Oocyte donor: another chance to become a mother

The concept of "donation of eggs" does not shock anyone today. Reproductive technologies make it possible to become a mother almost to any woman even with a terrible diagnosis of "infertility." The conductor to the world of motherhood is the donor, or more precisely - the donor of the oocytes.

Let's try to disclose the main, often encountered and painful questions concerning the ethical and moral aspects of donation. It would seem that the risk is great, because a woman who offered her egg is actually her owner. What if the egg donor then claims his rights? However, it's really not worth worrying about, because people who become donors of the liver or bone marrow, simply help those who are in dire need of their help. And often not at all free of charge. Everything is strictly confidential.

Not every woman can become an egg donor . In addition to normal appearance, age (not younger than 20 and not older than 30 or 35 years) also matters. Preference is given to women who already have children. It is very important that the plans of the future donor do not include the desire to give birth to another child, since the process of separating the egg can lead to damage to the ovary and even infertility. In general, such cases are an exception, but it is necessary to provide similar outcomes. Usually, a woman who is a donor does not take any risks at all. The procedure is simple, carried out under venous (general) anesthesia.

But before donation, the egg donor passes a test, which includes:

• Definition (specification) of the blood group and Rh factor;
• The conclusion of a psychiatrist;
• Fluorography;
• Gynecological examination;
• Smears for cleanliness;
• Analyzes for RW, HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C;
• The determination of Ig G and M against the herpes virus, rubella, toxoplasma, cytomegalovirus;
• Study of karyotype;
• Smears on oncocytology ;
• Bacteriological studies on gonorrhea, candida, Trichomonas, chlamydia, etc .;
• Carriage of cystic fibrosis.

If the donor is suitable, hormonal therapy is used, which allows increasing the number of egg cells that are formed, the growth process of which is observed with ultrasound. If the material is used without freezing (immediately), the cycles of both women (both the future mother and the donor) are corrected, which can sometimes take even a few months.

Ripened eggs are extracted with a hollow fine needle through the peritoneum or through the vagina (general anesthesia). After 3 hours, the donor can already leave the clinic.

The egg is fertilized, and the embryo is painlessly transferred to the patient's uterus. However, the embryo takes root from the first time not always, therefore, probably, such procedure should be repeated.

What about the health risks? Of course, to some extent, both the patient and the egg donor are at risk. The risk is associated with the stimulation of the ovaries. With excessive stimulation, even ovarian ruptures are possible . Damage during the extraction of the egg is not excluded. There may be complications after illiterate hormonal therapy. Therefore, you only need to go to clinics with an impeccable reputation. In most such clinics, both sides are insured in case of such problems.