Hospitals Could Save Money and Lives With MRSA Screen

The egg donation procedure is made up of 6 separate steps. The guidelines to become an egg donor are typically the same from program to program, however some variations may occur.

Before beginning the egg donation procedure , you must first qualify to become an egg donor. You will be asked to go through comprehensive medical testing and a psychological evaluation. Certain lifestyle factors such as smoking, drug use, or exposure to HIV could disqualify you from donation.

One you have been accepted as an egg donor, you will be asked to sign a contract. The contract will outline your rights,expectation of the donation process, the terms of your compensation, and will release you from any rights or responsibilities should a child be born from your eggs. It is a good idea to seek legal representation to help you review the terms of the agreement before signing.

Before beginning the donation procedure, egg donors will typically be asked to take oral contraceptives. This allows for menstrual cycle regulation and ensures that medications will be given at the appropriate time during the cycle.

Next, your ovarian function will be temporarily suppressed. Medications such as gonadatropin releasing hormone antagonists (GnRH-ant) or Lupron are administered daily by injection over the course of one to several weeks. These medications will prevent the egg donor from ovulating spontaneously, increase responsiveness to fertility drugs, and allow for the donor’s cycle to be synced with the recipients. Routine blood tests and ultrasounds are preformed during this time to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment.

A normal ovulation cycle typically matures one egg . However, during the egg donation procedure the donor receives medications so that multiple eggs can be matured for retrieval. The purpose of retrieving multiple eggs is to increase the likelihood of a viable egg. The extra eggs can also be frozen and used later if the treatment fails in the recipient. For multiple egg maturation the donor will administer daily self-injections of hormonal medications such as human menopausal gonadotrophin (hMG) or recombinant follicle stimulating hormones (r-FSH). The progress of the maturation of the eggs will be monitored by transvaginal ultrasound and blood tests. It is possible to get pregnant during this time so abstinence from sexual intercourse or barrier protection will need to be used.

Step 5: Final Egg Retrieval

When it is determined that the eggs are mature enough, the donor will be given a injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). Approximately 34 to 36 hours after this injection the egg retrieval will occur. Egg retrieval is done via a minimally-invasive surgical procedure called Trans-vaginal Ultrasound Aspiration. The donor is given sedatives, painkillers and sometimes anesthesia for the procedure in order to minimize discomfort. An ultrasound probe is inserted vaginally and is used to guide a thin needle through the cervix and into the ovaries. The eggs are then carefully removed by needle aspiration from their follicles. The whole procedure takes about

20-30 minutes and the egg donor is usually able to go home within a few hours and resume normal activities by the following day.

Most egg donor programs pay donors immediately following the egg retrieval or within a few days. The exact time and form of your payment should be outlined in your contract. Once you are paid, the egg donation process is complete.