A parenthood journey differs from one couple to another. A couple succeeds in it as they plan it and makes effort for it while another couple has to struggle a lot after planning their parenthood journey. They decide to visit a fertility clinic in HSR Layout or their locality when they do not conceive a baby after making an effort for more than 6-12 months. The expert advises them on the most effective treatment options after interacting with them and going through the recommended test/screening results. An egg donor program might be one of those treatment options.
If you are among such couples and willing to select an egg donor, you need to have some basic information and ask some questions about the program and the egg donor. Here are some important questions that you should answer while selecting an egg donor:
1. What is egg donation?
Egg donation is a process or part of fertility treatment in which a healthy female donates her eggs to a woman who is unable to produce eggs to conceive. The egg donor should be between 18 and 32 years, should have a normal menstrual cycle, and must not have a bad lifestyle (smoking and drinking.
2. What is the process for egg donation?
As a recipient, you should comprehend the process before you move ahead with an egg donation program. The fertility specialist will make you understand the process and guide you on what you should do. The egg donation process includes the following things:
- Screening – Egg donors (females) need to go through physical, psychological, and ovary examinations to ensure they are healthy enough to produce eggs.
- Hormone injections – The egg donors have hormone injection administration for the production of multiple eggs.
- Egg retrieval – The expert retrieves eggs from the donor’s ovaries.
- Fertilization – The fertility doctor mixes the retrieved eggs with the extracted sperm (of the male partner of a woman willing to conceive or a donor) for fertilization.
- Embryo transfer – The doctor transfers the fertilized eggs, and embryos, into the uterus of the patient (the female or recipient willing to conceive)
3. What are the differences between fresh and frozen egg donations?
Fresh egg donation refers to the process in which the doctor retrieves eggs from a donor’s ovaries at the time of fertilization. On the other hand, frozen egg donation is the process in which the expert keeps eggs safely in the lab for the future and uses the same for donation when a female agrees for an egg donor program. Fresh egg donation has a higher success rate in the fertilization and embryo transfer process while frozen egg donation has a little lower success ratio. The first cost more in comparison with the latter.
4. What is the success rate of donated eggs in the IVF process?
It is a little tricky question to answer, as a patient (female willing to be a mom) differs from another in several aspects. So, the success rate of donated eggs in the IVF treatment depends on the following points:
- Age
- Doctors at a fertility clinic
- Lifestyle
- The number of eggs extracted and fertilized
- Previous pregnancies
- Physical and psychological health
Your doctor is the right person to answer this question.
5. Do you know the donor?
As a recipient, you (mom-to-be) have several different feelings when it comes to receiving eggs from a donor to move forward in your parenthood journey. Some of you want that your egg donor should be an anonymous person while some of you want an egg donation from one of your friends or family members. Decide who will be an egg donor by talking to your partner and focusing on several aspects such as the claim on the child in the future.
6. Will the child looks like you?
Many of you receiving egg donations have queries about the physical appearance of the child. Usually, there is no such requirement and you should avoid knowing this especially when you are going to become parents of a baby through assisted reproductive treatments. Children who have come on earth through natural processes do not look like their parents. For uniformity, you can choose an egg donor opposite to your look and appearance.
7. How should you choose an egg donor?
For selecting an egg donor, you need to know a few things about donors. Here are what you should know about them before selecting the ideal one:
- Age – It should be 18-32.
- Lifestyle – It should be healthy. The donor must be away from smoking, drinking, and illicit drugs.
- Fertility screening – You should have a look at their fertility screening results.
- Family background – To know the genetic disorders of a donor or donor’s family.
- Psychological and emotional stability
- Health and dedication to the process of a donor
Conclusion
Opting for an egg donation for your family expansion plan is an effective method when you are unable to produce healthy eggs. Before you move for it, you should have an idea about the process and the aspects around it. Having a sound idea about it will be beneficial for you.
