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Why should I choose the UCSF Ovum Donor Program? |
Who are the recipients?
Couples generally choose to use donor eggs because they're unable to conceive a child with the female partner's own eggs. There are many reasons that a woman may not be able to conceive with her own eggs, including older age, early menopause, poor-quality eggs or previous cancer treatments that damaged the ovaries. Often the couples have already been through extensive fertility treatments without success. Egg recipients are usually couples but are sometimes single women or men.
What's the compensation?
We offer ovum donors $7,000 for their time, travel and efforts, once they have completed an ovum donation cycle. The medical screening you will receive before donating is performed at no cost to you, and you may request results of all your medical tests for your own records or to give to your doctor.
Many ovum donors report the positive emotional impact as an additional form of "compensation." Knowing you've helped complete a family can be very rewarding itself.
How long does it take?
The screening process generally takes a few weeks. You will speak to the coordinator by phone and come into the office for a few short visits. Once you're chosen as an egg donor, a cycle takes approximately four weeks.
During a two-week period, you'll come to the clinic about seven to 10 times for ultrasound monitoring and blood tests. These appointments generally require a 15- to 30-minute visit in the morning. The day that you are scheduled for the egg retrieval, you'll be at our clinic for a large portion of the day. Most donors can continue to work or go to school during the process.
Are there side effects and risks?
As with any medical procedure, there are possible side effects and risks. Many women feel very minor or no discomfort during the donation cycle. Others have varying symptoms that typically subside after the egg retrieval. Some donors may feel bloating, pressure, abdominal pain and swelling, breast tenderness and moodiness from the hormone medications, which will go away by the next menstrual period. Severe side effects are rare and will be discussed with you in detail by a doctor before you join the program.
Injection-related effects — The blood tests and hormone injections are usually well tolerated. However, some women experience pain, redness or minor bruising at the injection site. Allergic reactions are rare.
Medication-related effects — There is a small risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) developing during an egg donation cycle. OHSS generally occurs after the egg retrieval and involves enlargement of the ovaries, significant increases in fluid retention within the abdomen and concentration of the blood within the blood vessels.
In its more mild form, OHSS can be uncomfortable but resolves within several days. The severe form, which occurs in about 1 percent of donor cycles, hospitalization may be required for monitoring. While the condition is serious, it usually lasts no more than one week.
Procedure-related effects — Egg retrieval is guided by a transvaginal ultrasound. The risk of serious complications from this procedure is rare — about 1 in 1,000. Serious complications involve bleeding that requires observation in the hospital, blood transfusion, or both, as well as damage to internal organs and infection.
Other effects — To date, evidence doesn't suggest any increased risk of breast or ovarian cancer from serving as an egg donor. There is no evidence of increased risk of infertility.
What are the restrictions?
You can get pregnant during the egg donation process, so you must avoid intercourse from the time you start the hormone medication until three weeks after your egg retrieval. Your ovaries will become enlarged during the egg donation process, returning to normal size about one month after the procedure. We ask you to refrain from high-impact activities such as running, mountain biking and jumping until several weeks after the egg retrieval.
Can I become pregnant during treatment?
Yes! It's very important to avoid intercourse from the time you start the hormone medication until three weeks after your egg retrieval. This will prevent an unwanted pregnancy and make sure the cycle goes as planned.
Can I still work or go to school?
Yes. However, you must adhere strictly to your medication and appointment schedule. This means you must make your ovum donor cycle a top priority during the few weeks that it occurs, and you may have to reschedule other events, classes or work times.
Will I need to take shots?
Yes. The shots are done at home. You can do them yourself, or have a friend or family member help you. We will teach you how to mix and administer your medication in our office.
Will it impact my fertility or deplete my eggs?
No. The procedure itself doesn't have any impact on your future ability to have children, and it doesn't deplete your source of eggs. Women are born with about 2 million eggs. Each month, a group of eggs begin the maturation process, but the body selects only one egg each cycle to ovulate, while the rest are absorbed by the body. Fertility medications "rescue" some of these excess eggs that the body would have ordinarily discarded.
Do I have legal responsibilities to any child born?
When you agree to donate your eggs, you are giving up all rights and responsibilities associated with the eggs and any child born as a result of them.
Will the recipients know me or meet me?
Most egg donor arrangements are anonymous, meaning you won't know the recipients and they won't know you. Information about you is shared with the recipients in a non-identifying manner. We share the following information with potential recipients: your blood type, ethnic background of your mother and father, height, weight, body build, eye color, hair color and texture, years of education, occupation, special interests and family medical history. Pictures you give us will also be shared with potential recipients. We will not share your last name, address, telephone number or email address.
Some donors and recipients are interested in meeting each other. On your application, you will indicate whether you're willing to meet the recipients, and whether you would be willing to meet their child when the child is an adult.
What are my responsibilities?
The responsibilities of ovum donors are:
- Be truthful in all portions of the donor screening process
- Follow the doctors' orders during the treatment cycle
- Adhere strictly to your medication and appointment schedule. You must take the medication as instructed and on time, and arrive for all monitoring appointments on time.
- Arrange for transportation to and from the egg retrieval
- Abstain from sex from the time you start the hormone medication until three weeks after your egg retrieval, to prevent an unwanted pregnancy and make sure the cycle proceeds as planned
Can I donate more than once?
Yes. If all goes well with your first ovum donation cycle, we would be happy to have you come back and donate again. Repeat donation may take less of your time, because you will have already completed the initial screening process. For your safety, ovum donors can donate no more than six times. This guideline was established by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Why should I choose the UCSF Ovum Donor Program?
You will receive top-quality care within a highly respected university setting. Medical professionals will be involved at every level of your care. Also, you will only have to go to one place for all your care, as opposed to signing up with an agency that might send you to donate at various locations.
Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated March 25, 2009
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or health care provider. We encourage you to discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.
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