What is Egg Donation?
Egg donation refers to when a woman donates eggs to be used in assisted reproduction or biomedical research. When it comes to assisted reproduction, the donated eggs will be fertilized in the lab with viable sperm and then inserted into an infertile woman’s uterus through a process referred to as In Vitro Fertilization or stored/frozen for later use. The egg donor is always anonymous.
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When is Egg Donation carried out?
It is used in assisted reproduction, the most common known causes for couples turning to egg donation include:
Woman infertility
- In cases, where the probability of the woman’s eggs leading to a successful pregnancy is too low that it becomes more feasible not to perform IVF using her own eggs.
- Women’s fertility also seems to be affected by menopause which is dependent on the woman’s age, some women experience early onset of menopause even in their early 20’s and egg donation could be the most ideal procedure to get them pregnant successfully.
- Some congenital conditions that may reduce or end the ability of ovaries to produce eggs like Turner syndrome and Gonadal dysgenesis.
- Other conditions that are acquired within the woman’s lifetime and may reduce the quantity and quality of the eggs include Oophorectomy, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy and Autoimmunity among others.
- Some cases of ovarian cysts, endometriosis
- Premature ovarian failure because of any cause
Absence or damage of ovaries
While some women are born without ovaries, some usually have theirs damaged from accidents, diseases or other circumstances, having them surgically removed. Since the woman has no ovaries to produce eggs for fertilization, then it will be necessary to use donor eggs to make their pregnancy possible.
Recovery
After egg extraction, the egg donor will be required to rest for 1 to 2 hours in the recovery room, after which they are released. While there may be a little abdominal cramping and faintness, most egg donors usually resume their normal routine the next day itself.The process of egg donation requires the consent of the egg donor. Most countries require egg donors to be between 21 and 35 years of age, and there may be a little compensation and motivation paid to the egg donor. Each country varies in terms of the amount of money paid to the donor, and also if their donation will be known, semi-anonymous or anonymous.
Benefits of Egg Donation
Egg donation has its own share of benefits both to the donor and recipient. To the donors, they get paid for donating. To the recipient, it is a whole lot of joy as they get to have successful pregnancies and healthy kids of their own. It is one great procedure that has brought joy to infertile couples, most of whom had lost hope in having children. Egg donation is a very cost effective way of completing your family when your major problem is poor egg quality and also has a very high success rate. It also ensures no social pressures are involved in this option, as the donation is anonymous and confidential.
