What Happens During Egg Retrieval
In the days leading up to her first egg retrieval, Smith was a little anxious. “I had never had surgery before,” she says. “And I was nervous about how I would feel when all was said and done and the eggs were gone.” To keep calm, she reminded herself why she was donating and tried to put herself in the recipient’s shoes. “Once I was done with surgery and out of the loopy anesthetic state, I felt immediately really good,” she says. “I knew I had made the right decision.”
But when it comes to long-term implications, there are a few questions left unanswered. “As far as we know, it doesn’t affect long-term fertility and doesn’t have any implications in terms of long-term health,” says Kawwass, though she explains that studies are still being conducted. Another consideration is whether or not a donor’s anonymous status will stay that way. While you can donate eggs to someone you know or even meet the donors you’re matched with, most women (like Smith and Jones) choose to donate anonymously. That means zero contact between the donor and the recipients and no information about what happens to your eggs after they’re donated. But as Jones was told in the information sessions, anonymity laws can change over time. “If one day the kids who have been born by this process get the laws changed, the records could be opened up and they could come find me,” says Jones. “You have to think all of that through. How would I feel if in 30 years someone comes knocking on my door?”
Not a Decision to Be Taken Lightly
Both Smith and Jones agree that this decision isn’t one to be taken lightly. The process may be more streamlined and lower risk than it was in the past, but patients are still urged to carefully consider their choice before donating. That said, many women see this procedure as an enormous gift that they’re lucky to give. “Knowing I’m OK with this process and can handle it both physically and emotionally, there’s no way I would ever say no when they come back to me and say ‘Hey, are you interested in donating again?’” says Smith.
Article By Casey Gueren November 8, 2013
This article originally appeared on: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/mom/egg-donation
