Today, almost any woman undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) can use egg donation to conceive. Egg donation is most often used by women who have been unable to conceive with their own eggs. Donor eggs can also help women who cannot get pregnant because of specific health conditions such as early menopause. Many women who have a likelihood of passing down genetic health problems also use donated eggs. There are some issues to consider before choosing an egg donor to help you conceive or becoming a donor yourself.
Success Rates
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report that as of 2000, 43 percent of women using donor eggs with IVF were able to successfully conceive. However, the American Pregnancy Association states that about 20 percent of pregnancies from egg donation end in miscarriage. And, about 25 percent of women who do get pregnant will become pregnant with multiple babies, such as twins or triplets. Birth defect rates using egg donation are no higher than for women who conceive using their own eggs.
Special Considerations
Both egg donors and women using donated eggs can experience stress and discomfort in the egg donation process. Both the donor and the recipient will need surgery during the process, which can have risks associated with it. And, most women using donor eggs may be grieving and dealing with the sadness and loss associated with a diagnosis of infertility. The decision to use donor eggs can cause worry and anxiety, and most fertility clinics recommend mental health counseling for couples going through the process.
It is important to talk about one's feelings during the egg donation process. Counseling can help both the egg donor and the recipient each understand more about egg donation success rates, risks and legal aspects associated with egg donation.
Selecting the Egg Donor
When a couple visits a fertility clinic, they will be given a profile of each appropriate egg donor, including the woman's ethnicity, physical features and health and medical background, as well as the health history of her close relatives. Information about a donor's educational background and career history can also be procured.
However, the screening process is not perfect. Even with thorough egg donor screening, there is no guarantee that your child will have any specific features that are strongly desired, such as blue eyes or a thin build.
Issues for an Egg Donor to Consider
If considering becoming an egg donor, expect a thorough health screening before being selected. Screenings include medical, physical, and psychological evaluations to make sure the donor will be able to safely complete the egg donation process. Genetic conditions that may be passed on to her offspring are also screened.
Once selected, medications will be administered that will stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs for donation. A surgical procedure will later be performed to retrieve the eggs. Many fertility clinics compensate well for this procedure, and, according to the American Pregnancy Association, payment is usually at least several thousand dollars per retrieval. Before becoming an egg donor, consider the emotional aspect of donating one's eggs. Brief therapy or counseling may be helpful before proceeding with egg donation.
