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Introduction Many women cannot have a baby because they no longer produce eggs, or because their remaining eggs are no longer healthy enough to lead to pregnancy. Other women produce eggs which carry genetic diseases which they wish to avoid. Still others produce eggs that lead to pregnancies which repeatedly miscarry. These conditions may be due to normal aging in women over 45, or arise from early menopause in much younger women. Regardless of the reason, these women are the highly grateful recipients of donated eggs. By using eggs which are stronger and "younger," these women can carry the baby which they dream of -- as a direct result of the generosity and service of an egg donor. Since our average egg donor is 25 years old, older women using an egg donor achieve the pregnancy rate that a woman in her twenties has when she undergoes IVF. In other words, the pregnancy rate using donor eggs is based on the age of the egg (not the uterus) and is therefore extremely high. Since generally the embryos are highly viable, miscarriage and birth defects are also much less common as well. Though egg donation is not always the first choice for some couples, it is often the final step in a process that does in almost all cases finally end successfully. Those couples that choose egg donation over adoption, for example, prefer the fact that they can choose the genetics of the father, have strong input over the genetic characteristics of the donor, and completely control and experience all the events surrounding the pregnancy and delivery. Since you carry the pregnancy and you give birth, only your name is listed on the birth certificate as the mother, guaranteeing you all the legal rights of the birth parent. Egg Donation Cycle In an egg donation cycle, the donor is treated with fertility drugs to stimulate the formation of a group of healthy eggs, which are then removed from her ovaries in an office egg retrieval procedure. These eggs are then fertilized with the recipient husband's sperm, and the embryos which result are placed back into the uterus of the recipient woman. In the majority of cases, pregnancy results with the first try. Egg donation treatment is done in conjunction with IVF, which involves several steps. The steps of the treatment are discussed below. The egg donor will undergo steps 1-2. The recipient will undergo steps 3-6. |
| I. | Fertility Drugs: | The egg donor will take medications to stimulate the development of multiple ovarian follicles (the fluid-filled cysts in the ovary that contain eggs). |
| II. | Egg Retrieval: | The egg donor will have the eggs removed from her ovaries. |
| III. | Preparation of the Endometrium (Uterine Lining): | Hormones are given to the recipient to make her uterine lining ready to implant the embryo. |
| IV. | Insemination of the Eggs: | The eggs and sperm will be placed together in the laboratory and incubated in an effort to achieve possible fertilization. |
| V. | Embryo Transfer: | One or more embryos will be transferred into the uterus of the recipient woman. |
| VI. | Embryo Freezing: | Extra embryos may be frozen and saved for future use, if the recipient couple desires. |
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First Steps ... Once you decide that you may want to move forward with Egg Donation, you should first call or email our Egg Donor Coordinator who will explain the screening and donor selection process to you in detail. If you haven't had all the necessary screening tests, we will arrange them for you. These need to be completed before you begin you treatment cycle, so that any problems or issues that are identified can be solved. Screening tests are critical to ensuring the success of you cycle, and in many cases are also required by the FDA. A list of our current most common tests available below. Screening & Requirements for the Recipient/Carrier Initial Interview During this visit, the recipient meets with members of CFA´s medical and nursing personnel to review all aspects of her intended testing and treatment cycle; discuss which approach is right for her; discuss the various donor/recipient matching options; and review her specific testing and treatment plan. Physical Exam & Obstetrical/Gynecological Health The recipient undergoes a complete physical examination including pelvic exam with Pap smear, cervical cultures, uterine evaluation (hysterosalpingogram, saline sonogram and/or hysteroscopy) and uterine mapping or "sounding". If necessary, a mammogram, EKG, colonoscopy or a medical clearance exam may also be performed. These tests are necessary to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy. Bloodwork The recipient also undergoes extensive blood testing to ensure that she can become and safely remain pregnant using donated eggs. Labwork for the female partner includes: HIV-1/HIV-2, Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, Hepatitis C Antibody, RPR, Rubella, Blood type & screen, CMV, CBC, TSH and prolactin. Bloodwork for the male partner will include HIV-1/HIV-2, Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, Hepatitis C Antibody, RPR, Rubella, Blood type & Screen, CMV and a semen analysis. Genetic testing is also offered and sometimes required. Psychological Evaluation All recipient couples are required to meet with our psychologist. During this session, our psychologist will assess the recipient couple´s psychological preparedness for the process and ensure adequate informed consent from a psychological perspective. Discussion is also focused on psychological issues that many couples who have chosen an egg donor have identified as important and helpful to address. Test Checklist |
| Tests Checklist | ||
| Bloodwork | Female | Male |
| HIV-1 / HIV-2 | Yes | Yes |
| HTLV-I/II | Yes | |
| Hep B Surface Ag | Yes | Yes |
| Hep B Core Ab | Yes | Yes |
| Hepatitis C Antibody | Yes | Yes |
| RPR | Yes | Yes |
| Rubella | Yes | |
| Blood type & screen | Yes | Yes |
| CMV | Yes | Yes |
| CBC | Yes | |
| TSH | Yes | |
| Prolactin | Yes | |
| Cystic fibrosis screening | Yes | |
| Other genetic screening | Yes | |
| Examinations | Female | Male |
| GC / Chlamydia Cultures | Yes | Yes |
| PAP smear | Yes | |
| Sonohysterogram (SHSG) | Yes | |
| Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) | Yes | |
| Office hysteroscopy | Yes | |
| Physical examination | Yes | Yes |
| Uterine mapping | Yes | |
| Mammogram (>40 years old) | Yes | |
| EKG (>45 years old) | Yes | |
| Colonoscopy (>50 years old) | Yes | |
| Semen Analysis | Yes | |
| Counseling | Yes | No |
| Financial counseling | Yes | |
| Psychological counseling | Strongly recommended | |
| CFA physician counseling | Yes | |
| Genetic counseling | Yes |
