Egg donors are women between the ages of 21 and 35 years of age who have been screened to insure good general and reproductive health and psychological stability. Egg donation treatment is always combined with in vitro fertilization (IVF), the process of placing eggs and sperm together in the laboratory to stimulate fertilization and embryo development. When a woman’s own eggs will not allow for successful IVF treatment, donor eggs may be substituted. At Georgia Reproductive Specialists, the IVF and egg donation treatments are performed by a reproductive endocrinologist and take place at the practice’s on-site surgical center in the main office.
Normally, a woman produces one mature egg each month and loses several immature eggs; through the use of medications, several follicles, or egg sacs, can be induced to develop mature eggs for retrieval. The process of IVF and egg donation requires that the donor take a series of injectable medications which induce the growth of multiple ovarian follicles.
By your interest and commitment, as well as meeting a series of strict medical and psychological standards, you may qualify and participate in an egg donation program. Basic program qualifications typically include the following:
Preliminary screening steps include filling out a detailed medical history form, which covers information about your general health, surgeries, gynaecological history and family medical history. Potential donors are also required to have an initial interview with the coordinator and a comprehensive gynecological exam with a Georgia Reproductive Specialists’ physician. Psychological and genetic pre-screening is also provided, consisting of an interview and testing. We strongly suggest that your partner/spouse be involved in your decision to donate and be present during your psychological visits.
You will be advised about the fertility medication injections that you will administer at home for a series of up to 21 days. The entire process encompasses between one to three months of planning, followed by about three weeks of cycling time. Retrieving the Eggs.
The egg retrieval process is a relatively simple one. It typically takes place at our local fertility clinic .Follicles from both your left and right ovary will be removed in a process known as follicular aspiration. Follicular aspiration involves inserting a hollow needle through the top of the vagina and into the ovaries. This needle is then used to suction out any follicles that may be present in the ovaries.
In order to guide the needle into the appropriate area of the ovary, you will be given a transvaginal ultrasound. This will allow your health care provider to insert the needle into your ovary at just the right place. This will be performed under anesthesic, so you shouldn’t feel any pain.
Once the needle is in the proper position, your health care provider will use it to aspirate any follicles inside of the ovary. These follicles will be immediately examined under a microscope to ensure the presence of a viable egg. The follicles will then be placed in an incubator. The entire process typically takes between 15 and 30 minutes.
After the egg retrieval process you may feel a little tender in your abdomen. You will also feel fatigued as a result of the anesthetic. After two hours of monitoring at your clinic, you will be allowed to go home. You may notice some light vaginal spotting that is red or brown in color. This is normal, though, and nothing to worry about. You will also receive some antibiotics from your health care provide that will help to prevent any infection.
We recognize that your decision to be an egg donor is a tremendous gift! Donors should be compensated for their time and commitment to the program.