You can donate ova for IVF treatment
Ova are the eggs made by a woman's ovaries to be fertilized by a man's sperm in the process of reproduction. Unfortunately for some women, the ovaries do not function properly leading to unhealthy eggs and therefore infertility. For these women, there is the option of seeking an egg donor, whereby a woman with healthy eggs anonymously donates her own to help an infertile woman conceive through In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF). The procedure is somewhat complicated and does involve minor surgery, therefore it is important to give the matter careful consideration before deciding to become a donor.
Instructions
1. Find out if you are eligible to donate your ova. Not all women can, and there is usually a strict criteria to ensure the best chance of success, as well as the safety and well being of both parties involved. Although regulations will vary among fertility clinics, generally the eligible age for a donor is between 21 and 35, says the New York Department of Health. This is to ensure that if you are a young donor, you can legally enter into a contract and if you are an older donor, you are still young enough to respond positively to the fertility drugs. Some clinics prefer to accept you as a donor if you have already given birth to a healthy baby because it increases the chance of success and also means you might be better prepared for any of the emotional effects of donating an egg to another woman.
2. Discuss your rights and responsibilities as an egg donor with the fertility clinic. They are required to tell you exactly what the procedure involves, how long it will take and any support or financial payment you will be offered. Before proceeding to the stage of screening, you will then have the opportunity to decide whether you would like to be a donor, in which case you must give your written consent.
3. Attend all the necessary health checks at the fertility clinic to ensure you are in adequate health to be a donor. This will include a physical and gynecological examination, including an ultrasound and blood and urine tests to check hormone levels and to screen for any sexually transmitted diseases. You will also be asked for details on your medical and family's medical history and will be given a psychological examination to check that you are of sound mind in order to go through with the procedure.
4. Begin the fertility treatment in the clinic which will involve hormone injections everyday over a period of 12 to 14 days, according to BBC Health. The hormone injected, called Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), stimulates the production of ova in the ovaries, therefore increasing the amount of eggs which can be used for donation. During this time you will continue to be tested to you are responding in the desired way to the treatment. The treatment is then concluded with a hormone injection to help the eggs mature 34 to 38 hours before they are due to be extracted, says NHS Choices.
5. Undergo a 40 minute surgical procedure to extract the mature eggs from your ovaries, says NHS Choices. This is a minor procedure whereby a needle is inserted through the vagina and into the ovaries to extract the eggs. You will be sedated during the process and may experience a small amount of vaginal bleeding and cramping afterwards, according to NHS Choices. This is the final part of your involvement in the egg donation, your ova may then be frozen for later use or used immediately by a couple for In-vitro fertilization (IVF).
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