Important Facts about Egg Donation that Gestational Surrogates should Know
Important Facts about Egg Donation that Gestational Surrogates should Know
As you become more familiar with the ins and outs of gestational surrogacy, you’ll notice that there are plenty of procedures that come with gestational surrogacy. From the medical to the somewhat menial. Arguably the most important procedure, however, is the egg donation; the transfer of the intended mother’s eggs to you, the gestational surrogate. If you’re new to the gestational surrogacy game, you may be a bit intimidated, initially, by this.
Not to worry! Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Reno is going through some of the top five important facts about egg donation that surrogates should know!
Requirements
As you’re accustomed to by now, there are plenty of different requirements that everyone involved in your gestational surrogacy team will have to meet. There is no exception to this rule when it comes to egg donation. Age restrictions vary from state to state, so you’ll have to check what your state’s restrictions are. For our Nevada locals, however, you will have to be 21 or older to become an egg donor.
There are plenty of other requirements that must be met in order to donate eggs in Nevada. These are not only physical, but psychological as well. For instance:
- You must have a healthy BMI. A BMI — or Body Mass Index — is used to calculate your body’s mass in relation to your height. If your BMI is especially high, or especially low, you’ll likely be denied as a potential egg donor.
- Regular menstrual cycle. Having a regular period each month is a strong signal that your fertility health is exactly where it needs to be. It helps rule out any reproductive issues that accompany irregular periods such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). If you’re a hopeful egg donor, and find yourself falling under the “irregular periods” category, get in touch with your fertility doctor and ask about your options.
- Psychologically healthy. This is an immensely vital step that you’ll have to take whether you’re looking to become an intended parent, a gestational surrogate, or an egg donor. The reason it’s so important? It’s mostly for your health. When one donates their eggs, they’re injected with hormones. If you’re on antidepressants, the mixture of the two drugs can be harmful. Another reason that having a clean bill of psychological health is so important to egg donation? You need to pass a psychological screening test.
- Must be a non-smoker. This one is pretty self-explanatory, and will pop up on every list of egg donor requirements. There’s no doubt that, in general, smoking is terrible for your health. It doesn’t seem like there’s any part of your body that isn’t affected by smoking. What may surprise you to hear is that smoking also has a negative impact on your reproductive system. Obviously, when you donate your eggs, you’ll want the highest-quality that your body can provide. This helps ensure that when the eggs are used in the gestational surrogacy process, the chances of success are high.
- No history of genetic disorders. Like the non-smoker requirement, this one probably doesn’t surprise many. If your family has a long history of genetic disorders like Down syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis, then your egg donation application will very likely be denied. As we mentioned above, your eggs will need to be as healthy as they can possibly be. Any chance of potential health problems later on in the baby’s life are chances that are simply too big to take. This is especially true for those who have been struggling to conceive for a while.
Possible Side Effects
It is important to keep in mind that, as it is with any medical treatment, egg donation does come with some side effects. Most are minor, such as moderate weight gain and headaches.
There is a chance that an egg donor can develop what is known as Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, or OHSS. According to Mayo Clinic, when OHSS occurs, it is due to an influx of estrogen after the donor has been administered the medication to retrieve their eggs. This causes the donor’s ovaries to become swollen. Symptoms of severe OHSS include low urine output, nausea, and runs a risk of blood clots. OHSS is extremely rare, so you needn’t worry too much about it.
Facts about Egg Donation
Overall, whether you’re just curious about the egg donation process, or you’re wanting to use your own eggs for a gestational carrier to use, you want to provide the healthiest and strongest samples you can. Remember that there may be some requirements that appear a bit odd to you. Take the time to research what your state laws and what local fertility clinics require. Find the clinic that most lines up with what you are looking for.
Were there any facts about egg donation listed here that you hadn’t expected to see? Anything you think is missing? Let us know in the comments section! If you’re ready to get started on your leg of the gestational surrogacy journey, feel free to get in touch with Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Reno. We’re always happy to help you in any way we can, and can be contacted through email, our messaging system on our website, and through social media.
Be safe and, as always, be well friends!
Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Nevada has been providing adoption and surrogacy services across Nevada since 2012. For information specific to Las Vegas, please visit our sister site Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Las Vegas. For information specific to Reno, please visit our sister site Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Reno. You can also call us to speak to someone now.
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Meet the Author: Mallorey English is an aspiring proofreader and editor. She’s completed a couple of online courses through Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) and has used her education to help edit her mother’s inspirational book, Monday Motivation: 52 Weeks of Inspiration to Keep Moving in 2018 and running blog Life Up and Running. She hopes to one day become a full time freelance editor.
When she isn’t working, Mallorey can be found on a yoga mat, crafting a new project, or watching her favorite movies. She currently resides in northern Nevada with her husband and hopes to add on to their family in the near future.
Sources:
CCRM: “Egg Donation: Here’s What You Need To Know, From a Three-Time Egg Donor”