Becoming an ova (egg) donor:
(You can leave your details at the bottom of this page)
Donation of ova is legal according to the National Health Act, 2003: Regulations regarding artificial fertilisation and related matters. A donor may not be paid for her ova, but she may be compensated for her time and effort and any transport costs. Currently the compensation fee is R6 000-00 per donation cycle.
A donor may only donate at one institution. A careful record will be kept of all donors and their donations. The donor's identity remains anonymous from the ova recipient, and visa versa.
Donation of ova will not affect the donor's own fertility and future chances of her own pregnancy. Not all of a donor's ova are removed during donation. A woman is born with all her eggs. Every month the body releases a few of these eggs. Hormonal stimulation will allow the eggs that would have been dormant to grow and be released in a cycle. Hormone treatment will not cause or increase the risk of cancer in future years.
If you decide to become a donor, an appointment will be made for an evaluation by a medical doctor. The following blood tests must be done every 3 months: HIV, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (TPHA & RPR) and Hepatitis B. A clinical psychologist will also do a psychological evaluation on the donor. All medical costs involved in the donation process will be covered by the ova recipient.
Who can donate?
- Ladies of all races between the age of 20 and 32 years are eligible to donate.
- Ladies who have been sterilised can still be egg donors.
A donor must lead a healthy lifestyle, should preferably not be overweight (i.e. a Body Mass Index of less than 30), not be addicted to alcohol or any drugs and should preferably not smoke. A donor should be prepared to have internal examinations and injections on a daily basis. Also, if you are married, your spouse's consent is required to participate in the donation program.
Procedure during stimulation
The donor will be stimulated from day 3 or 4 of her menstrual cycle with injections of hormones (LH & FSH) and tablets (Clomiphene Citrate). The injections are administered subcutaneous. The ova develop in small "sacs" called follicles. Trans vaginal scan is done on day 8 of the menstrual cycle to measure follicle growth. Stimulation is carried out daily until the follicles have reached a size of 18mm in diameter. The number of follicles can vary between 5 and 10, but could be more.
A final injection is administered 36 hours before the follicle aspiration. This injection matures the ova. The aspiration is done trans vaginally under a deep sedation by a fertility specialist. No pain is experienced during or after the procedure.
It is possible to arrange a letter for sick leave if desired.What are the side effects?
Side effects associated with follicle stimulation are similar to those you commonly feel during your normal menstrual cycle, although they may be a bit more noticeable due to the increased hormone levels.
The most common side effects are tiredness and bloating. Drinking a lot of water helps to minimise any discomfort. Less common are cramping, nausea and headaches. A donor may experience abdominal discomfort as their ovaries enlarge. If you exercise, it is recommended that you limit activities that jar your ovaries or put them at risk of twisting on themselves.
The most common side effect following follicle aspiration is cramping. The cramping is mild and similar to regular menstrual cramps and should subside after one day. Your regular period should occur 10 to 14 days after follicle aspiration.
Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is a common side effect that occurs during follicle stimulation and after follicle aspiration. This is where the ovaries become hyper stimulated due to the increased hormones and then begin to secrete fluid into the abdomen. OHSS occurs in mild, moderate and severe forms. In severe cases the person will need to be hospitalised. The treatment for OHSS is observation, rest and intravenous fluids. OHSS usually resolves spontaneously one week after follicle aspiration.
From the time you commence follicle stimulation until you get your next period, you will be highly fertile and if sexually active, you must use a non-hormonal form of birth control like condoms or abstinence to avoid pregnancy.
If you should be interested to become an egg donor, please complete the form below. Our friendly medical staff will then contact you within a few days to get some medical history, clear up any questions you might have and set up an appointment with the doctor.