs that are retrieved are not only healthy but viable for fertilization. Apart from health and viability, the quantity of eggs available in the donor’s ovaries is a crucial consideration. Additionally, the donor’s blood is also checked for abnormalities, and genetic conditions that would have a negative impact.

Ovarian Stimulation

Once the tests are completed and no inhibiting issues are found in the results, the next stage is to begin a process of stimulating the ovaries in order to  allow multiple mature eggs to be retrieved at once.

The reason ovarian stimulation is of importance is because typically, only one egg reaches full maturity and is released during a menstrual cycle. In order to have a sufficient supply of viable eggs for donation, hormonal injections and medications are used to increase this supply.

What the medications do is to cause more eggs to mature simultaneously, so that they can be extracted as a group. Eggs that are not used right away are usually frozen for other treatments using assisted reproductive technology, or future rounds of IVF. 

Egg Retrieval

Once the hormonal treatments start, a period of monitoring follows. This will determine the best time to retrieve the eggs. Typically, eggs grow on the end of follicles inside the ovary, and these follicles grow in size as the eggs mature. 

For egg retrieval purposes, these follicles must reach a predetermined size. Once they reach the required size, a final hormone shot is administered and the egg retrieval process can begin. The procedure will usually take 15 to 45 minutes and is conducted under general anesthesia. 

Using an ultrasound for guidance, a probe is carefully inserted into the ovary through the uterus. A long needle is used to puncture the follicles containing mature eggs without damaging the eggs. The eggs are then extracted through the needle and immediately placed in a stable environment for further assessment and potential fertilization.

Eligibility for Egg Donation

Organizations typically look for egg donations from healthy individuals aged between 21 and 31. Although the screening criteria for egg donors vary from one facility to another, ideally, donors must not have significant medical conditions that would impact the health and viability of their donated eggs.

Medically, donors should be non-smokers without any hereditary diseases. Screening for sexually transmitted infections  (STIs) such as chlamydia, HIV, syphilis, and others is also a typical procedure. Additionally, it is ideal for donors to be within a certain Body Mass Index range.

Further, psychological screening is necessary for prospective donors. During the lengthy egg retrieval process, would-be donors may have challenging questions regarding the part they play. It is important to evaluate how various factors regarding their role in the potential childbirth might affect them mentally.

Side Effects of Egg Retrieval

Egg retrieval is quite safe compared to many other medical procedures. Procedures requiring anesthesia and the use of the types of medical equipment involved always carry some inherent risk. However, a study found that complications related to ovarian stimulation were experienced by less than one percent of patients.

Generally, acute discomfort from the egg retrieval process may occur but should go away within a day or two. Additionally, milder discomfort, moodiness, and swelling typically resolve by the beginning of the donor’s next menstrual cycle. Some donors may experience nausea after the procedure. This is relatively short-lived and usually resolves within a few hours of waking from anesthesia. 

Sometimes, a relatively rare condition known as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome  (OHSS) can occur following the egg retrieval process. OHSS is characterized by typically mild abdominal pain, swelling, and weight gain. About 1 percent of donors may experience a more severe form of the condition, requiring medical attention. The symptoms rarely last more than a week, even when they are severe.

Legal Implications of Egg Donation

Fertility clinics require both donors and recipients to sign a contract stipulating the nature of the donor’s relationship to a child born from one of their eggs. This is crucial as it outlines the roles and responsibilities of each party.

Many contracts state the donor will have no parental rights or responsibilities associated with the child. The contracts also outline the nature of expenses associated with, as well as the payments required for the procedure.

Typically, if the donor wishes to back out of the arrangement at any time, they cannot be forced to undergo any medical procedures against their will. However, the legal implication is that they may be held liable for medical expenses incurred throughout the process. 

It is advisable to seek professional legal counsel if you have any questions about the legality of a proposed or signed contract. A legal professional will help you navigate your options and how your choices might affect you in the future.

In Summary

Egg donation is a procedure that has enabled many desiring individuals to have children. As with any medical procedure, it carries with it hope, challenges, and risks. Although the intricate journey of fertility can be a challenging process for many individuals and couples striving to conceive, a trusted partner such as Ivy Fertility can walk beside you. 

With advancements in medical science and personalized care approaches, we have been a beacon of hope, offering comprehensive support and cutting-edge treatments tailored to each unique fertility journey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Egg Donation Safe?

Yes. Egg donation is considered to be generally safe. As with any medical procedure, there can be mild side effects associated with the process such as pain and minor bruising during the hormone injection phase. 

How Painful Is Recovery?

Donors do commonly experience some minor discomfort following the retrieval procedure. These symptoms are often short-lived and can be alleviated with Tylenol or other over-the-counter pain relief medication. In some extreme cases, doctors may prescribe painkillers to assist with recovery following the retrieval procedure.

How often can you donate eggs?

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine has guidelines that recommend limiting donors to six total donation cycles during their lifetime. Additionally, most clinics require a waiting period of at least two to three months in between donation cycles.