One of the things that egg donors want to know about are requirements and possible health risks.
One way that women can help intending parents build their family is through egg donation. Before applying, there are things that egg donors want to know. Those answers can help make a woman decide if egg donation is right for her.
Are There Requirements To Become An Egg Donor?
Yes, there are. These requirements range from health to a particular age range. Some of these requirements include the following:
- Being between the ages of 19 to 29
- Women that do not take recreational drugs and do not smoke
- A BMI of 30 or less
- Women who have a healthy lifestyle
- Must have regular menstrual cycles
Reputable egg donor agencies will point out that women are not paid for their eggs. The compensation is for her time and commitment to help intending parents.
Why Would People Need an Egg Donor?
Intending parents may need an egg donor for different reasons. For example, gay couples will need an egg donor and surrogate to carry their child.
Here are some other medical reasons:
- Premature ovarian failure (a woman starts menopause early)
- IVF failure (donor eggs would have a better IVF outcome)
- Diminished ovarian reserve (women who experience a decline in fertility beginning at 35 years of age)
There are cases where an intending mother does not need a surrogate. She can carry her baby to full term, but she needs an egg donor.
Are There Any Health Risks with Egg Donation?
The question about “risk” is very common. The egg retrieval process and the medication leading up to it has shown no long-term side effects. However, there can be short-term side effects mainly from the medications. Examples of this are irritability, moodiness, bloating, and feeling tired.
Also, candidates must understand that the process also includes medical and psychological screenings. To prepare for the egg retrieval procedure, a woman must be on a round of injectable medications to stimulate her ovaries. A donor must visit the IVF clinic about six to seven times during this timeframe. The visits are to see if the donor is responding to the medications.
The egg retrieval procedure itself is minimally invasive lasting around 30 minutes.
Egg Donors Want to Know If There’s Anything Painful About the Process
Every woman has her own pain tolerance. Women preparing for egg donation will have blood draws and injectable medications. If a woman hates needles, then being an egg donor may not be the right choice.
For the egg retrieval, most donors have twilight sedation. An ultrasound guides the IVF doctor to retrieve the eggs. Afterwards, donors may experience some soreness, spotting, and cramping. This can last a few days. Most donors agree that an over-the-counter pain reliever helps a lot.
One More Thing
Stay informed. This means teaming up with an egg donor agency that will explain every detail. All questions are important – even the small ones.
