Recipient FAQ
Age
Q How old are the donors?
A All of our donors are between the ages of 21 and 34 years.
Psychological Screening
Q Are your donors psychologically screened before they can donate?
A Yes, we require them to see a counsellor before they are accepted as a donor just like you (as a recipient) will need to meet the counsellor also.
Medical Screening
Q Are your donors medically screened before they donate?
A We ask about the donor's medical history, including possible heritable conditions that could be passed to you or your offspring. Medical and infectious disease screening are also carried out prior to donation.
Choosing A Donor
Q Can I choose a donor?
A We can, and do, give you non-identifying information about the suggested donor. You will therefore have the right to proceed (or not) with this particular donor and wait for the next available.
Q How can we get more information about an egg donor?
A Ask and we will endeavour to obtain the information you wish. Clearly we cannot provide you with any information which might allow the donor be identified.
Q What criteria do people use to choose a donor?
A Most people use a combination of factors to select their ideal donor. Frequently used criteria include hair and eye color, body type, ethnic background, and similar interests.
Q Can I meet the donor?
A If the donor expresses a wish to meet the recipients, we will pass that information onto the proposed recipient couple who can then decide whether they would like to do so.
Q Do you provide our information to the donor?
A We can and do provide the donor with non-identifying information about the recipient couple. Our donors often express a wish to know somthing general about the recipient couple. This often gives them comfort by helping them to envisage the new life and family they are helping to bring about.
Donor Confidentiality
Q Will you release a donor's identity, if needed for health reasons?
A We have promised our donors they will stay anonymous. If future contact is needed by any of the parties, we will contact the appropriate individuals in a discreet manner with the request for information.
Q What is the likely sequence of events?
A You will be scheduled for a medical evaluation with one of the IVF physicians. For the egg recipient, a complete history and physical exam will be performed. Both of the intended parents also will undergo blood screening for any infectious disease including RPR (test for exposure to syphilis), HIV (presence of the HIV antibody), Hepatitis B surface antigen, Hepatitis C antigen.
- Consultation with the counsellor. To explore ways that the IVF team can best provide information and emotional support throughout your experience with egg donation, you will meet with the counsellor as a couple. If you are using a known donor, this counseling may more extensive.
- An IVF nurse specialist will meet with you for a review of your infertility and medical records and a thorough orientation to the egg donor program. Discussion will include various procedures, medications, schedules, sources of donors, discussion of important characteristics to be matched (recipient/husband profile), and post-embryo replacement care.
- A semen analysis will be performed on the recipient's husband by our IVF laboratory following this consultation. Semen can be collected at home and brought in depending on the distance involved. The semen analysis performed by the IVF lab is more discriminating than the standard analysis. In addition to determining the traditional parameters of sperm concentration and sperm motility, the IVF laboratory will assess how many sperm can be harvested from the sample for incubation with the eggs for the donor cycle. This information is absolutely crucial to optimize the chances of successful fertilization, and is particularly important when a male factor is present. None of this information is acquired during other semen analyses. All of these things are important to optimize the chances for fertilization and must be determined prior to an actual treatment cycle. (Semen analysis and/or screening may be deferred until time closer to treatment cycle, depending upon the anticipated waiting time for a donor).
- You will receive consent forms that you should review and complete. One describes on outline IVF cycle, one is for the IVF treatment itself, and the third deals with embryos you freeze (over and above those you transfer in your fresh treatment cycle).
- It is essential that you read these consent forms prior to your treatment. Please ask for them if you have not been given them. Please also discuss any questions you have with a member of the team (nurse or physician). A phone call to one of the IVF nurses (ideally in the afternoon) or an email to doctor@sims.ie is often the best way to ask for help or advice in this or any other matter
- We are available to answer any questions you may have and we will have you sign these consent forms in the presence of a nurse or doctor.