On the morning of your planned egg retrieval you will be instructed to arrive 30 minutes prior to your retrieval time. You will need to bring a current photo ID and plan to wear comfortable loose fitting clothing with flat shoes, no jewelry or heavily scented lotions / perfume. You will not be able to drive yourself home on this day. Please make arrangements for transportation to and from the clinic. You should also plan on having someone with you throughout the day to be your responsible care provider.
When you arrive at the clinic, you will be asked to change into a gown for the procedure and can place your clothing items in a locker; however we ask that you not bring any valuables with you. The nurse anesthetist will then review your medical history with you and place your IV. When it is time for the retrieval, you will be transferred to the procedure area. Dr. Meyer, Dr. Couchman, or Dr. Park will perform your egg retrieval while the nurse anesthetist administers your IV anesthesia and monitors you during and after the retrieval. The typical retrieval lasts 10-20 minutes depending upon the number of follicles to be retrieved. You will not experience any pain during the procedure.
After the Egg Retrieval
It is normal to experience blood tinged vaginal discharge after this procedure. It is not uncommon to have some mild to moderate discomfort for 24 hours following the procedure. You will be provided with pain medications for this discomfort.
We will not be able to remove all of the eggs during this procedure which means you could easily become pregnant from this cycle. We strongly suggest that if you are sexually active you use barrier contraception (condoms) during this time. It would be preferable to abstain from intercourse until after you have a period.
You should expect that after your donation, your period will start in 10-14 days. At this time you may return to your normal form of contraception– if using oral contraceptives please be aware that you will need to complete one full pack of pills before they are effective.
Potential Complications From An Egg Donation Cycle
There are several complications that may occur while participating in a cycle of egg donation:
- The primary one to be aware of is Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). The risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation exists anytime these medications are used. Most women will feel bloated, have some abdominal tenderness and may notice transient weight gain while using these medications. These are expected side effects of the stimulation process and typically do not require any intervention. On rare occasions (approximately 1%) of the time more severe symptoms occur that may require IV fluids, pain medication, hospitalization and monitoring to prevent severe medical complications. If you have regular periods you have less risk for developing severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
- Early studies indicated the possible increased risk of developing ovarian cancer later in life as a result of use of infertility medications. More recent studies indicate an increase in risk of ovarian cancer is not associated with the use of gonadotropins. The use of birth control pills and pregnancy can both decrease your risk of ovarian cancer.
Can I Donate My Eggs More Than Once?
You may donate more than one time. If you do decide to complete additional cycles we will ask you to re-sign consent forms, and have lab work done prior to each subsequent donation. You will also be required to complete the physical exam every six months. You will not need to visit the psychologist/psychiatrist again or have the genetic testing repeated. While there is no evidence to suggest any detrimental effects of multiple donations, current guidelines support no more than 6 donations during your lifetime.
Donors are given $4500.00 in compensation for their time and efforts at the completion of an egg donation cycle. This money is subject to taxation and is the donor’s responsibility to report as earnings.
Please feel free to call our office at (919) 782-5911, or email our donor coordinator at ddvalen@carolinaconceptions.com or nurses@carolinaconceptions.com