Embryo Donation is the answer to many families’ prayer. When a woman goes through IVF or IUI treatment, many mature eggs are produced for fertilization. These can be frozen and used later on. It is an option given to all women who can preserve their eggs and donate it to others who are in dire need of a family. Embryo Donation is thus a lifesaver!
The success rate of an Embryo Donation is based on many factors. An embryo donation for research shows that successful pregnancies depend on the quality of the embryos at the time they were frozen. Other factors like the age of a woman and the number of eggs provided by the recipient are also taken into consideration. Overall it promises a success rate of about 40% to all.
When is an Embryo Donation Used?
It might surprise you, but there are many women around the world who are unable to produce their own egg. In such special cases, it can be a boon to them. Other cases of Embryo Donation include:
- Women born with ovaries producing very few eggs.
- Ovaries producing poor quality eggs.
- Women with premature ovarian failure.
- Patients who have undergone cancer treatment like chemotherapy.
- Genetic disorders.
- Patients who repeatedly fail to respond to other infertility treatments.
The Procedure
In the US it is legally obligatory to test all the donors and the recipients. These regulations state that donors must be free of certain diseases like HIV, Hepatitis etc. tests are conducted by proper environment as per the rules of the FDA.
- All donors and recipients must provide a detailed medical history.
- They need to be tested for diseases like HIV, Hepatitis, Syphilis, Gonorrhea and more.
- Blood type and Rh factor must be determined.
- The recipient must undergo a pelvic and uterus exam.
- If the recipient is over 45 years of age, thorough heart assessment is needed.
- Proper counselling and consultation with a doctor are mandatory for both donor and the recipient.
KEY NOTE
The biggest challenge in an Embryo Donation procedure is matching the menstrual cycle of the donor with the patient. To achieve this, doctors may give medications to the person receiving the embryo. This manipulates the cycle and synchronizes it with that of the donor. Some of the most successful pregnancies are occurred when the cycles are matched.
FAQs or frequently asked questions on Embryo Donation
Anyone who can produce healthy eggs can be a donor, like a relative, a friend or an anonymous person. The younger the donor, the better; all donors must be below 35 years of age. Make sure to visit embryo donation clinics and consult a fertility expert in detail on your matter.
Although this treatment are adopted by couples who have no hope of having a child, single women can very well experience pregnancy through this procedure. It is an excellent alternative for all single women who want to use frozen embryos to achieve pregnancy.
Unlike sperm banks, there are no egg banks available for women. Hence this is essentially an adoption or a sharing method, where you adopt a frozen embryo of another woman and achieve pregnancy. The adopting family can use the donating embryo and give birth to their adoptive child.
Embryo Donation is legal in many countries including India, USA and Australia. However, there may be some legal complications. Many couples opt for open embryo donation, where both the donor and the recipient meet before going through the procedure. The legalities also lay stress on the parental right of the donor and other issues that can crop up controversies. It is important that the recipient consult a lawyer and create an agreement entering before the procedure.
No, all clinics are not equipped with trained personnel and technology for an Embryo Donation procedure. There are special fertility clinics with professionals that cater to this purpose.