The Gift of Life: What You Need to Know About Egg Donation

Women may choose to donate eggs for more than just a few different reasons. One of the most common reasons that eggs might be donated is to provide some much-needed assistance to a couple or individual who isn't able to become pregnant and have a child on their own. If you're considering donating your eggs or simply want to know more about the process, the following things can be useful to know. Statistics on egg donation success The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology collected statistics that shed some light on the specific success rate for egg donation and IVF. According to the data, the success rate is 54.9% for fresh embryos from donor eggs, and 35.7% for thawed embryos from donor eggs. Compensation The possible compensation (or lack thereof) for egg donation will depend upon the country of the donor and recipient. In a number of countries, donating an egg falls under the same classification as donating an organ; because of this, there isn't compensation. In the United States, however, donors could possibly be offered several thousands of dollars for a single attempt at egg collection. Possible risks Egg donation comes with its own unique risks for the donor, including the chance of ovary overstimulation and infection. However, to date, there haven't been any studies that have conclusively determined whether or not egg donation has an inhibitory effect on the donor's fertility. The psychological impact of egg donation selectivenessr A good number of the women who choose to donate eggs are happy to do so, and yet at the same time, there are also women (about one out of five) who have understandable doubts about the process. Egg brokers will specifically express an interest for donors who possess (or don't possess) a number of personal and biological characteristics, from intelligence to physical weight and appearance; depending on a donor's personal feelings about the selection process, this may or may not create tension between the donor and egg recipient. Conclusion Egg donation can pose just as many emotional hurdles and health implications for the donor as it does for the recipient. If you're ever considering becoming an egg donor, make sure to become familiar with the policies of the institution carrying out the procedure. Contact a professional from a clinic like the Missouri Center for Reproductive Medicine if you have questions. It can also help to prepare for the high variance in personal standards for egg donation between different possible recipients.