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Ovum Donation
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Thank you for considering donating your eggs for other couples. We follow the guidelines set by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and the Harley Street Fertility Centre Ethical Committee.
Women, under 36 years of age (although there are exceptions such as known donors), with proven fertility and without any history of hereditary diseases in the family, are considered suitable. Although we encourage anonymous donation, in special circumstances we would consider donation to a person known by the donor.
The HFEA has a leaflet available explaining the various legal and psychological implications of egg donation.We encourage you to see an independent trained counsellor for further discussion. As an egg donor, you have the right to withdraw your consent for use of your eggs at any time up to the replacement of the embryos into the intended woman We provide consultations, investigations, medication and treatment free of charge and would be happy to reimburse travel expenses.
An initial consultation is required in order to record your medical and gynaecological history.
We would write to your GP, with your consent, requesting information on any contra-indications to treatment that he/she may be aware of.
A screening blood test for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis and cystic fibrosis is required. This is arranged before starting treatment. If an abnormality is discovered appropriate treatment / counselling can be arranged.
When you have decided when you wish to go ahead with treatment, you will be given an appointment to attend the Centre to discuss the sequence of events, and the dates involved. This is an important and necessary appointment. No fee is charged for this visit
During treatment Injections are used to stimulate the ovaries and you may be required to make 3 to 5 visits in a 2-week period. Blood tests and ultrasound monitoring are usually performed between 9.00 am and 10.30 am to time the egg collection procedure accurately. Ultrasound monitoring and the egg collection procedure is performed vaginally.
On your first visit you will have a vaginal ultrasound scan followed by the first injection. Further explanation of expected treatment schedules is provided and the consent forms are checked.
Further daily injections will be required and Harley Street Fertility Centre Staff will give you or your partner training.
When your ovarian response is optimal, you will be required to have a late night injection of HCG to ripen the eggs. The injection is usually performed between 10.00pm and 12.00am. It can be given locally or by yourself/your partner.
The egg collection procedure is performed in the morning. It is carried out either under a light general anaesthetic or intravenous sedation. You should arrange to have someone accompany you home after the procedure. We suggest a 14-day course of tablets following egg collection to suppress the ovaries and prevent complications such as hyperstimulation syndrome (see below).
The embryos developed from the eggs are frozen and used after a six-month period. You will be required to have a second HIV test six-months after the first and the embryos are only used if this test is negative.
With fertility drugs there are rare complications that we try to avoid by taking specific precautions.
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1. Hyperstimulation Syndrome
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This is a rare, but serious complication when fertility drugs are used and too many follicles (eggs) develop in the ovaries. The symptoms of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome include lower abdominal pain accompanied by swelling of the abdomen. The ovaries become very large and surrounded by fluid and this may cause some nausea and vomiting.
The loss of fluid in this way may lead to dehydration and decreased urine output. Any woman developing abdominal pain and swelling after the egg collection procedure is advised to telephone the Centre and to attend for a check up so that we may make sure this condition is not developing. Treatment may require admission to hospital for bed rest for a few days and, very rarely, intravenous fluids.
We avoid this risk by choosing the lowest dose of fertility drugs that will produce an adequate number of eggs. If all the follicles are drained at the time of egg collection, the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome may he greatly reduced, and we can further reduce the risk of the syndrome by the use of tablets for two weeks following egg collection.
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2. Bleeding
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Any surgical procedure carries the risk of bleeding and we avoid this by using very thin needles for the egg collection procedure.
We have not had any problems with this complication in the past. You may expect a small amount of bleeding on the day of the egg recovery, which will ease after a couple of days. If the bleeding becomes heavier, please contact the Centre.
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3. Infection.
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Because the vagina normally contains bacteria we use antiseptic fluid to clean the vagina prior to the egg collection procedure and also use antibiotics routinely to avoid the risk of infection.
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