What is egg donation?
In egg donation, mature egg cells are removed from a donor. These are then used for artificial insemination: the eggs are artificially fertilized with the sperm of the intended father and then implanted into the recipient, who carries the child to term and wishes to raise it. The procedure is associated with risks for both parties and is therefore prohibited in Germany, among other reasons.
There are basically two ways to obtain egg cells for egg donation:
1. egg sharing and embryo donation
A woman who has undergone in vitro fertilization (IVF) herself donates her surplus eggs if she no longer needs them herself (“egg sharing”). In principle, it is also possible to release eggs that have already been fertilized; this is known as embryo donation. This makes sense, for example, if the intended father does not produce fertile sperm.
2. voluntary donation
A woman voluntarily undergoes hormonal therapy to stimulate the production and maturation of eggs and then donates the eggs that are subsequently retrieved. These serve the sole purpose of enabling another woman to become pregnant.
When does egg donation make sense?
- have become infertile due to medical treatment (e.g. chemotherapy)
- have entered the menopause early (before the age of 40 – premature menopause)
- would like to have children at an advanced age after the menopause
- have genetic diseases
- have severe endometriosis
- have had several failed attempts at artificial insemination with their own eggs
Requirements for egg donation
A woman who wishes to donate eggs should be as young as possible and undergo a medical check for infectious diseases. This is to rule out possible transmission of diseases such as HIV or hepatitis. Furthermore, she should be in good general health and – of course – fertile.
The woman who wishes to have children must have a healthy and functioning uterus as the recipient of the egg donation so that the implantation of the eggs can be successful.
Egg donation procedure
In the further course of egg donation, the mature eggs are retrieved by means of a puncture and fertilized in a test tube with the intended father’s sperm. If this works, the fertilized eggs (zygotes) are frozen. The recipient’s uterus is then prepared. This is done using a special hormone therapy that stimulates the build-up and blood flow in the uterine lining. Once the recipient’s uterus is ready, one or more (thawed) zygotes are implanted.
How many of the fertilized eggs are used is decided by the doctor in consultation with the parents-to-be. He also takes into account the medical findings and the age of the mother. In most cases, two zygotes are used for egg donation.
If the implantation of the fertilized egg was successful – i.e. if the recipient has become pregnant – the pregnancy is monitored by a gynaecologist as usual.
Risks of egg donation
The hormone treatment that the donor has to undergo can be psychologically and physically stressful. The egg retrieval itself is a surgical procedure with the associated risks, such as the anesthesia required.
The emotional burden should also not be underestimated. Many women who have received an egg donation do not tell their relatives and friends – for fear of being met with incomprehension. However, the treating gynaecologist should be informed about how the pregnancy came about at the latest during the subsequent pregnancy support in Germany. This is because pregnant women after egg donation are classified as high-risk patients in Germany:
Experience shows that the risk of certain forms of high blood pressure (hypertensive pregnancy disease) is significantly increased for the pregnant woman. Experts therefore recommend close monitoring of the expectant mother.
Legal situation of egg donation
Many countries in the European Union have legalized egg donation performed by doctors in recent years. However, Germany does not allow it, nor does it allow embryo donation. This is regulated in the Embryo Protection Act of 1990, which is intended to prevent surrogate motherhood and commercial abuse. This is because a woman who donates eggs takes on health risks – unlike men who donate their sperm, which is not regulated by law.
Due to the ban on egg donation in Germany, many couples who wish to have children travel to other countries in the EU or around the world where egg donation is legal. Popular clinics are located in the Czech Republic, Spain, Poland, Russia and the USA.
After a successful egg donation abroad, the woman cannot be prosecuted in Germany. The pregnant woman will continue to receive normal medical care in Germany after the procedure. In Germany, legal maternity is assumed by the woman who gave birth to the child.
Something else to bear in mind when donating eggs abroad: depending on the country, the children may not be able to trace their genetic roots later on. This is because the donation is often anonymous.
Egg donation: Prospects of success
The egg donors are usually young – a good prerequisite for successful fertilization and development of the foetus. However, the condition and age of the recipient also plays an important role. On average, the statistical probability that the egg donation procedure will be successful is 30 to 45 percent.
