Infertility can be described with a variety of adjectives. Unexpected. Devastating. Confusing. Emotional. Terrifying. However difficult the journey of infertility may be, good news can be found in the fact that women around the country are willing to donate their own eggs to help others make their dreams of a baby come true. If you are one such woman who is ready and willing to donate your eggs and help bring a new life into the world, there are five essential pieces of information you should know.
You Will Undergo Many Examinations and Screenings
Since your eggs will be used to bring a new life into the world, you must undergo a variety of medical exams before being approved as a donor. Sustaining good overall health is a minimum requirement. You will also need to undergo a pelvic exam, tests for STDs and AIDS, a transvagical ultrasound to evaluate your fertility, blood work to check for diseases and genetic disorders, and a psychological screening. Each test has an important purpose that helps to ensure egg donation is safe for you and the people who receive your eggs.
Your Partner Will Be Tested, Too
If you’re married, it may be required for your partner to be tested and screened as well. Even if it isn’t required, your partner’s involvement will be highly recommended, especially to check for STDs and AIDS. A psychological screening is also important because it helps to confirm that your partner understands the egg donation process and is comfortable with your participation.
Egg Donation May Require a Few Months
Egg donation is not a quick in-and-out office visit. It requires a number of appointments since egg stimulation is time sensitive. You will need to give yourself self-injections into the fatty tissue of your stomach for about two weeks and then undergo a minor surgical procedure called egg retrieval. This process involves IV sedation and a day or two of recovery. From the time that you begin your journey as an egg donor, complete the initial screening process, get chosen by intended parents, and complete the injections and egg retrieval, it’s likely that a few months will have elapsed.
Expect to Abstain From Sex During the Donor Cycle
The medications you take during egg donation increase your fertility, so you need to abstain from sex until the process is over. Otherwise, you run the risk of becoming pregnant before you can donate your eggs. Your increased fertility also puts you at risk of a pregnancy with twins, triplets, or more. By refraining from sex, you eliminate the potential for any problems!
You Relinquish Rights and Control of Your Eggs After Donation
Though the eggs come from your body, you relinquish all rights and control of them after they are retrieved. It’s important to understand that you will not have any parental rights to the children born from your donated eggs, and you most likely will never know who they are. You also don’t have any choice over how your eggs are used. They could be fertilized, frozen, or used for research.
Overall, making the choice to become an egg donor is a rewarding experience that gives another couple the ability to welcome a new child into the world. If you are ready willing to take on the time commitment and responsibilities that come with being an egg donor, or if you have additional questions regarding the egg donation process, call (941) 741-4994 to speak to a specialist at Open Arms Surrogacy and Egg Donation. Open Arms is located in Bradenton, Florida to provide complete care, guidance, and experience through every step of egg donation.
