Getting pregnant isn’t always as simple as “the birds and the bees” made it seem. In fact, one in 10 heterosexual couples struggle with infertility. Generous egg donors are helping change this. Though a simple process on the part of the donor, it is a life changing one for the recipients. In fact, Mariah Carey’s twins – aptly nicknamed Roc & Roe – are the result of egg donation.
Considering donating your eggs? Here’s what you need to know from our experts at Atlanta Center for Reproductive Medicine.
THE SCREENING
The screening process for egg donors can be completed in only two appointments, and compensation begins after the first.
THE APPROACH/EGGS?
Your average, healthy woman will ovulate one egg a month, meaning it would take at least a year to retrieve several viable eggs. In order to shorten the process, fertility drugs help to stimulate a woman’s follicles and trigger the release of several eggs at once.
Donating eggs does not deplete the number of eggs a woman has in her body. Each month, a woman naturally produces 15-20 eggs that fight each other to make it to ovulation. The egg that wins is expelled during a woman’s cycle and the remaining are absorbed back into her body.
During fertility treatments, all 15-20 of those eggs mature at once and are retrieved. At the end of your treatment, you will have the same number of eggs in your reserve, had you not decided to donate.
THE SAFETY
From the time you donate your eggs, and even 10 years down the road, all aspects of the process are safe. The Atlanta Center for Reproductive Medicine even offers counseling services, acupuncture for fertility, and nutrition counseling services.
Though medications and dosage amounts are designed custom for each donor, most women are asked to take birth control or give themselves hormone injections.
THE DONATION
Egg donors are put under IV sedation while undergoing the egg retrieval process, so there is little to no pain. Post procedure, women typically report normal menstrual like symptoms, so grab some Advil and ice cream and you’ll be set. Women 21-29, who have normal menstrual cycles, are often great candidates for egg donation.
Though it’s rare (occurring in less than 20 percent of patients) ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome can cause short-term pain, as well as weight gain and fluid build-up. However, studies show that women with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome do not experience any long-term health or fertility problems.
THE INCENTIVE/MOTIVATION?
Essentially, donating does not affect your own fertility but it greatly impacts those who struggle with infertility. Giving the gift of life is priceless, still, donors are compensated for their time and effort.
Each donation or stimulation cycle can earn you up to $8,000. There are five possible donation cycles per donor, totaling a whopping $40,000. Additionally, donors are given the option to preserve their own eggs for future use at no charge after the fourth donation cycle. Eggs for days!
Atlanta Center for Reproductive Medicine
Four Convenient Metro Atlanta Locations
www.atlantainfertility.com/modernluxury
678.944.9209
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