Publish date: 22 June 2023
Przeczytasz w 7 min
The egg donation program raises many questions in the minds of potentially interested women, and that’s understandable and incredibly important. Only by fully understanding the process can you make an informed decision about becoming an egg donor.
So, what should you ask to have no doubts about what the egg donation program entails?
No worries. Egg donation programs are known worldwide and are 100% legal in Poland. This means that all activities are conducted in accordance with national laws and European directives. In Poland, the donation process operates under the guidelines of the Infertility Treatment Act, and it is anonymous.
Absolutely not! Every woman has over 40,000 healthy eggs. What’s more, by participating in the donation process, you provide about 8-20 eggs to a couple in need. Therefore, it won’t in any way diminish your fertility in the future.
You should also know that the qualification for the program includes an assessment of the potential donor’s fertility. We perform tests such as AMH to assess ovarian reserve. This allows us to exclude women for whom ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval might have a negative impact on future attempts to conceive.
Taking hormonal contraceptives does not disqualify you from the qualification process. Just remember to inform your doctor about the contraception you’re using. This way, they can provide recommendations for taking all medications in the later stages of the program.
The whole egg donation process takes from 4 to 6 weeks. Initially, you need to go through a qualification stage, which lasts about 2-3 weeks. Qualification involves completing a medical questionnaire and one or two visits to the clinic. First, you’ll undergo initial tests, followed by consultations with a psychologist and a gynecologist.
The next stage involves hormonal stimulation. You’ll need to plan 7-8 daily monitoring visits. If you live far from the clinic, these visits can be conducted online (via video) without the need to visit the clinic in person. The final step is a 20-30 minute egg retrieval procedure (the “pick-up”), after which you’ll be observed in the clinic for up to 4 hours.
Donating eggs must be a conscious decision made solely by you. If you decide to withdraw from the program at any stage, we will respect your decision. However, if you withdraw after we have conducted tests, you will be responsible for covering their costs. If the withdrawal is due to a decision by the doctor, there will be no charges.
Participating in the egg donation program comes with several benefits. To become a donor, you’ll undergo a comprehensive set of free laboratory tests (including genetic, infectious, and hormonal tests) worth around 5,000 PLN. This allows you to learn more about your health under the care of the country’s top specialists.
We also provide you with free psychological consultations. Participation in the program may involve some expenses, such as travel to the clinic, taking time off work, or childcare. Therefore, after completing the entire process, you will receive a lump-sum reimbursement of approximately 8,000 to 8,500 PLN for two attempts at egg donation or around 4,000 PLN for a single attempt. The amounts depend on the number of clinic visits completed.
Participation in the program is anonymous for both parties. Your data, which could reveal your identity, will not be disclosed to the egg recipient, just as you will not receive her information. Recipients can only learn about your phenotypic characteristics, such as height, eye color, blood type, and age.
In Poland, legal regulations regarding the anonymity of egg donors are defined by the Infertility Treatment Act of 2015, which replaced the earlier 1993 law. The new law introduced several important changes in medically assisted reproduction, including regulations related to the anonymity of egg donors. Donors remain completely anonymous to recipients.
The egg retrieval procedure, known as “pick-up,” is performed in our Day Hospital department. It is neither complex nor painful. It is done under general anesthesia, following a prior analysis of test results and consultations with an anesthesiologist.
The actual egg retrieval involves inserting a long, thin needle through the vaginal vault (under constant ultrasound guidance), puncturing the ovary, and aspirating fluid from individual ovarian follicles. The fluid contains the egg cells, which will be transferred to the in vitro fertilization laboratory and then provided to the recipient couple.
Thanks to a thoughtful qualification process, the risk of complications is low. Additionally, during the procedure, the patient is under the continuous care of an anesthesiologist, who monitors her vital functions. The procedure itself is performed by an experienced gynecologist. If necessary, specialists are ready to react immediately and take appropriate actions to minimize risks.
After egg retrieval, the eggs are taken to the embryology laboratory and can either be used immediately for in vitro fertilization or stored under special conditions until they are needed. The eggs are cryopreserved using a special method involving liquid nitrogen, which ensures a safe and efficient preservation process.
If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to ask for assistance and clarification. Our team is at your disposal.
Are you interested in the Egg Donation Program?
