Egg donation is an outpatient procedure

There are 6 steps to the egg donation process

1. Consultation

Your first step as an egg donor at VITALAB is to fill out a questionnaire. If the questionnaire shows that you would be a good candidate for donation, you will be invited in for a consultation with our Egg Donor Team, who will explain the process in detail. Consultations are held on weekdays in our office, and take approximately two to three hours.

2. Screening

The initial visit includes a physical examination, psychological testing, blood tests, and an instructional session with one of VITALAB’s Nurse Coordinators. This initial consultation can be completed in less than two hours. Once you are approved as a donor, we set a convenient date to begin the egg donation cycle.

3. Follicular Development

To increase the chances of success with egg donation, we try to obtain multiple eggs for fertilization and conception. Donors are treated with fertility medications that stimulate the development of egg follicles (the part of the ovary that releases the egg). These medicines have been used for over 20 years and these are the same drugs used by women undergoing IVF who use their own eggs. Donors receive these medications free of charge, along with detailed information and instructions. Donors learn how to inject the medications themselves if they so choose or can come into the unit daily for these injections. The VITALAB Nurse Coordinator will also explain the temporary side effects that some women may experience, while taking the medications.

4. Monitoring your Cycle

The donation cycle usually takes from three to five weeks. For the first seven to ten days, you will take your injections at home, and we will stay in contact with you by telephone. During the next two weeks, you will need to visit Vitalab for blood tests and ultrasound examinations. These visits usually last less than 30 minutes, and are scheduled between 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. This daily monitoring tells us how the follicles are developing, allowing the Gynaecologist to decide the right time to retrieve the eggs and complete the cycle.

In certain cases, when there is excessive egg production (more than 20) with a risk of hyperstimulation or, when only a few (less than 4) are produced, the treatment may be cancelled before reaching donation. This may not prevent a new cycle commencing, based on what has been learned in the previous stimulation, to be able to make the donation.

5. Egg Retrieval

The egg retrieval (or aspiration) is done on an outpatient basis. It is performed using intravenous sedation (not a full anaesthetic). You will sleep during the retrieval, and you will not feel pain. The procedure takes about 30 minutes. It is done using vaginal ultrasound to help locate the eggs ready for retrieval thus leaving no visible scarring at all.

After the procedure, you will be taken to the recovery area for approximately 45-60 minutes. Once you have fully recovered from the sedation you may go home. Because you will have received intravenous sedation, you will need a friend or family member to escort you home. You may not drive a vehicle yourself for 24 hours after receiving the sedation. If there is any discomfort, it is normally no more than that associated with a normal period, although this depends on the sensitivity of the individual patient. This discomfort can be controlled with normal pain relieving medication.

6. After Egg Donation

Most donors experience a great deal of personal satisfaction from this unique act of giving. However, occasionally donors experience ambivalence or uncertainty about their decision. Our psychological counseling professionals are available at any time during and after the cycle to offer emotional support.