With around 100 couples on waiting lists across Scotland for treatment using donated eggs, NHS Grampian is making a fresh plea for women aged under 35 across the North of Scotland to come forward to help others conceive.
The demand for support from
Aberdeen Fertility Centre has increased significantly since its beginnings as a
research unit in the 1980s. Donor conception (using donated sperm and/or eggs)
now accounts for around 1 in 170 of all births in the UK.
Egg donor Emma, who’s from
Aberdeen, says “allowing people to have access to happiness” is worth far more
to her than any inconvenience she has experienced, having donated eggs on three
occasions.
Emma explained: “It’s a no
brainer for me. It doesn’t stop you from having your own children in any way
and I genuinely think it’s a good thing to be able to support someone who’s
struggling. For me, the procedure itself was pretty painless and there was only
a day or two of uncomfortableness either side. You only realistically need one
day off work and the team help you manage any pain or discomfort you
experience.
“If you’re unsure whether
it’s something you’d be interested in doing, I recommend reaching out to the
team directly – they are all so lovely and caring. If you have questions, they
are a fantastic support and they can help you understand the process and decide
whether you want to become a donor. It’s better to ask and find out, even if
you don’t end up donating.
“I truly believe that anyone
going through IVF really wants kids, and being able to remove a barrier for
them can only be a good thing. I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it would be to
find there were no donated eggs available.”
Donors can find out only
whether or not a child has been born as a result of their donation. Since
anonymity laws changed in 2005, donor-conceived children can now access their
donor’s name and last known contact details when they reach their 18th birthday.
Egg donor Emma.
Emma, who knows at least one child has been born using her donated eggs, is unphased by this prospect. She added: “There’s a thorough process for donation, and you’re really well supported psychologically. For me, I am not concerned about a young person contacting me in the future as I think, if anything, their main focus, when they’re old enough, would be to ask why I did it and perhaps my family history.”
Emma’s husband was with her throughout her donation experience. She explained: “We had a very open conversation about it, and he knew all about my desire to donate. He actually took me to my appointments and supported me throughout.”
Emma also spoke about the lack of awareness around egg donation. “It’s strange. Sperm donors have always been something people are aware of but people tend to be less aware that you can donate eggs. Both are equally as important.”
As well as continuing to contribute to global research, from their early days helping some of the first ever IVF babies come into the world, Aberdeen Fertility Centre provides clinical services to people in NHS Grampian, NHS Highland, NHS Orkney and NHS Shetland as well as self-funding patients.
Abha Maheshwari, Director of Aberdeen Fertility Centre who is also a consultant in reproductive medicine and an honorary university professor, added: “The demand for egg donors in Scotland is increasing while the availability of donors remains insufficient to meet the growing need. The shortage is especially pronounced among different ethnic backgrounds, making it harder for those intended parents to find a suitable match.
“We’d like to welcome any prospective donors to get in touch with us to find out more. Giving the gift of life is extremely special, and we’re here to support you, confidentially and sensitively, every step of the way.”
Services provided to both NHS funded and self-funded patients at Aberdeen Fertility Centre is identical. There is no cost, nor financial reward for egg and sperm donors. The care provided is rooted in kindness and includes access to free counselling. The centre is fully licenced by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). You can read their Factsheet on Egg Donation here. To find out more, visit: www.nhsgrampian.org/aberdeen-fertility-centre