Who should go for IVF with Egg Donation?

IVF(IN VITRO FERTILIZATION)

In Vitro fertilization (IVF) is a medical procedure used to treat the infertile couples and help them in conception. During IVF, once the eggs are matured, they are collected and fertilised with sperms in the laboratories. Thereafter, the fertilised embryos are transferred in the uterus. One IVF cycle, on an average takes about 3 weeks. IVF can be done with your own eggs and your partner’s sperms. Alternatively, it may involve sperms, eggs or both from the donor. In some cases altruistic surrogacy can also be used.

WHO NEEDS EGG DONATION?

– Women whose ovarian reserve is low (Due to raised FSH levels or low antral count) mostly seen in higher age group.
-Premature ovarian failure .
-In post cancer patients whose ovaries have been affected due to any ovarian surgery or radiation involved.
-Woman born without ovaries due to any congenital anomaly.
-Cancelled IVF treatment due to low ovarian response or low ovarian reserve
-Repeated IVF failure.
-Women with autosomal recessive disorder.

WHO CAN BE AN EGG DONOR?

(According to ICMR guideline 2017)
The donor’s age should be between 21-35 years.
A proper medical and psychological evaluation is required.
Blood investigations include screening of STDs, testing for HIV1 &2, HBsAg, HCV, VDRL, blood group with Rh typing, thalassemia testing( Hemoglobin electrophoresis) and other identifiable and common genetic disorders.
A proforma would be maintained which will include her other details such as age, height, weight, educational qualifications, professional details, family background(hereditary disorder) and other characteristics such as the eye and skin colour .

PROCESS OF EGG DONATION AND IVF

Egg donors are recruited and screened for various diseases and a due written consent is taken from them before participating in IVF procedures.
Once the donor is recruited, she undergoes stimulation process, where several injections are given to her and when eggs are matured, egg retrieval procedure is done. After the ovum pick up, eggs are fertilized in lab with sperm of male partner of the recipient,
Once the embryo reaches the blastocyst stage, the best embryos are placed in the uterus of the recipient, whose uterus is prepared for embryo transfer beforehand.

LEGAL RIGHT OF EGG DONOR RECIPIENT AND THE RIGHT OF CHILD BORN THROUGH IT (ACCORDING TO ICMR GUIDELINE)
Egg donor program involves many potential legal issues.
An egg donor contract is made which clearly mentions that she does not have any parenteral rights on the children born using donor eggs. They are the legitimate children of the recipient couple. The children have all the legal rights for support, inheritance and other privileges equivalent to the children born through natural conception.
As stated earlier the fertility treatment begins only after the completion of proper evaluation of the recipient couple and the donor along with the completion of all the legal formalities.

The legal parents can avail the medical or genetic information of the egg donor that might be relevant for the child’s health. The personal information of the donor such as name, address cannot be revealed to the child under any circumstances but other information regarding the donor can be obtained once they become an adult.
In the case of a legal separation of the recipient parents during the pregnancy – the law of the land as pertaining to a normal conception would apply.

RISK OF EGG DONATION

The worst risk is development of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and if left untreated can be life threatening.
There are also chances of psychological disturbances
Long term effect of repeated egg donation can lead to increased cancer risk but further studies are required to confirm it.

Some studies do support that recipient is at higher risk of developing hypertensive disease of pregnancy as mother has to cope with higher degree of antigenic dissimilarity.

WHERE CAN EGG DONORS BE FOUND?

Egg Donor agencies
Egg banks

SUCCESS RATE WITH EGG DONOR IVF

The success rate with egg donor program is definitely higher average around 55-60%.

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS IF SOMEONE DOESN’T WANT TO GO WITH DONOR EGG PROGRAM?
Trying conventional IVF with your one’s own eggs with understanding that success rate will be low.
Pursuing adoption.
Choosing a child free life.