FAQ
Q: How many eggs is it normal for a woman to have?
A:
You are born with approximately 2 million eggs. By the time you reach
puberty you have approximately 200,000 eggs remaining. In any single
month, up to twenty eggs will develop of which Mother Nature usually
only allows one to be released.
Q: What medications are used to develop the eggs?
A:
There are several medications that can be used to manipulate and
stimulate your ovaries. These medications and some of their side
effects are listed on this website. These will be discussed with you in
detail by the nurse should you decide to proceed.
Q: How many eggs are removed during the retrieval?
A: The average is 10-15 eggs aspirated per cycle, but donors can produce 16 or more eggs.
Q: If you aspirate 15 eggs will I reach menopause early?
A:
NO, you develop many follicles each month, 1-2 of these follicles make
it to maturity and ovulate. The medication stimulates the other
follicles to grow and mature.
Q: Can a donor not produce enough eggs in a stimulated cycle?
A: Yes, sometimes a donor will fail to respond to the medications however we will monitor your progress closely.
Q: What is a poor response?
A: Normally- A poor response is less than four follicles.
Q: How are the eggs aspirated?
A:
A vaginal ultrasound and needle guide are used. The needle goes into
the vagina and then through the ovary into the follicle, which contains
the egg.
Q: Do you feel any pain during the aspiration?
A: You are sedated during the procedure and given painkillers, although you may feel some discomfort you should not feel pain.
Q: What do you feel after the aspiration?
A: You are bloated, a little sore, and your ovaries are enlarged.
Q: What are the normal activities after the procedure?
A: You
MUST have someone drive you home. The best thing is to sleep the
remainder of the day and take it easy for a few days post the
retrieval. We will give you other guidelines about post operative
activities
Q: Can the donor have intercourse during the stimulated cycle?
A: We do ask you not to have intercourse throughout the cycle.
Q: When can I resume sexual intercourse?
A: You will need to wait at least a week after the aspiration, preferably after your period starts.
Q: When will I get my next period?
A: Your period will generally start 10-12 days after the aspiration.
Q: How many times can I be a donor?
A: This is up to you, and the IVF doctor. The average is 1-5 times in a lifetime.
Q: How long does it take to be tested, before I know I am suitable to be a donor?
A: The testing process takes approximately 3-5 weeks.
Q: What is the time frame to complete a donor cycle?
A: The stimulated cycle itself takes only about three weeks.
Q: When does the recipient receive the eggs from me?
A: Several days after the egg aspiration.
Q: When will the recipient know if she is pregnant?
A: She will do a pregnancy test about two weeks after the transfer of the embryos.