There are many reasons that couples seek donated eggs to become pregnant. Ovarian failure, genetic disorders, or declining egg reserve due to age are all problems that are more common than many people realize. Healthcare Agency Intrnational combines state-of-the-art fertility technology combined with compassionate and friendly care to help its patients achieve their dream of having a healthy baby of their own.

Our egg donor and IVF program, directed by Dr Mariam Kukunashvili, begins with a thorough diagnostic and evaluation process that may use procedures such as semen analysis, pelvic ultrasound, and uterine assessment via hysterosalpingogram or hysteroscopy. These tests are designed to identify and potentially correct infertility factors in an effort to create an ideal in utero environment for the donated eggs.

Once all preparatory infertility evaluations are complete, the next step is for the recipient couple to choose an egg donor. We  pride ourselves on the diverse group of accomplished young women who have chosen to be affiliated with our egg donation program. Each of them receives a comprehensive psychological screening and a full battery of laboratory tests to ensure that they are in good emotional and physical health.

Since choosing which donated eggs to use is possibly the most important part of assisted reproduction, many couples wish to receive as much information as possible about their prospective egg donor. Preliminary information on each donor is available in the egg donation database. Once couples have narrowed down their selection to a few possible donors, our case managers can provide more detailed profiles .. In addition, the center asks prospective donors to complete a personal questionnaire which gives the recipient insight into the donor's personality and lifestyle.

We know that the decision to undergo fertility therapy can be a very trying and emotional time. To help you and your partner understand the basics of fertility via donated eggs, we've compiled a broad range of information to answer your initial questions

 The Egg donation and Recipient Process

Evaluation of the Recipient

To determine whether you are a good candidate to receive donor eggs, you will need to meet with one of our physicians. This visit is typically done in person but for our international patients or those who live a significant distance from the center, it may be done by phone. A thorough infertility and medical history will be completed.

A complete physical exam will be performed. The examination of your uterus will begin with a detailed pelvic ultrasound and may require a hysterosalpingogram (x-ray of the uterus), or hysteroscopy (viewing of the uterus with a tiny camera). You will be tested for infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis. Recent Pap smear results should also be available for review by your doctor. Additional tests and screening may be required, depending on your age, ethnicity, and medical history.

Donor Selection and Screening

Prospective recipients of donor eggs may choose a known donor, such as a close friend or relative or also known donor chosen from our egg donor database.Egg donor will have complete medical exams.

Synchronizing the Donor and Recipient

In preparation to receive donor eggs, hormones are given to both the donor and the recipient to synchronize the ovarian stimulation of the donor and uterine receptivity of the infertile woman. To synchronize your menstrual cycle with that of the donor, typically a hormone known as a gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist, or GnRH agonist will be administered to suppress your normal ovulatory timing.

Donor Stimulation and Recipient Hormone Replacement

Once the donor and recipient are synchronized, further medication is needed to continue the egg donation process. First, the recipient is placed on an estrogen replacement program to prepare her uterus to receive a fertilized embryo. Estrogen is introduced to the body via either an oral route or transdermally (skin patch).

Shortly after the recipient hormone therapy begins, the egg donor starts preparation for egg donation. She is given daily injections of follicle stimulating hormones (FSH) to stimulate her ovaries. These hormones will cause the ovaries to produce a greater number of mature eggs than would naturally occur.

Retrieving Donor Eggs

After the donor has been placed under sedation, one of our physicians will remove the donor eggs using a thin needle inserted through the vagina and guided by ultrasound. The donor receives anesthesia via intravenous sedation to minimize any discomfort. This is administered by a physician who specializes in anesthesia..

Fertilization of the Eggs, Embryo Culture and Embryo Transfer

On the same day that the donor eggs are harvested from the donor, the recipient's partner will provide a semen sample that is processed and used to fertilize the donor eggs. Once an egg has been fertilized with sperm, it becomes an embryo that is cared for in the laboratory for three  five or six days before it is transferred to the recipient.

All women are born with a finite supply of around 2 million eggs and this number declines with age. Originally, recipients of egg donation were primarily women who had experienced premature ovarian failure (menopause). This premature menopause may be caused by genetic reasons, sometimes surgery, or, most often, unknown reasons.

More recently, the largest group requesting egg donation is women in their late 30s/40s. These women have undergone several attempts of routine IVF without success and the scientific evidence suggests that the eggs they are producing are not suitable for developing healthy embryos.

For women who may not have healthy eggs or in fact have no eggs the only option for them to achieve a pregnancy is by using donated eggs (or embryos).

Becoming an Egg Donor

Egg donors are women between the ages of 21 and 35 years of age who have been screened to insure good general and reproductive health and psychological stability. Egg donation treatment is always combined with in vitro fertilization (IVF), the process of placing eggs and sperm together in the laboratory to stimulate fertilization and embryo development. When a woman's own eggs will not allow for successful IVF treatment, donor eggs may be substituted. At Georgia Reproductive Specialists, the IVF and egg donation treatments are performed by a reproductive endocrinologist and take place at the practice's on-site surgical centre in the main office.

Normally, a woman produces one mature egg each month and loses several immature eggs; through the use of medications, several follicles, or egg sacs, can be induced to develop mature eggs for retrieval. The process of IVF and egg donation requires that the donor take a series of injectable medications which induce the growth of multiple ovarian follicles.
Screening for Egg Donor Candidates

By your interest and commitment, as well as meeting a series of strict medical and psychological standards, you may qualify and participate in an egg donation program. Basic program qualifications typically include the following:

• women between the ages of 21-35
• height and weight within normal range
• no smoking or drug use
• previous delivery preferred

Preliminary screening steps include filling out a detailed medical history form, which covers information about your general health, surgeries, gynaecological history and family medical history. Potential donors are also required to have an initial interview with the coordinator and a comprehensive gynecological exam with a Georgia Reproductive Specialists' physician. Psychological and genetic pre-screening is also provided, consisting of an interview and testing. We strongly suggest that your partner/spouse be involved in your decision to donate and be present during your psychological visits.

Preparing to Donate

You will be advised about the fertility medication injections that you will administer at home for a series of up to 21 days. The entire process encompasses between one to three months of planning, followed by about three weeks of cycling time.
Retrieving the Eggs.

The egg retrieval process is a relatively simple one. It typically takes place at our local fertility clinic .Follicles from both your left and right ovary will be removed in a process known as follicular aspiration. Follicular aspiration involves inserting a hollow needle through the top of the vagina and into the ovaries. This needle is then used to suction out any follicles that may be present in the ovaries.

In order to guide the needle into the appropriate area of the ovary, you will be given a transvaginal ultrasound. This will allow your health care provider to insert the needle into your ovary at just the right place. This will be performed under anesthesic, so you shouldn't feel any pain.

Once the needle is in the proper position, your health care provider will use it to aspirate any follicles inside of the ovary. These follicles will be immediately examined under a microscope to ensure the presence of a viable egg. The follicles will then be placed in an incubator.
The entire process typically takes between 15 and 30 minutes.
How Will You Feel After the Egg Retrieval?

After the egg retrieval process you may feel a little tender in your abdomen. You will also feel fatigued as a result of the anesthetic. After two hours of monitoring at your clinic, you will be allowed to go home. You may notice some light vaginal spotting that is red or brown in colour. This is normal, though, and nothing to worry about. You will also receive some antibiotics from your health care provide that will help to prevent any infection.

Compensation

We recognize that your decision to be an egg donor is a tremendous gift! Donors should be compensated for their time and commitment to the program.