Infertility is a worldwide problem for both men and women. And for those couples who want to start a family and have not succeeded, IVF has been one of their solutions. Most of the time, these couples use their own eggs and sperm in conceiving a baby. But in some special cases some couples need to use donated sperm or even donated eggs. IVF donor egg has been a sensitive issue for most women. For some women, carrying a baby inside their womb and has no genetic resemblance to them is a very hard decision to make. But at times there are hard decisions that need to be made.
Egg donors are women usually aged 21 to 31 years old. These women are screened thoroughly to ensure they are healthy with no family history of any malignant disease or disorder that can be inherited and that they are psychologically stable. IVF donor egg is very important in an IVF process especially for women who are not able to provide healthy eggs.
IVF Donor Egg
When a woman wants to become an egg donor, the program staff would explain to the donor all the detailed procedures, the possible effects to her and to help donors fully decide if they still want to commit to the program. When she is ready to go, she will go through a series of medical tests and psychological screening.
Medical Screening
Medical screening includes physical examination like pelvic exam, drawing of blood to check the hormone level, ultrasound to examine the uterus, ovaries and pelvic organs, blood test to check for HIV disease, and in some programs, drug test is also given. You will be questioned about how frequently you drink, or do you smoke and if you are into drugs. All possible health questions will be asked to ensure a healthy donated egg.
Psychological Screening
Psychological screening requires donors to confront their emotional, ethical and social issues for the said program. These screening helps evaluate if you're really fully committed into donating eggs to avoid any further conflicts. Donating eggs is not as simple as giving gifts. It's a complicated process of giving something precious to someone and let that someone take care of it. Knowing that the baby inside someone else is genetically yours but you are not the biological mother is a very complex situation and this should be fully understood by donors.
Women must not donate if they have/are:
- Serious psychological disorder
- History of drugs and alcohol abuse
- Currently taking psychoactive medications
- A significant stressful life
- Unstable marriage or relationship
- Physically and sexually abused and has not gone to any professional treatment
- Mentally incapacitated
IVF Donor Egg matching with recipients
When an anonymous donor has successfully passed all the screenings, recipients can choose from the series of donors available that has the most genetic resemblance; from the color of the hair, texture, skin, eye color, height, built, up to the ethnicity of the donor. Recipients have all the rights to choose which donor they want to pursue.
IVF donor egg can be time consuming. From the different tests taken up to the retrieving of eggs can take a while. So before going into this kind of program, make sure that you fully understand and you are emotionally and mentally ready to go through these. For some couples IVF donor egg is their only option.