<unk>  donors are first recruited, screened, and give consent before participating in the IVF process. Once the<unk>  donor is recruited, she undergoes IVF stimulation therapy, followed by the<unk>  retrieval procedure. After retrieval, the ova are fertilized by the sperm of the male partner (or sperm donor) in the laboratory, and, after several days, the best resulting embryo(s) is/are placed in the uterus of the recipient, whose uterine lining has been appropriately prepared for embryo transfer beforehand. The recipient is usually, but not always, the person who requested the service and then will carry and deliver the pregnancy and keep the baby. The<unk>  donor's process in detail Before any intensive medical, psychological, or genetic testing is done on a donor, they must first be chosen by a recipient from the profiles on agency or clinic databases (or, in countries where donors are required to remain anonymous, they are chosen by the recipient's doctor based on their physical and temperamental resemblance to the recipient woman). This is due to the fact that all of the mentioned examinations are expensive and the agencies must first confirm that a match is possible or guaranteed before investing in the process. Each<unk>  donor is first referred to a psychologist who will evaluate if she is mentally prepared to undertake and complete the<unk>  process. These evaluations are necessary to ensure that the donor is fully prepared and capable of completing the<unk>  cycle safely and successfully. The donor is then required to undergo a thorough medical examination, including a pelvic exam, blood draw to check hormone levels and to test for infectious diseases, Rh factor, blood type, and drugs and an ultrasound to examine her ovaries, uterus and other pelvic organs. A family history of approximately the past three generations is also required, meaning that adoptees are usually not accepted because of the lack of past health knowledge. Genetic testing is also usually done on donors to ensure that they do not carry mutations (e.g., cystic fibrosis) that could harm the resulting children; however, not all clinics automatically perform such testing and thus recipients must clarify with their clinics whether such testing will be done. Once the screening is complete and a legal contract signed, the donor will begin the<unk>  cycle, which typically takes between three and six weeks. An<unk>  retrieval procedure comprises both the<unk>  Donor's Cycle and the Recipient's Cycle. Birth control pills are administered during the first few weeks of the<unk>  process to synchronize the donor's cycle with the recipient's, followed by a series of injections which halt the normal functioning of the donor's ovaries. These injections may be self-administered on a daily basis for a period of one to three weeks. Next, follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH) are given to the donor to stimulate<unk>  production and increases the number of mature<unk> s produced by the ovaries. Throughout the cycle the donor is monitored often by a physician using blood tests and ultrasound exams to determine the donor's reaction to the hormones and the progress of follicle growth. Once the doctor decides the follicles are mature, he/she will establish the date and time for the<unk>  retrieval procedure. Approximately 36 hours before retrieval, the donor must administer one last injection of HCG hormone to ensure that her<unk> s are ready to be harvested. The<unk>  retrieval itself is a minimally invasive surgical procedure lasting 20–30 minutes, performed under sedation (but sometimes without any). A small ultrasound-guided needle is inserted through the vagina to aspirate the follicles in both ovaries, which extracts the<unk> s. After resting in a recovery room for an hour or two, the donor is released. Most donors resume regular activities by the next day.
Egg donation
Assisted reproductive technology
Embryo transfer
Partner-assisted reproduction
Fetal surgery
Embryo cryopreservation
Artificial insemination
Sperm donation