Updated at: 07-10-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Inquiring minds want to know what egg donation is all about. It’s important to understand the procedure of egg donation, and what the possible adverse effects are. Continue to read on for more information. Because this post contains the solutions to all of your queries about this subject matter.

As the name implies, egg donation is the procedure of a woman’s egg being given to someone who wants a baby, primarily. However, there is more to this.

We’ve done our best to make this information as simple to grasp as possible. To ensure that no one was left behind, we were able to immediately grasp the vocabulary.

What Egg Donation Means?

When it comes to eggs, what exactly is egg donation all about? We’ll do our best to simplify the concept of egg donation. Fertile women who are willing to donate their eggs to an infertile woman (the receiver) in order to help them conceive are known as egg donors. To put it another way, it’s part of an assisted reproduction procedure. It’s also used in biomedical research, but it’s rare.

Why are egg donations accomplished?

Women and couples who want a family but can’t have one may wish to consider this alternative. The eggs’ poor quality might be attributable to a variety of factors, including the woman’s poor quality eggs. If the woman is in good health, it may not be necessary. As an example, some women, due to their advanced maternal age, have low-quality eggs.

As a woman ages, her eggs begin to decline. In addition, premature ovarian failure is a contributing factor to low-quality eggs. Ovarian failure is a condition in which a woman’s ovaries stop working properly before she reaches the age of forty. You might wonder what we mean when we say things “stop working appropriately.”

That’s right, the ovaries stop making estrogen in the normal range, which is important for controlling a woman’s menstrual cycle and for getting pregnant. Premature ovarian failure has led to an increase in the usage of egg donors by women who are unable to get pregnant due to a decrease in the number of eggs that are being released on a regular basis.

However, 5% to 10% of these women are still able to conceive. In addition, women may have genetic characteristics they do not intend to pass on to their offspring, which is another rationale for this practice.

What are the medications used for this treatment?

The donor’s ovaries are stimulated with these drugs in order to generate more eggs. In particular, they are the drugs:

  • Controls certain hormone levels in the body with Lupron (leuprorelin).
  • Egg release is inhibited by the GNRH antagonists cetrotide (ganirelix) and antagon (ganirelix).
  • Helps activate the hormones, which in turn helps to increase egg production and maturation.

Pre-treatment drugs might cause headaches, body aches, lethargy, and hot flashes. It’s possible that one of these drugs can trigger ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Severe instances require hospitalization. Vomiting, stomach discomfort, shortness of breath, and rapid weight gain are among the symptoms.

Procedure Of Egg Donation

Let us now turn our attention to the technique, which we shall explain in easy terms. The procedure begins with the removal of one egg or eggs from the donor by the doctor. Fertilization in a lab is followed by implantation in the recipient’s uterus. In addition, doctors employ an implantation method, similar to in vitro fertilization (IVF) (IVF). All or part of the embryos may be frozen by specialists; this is something that they do. And these will be utilized or implanted in other women in the future.

How are the donors chosen?

To discover a qualified donor, fertility clinics use a team of specialists who undergo extensive screening processes. Specialists also handle the legal aspects of the case.

Side effects and risks of this treatment

Fortunately, the dangers involved in this operation are relatively modest. However, major complications are quite rare during this procedure, and anesthesia is the only factor that can cause harm. When a needle is put into a woman’s ovaries, some experience bleeding. Occasionally, blood arteries, the bladder, or the bowel are damaged. Severe injury or excessive bleeding, on the other hand, is extremely rare. In addition, the removal of eggs alters the environment for infection, however antibiotics are provided to counteract this.

Why do donors decide to do this, and how much do they get paid?

So, what is the donation fee for eggs? This may be done for financial gain or to assist another lady conceive. Additionally, egg donors are paid between $5000 to $100,000 for each cycle they participate in.

When did egg donation first happen?

When egg donation was initially introduced in the 1980s, it was a relatively new phenomenon. However, the first egg donation baby was born in Australia, and the first surgery was performed in the United Kingdom.

The accomplishment rate of egg donation

There is a greater than 50% success rate with this method. Know the success rates of the egg donors you’re considering.

Why Use an Egg Donor?

For both single women and couples, low egg quality is the most common reason for seeking an egg donor. After the age of 37, a woman’s egg quality significantly falls.

Who Uses Egg Donation?

  • When a woman has low-quality or no eggs, but still desires a biological child via the male’s sperm, these couples are eligible for IVF.
  • Women who have no ovaries but a healthy uterus are included in this category.
  • Women who are concerned about the genetic traits they may pass on to their future children
  • Females aged 42 and older

There are a slew of factors to weigh when contemplating the use of an egg donor. Begin by looking at these questions if you’re working with a partner.

