We know and understand the psychological conflict patients face after assisted reproduction specialists indicate that egg donation is the most effective way to achieve the dream of becoming a mother. A loss of maternal genetics—when she is the cause—that in most cases implies and requires psychological support in order to finally choose donor eggs.
But even when the patient has already decided on this treatment, doubts and concerns continue to play their sabotaging role. Only information and support can transform what will be one of the most emotional and unforgettable experiences of life into a positive one. For this reason, and with the aim of providing answers to all concerns, we will address the most frequently asked questions among patients who try to become mothers through donor eggs.
The questions will be answered by Germán Ricardo Tovar, gynecologist and obstetrician specializing in assisted reproduction at Ovoclinic Marbella.
When should one resort to egg donation treatment?
Egg donation treatment should be considered when it is not possible to achieve fertilization with your own eggs.
In what scenarios does this occur?
This happens mainly in two scenarios: age and ovarian function.
The most frequent factor is age. As the egg ages beyond 40 years, it loses the proper ability to generate this combination of genetic information from the chromosomes. Therefore, there is a more frequent decrease in pregnancy rates and an increase in gestational loss.
The second scenario occurs in women whose ovaries stop functioning efficiently and effectively. This can be due to autoimmune disorders or as a consequence of cancer treatments, for example. Here, the ovary loses its function and oocyte quality decreases. It is important to undergo a series of studies to identify if you are in any of these scenarios in order to proceed with egg donation treatment.
And if I have had several failed In Vitro Fertilization attempts?
In that case, we also recommend becoming a mother with donor eggs. It would be the most appropriate solution and the one with the highest chances of pregnancy and subsequent live birth, by far.
Will I be able to know the donor?
Yes, at OvobankID you will be able to see images of your donor, although this will always depend on whether the law of your country allows it.
Donors at OvobankID are women aged between 18 and 32 years old and enjoy good physical and psychological health, as they undergo thorough gynecological, serological, and genetic examinations, which they must pass in order to be cleared for donation.
Such is the commitment of OvobankID that only 34% of donors are deemed suitable. This provides security and confidence for patients seeking donor eggs or for partner clinics.
In egg donation, will the baby look like me?
Yes, the baby will resemble the parents thanks to epigenetics.
By epigenetics, we mean, according to the U.S. National Human Genome Research Institute, the field of study focused on DNA changes that do not involve alterations in the underlying sequence. The letters of the DNA and the proteins that interact with DNA can undergo chemical modifications that change the level at which genes are turned on and off. Certain epigenetic modifications can be transmitted from the parent cell to the daughter cell during cell division or from one generation to the next.
Is the success rate of egg donation treatment high?
Yes, egg donation is one of the assisted reproduction treatments with the highest success rates. The success rate is around 80% on the first attempt, making it very likely that you will achieve pregnancy on the first try. However, the probability of success increases up to 95% on the second attempt if the first is not favorable.
