Egg donors are in great demand given the environmental and social factors which have seen a general trend of procreation materialise increasingly later life.
Donation methods have evolved at a dizzying rate, allowing facilities to perform procedures which were unthinkable a few years ago.
Women unable to conceive using their own eggs can be both frustrating and disappointing, although potential mothers around the world have since become reliant on the selflessness of donors to realise parenthood.
In accordance with Spanish Law on assisted human reproduction, donations must be anonymous and identities cannot be later revealed, while information provided to the recipient in regards to donors is limited to data which assists in monitoring pregnancy: blood group and donor age.
By becoming an egg donor, you help infertile women realise their dreams.
The succeeding series of questions better detail egg donation and points worth considering prior to making a decision:
What are the requirements of becoming donor?
Below are a number of requirements which must be met in order to become an egg donor:
- The donor must be between 18 and 35-years-old.
- Healthy ovulatory function.
- Healthy reproductive system.
- Considered a positive if a donor has already been a mother before.
- Absence of malformations, genetic, congenital or hereditary diseases (close relatives cannot suffer from such diseases either).
- Tested negative for: sexually transmitted diseases: AIDS, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and a clinical study of herpes.
- Donors must be aware of the medical history of close relatives and cannot be adopted.
- Must not have more than six descendants in Spanish territory.
- Physically and mentally healthy.
With such requisites considered, the Fertility Institute will also carry out a completely free medical revision including:
- Gynaecological examination
- Test for infections (no STDs such as AIDS, hepatitis B or C, genital herpes, syphilis…)
- Complete haematology
- Psychological test
- Genetic examination
- Blood tests
- Ultrasounds
Once completed and the necessary information has been collected, candidates will qualify for donation or be advised they are unable to contribute.
This medical examination can help better understand gynaecological and reproductive health.
What does egg donation treatment consist of?
Once required medical information has been provided and examinations complete, a controlled stimulation of the ovaries is undertaken using hormone treatment administered via subcutaneous injections.
Following ultrasound and analysis, eggs are extracted by means of vaginal ultrasound using a puncture-aspiration procedure which leaves neither an internal or external mark. This process lasts around 15 to 20 minutes under sedation to avoid any potential discomfort.
A donor can resume normal life an hour after the procedure.
If follicular development is abnormal – either yielding a high or low response – the cycle will be abandoned without donation. While this won’t prevent the inception of a new cycle, taking into account what was learned in the previous stimulation, in order to carry out the donation.
Are they any risks to donation?
Under the medical supervision of our specialists and exhaustive regulations, any risk which may arise is minimised.
While the process is painless, discomfort experienced will likely be similar to that suffered during menstruation or occasional abdominal swelling.
Studies, evidence and experience have shown this is a safe process with a very high percentage of donors repeating the process after a few months.
Who will receive my donations?
Donations are intended for women who are unable to conceive using their own eggs.
Age, prior surgery, previous failures in human assisted reproduction treatments, insufficient eggs or transmissible genetic diseases can all contribute to eggs being unusable.
Will donating reduce my chances of falling pregnant?
No. Women are born with an average of two million eggs, but will only ovulate 400 or 500 times during her reproductive life at a rate of one egg per month.
In a natural menstrual cycle, hundreds of eggs are acquired by the ovary although just a handful are selected, of which only one will ever ovulate while the rest are lost and disposed of.
Hormones administered to the donor are similar to those which regulate a natural menstrual cycle and ensure not all eggs produced are lost in a normal cycle.
Will I be financially compensated for a donation?
The donation process is considered by Spanish law to be altruistic and anonymous, although financial compensation for donors are not excluded in regards to inconvenience to daily life caused.
What are the bureaucratic procedures?
Before starting treatment, your first consultation with us will be an informative session which addresses any issues in addition to providing a form which outlines the process and legal conditions. The signature of such document is the only bureaucratic procedure which is required.
Where can I go if I want to be an egg donor?
Should you desire further explanation in regards to egg donation, just click on the below button.