Further
information for Egg Donors
1. Before
you submit the application.
Please
read this information before submitting the form. If you have any questions
we haven't answered, please contact the Bridge Programme Coordinator at eggdonation@thebridgecentre.co.uk
2. Registration:
The first step is to complete the registration form and clarify any points
that are not clear to you. The main thing to remember is that you should
be aged between 18 and 35 and in good health.
3. Initial
Blood Test
You will need to have an initial blood test for FSH. This hormone test
will give us an idea if you will be able to proceed with egg donation. You
can come to The Bridge Centre for your blood test or we can arrange a convenient
location closer to home.
4. GP
letter
We will also
require you to enable us to write to your GP to establish that there is no
medical reason why you could not donate your eggs. A copy of your signed
form will then be sent to your GP with an accompanying letter from The Bridge
Centre.
5. Looking
for recipients:
We will look for recipients who broadly match your physical profile. This
is not usually too difficult as there are many more potential recipients
than donors. There are various other criteria which are important in matching
donor to recipient and, if you are interested, these will be explained to
you at the counselling appointment.
6. Counselling:
This is a necessary step and you will have the opportunity to ask about anything
that is unclear or of concern to you. You will also receive initial HIV and
genetic implication counselling before your blood tests. Bridge requires
all counsellors to be either qualified psychologists and/or have specific
infertility counselling training with genetic implication awareness. The
counsellors will always have your interests in mind first and will remain
available to support you throughout the treatment process, should you need
it. Personal information given which is unrelated to actual treatment will
remain in the possession of the counsellor, so you can feel totally at ease
to discuss anything you wish prior to or during your treatment.
7. First
medical consultation
This may take place
on the same day as counselling if this is more convenient for you. One of
Bridge's consultants will outline the treatment and the procedures involved
in egg donation.
8. Screening
tests:
You will be tested for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Cystic Fibrosis and
a chromosomal analysis, also some ethnic-specific genetic tests, if applicable.
In addition, you will also be tested for CMV (Cytomegalovirus).
9. The
treatment cycle:
After all the test results have been received, you will be matched up with
a recipient couple. Your cycle will then be coordinated and you should expect
to give approximately 12 days of commitment from the first day of your next
cycle. The treatment involves a series of injections which are self-administered.
If you do not feel comfortable doing this on your own, you can either attend
The Bridge Centre (if you live close by) or we can arrange for this to be
done locally. We very strongly advise you not to have unprotected intercourse
during this period, and refrain from Intercourse completely during this short
period.
10.
Scans:
During the course of injections you will need to have vaginal ultrasound
scans on at least 3 occasions. These scans will show the number of eggs you
are producing and assist the clinic to prescribe the correct medication.
Donors produce a variable number of eggs in a stimulated cycle (typically
6-16).
11.
Egg retrieval:
Once the medical team is satisfied with your response to treatment, you will
come to Bridge for egg collection. You will have a different injection the
evening before at a time specified by your consultant. The egg collection
is typically carried out 36 hours after that injection. You will be sedated
(not anaesthetised) and the procedure lasts about 25 minutes. You will be
ready to leave about 1 hr after the collection and you should not need any
painkillers at all, but if you do, normal over-the-counter products should
suffice.
If you
are happy to proceed, please go to the REGISTRATION
FORM. Remember, sending in the form does not commit you in any way
and you will make your informed decision only after seeing us for your first
consultation.
To
continue, click here for
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