Today's blog is written by our donor coordinator, Delcie.
As a donor coordinator for the last six years, it’s common for donor applicants to ask me if the intended parents go through a similar screening process as the donor herself. The answer is yes! The screening process for intended parents is to make sure that they are physically, emotionally and financially prepared for the responsibilities of parenthood, and the challenges of egg donation itself. Here’s a breakdown of the screenings and evaluations that intended parents typically undergo:
Medical and Health Evaluation
Physical Health Assessment:
Intended parents, especially the individual who will carry the pregnancy (if not using a surrogate), are evaluated to ensure they are in optimal physical health for pregnancy. This may include blood tests, ultrasounds, and a review of any potential hereditary healthy conditions.
Fertility Testing:
In cases where the intended parents are part of a heterosexual couple facing fertility issues, additional testing may be required to understand potential issues with conception or gestation. If a sperm donor is not being used, a semen analysis is often done as part of the screening.
Infectious disease screening:
Both intended parents may be screened for infectious diseases such as Hepatitis, HIV, and other STI’s to ensure the health and safety of the child and any surrogate involved.
Psychological Evaluation and Counseling
Mental Health Screening:
Intended parents participate in psychological evaluations to ensure their emotional readiness for parenthood using an egg donor. This evaluation will explore the expectations, any previous infertility experiences and the mental/psychological impact of the donation process.
Counseling:
Counseling sessions give parents a safe space to discuss feelings about egg donation, and especially potential concerns over the genetic connection (or lack thereof) to the child. These counseling sessions also help IPs understand and prepare for the possibility of questions from the child about their genetic background.
Financial Assessment and Planning
Financial Counseling & Assessment:
Because egg donation can be a significant financial investment, many clinics and agencies require that intended families have financial counseling to ensure they are aware of the investment including medical fees, donor compensation, agency fees, legal expenses, and the cost if using a surrogate. Budgeting helps the intended parents plan for the overall costs and any additional support needed throughout the pregnancy and after the child is born.
Legal and Consent Process
Legal agreements:
Intended families meet with attorneys to review and sign the contract that explains the rights, responsibilities and expectations of the donor and intended parents. This is especially important in cases where the donation is anonymous, as it will set clear boundaries regarding contact with the donor and establishes parental rights.
Parental Rights:
Consulting with an attorney ensures the intended parents understand their rights, including how to manage birth certificates, and legal parentage, particularly in cases involving a donor with known or open contact.
Overall, these screenings help ensure that the intended parents are mentally, physically and financially ready for the process and the responsibility of raising a child. They also establish a foundation of support which benefits everyone, including the egg donor and the future child.
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