2008 October - Surrogacy & Egg Donation Issues

With new stations declaring that young women are donating their eggs to make money in a sagging economy, we need to address the risks that go along with this money making endeavor. Advertisements are in college newspapers and university halls contain signs encouraging young women to become egg donors for a pretty penny. The lure of thousands of dollars calls many women to look into egg donation or to actually participate in egg donation.

The worry is the uneducated decision these women are making. Along with most medical procedures, there is a risk involved in egg donation. As an egg donor these women should be aware of the facts about egg donation and the risks involved.

Certain facts that should be noted are:

1) Time Commitment: Several weeks of injections, ultrasounds, blood tests, egg removal (transvaginal ovarian aspiration), and recovery are a few of the time consuming activities that take place for an egg donation.

2) Infertility risk: Biggest risk with egg donation is the possibility of complications that might lead to infertility, even though these complications are extremely rare.

3) Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome: Ovaries can become “hyperactive” retaining water. While usually treatable and donors still continue through the procedure, in extreme cases, one or both the ovaries might be removed.

4) No sex during the process: Since a donor is on fertility medications to stimulate the egg production, it is best to avoid sex since unwanted pregnancy risks are multiplied.

Even though egg donation might seem like a quick fix for cash it is a medical procedure and women need to understand that make sure they are educated on the process. A great doctor and a great agency will make this process safer and more efficient for the donors.

What are your thoughts:

1. Should there be an age limit beyond 18, to make sure women understand the risks, process, etc?

2. Should there be classes, seminars, etc that women should have to attend to be able to donate eggs?

3. Is this from a old world mentality that women cannot decide for themselves or for their body?

4. Should we assume that college educated women cannot understand a medical procedure or the process they are going to start?

For More Information, Click Here

When Ovaries Attack: Risks of Egg Donation