Egg Donor Treatment – What is Involved?

Once you have completed the preliminary steps to becoming an egg donor, you will be ready to start treatment.

Egg donors are required to undergo an IVF cycle to retrieve the eggs.

The female IVF treatment cycle generally follows these stages:

• Pre-treatment tests and preparation
• IVF treatment information and discussion
• Follicle growth treatment (stimulation by injection)
• Ovulation timing (based on blood tests and ultrasound scans)
• Egg collection

During the IVF treatment, you will be required to take some medications/hormones to stimulate the ovaries and promote the growth of follicles containing the eggs. You will be given detailed instructions from your specialist or fertility nurse on when to commence and administer medications and the dosage to be taken.

For more information about IVF and what is involved, please follow this link cityfertility.com.au/ivf-treatment.

Egg Collection Procedure

The egg retrieval is performed under ultrasound guidance using a probe with a fine needle attached to the side. It takes place while you are sedated (general anaesthetic or light sedation such as a green whistle). The fine needle is passed through the vaginal wall and into each follicle on the ovary. The fluid in the follicle is aspirated into a test tube and examined under a microscope to look for eggs.

The procedure will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes, dependent on the number of follicles that have developed. After the procedure, you will rest in recovery for about one hour. Some cramping and discomfort after egg retrieval is common, as is some vaginal spotting/bleeding. If this continues, a heat pack, hot water bottle or analgesic may be helpful at home.

This procedure requires a half-day hospitalisation, after which you cannot drive home. You will need to organise someone to look after you at home overnight. Normal activities can resume 24 hours after you are discharged from the hospital.

Risks and Side Effects

Anyone taking medication should be aware of the possible side effects. The medications used in egg donation may cause minor symptoms, which subside with the cessation of treatment, e.g. breast soreness, nausea, tiredness and swelling of the abdomen.

Women contemplating donating eggs should be aware of the risks involved in this procedure, some comparable to the risks of elective surgery. We encourage you to discuss these with your treating specialist.

If you need further information, please contact our friendly staff to discuss any questions you may have. We are here to help.