In fact, the first known pregnancy resulting from a donor egg was documented in 1984. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced in 2016 that 9,000 babies were born using donor eggs.

Egg Donation Requirements

As part of the screening process, donors undergo extensive medical and psychological evaluations to determine whether or not they will be a good egg donor. Healthy young ladies between the ages of 21 and 30 years old volunteer as egg donors.

Egg Donation Process

  1. The egg donor receives injections of hormones to stimulate repeated ovulation. Injections speed up the maturation process by allowing a large number of eggs to mature at once. Her fertility doctor will arrange the operation once her eggs are developed and ready to be extracted.
  2. An ultrasound-guided needle is placed into each mature follicle of the egg donor while she is sedated. The recipient’s partner’s sperm or a donor’s sperm will be used to try to fertilize multiple eggs in a laboratory. In vitro fertilization is the name of this procedure (IVF).
  3. The recipient’s uterus is subsequently filled with an embryo (fertilized egg).

The donor and recipient’s cycles are synced with medication in a new transfer cycle.

Embryos are stored in a freezer and then used at a later date in a frozen transfer. Preimplantation genetic screening for aneuploidy (an aberrant number of chromosomes) is sometimes performed using frozen transfers.

The embryo, if implanted successfully, will grow into a healthy baby.

Egg Donor Cost and Sources

Individuals and couples can find healthy egg donors through commercial egg donor agencies. A number of infertility clinics also provide donated eggs from couples who have overproduced.

A close friend or family of the recipient may be asked to give her eggs in some situations. Donors have the option of donating fresh or frozen eggs (from a frozen egg bank).

A typical reward for a donor is between $7,000 and $15,000 on average.

Egg Donation Success Factors

The age of the egg donor, the retrieval technique, the quality of sperm, and the overall health of the receiver all play a role in success.

Receivers should seek counseling to examine their emotional issues and a skilled attorney to safeguard their rights and the interests of their possible children in any third-party reproduction procedure, as is the case with all such processes.

How does the egg donation process work?

What to expect

In order to discover a qualified donor, the fertility center’s specialists will conduct a thorough screening process and meticulously follow all legal requirements.

Most donors will be required to take medicine to interrupt their regular menstrual cycle before the process can begin.

If you use this drug, you may have the following unwanted effects:

  • flashes of heat
  • headache
  • fatigue
  • The entire body is in pain.

Once the fertility medicines have been administered, the donor’s ovaries will be stimulated to produce many eggs at once. These people are referred to as hyperstimulation. Self-administering this drug will necessitate injecting it into one’s own body.

Bruising at the injection site, mood changes, and sensitive breasts are all possible adverse effects for some women. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a rare but serious condition that can occur in some women (OHSS). This happens when the ovaries produce an excessive number of eggs. Hospitalization may be necessary for women who develop OHSS.

A barrier contraceptive, such as a condom, should be used by donors to avoid intercourse before the eggs are extracted.

A donor’s response to the drugs will be monitored with periodic blood tests and ultrasounds during the donation cycle.

During extraction

A final injection will be given to the donor shortly before the egg retrieval operation.

The eggs from the donor’s ovaries will be removed via transvaginal ovarian aspiration, which the doctor will do. They will place an ultrasound probe into the vagina and then use a needle to retrieve the egg from each follicle one at a time.

The doctor may administer anesthetics, sedatives, or painkillers to the donor throughout the 30-minute surgery.

A donor will not be required to remain overnight at the clinic or hospital because this is a minor operation.

After donation

Women who have had transvaginal ovarian aspiration may require several days of rest to fully recover. After a night of rest, some people resume their regular routines.

There are some programs that provide donors with post-donation support, while others do not. Some women may benefit from working with a counselor or psychologist following an egg donation procedure because it can have a psychological impact.

Risks and side effects

Donating eggs carries just a minimal risk. Egg donors undergo the same procedures and medications as women who use their own eggs in the IVF process, and they face the same level of danger.

The use of anesthesia during the egg retrieval process entails a modest risk, but major complications are rare.

When the doctor inserts the needle into the ovary, some women may suffer bleeding. Only in extremely rare circumstances can the intestines, ureters, or blood vessels in the immediate vicinity be damaged. It’s unlikely, though, that there will be any major harm or bleeding.

After the eggs are removed, infection is possible. Antibiotics may be prescribed by the doctor to help avoid this.

It’s possible that the medications used to help an egg donor ovulate can trigger OHSS, a condition that can range from mild to severe. Consult a doctor in all circumstances.

Symptoms such as these, which may necessitate in-patient treatment in severe situations, include:

  • inability to take a breath
  • obesity at a rapid rate
  • stomach aches
  • vomiting

Criteria for donors

When a woman is able to donate her eggs, there are a number of criteria that come into play.

