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Egg Donation | |
Egg Collection-Procedure |
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The two ovaries, which are located on either side of the uterus within the female body, are the ‘egg factories’. In a normal woman a single egg is released each month, causing her to menstruate.
Fertility drugs are injected into a donor for 2-3 weeks inducing her to grow and release several eggs all at once. The dosage of drugs injected depends upon the response of the donor. Several visits to the doctor are required, as close ultrasound monitoring marks this period. Once the eggs are mature enough, a drug, which initiates their release, is injected. The released eggs are retrieved from the ovaries through a minor invasive procedure, using an ultrasound probe and needle. Once the eggs are collected, the role of the donor comes to an end. The eggs are then taken to the laboratory and mixed with the intended father’s sperm. This is followed by a period of incubation. If fertilization ensues, the resulting embryos are transferred into the donee’s uterus. |
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For donors, their fertility is not adversely impacted. The period on hormone treatment is for a minimal period and egg donors are carefully assessed during this short period to ascertain whether the medication should be increased or lowered in accordance with her body's response to the stimulation.
In the event that a woman experiences some challenges with conception or fertility later in life after the donor program, it is not likely a consequence to this. Examples include uterine or tubal problems. The screening process for a program requires review of the ovaries, not necessarily the entire reproductive system. Also, sperm plays a role.
The actual retrieval of the eggs is a vaginal process undertaken either under sedation or general anaesthetic. This is also not a risky process. Donor eggs retrieval or harvesting is not an operation, rather an extraction of the eggs from the follicles of the ovaries. This does not involve any cutting or scarring of the ovarian tissue.
After this program, the ovaries will appear slightly different, but not unnatural, just like they have been stimulated. Egg donors are encouraged to remain in contact with the medical practitioner in the event of any concerns.
There is no increased risk for a person receiving eggs. There is extensive screening for people who donate on all levels - by the agency, social level and medical review.