MYTHS AND TRUTHS OF EGG DONATION WITH A DENVER FERTILITY CENTER

There are many myths concerning egg donation. Many are told in order to scare parents from using this method of parenting. Many times, myths stem from “truths” but exaggerated and twisted into something completely different. Here is a list of myths and truths concerning egg donation.

Myth #1: Mother and Child will not Bond

This most certainly is not true. A good example of this is taking a look at the people in your life: your spouse, your best friends, and your animals. We are not genetically related to them, but somehow, we forge a bond with them. This makes sense that loving and nurturing a child would cause a serious and life-lasting bond. Of course, genes play an important part in bonding, but it’s not to say that you can’t bond with anyone not genetically related.

Myth #2: Donors do it for the Money

Another fallacy is that donors only donate eggs for money reasons. However, this can have some truth to it due to the fact that some people do fool themselves and say they aren’t doing it for money only, but a majority of women donate eggs for the right reasons. Most donors say they have a need to help others to become a mother. Another reason is that some mothers feel overwhelming guilt from ending a pregnancy through abortion and want to “give back” to the world. Some want to give to carry on their genes in the world. Even though the money is a motivator, and is an incentive, it’s usually not the only reason someone would want to be an egg donor.

Myth #3: Donors lie on application to pass screening

Even though we can’t say 100 percent for sure that one isn’t lying about their motives of wanting to become an egg donor, it is said that usually donors aren’t inclined to lie on applications. Many times, this is a balancing act where a person has good motives about wanting to pass their eggs off to another person and wanting extra income through hard times.

Both of the above mentioned reasons together are not a bad thing, and they can show a well-balanced type of individual. As it can be said that donating eggs just for the money is bad, it seems that doing it all out of a great sense of guilt cannot be all that healthy either. Balancing the two reasons, and realizing that giving to the world and receiving something back can be a good thing, will keep you in a good state of mind. So therefore, it doesn’t seem necessary for anyone to have to lie on an application.

Myth #4: If Genetically Related, a Partner will always feel more entitled as a Parent

Again, this isn’t true. This depends completely on the type of personality related to the genetically related person. Usually, the mother is the one nurturing the child, and the father recognizes this and respects it totally. However, there are cases where a father can be competitive or have the need to control. In this situation, not only would he do this with your egg donated child, he would do this with your genetically related child. So, this behavior usually depends on the fathers personality traits, and there are “truths” to this myth.

Myth #5: Donor may return and want Child or Interfere

Sound like a good movie? Well, usually that’s where this scenario starts and ends. Egg donors have no problem conceiving or they wouldn’t be egg donors. If their motive was to become a mother, they would just simply do so. They usually have deep motives for their actions, and that doesn’t include wanting to parent the baby. They simply want to give for themselves, for a couple who can’t have a child of their genetic makeup, and for an extra amount of money. Even though they may have feelings toward the child, they have already thought and accepted the idea that the baby belongs to the recipient parents.

Myth #6: Donors donate more than Recommended, Leading to Possible Consanguinity

“Being of the same blood” is consanguinity. If a donor was to donate eggs too many times, there is a higher chance of consanguinity. To put it simple, this would be a problem with children who would not know their genetic history, and then grow up and have a child with a person who has the same mother as them. Therefore, guidelines have been established by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, which have advised a limit of no more than 25 pregnancies per sperm donor. This number actually seems high and is much higher than the six cycles recommended for egg donors. The good thing about it is that the donors are intelligent people who want to give and know their limit and risk of donating.

Myth #7: Any Woman who applies can become a Donor

As you have already read, donors have to go through many stages of evaluation in order to become a donor. The medical, legal, and psychological issues related to this process are not to be taken lightly, and clinics cannot accept people for any wrong reason. This is a very selective process in order to ensure the safest, healthiest, and most promising results possible. Not just anybody cannot be an egg donor.