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DONOR
EGG
PROGRAM
Family Fertility Center
has a successful egg donation program available to couples previously
thought to be infertile.
What is
Egg Donation?
Egg donation is when
a young woman donates her healthy eggs to a woman (recipient) who is
unable to conceive due to poor egg quality or absence of ovaries. Many
women with poor egg quality have reduction or cessation of ovarian
function due to premature menopause or delay in childbearing (advanced
maternal age). Others have recovered from cancer with no ovarian function
after chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
Egg
Donors
Egg donors are
typically between the ages of 21 and 33 years of age. Recipients may
choose one of our available anonymous donors or use a known donor, such as
a sister, niece or friend. Egg donor candidates must be non-smokers, in
good health, and have a healthy weight/height ratio. Screening includes a
psychological consultation, comprehensive physical examination, and
thorough medical and family histories.
The
Selection Process
To maintain privacy
and confidentiality, anonymous egg donors and recipient couples do not
meet. However, anonymous donors may provide childhood photos, educational
background, personality profile and professional career. Dr. Lee will
help match egg donors and recipients based on many factors including
physical characteristics, ethnicity, and education. After a donor is
selected, she undergoes further blood testing to screen for genetic and
infectious diseases. Egg donors are given an honorarium for egg donation
as compensation for the time and effort during the process.
Recipients
Couples interested
in the egg donation program begin with an initial consultation with Dr.
Lee, who will carefully listen to concerns, answer questions and explain
the egg donation process. Next, she will ascertain the woman’s ability to
safely tolerate pregnancy, labor and delivery. Recipient couples complete
testing for infectious diseases, genetic diseases, and other diagnostic
testing. Couples can consult with a psychologist who is familiar with
issues facing couples seeking third-party reproduction services.
The
Process:
Egg donation is done
in conjunction with in vitro fertilization (IVF).
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The egg donor will
take medications to stimulate her ovary to produce eggs
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The egg donor will
undergo ultrasounds and blood work to monitor her ovaries and hormones.
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The eggs are
removed from the ovaries of the donor while she is under sedation.
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In the laboratory,
the eggs are inseminated with the sperm from the recipient’s husband or
from a sperm donor
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Embryos are
transferred into the recipient’s uterus, which has been prepared using
hormones to help establish and sustain pregnancy.
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Extra embryos, if
available, may be frozen for future use.
Our
Program
The Family Fertility
Center’s successful egg donation program offers infertile couples a list
of egg donors who are available for immediate matching. Currently, there
is no waiting list, and treatment can begin at your earliest convenience.
Dr. Lee and her specially-trained staff are sensitive to the issues
involved with egg donation and will guide both the recipient couple and
egg donor through the process with sensitivity and discretion. For more
information about the egg donor program, call 610-868-8600.
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