I’ll never forget the day that I
heard my doctor talk about my husband and I using an egg donor. Like many other
women seeking infertility treatments, I just assumed that if we kept trying IVF
over and over it was sure to work eventually. So when we were told that our
best, and really only, option was to use an egg donor, I experienced a range of
emotions. I think this is really common and normal anytime you are given news
you aren’t anticipating. I don’t know about you, but I like my “comfort zone”,
and egg donation wasn’t in my comfort zone one bit. However, I started
researching and, slowly but surely, egg donation started to creep into my world
and I became more and more comfortable with it. I want to share with you a few
things I learned about egg donation that helped me understand it a bit more and
feel a whole lot more comfortable with it.
- · Egg donation didn’t become a realistic option in the fertility world until 1983. It was that year that the first pregnancy from an egg donor was reported within the United States and it forever changed the world of reproductive medicine.[1]
- · When you hear the term “Intended Parents” that’s you and your partner. Egg donation allows a lot of different couples to become parents and this term is the medical community’s easiest way to refer to you. If you’re like me, you might find this a little odd. However, I will say that this term grew on me, and as we went through our cycle using an egg donor, I grew accustomed to the term and even found that it made me feel excited about becoming a parent!
- · Doctors often recommend you use an egg donor when you have been diagnosed with ovarian failure, are older than the age of 42, have an FSH level greater than 15 miU/mL, in past cycles have responded poorly to stimulating medications, have a history of chromosomal issues, or have a history of genetic or autosomal dominant problems.[2] However, these are just guidelines. Ultimately, each case is different and you should always discuss with your doctor and make an educated decision based off your individual circumstances.
- · There are a lot of things to consider when choosing an egg donor. Their physical attributes, IQ, health history, athletic or musical ability, etc. Many couples also must decide between using a known donor and an anonymous donor. Always remember that each donor is screened very carefully and that there isn’t an agency out there that will let you pick a donor who isn’t a good fit for the job.
- · Donors do get compensated. Compensation is structured around the time, discomfort and inconvenience that come with screening, ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval. Compensation should not be based on the number of eggs retrieved, the use of the eggs, or the donor’s ethnic or personal characteristics. Compensation above $5,000 requires a justification and compensation above $10,000 is not appropriate.[3]
There is so much more that can be
discussed about egg donation, which we will cover in future posts. For now, I
hope that that gives you a little bit of a basis regarding what egg donation is
and brings a bit of familiarity to you about it.
-Kamryn
[1]
Wendie Wilson-Miller and Erika Napoletano, The
Insider’s Guide to Egg Donation A Compassionate and Comprehensive Guide for All
Parents-to-Be (New York, Demos Medical Publishing, 2012)
[2]
Miller-Napoletano, 20.
[3]
Miller-Napoletano, 24.
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