Egg Donation and Pregnancy
Why receive a donated egg?
There are many circumstances that would lead
a woman to receive a donated egg. Some women are
unable to use their own eggs (ovum)
to conceive a baby due to health limitations.
Age is also a key factor for successful conception.
More women are choosing to have children later
in their lives. As a woman ages, her fertility
declines, therefore many women in their late 30’s
and those in their 40’s have difficulty
starting or extending their family.
Women are born with approximately one million
follicles in their ovaries and by puberty, only
300,000 remain. This number continues to decline
until menopause, when almost no follicles are
available.
There are many reasons infertile couples use
donated eggs including:
- Premature ovarian failure (premature menopause)
- Absence of ovaries due to surgery, previous
chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- Patients whose own eggs are of poor quality
- Being a carrier of a genetic disease
- Age
Egg recipient patients review donor biographies
that include personal, family and genetic histories
and photographs. After a donor is selected, a
physical, genetic and psychological work-up is
completed for the intended parents and donor.
Then, the donor and recipient’s menstrual
cycles are synchronized to prepare for in vitro
fertilization (IVF).
A pregnancy test is later performed and the recipient
is then able to enjoy a typical pregnancy and
delivery.
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