A successful pregnancy and fewer birth defects are more likely when these factors are taken into consideration.

Typically, donors are between the ages of 21 and 35. When it comes to fertility treatment, women in this age range are more responsive, and their eggs tend to be of higher quality and quantity.

Donors should be clear of diseases like HIV and hepatitis C before they can donate blood. The likelihood of inheriting disorders like cystic fibrosis should be low for them as well.

To donate, women must meet certain criteria, including the risk of exposure to HIV or other infectious diseases. If a person is unable to offer a detailed family medical history, they may not be allowed to donate eggs.

Some programs give preference to women who have previously donated eggs or given birth.

Egg donor screening

In order to reduce the possibility of birth defects and other problems, reputable programs use a thorough screening procedure.

An egg donor’s eligibility is determined by the FDA, which has issued guidelinesTrusted Source for fertility clinics.

Some or all of the following screening procedures may be used to determine if a program will move forward:

  • application
  • in person or over the phone
  • inspection of the body
  • testing of blood
  • drug screenings
  • The reproductive organs can be examined with ultrasonography.
  • history of the donor’s and his or her family’s physiological and psychological conditions
  • screening for infectious diseases
  • Inheritance screenings

Psychological screening

Both the donor and the intended receiver may feel conflicted about egg donation.

All participants in a reputable egg donor program are subjected to a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation.

To safeguard the health of the donor’s children and to ensure that the donor is making an educated decision before beginning the donation procedure, mental health evaluations are essential.

Egg donation is permitted in some countries, but not in others. In the United States, anonymous egg donation is perfectly lawful. It is also permissible to be compensated financially for giving one’s eggs to research.

All egg donors will be required to sign a contract ensuring that they have no legal rights or responsibilities to any children or embryos created as a result of their donation.

Despite the fact that she will not be the child’s biological mother, the woman who receives the egg will be listed as the child’s legal mother in court documents.

Donor identity

Anonymous contributions are permitted in the United States. They may also be acquainted with the recipient.

It is common practice for egg donation programs not to reveal the identity of the donor. When this is the case, only particular information about the donor will be provided to those receiving the eggs, and the receivers will remain anonymous.

Even if both parties are willing, some programs allow donors and receivers to meet. Once the receiver reaches a particular age, they may agree to allow the donor to contact them.

It is possible that in some circumstances the donor and recipient already have a relationship. When a lady requests a family member or an acquaintance to contribute an egg, this can happen. Clinics recommend contacting directly to organize screening, treatment, and transfer protocols in certain cases.

Costs and donor payment

In the United States, a non-profit organization called Parents Via Egg Donation estimates the cost of an exclusive fresh egg cycle to be between $35,000 and $50,000. As a result, the women who receive the treatment do not have their eggs shared with anyone else in the program.

A shared donor egg cycle might start at $18,000 and go up from there.

A donor egg bank may be used by a pregnant woman. In the United States, this can cost between $16,000 and $20,000, but in Europe, you can get it for considerably less.

It is not uncommon for egg donors to be compensated for their time and effort. No matter what happens, you’ll get paid regardless of the outcome.

Depending on the donation program, compensation can vary greatly. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s Ethics Committee has ruled that compensating women for donating eggs is ethical.

Donors should also expect a broad variance in the amount of money they are eligible to receive, which depends on their geographic location.

FAQs

What is egg donation?

A person (the donor) donates their eggs to another person (the recipient). As a potential surrogate or as a prospective biological parent, the individual accepting the donation (the “receiver”) uses the donated eggs to start a family. Both the state and federal governments regulate egg donation to ensure the safety of both the donor and the intended recipients.

It is necessary for egg donors to receive drugs to cause several eggs to mature during a single cycle. The donor’s ovaries are subsequently aspirated (suctioned) in a surgical operation to remove the eggs. It is possible to freeze the eggs for future use or use them right once after they are retrieved from the mother. In order for fertilization to take place, sperm from either the spouse or a sperm bank is either placed around or injected into each egg. In vitro fertilization is the name given to this procedure (IVF).

How is the recipient prepared for the embryo transfer?

IVF embryos will be put into the uterus of the recipient (womb). It is necessary to timing the stimulation of the recipient uterus to match that of the donor uterus if fresh (as opposed to frozen) embryos are to be used in the transfer. This can be done in a variety of ways. Medication can be used to inhibit the ovaries and menstrual cycle if the recipient continues to have regular menstrual cycles. In order to enhance uterine growth, the recipient must begin taking estrogen as soon as the donor begins taking medication to stimulate their ovaries. The recipient will begin taking progesterone around the time of the egg retrieval in order to allow the embryo to be implanted (fertilized egg).

