Is Egg Donation Safe? Risks Explained

Short answer. Is egg donation safe? It is a medical procedure, so it carries risks, like any procedure with medicines and sedation or anaesthesia. The law requires 12 months of insurance for the donor (Act s.22(1)(b); Rules r.12) and controlled stimulation to prevent OHSS (ART Regulations, 2023, G.S.R. 269(E)). This page is general information, not medical advice.

Is egg donation safe? What is known

Egg donation uses medicines, injections, a small procedure and sometimes sedation or anaesthesia, and each carries some risk. Some donors feel mild discomfort, bloating or tiredness for a short time. Serious problems can happen. Your doctor can tell you how these risks apply to you. Ask before you decide.

What is OHSS?

OHSS stands for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. It can happen when the ovaries react strongly to the stimulation medicines. The ovaries swell, and fluid can build up in the body. It ranges from mild to severe.

The 2023 Regulations require controlled stimulation to prevent OHSS (ART Regulations, 2023, G.S.R. 269(E)). Ask your doctor how stimulation is controlled for you.

How the law protects the donor

• Retrieval happens at a registered ART clinic. Surgical retrieval is done at a Level 2 clinic (Rules r.3(1)(ii) and r.13(1)(c)).
• Insurance: the commissioning couple or woman buys 12 months of cover for you from an IRDA recognised insurer. It must be enough to meet complications of egg retrieval (Act s.22(1)(b); Rules r.12). You do not pay for it.
• Consent: you give written informed consent in Form 13 after the team explains the process (Act s.22(1)(a); Rules r.13).
• Limits: you may donate only once in your life (Act s.27(4)), and your eggs go to one couple only (Act s.27(3)).
• No exploitation: exploiting a donor is an offence (Act s.33(1)(d)).

Questions and consent before you decide

Before you consent, the team explains the steps, the risks and what you give up, including all parental rights (Act s.31(1) and (2)). Ask anything. Consent is taken before anything starts, so ask every question before you sign. The law sets health tests too, for HIV 1 and 2, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and syphilis (Act s.21(b); Rules r.10 and r.14).

When to call a doctor

After retrieval, contact the treating clinic or a doctor if you have:

• severe pain in the belly;
• a swollen or rapidly growing belly;
• breathlessness;
• fainting or severe dizziness;
• anything that worries you.

If you cannot reach the clinic and feel very unwell, go to the nearest hospital. Do not wait.

What about money?

Egg donation for commercial gain is not allowed. Documented expenses may be reimbursed with no monetary gain. Read Are egg donors paid in India?. Also see Can an unmarried woman donate eggs in India? if you are checking whether you qualify.

Zoi Fertility is the registered ART Bank behind the Egg Donor India programme (URN MH/AB/2022/10691/Mumbai/83). Our team will answer your questions before you decide anything.

Become a donor · Contact the ART Bank

Questions

References

• Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021 (Act No. 42 of 2021): section 21(b); section 22(1); section 27(3) and (4); section 31(1) and (2); section 33(1)(d).
• Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Rules, 2022 (G.S.R. 419(E)): rules 3(1)(ii), 10, 12, 13 and 14.
• Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Regulations, 2023 (G.S.R. 269(E), 5 Apr 2023).

This page explains the law as published. It is not legal advice. It is general information and not medical advice for you.