Information for Prospective Egg Donors
Information for Prospective Egg Donors
Introduction
Thank you for taking time to consider becoming an egg donor. There is currently a shortage of egg donors in Scotland and supply does not meet demand, but you could help change this.
Donation is a generous and positive act and if you decide to become a donor, you will be helping people have children when they otherwise could not.
What is egg donation?
Egg donation is when an individual goes through part of the IVF process in order to have some of their eggs collected, which can then be donated to others to help them have a child. In many cases, people donate to someone they know, such as a family member or friend who may be unable to use their own eggs. Others donate to help someone they don’t know have a much- wanted baby.
Why do some people need donated eggs for treatment?
There are many reasons why a couple may need donated eggs, including:
• Infertility as a result of cancer treatment or early menopause
• When there is a risk of passing on a serious genetic illness to their children
• When a same-sex male couple wish to have a child
By using donated eggs, couples have the option of using their partner’s sperm or donor sperm to create a much-wanted family.
As with other types of donation, motivation to help others in this way is a truly altruistic act and there will be no financial compensation or expenses paid when donating at one of our four NHS Scotland fertility centres. We are asking for your help to support our patients who need donor eggs and also to support our amazing NHS service.
Who can donate eggs?
Egg donors must
• Be under 36 years of age on the day of egg collection
• Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of less than 30
• Be a non-smoker
• Have no personal or family history of inherited illness or disability
• Screen negative for certain infections or genetic disorders
• Have a good egg reserve (assessed by an ultrasound scan and blood test)
What do I need to think about before donating?
Egg donors provide a wonderful gift to people who long for a child but it is important to be aware that this can have an impact on other people too. This includes the people who receive your donations in treatment, children born from your donations, and you and your own family.
Legally and socially, the person or couple who receive your donation will be the parent(s) of any child born as a result of your donation. The child inherits your genes, therefore any child of theirs will be genetically related to you. You should think about how you feel about this now and try to imagine how you might feel in the future. You will be given an appointment to speak with one of our counsellors so you have the opportunity to explore potential concerns or implications.