Egg Donation Risks

The process of egg donation first started in 1983. Subsequently, it has been practiced all over the world. In this procedure, a fertilized egg, which is just beginning to develop, is transferred from one woman to another. In other words, the egg is conceived by artificial insemination, which is later implanted in another woman, who eventually gives birth to the child. This procedure paved the way for a number of childless couples to have babies. It is also a boon for single or gay parents, who until then had to resort to adopting children. At the same time, parents who fear genetic disorders being passed onto the next generation, started resorting to this procedure. With the ever-increasing number of people using egg donation to have children, many risks associated with egg donation have come into picture. No doubt the egg donation procedure is carried under medical supervision, but there are psychological as well as physical risks involved. In this write up, we will see the egg donation dangers, not only for the donor, but also the recipient. Let's take a look.

Risk of Egg Donation for Donors

If a woman plans to become an egg donor, then she may want to know the egg donation dangers. She will have to go through a complete medical examination and screening. Only after the results of the medical exam prove that she is both emotionally as well as physically healthy enough to donate, will she be able to donate eggs. Fertility medications, more often than not injections, will be given to her to stimulate her ovaries. When the eggs mature, they will be removed for in-vitro fertilization. The risks are mentioned below.

Hyper-stimulation of Ovaries
About 10 to 12 percent of women who choose to be egg donors suffer from ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome, abbreviated as OHSS, due to the fertility medications. In this condition, there is excess fluid created in the ovaries, which makes its way into the abdominal cavity, giving rise to a number of health problems. The symptoms can range from mild to severe.

Harm Caused to Reproductive Organs
In some cases, harm may be caused to the reproductive organs, due to the medications and the procedure used required for egg donation. It is important to note, that egg retrieval is carried out using a minor surgical procedure. During the procedure, the woman may suffer from damage to the bladder, bowel or the reproductive organs itself. There have also been cases of infection, which have eventually resulted in infertility.

Infertility
Many times the egg donors are young and women who have never had children. It can give rise to infertility and related problems. Some women may find it difficult to conceive. Some women suffered miscarriages, when they were attempting to be pregnant themselves. Although there are some reports, which point that there was decrease in fertility, the same have not been proved yet.

Psychological Effects
According to studies, about 20% egg donors suffered from psychological effects. These effects were both positive as well as negative. Some women felt pride in what they were doing. While there were suffered from negative effects and has concerns about people where their genetic offspring was going to be raised.

Other Effects
Some of the women suffered from bloating, pain and cramps, mood swings, irritability, weight loss, and weight gain, as some of the other risks of egg donation.

Risk of Egg Donation for Recipients

Very few recipients take the risks involved in receiving a donor egg. Although receiving an egg is an extreme safe procedure, there are certain risks, which may have to considered as well.

Emotional Risks
Some people may suffer from myriad range of emotions. On one hand, they will be happy to have a child, on the other, there may be many negative emotions, which the couple may have to deal with. Sadness, grief, anger, etc., are some of the emotions the couples may go through. Since fertility and thereby pregnancy are often looked upon as a woman's definition of herself and her purpose in life, it is important to take her emotions into consideration. There are chances that the mother will feel isolated in the entire process. Some parents choose to talk about it with the world around and some choose to keep it to themselves. If as a mother you decide to keep it to yourself, there are chances you may be depressed. Your partner and you along with your doctor will have to deal with it, as there are not many support groups for the same.

Genetics
This is an important point, you will want to consider. It is important to note, that genetically there will no tie to the child. In other words, the child may not share the parents physical characteristics. If the sperm of the father is used, then there will be some respite, as the child will have genetic tie with the father.

Medical Risks
The first medical risk is multiple birth. The chances of multiple birth is as high as 40%. if you have always wanted a baby, you may want to have multiple kids, but you will have to take into consideration the risk involved in multiple pregnancies. At the same time, it also increases the chances of miscarriages or premature births. The children may have low birth weight and can also suffer from other organ development problems. Along with the babies, the mother is also at risk. High blood pressure, gestational diabetes, bleeding, etc., are some of the issues. Transmission of HIV through the donor egg is also a possibility, although this has not happened as yet.

These were the egg donation risks both for the donor as well as for the recipient. You will want to weigh both the sides of the coin, before you decide about egg donation. Talking to your health care professional will also prove to be useful about the same.