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Egg donation
Donating own eggs what to expect
Failing to conceive is a huge emotional burden. Being able to play a role and donate own eggs means helping families have a long-awaited child.
It is a lifeline to those who have no own eggs and grapple with continuous infertility. This generous and humane act is also fairly and competitively reimbursed by NGC.
When contemplating becoming an egg donor, making a fully informed decision is crucial. One has to be fully aware of how the process work and what challenges they should prepare for.
Choosing to become an egg donor is an impactful decision. The woman has to be sure it’s right for them and keep peace of mind throughout the process. It is important to openly speak about egg donation with one’s immediate family and their significant one. Asking a fertility specialist all your questions is also a must: You should understand all of the specifics. We at NGC take time to keep our egg donors well-informed. Those who are have a better knowledge and are supported by their closest ones obviously experience less stress and fewer conflicts.
After a medical screening confirms that you are suitable for donating your eggs, you will start administer fertility medications which will adjust your hormones. As a result, your ovaries will produce multiple eggs instead of just 1-2. You will attend a fertility doctor several times to ensure that your ovaries respond properly and your stimulation is progressing smoothly.
The act of ovarian stimulation will not deplete your ovaries: Typically, each cycle many follicles begin to grow inside a woman’s body; among them one dominant follicle is selected. Its development ends with ovulation, while the rest of the follicles undergo atresia, or degeneration. With hormonal medicines, we aim to not let those other follicles degenerate, but to make use of their potential.
After around 12-14 days, the special injection named trigger shot will be made. Its purpose is to induce the final stage of egg maturation. Your eggs will be retrieved from your ovaries during an ovarian puncture (OPU) within the next 36-42 hours. Egg retrieval is an out-patient procedure; you will be free to return to your daily activities right on the same day. As anesthesia can make you less alert, it is recommended to avoid tasks that require increased reaction, keep normal physical activity, and also maintain strict sexual rest.
Right being retrieved, your eggs will undergo special laboratory processing and fertilization with sperm (alternatively, freezing). Hopefully, some beautiful and genetically healthy embryos will emerge within the next 7 days. Transferring one of them into the recipient’s uterus may result in a pregnancy and make another family happy and enormously grateful.
NGC’s advanced stimulation methods and the qualification of our doctors make egg donation risks minimal. There is no clinical evidence backing any long-term health risks either. Nonetheless, all types of treatments and procedures have a set of negative outcomes that may surface. NGC’s part of the job is to make the chance negligible.
OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome) is an extremely elevated hormonal reaction to ovarian stimulation injections. Some of the donors are prone to ovarian overresponse and produce too many follicles, which may cause unwanted swelling and uncomfortable body sensations. This may cause the ovaries to grow bigger and hormone levels to peak, sometimes causing Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome. In order to minimize the risks, NGC’s specialists use only high-quality patented stimulation drugs in the right dosages and perform control ultrasounds in a diligent manner. As an egg donor, you will be instructed on the symptoms of OHSS and observed closely to reduce the chance of this unwanted outcome.
Mild OHSS is fairly common, but this condition is not to worry about, as all symptoms subside once the eggs have been retrieved. Mild OHSS can cause a bloat in the lower abdomen, general body discomfort and tolerable nausea. These symptoms can be alleviated at home with the medicines prescribed by NGC’s specialist.
For me, the experience of being an egg donor was enormously fulfilling. The screening process took a month, and I had to manage my doubts during that time. I ended up persevering because I acknowledged the importance of this decision. Besides, my family showed understanding.
Knowing that I was able to help a couple and bring them long-desired joy makes me feel complete and useful in a way I’ve never felt before. The attentiveness that I’d got from the clinic staff had contributed to my emotional strength. In addition to this emotional boost, I was also generously compensated. It helped me pay my credit card debt and finally focus on my career instead of worrying. I have made a lot of progress in my life since then and had no health complications.
Overall, my personal experience as an egg donor at NGC was a journey of compassion and fulfillment. It brought me a sense of purpose and meaning, which I’ll continue cherishing.
When a person donates their eggs to infertile couples, they may require emotional support. Here are some of the main sources to turn to:
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Stay in touch with your personal coordinator at the clinic. This will help you navigate the administrative nuances of egg donation.
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Know that you are legally protected. Unlike in some other countries, getting remunerated for a cycle is fully legal in Russia. We at NGC proceed according to an agreement with you, respecting your rights and following all obligations.
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Remember that we care about you just as much as the couple you are helping, and strive to make your donation experience comfortable. You will receive medical care and support throughout the whole process.
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Engage in communication with other egg donors. There are many groups and social media publics that provide a space where donors can connect and compare their perspectives.
Overall, egg donation can be a complex undertaking, and it's important for you to not get lost in your thoughts and feelings instead of validating them.