Criteria
Only medical centers certified from the national Executive Agency for Transplantation have the right to organize a donation program with donors selection. The application criteria are:
• Age between 18 and  34 years for nonrelatives and between 18 and 38 years for donation between relatives
• At least one delivery of a healthy baby
• The donor must not be placed under guardianship
• Family history without genetic diseases
• Negative blood tests for HIV, HBV, HBC, and syphilis
• Without disorders which could put at risk the health of the donor or her future reproductive abilities
• Letter of Consent certified by a notary
The criteria correspond with Reglament 28 for ART (Ministry of Health, 2007). They are based on many legislative and ethical considerations.

Consultation
After the first meeting, the donor goes through a general medical examination and a set of gynecological, hormonal, serological and genetic tests and analysis following Regulation 28 and Dr. Shterev Hospital regulations for OPTIMA EGGS program. Meet our Ob/Gyn specialist who meets the struggles and the dreams of the couples with reproductive problems every day. 

When all the tests, examinations and documentation are ready, there is the time for synchronization of the menstrual cycles of the donor and the recipient than the donor should visit the hospital a few more times for ultrasound examinations and hormonal blood tests to the day of the follicular puncture.  

Procedure
Donor’s hormonal stimulation starts at day 2nd or 3rd of her menstrual cycle and continuous between 10 and 14 days. The procedure begins with a series of subcutaneous injections with medicine stimulating the ovaries for better follicle production. Most often, one to three doses per day is required, and the patient could put them by herself or come to the clinic. The ovarian response varies and depends on different factors like body weight, smoking, etc. Because of this the kind and quantity of the medication are individually assigned by the reproductive specialist making the procedure. The limitation of tobacco and other bad habits during the procedure is highly required.

There is one final injection needed for the oocyte maturation which is put at an exact time. Before the day of the follicular puncture the woman has to make a consultation with an anesthesiologist, and in the day of the procedure, she should not consume food or water.

The egg retrieval is performed under short time general anesthesia. Through a unique aspiration system and under ultrasound control the reproductive specialist aspirates the follicular liquid containing the oocytes. Embryologist must assess this liquid and the oocytes in it. The puncture continuous 15 to 20 minutes and is entirely painless. After the procedure, the patient goes through an obstetric examination for assessment of her condition. After a short period of monitoring her health and blood pressure, the donor receives advice for the period after the puncture and is free to leave the hospital.

Donors are not responsible for the outcome of the procedure, including the possible pregnancies. They sign a notarized informed concern for the donation.

Commercial donation of oocytes, including different forms of material benefits, is prohibited. However, every donor is allowed to receive compensation for her noble gesture. The low allows this compensation to cover her transport and hotel expenses, lost working remuneration because of the possible absence of work, and other lost profits and compensations for caused discomfort, etc. (2500).

Donors’ anonymity is guaranteed and executed according to Regulation 28. The disclosure of their anonymity or other information helping their identification be the recipient or other people is prohibited. 

Myths about oocyte donation

Myth 1: The donors undergo an excessive Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation (COH).
The truth is that the reproductive specialist prescribes only new non-aggressive well-refined hormone therapy.

Myth 2: COH reduces the ovarian reserve of donors.
The truth is that the procedure does not affect the fertility potential of the woman. The donor divides with only this number of oocytes, which will lose in the next couple of regular cycles.

Myth 3: The donation includes surgery.
The truth is that the procedure is not surgery at all, but is an entirely painless manipulation continuing approximately 15 to 20 minutes. It is performed under general anesthesia because the patient must lie completely still. Before the procedure, the donor is consulted by an anesthesiologist, who participate in the whole manipulation.

Myth 4: The donor must stay in the hospital
The truth is that the hospital stay is between 2 and 3 hours, after which woman can return to her normal life routine.

Myth 5: The donation includes unregulated commercial activities.
The truth is that sometimes “donation” is sometimes connected to unregulated payments. In many countries, oocyte donation is a routine procedure and is not a tabu at all. Because of this Dr. Shterev Hospital created the program OPTIMA EGGS, according to all rules and regulations of the Ministry of Health and the Executive Agency for Transplantation.

Phone number: +359 892 225 974, 359 894 511 586
E-mail: donation@shterevhospital.com

If you want to donate the chance for a new life with the assistance of Dr. Shterev Hospital, contact us by a phone call to +359 892 225 974, 359 894 511 586 or via e-mail at donation@shterevhospital.com.

See our video for the donation program OPTIMA EGGS, specially developed to help the donors in their noble mission and to support the recipients in their will to give birth to a new life.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez: “To the world, you may be one person; but to one person you may be the world.”