Are we talking surgery here?
No, no cutting at all. You will be under procedural (conscious) sedation, a medical term for very light anaesthestics or sedatives to minimise pain and discomfort.
I’m a bit worried that there may be something you’re not telling me. Surely there must be side effects?
Some women experience none.
Some have reported a bit of PMS during the two weeks of hormone treatment; usually mild allergic sensitivity, breast tenderness, abdominal bloating, headaches or mood swings.
I’ve heard that these drugs increase the risk of ovarian cancer. Is this true?
According to the professionals, there is no link between ovarian cancer and ovulation drugs.
Who pays my medical bills?
The Recipients pay all medical costs. This is a very big deal for them, emotionally AND financially, and they want you to have the best possible treatment and care.
Can I donate more than once?
Yes, you can. In South Africa, the medics suggest a maximum of donate six donations, or five pregnancies, whichever comes first. Clinics may differ slightly in this, but will be able to justify their policy to you.
What medicine do I take? When? And how do you know when I’m ready to donate?
You will be injected with a very fine needle (into the fat, not the muscle) with special hormones and given tablets from day three or four of your menstrual cycle. Your eggs then develop in small follicles and are scanned and measured on day eight of your cycle.
Sounds fair enough. So what risks are there?
There are two things you should be aware of: the main risk is a condition called Ovarian Hyper-Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS), which happens in 1% of In-vitro Fertilisation (IVF) cases.
I want to donate my eggs, but I don’t want to die.
I’m sorry to tell you this, but one day you will.
Will I get paid?
The South African Medical Ethics committee have recommended a minimum of R7,000 to the Egg Donor per donation cycle (or possibly more depending on which Clinic runs the program) as an inconvenience allowance for the time and energy you expend in gifting your eggs, to help parents with their dream of having children.
How does my child ensure that future partners are not biologically related to them?
It’s a tiny chance, but, wow! What if, indeed?