Frozen embryo transfer follows the same steps as a fresh embryo transfer, but there is no need to coordinate scheduling because the embryos can be used at any time.

Three to five days following fertilization, the embryo(s) will be transferred to the recipient’s uterus (either frozen or fresh). Until a positive pregnancy test is obtained, patients are still receiving hormone therapy. Pregnant women who receive a positive pregnancy test are advised to continue taking their medication for the first few weeks of their pregnancy.

Who should consider using an egg donor?

When a woman can’t conceive with her own eggs, she can use egg donation to produce a baby of her own. Menopause, a history of poor ovarian response to hormonal stimulation, or poor egg or embryo quality in prior IVF treatments may all play a role in infertility. Donors can also be used by people who do not want their genetic condition passed down to their children. Donated eggs can also be used by male couples or solitary males who want to start a family.

Who can become an egg donor?

Individuals between the ages of 21 and 34, who are willing to donate their eggs to a recipient, are called egg donors. The intended parents may or may not be aware of their existence. Egg donors who are not known to the recipient are recruited through egg donation programs or agencies. Adverts might also be a source of donors for some couples. Donors should be screened by an intermediary before being recruited directly by a recipient, and recipients should seriously consider consulting with legal counsel before doing so. It is common, although not always, for a known donor to be a close family member or acquaintance of the recipient.

What tests are performed on the donor?

HIV, hepatitis B, C and gonorrhea are among the diseases that are tested for in the donor. Reproductive tissue banks in New York are required by law to develop criteria for genetic testing based on race or ethnicity. In order to identify whether or not a donor has the cystic fibrosis gene, they need be tested for the gene. It is possible to test for Fragile X syndrome using several applications. The history and ethnicity of the donor should inform any additional genetic tests. Mental health screenings frequently include psychological testing. Prior to donating eggs, the egg donor must provide some personal and medical details, including family members’ medical histories, as well.

What else must a donor do?

In order to become an egg donor, an individual must first express their informed consent. When a donor has given informed consent, he or she is aware of the process and any potential hazards, as well as the terms and circumstances of the donation. In order for a potential donor to give freely, they must not be coerced. In certain cases, a donor may prefer to remain anonymous, while in others, they may accept to be contacted by their offspring in the future. As part of the consent document, this must be stated. Before beginning any therapy, a doctor or other member of the facility’s staff should go over the entire process with the donor and answer any questions they may have.

What is the chance that a donor egg cycle will result in pregnancy?

There are several elements that contribute to the effectiveness of egg donation, but age isn’t one of them. Average birth rates per embryo transfer in egg donation programs employing fresh eggs were 53.6% in 2014, according to data collected by the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Visit www.ReproductiveFacts.org for more information on this and other reproductive health topics.

What is the NYS Egg Donor Registry?

The NYS Egg Donor Registry was developed as a result of recent legal changes in New York. In order for the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to collect data on egg donations in the state, a donor may choose to join the register. To join the registry, a donor must provide permission to the tissue bank that handled the donation, but the tissue bank will not reveal any information that might identify the donor.

Egg Donation Overview

Donor Screening

Before being accepted as an egg donor, potential donors undergo genetic, psychological, hormonal, physical, and other testing. Over the course of a month or more, these elements will be assessed during this screening procedure.

Ovarian Stimulation

Using fertility medications, the ovary is induced to produce a large number of eggs at once. They reach full size in about a week or so. Your ovaries’ response to ultrasound monitoring is critical. Below is an example of a typical office visit schedule.

Egg Retrieval

An ultrasonography transvaginal probe is used to view the ovaries and the egg-producing follicles within them. The fluid inside each follicle is removed using a long needle. The egg is contained within the fluid.

The process of egg donation has been completed. Your next period will begin in around two weeks.

Use of Eggs

Sperm will be mixed with or implanted into your eggs in order to make embryos. The embryos will either be frozen or placed into the uterus of an intended parent or gestational carrier, depending on the outcome. For future usage, embryos can be frozen. If the intended recipient cannot be determined at the time your eggs are extracted, they can be frozen and kept for use at a later date by someone else who wishes to become a parent.

Summary

Donating eggs is a simple and effective process with a high rate of success. Doctors do the procedure by removing the egg from a donor that has been thoroughly vetted. It costs between $35,000 and $50,000 to donate a fresh egg.

It is common for an egg donor to take medicine to halt their menstrual cycle and to stimulate their ovaries.

The procedure takes place under sedation, anesthesia, or with the use of painkillers. A donor might need a few days for recovery.

Suggested sedatives include xanax, oxycodone, and midazolam. Donors may require a few days off to recuperate.

Congenital abnormalities and hereditary illnesses are minimized by a thorough screening process. It will also be made clear to egg donors and recipients what their actions mean legally.