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Is egg donation painful? Review of the stages and recovery period

Egg donation is one of the assisted reproductive techniques that can offer new hope to infertile couples. But many potential donors wonder whether the procedure is painful before making a decision. In this article, we will review all the steps involved in egg donation, the level of discomfort you may experience, post-operative care, and pain relief strategies in simple terms.

Side Effects of Egg Donation: Is Donating Eggs Worth It?

Egg donation is one of the most effective methods of treating infertility, but like any medical procedure, it can come with side effects. These can range from mild symptoms like headaches and bloating to more serious ones like ovarian hyperstimulation or infection. In this article, we will take a closer look at the possible side effects of egg donation, the factors that affect them, and how to prevent and treat them.

Requirements for egg donors; who can donate?

Egg donation is a sensitive process that requires careful selection of volunteers. Age, general health status, history of genetic and infectious diseases, mental health, and lifestyle are among the most important criteria for accepting donors. Infertility centers usually select women who are between 21 and 32 years old, physically healthy, and mentally and morally prepared to enter the process. Understanding these conditions helps applicants make a more informed decision.

Gestational Carrier vs.Traditional Surrogate: What is the Difference?

Traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy are two assisted reproductive methods that can help infertile couples have children. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate uses her own egg and carries the baby, so she is the child’s genetic mother. This method is cheaper and simpler but can cause emotional and legal problems because the surrogate is biologically linked to the baby. In gestational surrogacy, an embryo made from the intended parents’ eggs and sperm is transferred to the carrier’s uterus through IVF. The carrier has no genetic link to the baby, which makes legal rights and parentage clearer, though the process is more expensive and medically complex. Today, gestational surrogacy is more common and widely accepted.

In What Cases is Surrogacy Rejected?

Despite its widespread use in infertility treatment, surrogacy is carried out under strict medical and legal supervision. In some circumstances, a doctor or medical center may not agree to a person's request for surrogacy. Chronic diseases, uterine problems, unstable mental conditions, advanced age, lack of previous pregnancy experience, and lack of legal or religious approval are among the most important reasons for rejecting surrogacy.

What are the Surrogacy Success Rates and What Impacts Them?

Surrogacy is one of the most successful infertility treatments, with success rates between 60% and 90%. Success depends on egg and sperm quality, the surrogate’s health, embryo quality, and the expertise of fertility clinics. In Iran, advanced fertility clinics, skilled doctors, and affordable surrogacy packages ensure a 70–80% success rate, making it a top destination for international patients seeking reliable infertility treatment.

Surrogacy and Genetics: Are the Baby’s DNA and Appearance Affected?

Surrogacy is a safe infertility treatment where another woman carries a baby for intended parents, but many couples wonder if the child will resemble the surrogate or inherit her DNA. When the embryo is created with the parents’ own egg and sperm, the baby’s genetics come only from them, not the surrogate. With advanced IVF and genetic testing in Iran, couples can ensure healthy pregnancies, choose the best embryos, and even manage gender selection.

Genetic Testing Before and During a Surrogate Pregnancy

Genetic testing in surrogacy plays a crucial role in ensuring a healthy baby by detecting inherited and chromosomal disorders before and during pregnancy. Through IVF surrogacy, preimplantation tests such as PGD, PGS, and PGT-SR allow doctors to select the healthiest embryos, while prenatal screenings like amniocentesis, CVS, and NIPT further monitor the baby’s development.

Does a Surrogate Mother Share DNA with the Baby?

In IVF surrogacy, the baby’s DNA comes entirely from the egg and sperm of the biological parents (or donors), meaning the surrogate mother does not share DNA with the baby unless she also provides the egg. While minimal cell transfer may occur through the placenta and the surrogate’s lifestyle can influence gene expression, these factors do not alter the child’s genetics.