Can I Donate My Eggs?

[FOURtunate]

I have completed my family. I am under 30 (only by a couple of months mind you...). I am healthy, and happy. I have found a recipient who has become a friend, through our long phone calls!

My appointment with the IVF doctor is on Wednesday. Now, a couple of questions.
1) Can I donate if I have had two caesareans? One was a classical.
2) How long does the process take?
3) Is the collection painful?
4) How much time will I be under anaesthetic?
5) I have read the thread on Donor Remuneration. My recipient is covering the costs of the process, and has hinted that they may offer more. I am not comfortable accepting it. What have others done in this situation?

Thanks for the chat!

[provencein3]

This link is from my clinic. It explains a bit I think http://www.qfg.com.au/page/Fact_Sheets/In_Vitro_Fertilisation_IVF_and_Embryo_Transfer_ET

[xkwzit]

I'm no expert in this area, but I believe, in Australia, it is illegal to accept payment for your eggs. Your recipient can reimburse you for any reasonable expenses (medical treatment, time off work, childcare etc), but no payment for the actual eggs.

Maybe mention this to her, if she want to buy you a gift to show you how much she appreciates you, maybe you could feel comfortable with that instead?

[provencein3]

Hi angeldoula

there have been a number of articles in recent newspapers about women offering "bribes" to egg donors because the waiting lists are so long. Perhaps she felt it was necessary to win you over and seal the deal.

You asked how long you would be under... depends on how many eggs they have to collect. Minimum 30 mins I would think,

i had a caesar to deliver my son and have had numerous ivf cycles since. You can see in the diagram on the link that its a relatively fine needle that's inserted to collect the eggs.

re pain...again depends ont he individual. I never had a huge number of eggs and I used to go to work in the afternoon after the procedure. Some women do have mild discomfort...some ladies are allergic to anaesthetic and hence vomit etc.

[Roxy]

I have completed my family. I am under 30 (only by a couple of months mind you...). I am healthy, and happy. I have found a recipient who has become a friend, through our long phone calls!

My appointment with the IVF doctor is on Wednesday. Now, a couple of questions.
1) Can I donate if I have had two caesareans? One was a classical.

I am sure that your C/S wont affect your ability to donate...the catheter used to retrieve the eggs is inserted vaginally, so shoudn't be any problems with your C/S scars


2) How long does the process take?

The entire donation process can take upwards of 6 weeks, sometimes longer, depending on counselling appointments, your cycle regularity, how well your body deals with the drugs...the actual egg pickup procedure doesnt take very long (I was in hospital for about 3 hours total, including filling in paperwork, and waiting to be discharged).

3) Is the collection painful?

I didnt find it to be - had a GA, so didnt feel a thing! My right side was a little sore for a few days, as that ovary sits higher than my left, and I'm guessing that the nurse was pushing fairly hard on my tum there to make it accessible. I was able to go for a walk that afternoon with my children through Fitzroy Gardens in Melb, to the Melb zoo the foloowing day and on the Puffing Billy Railway on the 3rd day after, and felt just fine. Its not like that for everyone though - its the usual line of "It's an individual thing" .....


4) How much time will I be under anaesthetic?

Not very long - maybe 30 mins?


5) I have read the thread on Donor Remuneration. My recipient is covering the costs of the process, and has hinted that they may offer more. I am not comfortable accepting it. What have others done in this situation?

If you aren't comfortable accepting money, then tell her. As mentioned by the PP, accepting money for egg donation is illegal. My recipients covered all my medical and travel expenses, and gave me a few small gifts as thanks. (she is now nearly 16wks pregnant, and the look of sheer excitment in her and her DH's eyes truly is better than any material gift they could have given!)




Hope this helps!!