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For some patients, the use of eggs from a donor will
provide their family-building resolution - a healthy baby.
The successful use of donor eggs is well established
practice, with the first baby born as a result of donor
egg treatment in 1983.
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Using Donor Eggs: How it works
When a couple chooses to use donor eggs in their
treatment, they are also choosing to go through the in
vitro fertilization (IVF) process. This involves fertility
medication for both the donor and the female patient,
so that their cycles are in sync. While the donor's goal
is to produce as many healthy eggs as is safely
possible for retrieval, the patient's goal is to have a
uterus that is well-primed for transfer and implantation
of one or more embryos.
The male partner contributes a semen sample shortly
before the donor undergoes egg retrieval. We also
recommend that the patient couple have a semen
sample frozen well in advance of egg retrieval time.
>From these samples, the best sperm are chosen and
placed with each retrieved egg in petri dishes. They'll
then be watched and tended carefully to evaluate the
fertilization process. The resulting embryos that are
judged to be of the highest quality are then tranferred
to the female patient's uterus.
In most cases, patients use anonymous egg donors and
in those situations, the donor's contribution is complete
upon egg retrieval. It is possible for patients to use egg
donors who are known to them, within guidelines
consistent with those of the American Society for
Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
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Who Are the Egg Donors
We carefully screen donors for a number of health
characteristics, and there are some basic requirements.
All donors must be within the age range of 21 and 30
years old. This helps to increase the chances of good
ovarian stimulation and retrieval of excellent quality egg
cells. Also, we require donors to be non-smokers
because smoking can have a negative impact on egg
quality. Donors are screened for genetic abnormalities,
sexually transmitted infections, recreational drug and
alcohol use, and any other factors that may play a role
in both the donor's ability to produce high quality eggs
and her cells' potential for passing on abnormalities.
In addition, donors are screened in accordance with
ASRM guidelines by licensed mental health
professionals. In order to be accepted, a donor must
demonstrate emotional and life stability and a clear
understanding of her decision to participate as a donor,
including the emotional risks and benefits. She is
questioned and assessed on family history, educational
background, stability, motivation to donate, current life
stressors and coping skills, difficult or traumatic
reproductive history, interpersonal relationships, sexual
history, history of major psychiatric and personality
disorders, substance abuse in donor or first-degree
relatives, and legal history.
Our donors are screened by Kathy Stern, MA, Licensed
Professional Counselor. Mrs. Stern has been working in
the field of infertility for over 11 years. She has
extensive professional experience in screening egg
donors, surrogates, and the intended parents of a third-
party arrangement. She speaks frequently for couples
and physicians on the emotional issues involved with
third-party arrangements.
Upon request, patients may choose to use the eggs of
donors who are similar in physical appearance and other
traits. Donors are compensated from $3,500. and up,
depending on a number of factors, to cover their
medical costs and health risks.
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Who Should Use Donor Eggs
Depending on the cause of infertility, donor egg use
may be the quickest and, in some cases, only way for
some women to get pregnant. Generally, any woman
whose ovaries are unable to produce good quality eggs
can use donor eggs.
Appropriate candidates for IVF with donor eggs include
women who have lost their ovaries, those who are
experiencing early menopause, and those who are of
advanced maternal age. Often, couples who have
undergone prior unsuccessful IVF treatment using the
female patient's own eggs later go on to conceive
through subsequent cycles using donor eggs.
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In Closing
We recognize that the decision to use donor eggs is a
big one, and our best recommendation is that patients
become educated about the process and seek
appropriate professional counseling when necessary.
Our clinic provides both a patient advocate on staff
and referrals to a psychologist, both with extensive
experience in helping people cope with infertility and
make the choices that are right for them.
My staff and I are well-versed in helping patients learn
about and carefully consider the use of donor eggs for
their pregnancy. We welcome your questions, and as
always, will be readily available to assist you toward
making the best decision for your own family's needs.
Sincerely,
Sonja B. Kristiansen, MD
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