16 May 2018

Frequently asked questions for egg donors

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Complete Fertility

Donating your eggs is the most generous gift

The gift of life through egg donation is a truly valuable and honourable act that positively changes the lives of those who for a variety of reasons would not be able to start a family themselves without donated eggs.

Our donors feel a huge sense of pride and achievement, knowing the joy they have brought to people who could not otherwise become parents.

When considering donating your eggs you will have numerous questions and this blog answers the most frequent ones we hear from our donors.

Why do women choose to donate their eggs?

 Egg donation is a positive and rewarding thing to do and women choose to donate for various reasons.

Some women donate because they have witnessed a friend or family member pursue fertility treatment to help them conceive. Some have completed their family and wish to help others experience the joy parenthood brings. There are women who donate for no other reason than wanting to help.

Who will use my donated eggs?

There are many reasons women need donor eggs to help them have a baby.

Reasons include previous cancer treatment, premature menopause, they may be a carrier of a genetic condition, or they may have a congenital condition.

Often recipients have already been through extensive fertility treatments without success.

Why should I choose the Complete Fertility Egg Donor Program?

The Complete Fertility Egg Donor Program is run by a dedicated egg donation team who are here to help you every step of the way.

We consistently offer high standards of care for all of our egg donors and treat them with respect and dignity whilst being mindful of their wellbeing at all times.

We are regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the UK’s independent regulator of fertility treatment.

As an egg donor at Complete Fertility you will donate at the same location as your previous appointments and counselling sessions, for ease and familiarity.

How do I get started?

To get started simply read through the attached egg donation booklet and complete the questionnaire for potential egg donors.

You can either return the questionnaire by email at: donorcoordinator@completefertility.co.uk

Or you can post to: Donor Coordinator, Complete Fertility Centre, Level G, Mailpoint 105, Princess Anne Hospital, Coxford Road, Southampton, SO16 5YA.

Alternatively please call the donation team on 023 8120 8359. We are happy to discuss any questions that you have and post the information out to you if preferred.

What’s involved in the screening process?

You will be asked to complete a questionnaire about yourself including your medical, family and personal history. The Donor Coordinator will then contact you to arrange an initial appointment. You will be required to have blood screening tests that check you are free from infection and have a normal genetic makeup, a counselling appointment and, a scan of your ovaries to ensure they are healthy.

Do you offer compensation?

Egg donors can be reimbursed up to £750 for their time, travel and efforts, once they have completed an egg donation cycle.

You will also receive complimentary health screening tests as we need to ensure that you’re free from infection and have a normal genetic makeup.

How much time is involved?

The initial screening process will take a few weeks to complete.

Once you’re chosen as an egg donor, a cycle takes approximately two weeks.

The whole process from screening to donating involves attending appointments over approximately three to six months.

Will I need to self-inject?

Yes. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) that stimulates your ovaries is given by injection with a very small needle into either your tummy or your thigh. You will be given training on how to give yourself these injections in the comfort of your own home.

Can I become pregnant during treatment?

It is possible for you to get pregnant if you have unprotected intercourse whilst donating, so it’s important that you avoid unprotected intercourse from the time you start the hormone medication until three weeks after your egg retrieval.

Will donating eggs impact my own fertility?

No. Donating eggs shouldn’t have an impact on your future ability to have children.

However, as with any medical procedure, there are small risks and these will be explained to you in detail prior to your donation.

Women are born with about two million eggs. Each month, a group of eggs begin the maturation process, but your body will only ovulate one egg each cycle and the other eggs in the group are absorbed by your body. Fertility medications “rescue” some of these excess eggs that your body is discarding.

How many children could be born from my donation?

One or two women will receive your eggs per donation cycle. Each treatment cycle with donated eggs could result in one baby or possibly even twins and of course sometimes the treatment will be unsuccessful.

With your consent, embryos created from your donated eggs that are not used in the current treatment cycle, could be frozen and stored for your recipient(s) to try for a second child.

Can I still work or go to work /college?

Yes, most women are able to continue to work throughout and only reschedule other events, classes or work around the time of egg collection. The egg donation process requires you to keep to your medication and appointment schedule so it does need to be a top priority during this time.

Do I have any responsibilities towards a child created from my eggs?

You have no legal, financial or parental rights or responsibilities to any child born as a result of your donation. The recipient (and their partner if they have one) will be the legal parent(s) of any child following the donation.

You do have a responsibility to provide good, accurate non-identifying information about yourself that will be available for the recipient to pass onto their child when they feel that the child is ready.

Will the recipients ever know who their egg donor was?

All egg donations in the UK are tightly regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). This currently means that all donors and recipients must remain anonymous to each other.

Like adopted people, a donor conceived person has the right to ask the HFEA for the donor’s identity (full name, last known address, date of birth) from the age of 18.

Can I donate more than once?

Yes. If all goes well with your first egg donation cycle, we would be happy to have you come back and donate again. Repeat donation may take less of your time, because you will have already completed the initial screening process.

By law, each egg donor can donate eggs to create a maximum of 10 families.

Will I be able to find out if my donation has been successful?

Yes, you can be informed if the recipient has a confirmed pregnancy. You can also make an application to Complete Fertility Centre or to the HFEA to find out the number, gender and year of birth of any child created from your eggs.

More information

Email donorcoordinator@completefertility.co.uk or call the donation team on 023 8120 8359.

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