Technology moves us in amazing ways. It allows us to overcome biological limitations so that we are able to function the way that we're supposed to. We have prosthetics, medicine, and we even have multiple options that allow us to reproduce even when we've been found to be infertile.
It's a known fact that one in eight couples struggle with infertility. The risk of becoming infertile is further amplified by age, with women aged 35 and above showing a higher likelihood of becoming infertile. And while it's a difficult thing to experience, thanks to technology there are ways of circumventing this biological limitation.
Couples who are unable to conceive have the option to use artificial methods. They can work with or without a surrogate mother through in vitro fertilization to compensate for many factors that cause infertility, whether it's because the woman's fallopian tubes are blocked, damaged, or absent, or whether the male is infertile. Now, when the couple has had multiple unsuccessful in vitro fertilization attempts, they often switch to receiving an egg donation instead. This, in itself, comes with its own set of rules and risks. Here are the things you need to know:
The Process
Application
Egg donors go through an application process where their medical, educational, psychological, as well as emotional status, is evaluated. After application, applying donors then undergo an initial interview. Only about 2-3 percent of all applicants actually become egg donors.
Matching
The agency then matches egg donors with their respective recipients. A recipient looks for a donor that they'd like to work with and the agency acts as a mediator for both parties. It's often in your best interest to work with an agency. In fact, you can simply search online for egg donation near you and you're bound to find one.
Retrieval
After terms have been agreed upon, both parties will go to the recipient's fertility center where doctors will then prepare the donor for egg retrieval through fertility-boosting medication, which will happen a few weeks thereafter.
After retrieval, the donor's eggs can be injected into the recipient via in vitro fertilization. If an egg donor chooses not to donate, she can simply have her eggs cryopreserved for later use, though this is usually not the case as new eggs are almost always preferred.
Costs
The recipient of the eggs shoulders all medical and travel expenses incurred by the donor. This is also on top of the donor compensation, which usually costs about $5,000 to $10,000, as well as egg donor insurance (about $300) and an escrow fee (approximately $300, but this varies between escrow companies). There may also be legal costs as well as the cost of having a psychological evaluation for the donor.
Privacy
It is not necessary for both parties to meet and they may both remain anonymous, should they prefer to do so.
There are many options available to help couples become parents. While most of these options are almost always expensive, the fact that it's possible to circumvent something as serious as infertility is a miracle of its own. As with most things, it's always best to familiarize yourself with whatever procedure you intend to undergo. This way, you're able to better understand and prepare for complications and obligations that may arise. Use this information well, dear reader!
