Post-Egg Donation Lifestyle for Recipients

The egg donation procedure does not end after implantation into the recipient. Both the immediate and long-term lifestyle will contain different requirements and place new demands on the recipient.

Rest and Relaxation

Because of the invasive nature of implantation, most physicians recommend a lot of rest and relaxation afterwards. The recipient shouldn't stress over whether or not she is pregnant. While a recipient’s normal lifestyle can be resumed a few days after the procedure, it is best for the recipient to rest immediately following implantation.

Continuation of Medicine

Ingestion of hormones and other medications does not end immediately after implantation. Instead, the recipient may actually need to take more and not less medications to increase the chances of pregnancy. These medications can include hormones, which can have numerous effects on the recipient, including irritability, exhaustion or sensitive skin. Hormone treatments are typically continued for six to ten weeks after implantation.

Physician Visits

Because egg implantation is not guaranteed, the recipient will need several follow-ups with her physician to check on her body’s health and progress. Implantation is a serious procedure with several potential side-effects. Therefore, a physician needs to closely monitor a recipient after the procedure. If a pregnancy should occur, she will then have to visit an obstetrical physician.

Sending a Thank You Gift

Most recipients send a little gift to the donor to show their appreciation of the sacrifice they have made. This gift can range anywhere from a card to flowers or anything else the recipient wishes to send. Of course, this gift is not mandatory as the donor will have been paid for her services.

Pregnancy

Twelve to fourteen days after implantation, the recipient will undergo a blood test to determine if she is pregnant. Should this occur, the recipient’s pregnancy will be the same as any other woman’s; there are no additional problems or side effects in a pregnancy associated with egg donation. Included in these possible problems is the potential of a miscarriage.

Unsuccessful Implantation

Unfortunately, it may be possible that the implantation process is unsuccessful. Should this occur, the recipient then has the choice of whether to undergo another egg-donation procedure, try a different fertility method or to discontinue treatments altogether. Depending on her choice, she may or may not cease taking medications at this point.

Restarting the Process

If a recipient does not become pregnant after implantation, but wishes to continue with egg-donation, she will need to stay on medications and restart the entire process from the beginning. If the recipient did not purchase all of the previous donor’s eggs and freeze them for later use, she will need to once again choose a donor.

A Relationship with the Donor

It is unusual, but some couples wish to continue to have a relationship with the egg donor. Typically, this occurs when the recipient did not choose an unknown donor or when the donor is a family member. Speak to your physician and attorney prior to having a relationship with the donor, however, as doing so raises several ethical and legal issues.

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