Nowadays, having access to a parenthood journey can be challenging. Research shows that fertility is declining in Australia and in many developed countries, affecting both men and women. Many reasons explain this fact, but hopefully, donor programs can solve the journey of many couples who wish to build their own families. The impact of egg donation in Australia is significant as it allows opportunity to individuals and couples who face many difficulties to conceive their children. This post will give you all the information you need to know about egg donation in Australia.
Egg donation method in Australia
In Australia, egg donation is a fertility treatment method used for couples who are unable to conceive with their own eggs. In Australia, it is illegal to pay someone for an egg donation; donors must be charitable and give their eggs voluntarily. The egg donor will undergo a thorough screening process to see if they are healthy and mentally stable. A couple can choose a family member as an egg donor, called a known donor, or purchase donor eggs from donor banks. Choosing your donor is entirely your decision, and you must be comfortable with it. Not every couple likes the idea of having a “known donor”, preferring unidentified donations, and everyone is free to make the best choice for their family.
Unknown donors’ eggs will be retrieved and frozen in a donor bank, waiting for their receivers when eggs from a known donor can be directly fertilised to get an embryo. IVF (In vitro fertilisation) is processed, and the embryos are implanted in the uterus at the best moment of the woman’s cycle.
Who can access egg donation?
Egg donation in Australia is available for each patient who isn’t able to use their own eggs to conceive but can still carry a child. This way, egg donation is beneficial for couples suffering from infertility, menopausal women, or women who have a genetic predisposition for certain diseases and do not want to take the risk of transmitting it to their children.
The LGBTQIA+ community can also benefit from the egg donation procedure in Australia.
Egg donation has a beneficial impact on Australian parenthood journeys, increasing options for many couples and providing good alternatives on their path.
Social, cultural and psychological impact
Giving access to parenthood to people who couldn’t build a family will mostly open up society’s awareness about their difficulties. Science progress succeeded in realising what society thought impossible and opening public awareness and education to these topics. It has a significant impact on society and brings relief to every future parent. Indeed, nowadays, every individual can have a family perspective when it was reserved exclusively for a certain part of the population.
From a psychological aspect, egg donation should be mostly beneficial for the person who received the eggs and is able to conceive. It can procure much joy and hope for them. However, it is essential to have psychological support during pregnancy and afterwards as it could bring up emotions that are difficult to manage, especially with all the hormonal changes that greatly influence the emotional stability of each individual. Support services should be integrated into egg donation programs so every person can be monitored in their parenthood journeys through the egg donation method.
Summary
Egg donations in Australia are a well-regulated and safe process that will offer relief to people and couples who are facing infertility or can not use their eggs due to medical issues. It is a viable and life-saving opportunity for many people who want to establish their own family. Finally, egg donation has a significant positive impact on many Australian parenthood journeys.
