The recipient is the patient who receives the donor eggs for the purposes of assisted reproduction. Through the process of egg donation, many infertile couples fulfill their dreams of becoming parents. The following factors can help one understand if egg donation would be the right choice for them.
Eligibility
Poor egg quality (diminished ovarian reserve) due to menopause, advanced age, or Premature ovarian failure (the onset of menopause before the age of 40), is the primary indication for egg donation. Approximately 1% of the female population is affected by premature ovarian failure, and 10% with poor egg quality in their reproductive years. Other reasons women use an egg donor to conceive is due to the female carrying genetic defects taht she does not wish to pass on to a baby.
Premature ovarian failure
This condition signifies the depletion of one’s egg reserve along with the cessation of ovarian function. Premature ovarian failure may be caused by various medical factors, and it is important to identify the underlying causes.
Diminished Ovarian reserve
According to recent trends, women with reduced egg reserves, but intact ovarian function constitute the majority of egg donation cases. Advanced age of the women leads to diminished fertility and could contribute to poor egg reserves.
Other cases for egg donation may involve women with multiple failed in vitro fertilization (IVF) attempts due to poor egg quality.
Genetic defects
Women carrying genetic diseases can also benefit from egg donation, because it prevents the transmittance of the genetic disease to her child.
Medical Screening
In order to become a recipient for egg donation, a woman will undergo medical tests, such as blood tests, ultrasound evaluation of the ovaries, hormonal screening, urine tests for gonorrhea and Chlamydia, and pap smear.
A complete picture of the recipient’s health history will be taken to overrule any health conditions that could affect the success of the procedure. In addition, screening for infectious diseases and genetic diseases is necessary.
The structure of the recipient’s uterus—the home of the fertilized donor eggs—will be assessed through ultrasound. Sometimes a mammogram and echocardiogram may also be performed. As a preparatory stage, a mock stimulation cycle could be performed to evaluate the recipient’s response to hormonal treatment.
The recipient’s partner will also be screened through semen and blood analyses as well as infectious disease and genetic tests.
Procedural Steps
Egg donation is a time-sensitive process. The maturation of the recipient’s uterine lining has to be synchronized with the maturation of the donor’s eggs. Estrogen and progesterone treatments are given to the recipient to prepare her uterus for receiving the fertilized egg or embryo. Estrogen can be taken orally, by injection, or by transdermal patch, for a period of two weeks.
The recipient may be placed on a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (such as Lupron) to prevent ovulation during this time. Around the time of the egg retrieval, progesterone is administered daily, as a intramuscular injection.
Following the embryo transfer, the recipient continues estrogen and progesterone treatment until successful pregnancy ensues. The placenta by the 10th week of pregnancy is self-sufficient to maintain an adequate hormone level and the hormone medication may be discontinued.
Potential Concerns
The occurrence of multiple pregnancies is a potential concern for egg donation procedures. Therefore, the number of embryos transferred should be limited to 1-2 embryos for a 3-day transfer, or to 1 – 2 embryos for a 5-day transfer. Another potential risk to the recipient is the transmission of infectious diseases from the donor eggs; however, due to the stringent screening of donors, the chance of disease transmission is negligible.
Emotional Aspect
Lastly, and probably most importantly, the emotional aspects of egg donation should be carefully considered by the recipient. Through egg donation, a woman relinquishes her hopes of having a genetic child with her own eggs. Pretreatment counseling of the recipient should be undertaken to assess the psychological and social aspects of using donor eggs.
The Colorado Center for Egg Donation offers comprehensive egg donor and recipient services, along with fertility treatments from a Board Certified reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Deborah Smith. Recently, HealthTap named Dr. Smith one of the Top 5 fertility doctors in America!
For a complimentary 15 minute phone consultation with an egg donor center Denver and all of Colorado trusts, call (720) 390-3931 today!