InVitro Clinic ”Sofia” offers a donor egg program. .
Who can become an egg donor?
Not every woman can be an egg donor. The rules and criteria for selection are based on ethical and legal considerations. From a medical point of view, the rules aim to increase the reliability of the donor programs and ensure safety for the donor and the recipient. According to Regulation № 28 of Ministry of Health for activities on assisted reproduction, egg donors must be between the age of 18 and 34. The upper limit for the age of the donor is fixed, because the ovarian function of the woman decreases with age and risk of genetic abnormalities increases. The main requirement is to have at least one living child.
What is it like to donate eggs?
If you decide to become a donor, before you are approved, you will have to visit the clinic several times for examinations and tests. These visits include overall medical examination, separate gynecological examination, compilation of a similar personal and family history of the disease, the study. With the consultant on the donor program to the clinic you will discuss your rights and obligations. Giving eggs will not start before you are approved by a special commission, before you sign an informed agreement and a letter.
The eggs from you will be used for invitro fertilization procedures. The procedure begins with the administration of certain medications, some of which are in the form of injections. The purpose of these drugs is to stimulate the ovaries to develop a larger number of follicles and, accordingly, more eggs in a single menstrual cycle. You will receive these medicines for a certain period of time – about 10 days. During this time, you will undergo several regular examinations and ultrasound examinations in order to control the stimulation of the ovaries. The procedure ends with a follicular puncture, during which the eggs are removed. The treatment is usually 10-15 minutes and is completely painless. Following her, you will be recuperated under medical supervision. After a few hours, you can leave the clinic and your part of the program is over. The extracted eggs are processed in the laboratory and fertilized. Infertile and unfertilized eggs are disposed of as biological waste or can be used for breeding. High-quality embryos are transplanted into the uterus of the recipient. When the child is conceived and born, she will be the mother of the child, despite the genetic relation of the child to you as a donor.
How are donors chosen?
If you want to become a donor, contact the clinic by phone or email. We will have you fill in one initial questionnaire, after which you will be invited for an interview at the clinic. If this is successful, the selection continues with some mandatory medical examinations and assessment of the physical condition. You will receive similar considerations for all medical, legal and ethical aspects of the procedure.
GENERAL MEDICAL EXAMINATION : Describes the current and previous medical and physical condition of you and your close associates. These include questions about the use of cigarettes, alcohol, drugs or various intoxicants. Performs an ultrasound examination of the uterus, ovaries and organs in the pelvis. It is used to determine the basal mental levels. Describes the current and previous medical and physical condition of you and your close associates. These include questions about the use of cigarettes, alcohol, drugs or various intoxicants. Performs an ultrasound examination of the uterus, ovaries and organs in the pelvis. It is used to determine the basal mental levels.
VIROLOGY TESTS: In case of transmition of blood or tissue from one individual to another, it is possible to transfer viruses or bacteria. In order to prevent this problem, the donors are studying the legally required standards for assisted living. This is a complete test for Hepatitis B and C, AIDS and Syphilis.
TESTS FOR HERDITARY DISEASES: Candidates for donors pass through a donor commission. It aims to gather as much information as possible about the genetic code of the donor, in order to minimize or divert the amount of food available. You will be asked questions about your biological parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents. If necessary, you will be asked to provide additional information in order to assess:
- Defects during birth, requiring surgery or leading to health problems (spina bifida, conjunctival disorders, rabies);
- Genetic disorders (Huntington’s disease, Tay-Cack’s disease or cell anemia);
- Investigative diseases, which are present in the history of the recipient;
- Severe anatomical anomalies, significant isolation or psychiatric problems;
- If you have close relatives, the commission must find out the reason for the death and the rise of the deputies. Some common diseases (vascular or thymic), which often affect the middle and young age, in one or the other degree.
Who will use your eggs ?
The program for donor eggs gives the opportunity for treatment of women with reduced ovarian function and a significant increase in menopause. Some patients receive a donation program due to an advanced condition or a high risk of inherited diseases.
Will the recipient know who his donor is?
No. According to the law, the donors remain anonymous to the recipients.
What are the steps for donating eggs?
- Synchronization of the menstrual cycle: You may be prescribed a specific medication for one or more weeks to maintain normal function. This makes it easier to control their response to stimulation.
- Stimulation of the ovaries: During the normal menstrual cycle, one follicle separates and begins to build up more than the other. At the time of ovulation, the egg is separated from it. With the donor program, the goal is to develop and obtain more mature eggs. Therefore, you will be prescribed hormonal drugs to stimulate the ovaries. These drugs are close to the natural hormones produced by the body, but in higher doses. They are administered in the form of subcutaneous or myccal injections. Stimulation begins at the beginning of the menstrual cycle and lasts 10-12 days. The medical staff will tell you how to take the appropriate doses. If you do not want or are unable to get your medication yourself, you need to get a qualified person to give you the injection.
- Follow-up during the stimulation: During the stimulation, several full-scale studies and ultrasound examinations will be performed. Based on these studies and examinations, the drug determines the dosage of medications.
- Ovarian Acceptance: The eggs are removed from the ovaries through a mini-invasive manipulation called a transvaginal follicle. The preparation and the first puncture last about 15-20 minutes. Painkillers, sedatives are taken and given anesthesia. After that you will be accommodated in a comfortable hospital room, where you will recover in 2-3 hours and then you can stay at home. In order to prevent infection during the procedure, the doctor may prescribe antibiotic prophylaxis.
- Care and follow-up: The clinic will provide you with instructions on what to do if you do not need medical help.
Will donating eggs change my daily routine?
The donation of eggs period takes a certain amount of time. It is your responsibility to meet your daily obligations with the commitments in the donor program. It is recommended in this cycle not to drink alcohol or take drugs. You must not take any medicine without the permission of the specialists in the donation program. If you lead a sexual life, it is recommended to use contraceptives.
What is the informed agreement?
Before starting the procedure, you will have to sign a document called ”informed agreement”. This document will be a way to get famililar with the procedures you will be put under and agree to them. Before signing you informed agreement, you will meet the doctor who will be in charge of your procedure. You can discuss with him the individual aspects of the procedure and ask all the questions that you want. You need to know and understand every step of the donor program. Despite you being informed about your participation in the donation program, you can change your mind at any time.
Family rights and obligations
After the puncture and the eggs are out, they become property of the recipient. You do not have responsibility for the outcome of the procedure and the pregnancy. The documents you sign certify that the recipient is legally and financially responsible for the children they would have.
Payment
According to the law, being an egg donor commercial. In addition, the donor will be compensated for material losses and gain small amounts. The payment is not associated with the eggs and does not depend on the outcome of the procedure. Contact the clinic for more information.
Can I donate more than once?
According to the law, during the selection of donors, a reference is made for possible previous donations of the same donor in other medical establishments. More than 5 living births, as a result of eggs on one donor (including their own children) are not allowed.
