Donor Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can become an egg donor?
- Why might a couple need donor eggs?
- What is the compensation for being an egg donor?
- I am interested in donating but do not live in Dublin?
- Will I be responsible for paying any of my medical expenses?
- If I have had my tubes tied, can I still donate?
- Are there risk factors involved?
- How many eggs is it normal for a woman to have?
- What medications are used to develop the eggs?
- How many eggs are removed during the retrieval?
- If you aspirate 15 eggs will I reach menopause early?
- Can a donor not produce enough eggs in a stimulated cycle?
- What is a poor response?
- How are the eggs aspirated?
- Do you feel any pain during the aspiration?
- What do you feel after the aspiration?
- What are the normal activities after the procedure?
- Can the donor have intercourse during the stimulated cycle?
- When can I resume sexual intercourse?
- When will I get my next period?
- How many times can I be a donor?
- What is the time frame to complete a donor cycle?
- When does the recipient receive the eggs from me?
- When will the recipient know if she is pregnant?
Who can become an egg donor?
To become an egg donor you must be a healthy woman between the ages of 21 and 35 and be able to supply us with a detailed medical history.
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Why might a couple need donor eggs?
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) involves fertilisation in the laboratory of a woman’s eggs with her husband/partner’s sperm. The resulting embryos are placed in the womb 2-3 days later, and if they implant may develop into pregnancy. Unfortunately, some women are unable to provide eggs for IVF, the possible reasons being:
- The ovaries have never developed properly e.g. Turner’s Syndrome
- Early menopause
- Chemotherapy or previous surgical removal of the ovaries.
- Where the woman is a carrier of a genetic disease, such as muscular dystrophy or hemophilia.
Women who fall into one of these categories can now have an opportunity to become pregnant by IVF using eggs obtained from another woman.
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What is the compensation for being an egg donor?
Most women who decide to donate their eggs do so for altruistic reasons. Either they have experienced the joy of motherhood, have completed their own family, or may have a friend or relative who has had difficulty conceiving. Donors view what they do as a positive contribution to the happiness of another couple. The feeling of reward can be overwhelming especially if the recipient has a positive test.
There are no current regulations in the field of egg donation. We believe that although egg donation is considered an altruistic (without payment) act that donors should be compensated for any costs incurred for traveling, time off work or childcare etc.
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I am interested in donating but do not live in Dublin?
Many of our patients do not live in Dublin. You will be expected to attend the clinic for an initial consultation and of course for the egg retrieval, however in order to minimise the inconvenience the donation has on your life, Sims have satellite units in various parts of the country where you can attend for monitoring and tests.
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Will I be responsible for paying any of my medical expenses?
No, Sims will cover the cost of your treatment. If you are not an Irish Tax payer, the recipient couple will be charged for your medications. However, if you have a PPS number you will be entitled to medications under the DPS (Drug Payment Scheme).
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If I have had my tubes tied, can I still donate?
Yes. Some women who have completed their family may have had their tubes tied. Your body still produces eggs if your tubes have been tied. Eggs are retrieved directly from the ovaries, it is not necessary that they pass through the fallopian tubes.
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Are there risk factors involved?
All medical procedures involve risk. Details of the possible risks involved can be read on the Sims website http://www.sims.ie/infertility_info/ohss.asp The Doctor who will be looking after you will discuss the risks with you as will the egg donation coordinator.
With close monitoring, the correct medications and our ‘on-call’ service we do everything possible to avoid risks to your health.
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How many eggs is it normal for a woman to have?
You are born with approximately 2 million eggs. By the time you reach puberty you have approximately 200,000 eggs remaining. In any single month, up to twenty eggs will develop of which Mother Nature usually only allows one to be released.
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What medications are used to develop the eggs?
There are several medications that can be used to manipulate and stimulate your ovaries. These medications and some of their side effects are listed on this website. These will be discussed with you in detail by the nurse should you decide to proceed.
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How many eggs are removed during the retrieval?
The average is 10-15 eggs aspirated per cycle, but donors can produce 16 or more eggs.
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If you aspirate 15 eggs will I reach menopause early?
NO, you develop many follicles each month, 1-2 of these follicles make it to maturity and ovulate. The medication stimulates the other follicles to grow and mature.
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Can a donor not produce enough eggs in a stimulated cycle?
Yes, sometimes a donor will fail to respond to the medications however we will monitor your progress closely.
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What is a poor response?
Normally- A poor response is less than four follicles.
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How are the eggs aspirated?
A vaginal ultrasound and needle guide are used. The needle goes into the vagina and then through the ovary into the follicle, which contains the egg.
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Do you feel any pain during the aspiration?
You are sedated during the procedure and given painkillers, although you may feel some discomfort you should not feel pain.
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What do you feel after the aspiration?
You are bloated, a little sore, and your ovaries are enlarged.
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What are the normal activities after the procedure?
You MUST have someone drive you home. The best thing is to sleep the remainder of the day and take it easy for a few days post the retrieval. We will give you other guidelines about post operative activities
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Can the donor have intercourse during the stimulated cycle?
We do ask you not to have intercourse throughout the cycle.
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When can I resume sexual intercourse?
You will need to wait at least a week after the aspiration, preferably after your period starts.
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When will I get my next period?
Your period will generally start 10-12 days after the aspiration.
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How many times can I be a donor?
This is up to you, and the IVF doctor. The average is 1-5 times in a lifetime.
How long does it take to be tested, before I know I am suitable to be a donor?
The testing process takes approximately 3-5 weeks. It generally involves blood tests, an ultrasound scan and a consultation.
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What is the time frame to complete a donor cycle?
The stimulated cycle itself takes only about three weeks.
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When does the recipient receive the eggs from me?
Several days after the egg aspiration.
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When will the recipient know if she is pregnant?
She will do a pregnancy test about two weeks after the transfer of the embryos.
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"I am so glad I could donate! Being a mother, I know what an incredible feeling it is to have a child. I was so excited to be able to help someone else experience this feeling." 