There are three types of reproductive techniques that are performed with the contribution of a third person: sperm donation, egg donation and surrogacy.
The first of these, the Artificial insemination with donated sperm, AID, is used when not a single sperm is found in either the ejaculate or the testicle, which can be used to perform in vitro fertilization with sperm injection. This can happen to a man from birth or after trauma or severe infection of the testicle or after radiation and chemotherapy. A couple in this situation can resort to adoption or AID, after discussing it as a couple and with the help of a psychology professional to find which option will benefit them the most.
For AID, semen samples that have been frozen (in a sperm bank) are used to comply with a safe quarantine period. These samples have been provided by healthy donors who have been tested for AIDS, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cytomegalovirus, syphilis, blenorrhagia and chromosomal diseases. The couple together with the treating doctor choose a donor whose characteristics fit the needs of the couple. The procedure involves monitoring a woman’s ovulation to detect the timing of ovulation (fertile period). At that time, the semen sample is thawed and introduced into the woman’s uterus, in a procedure similar to taking a Pap smear.
The other case is egg donation. Egg donation is used when the woman’s ovary does not produce eggs that can be fertilized. This happens to a woman when she has lost her ovaries from birth or after surgery or radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Also when there are problems with the quality of the eggs due to age or hereditary diseases that you do not want to transmit to the children. In these cases, the couple can choose to adopt or donate eggs. The help of a psychologist is invaluable in making this decision. If they opt for egg donation, they are looking for a woman who has the right characteristics for the couple. The donor undergoes a series of tests similar to those of the sperm donor, to ensure that she is in good health. The donor receives medication to stimulate her ovulation and obtain several eggs. When they mature, these eggs are extracted to be fertilized in the laboratory (in vitro fertilization) with the sperm of the husband of the couple who is going to receive the donation. After 72 hours in an incubator, the fertilized eggs are transferred to the uterus of the recipient woman.
The third case is when the woman does not have a uterus (either from birth or surgery) but has her ovaries. Her eggs are then extracted, fertilized in the laboratory with her husband’s sperm and the fertilized eggs are then transferred to the uterus of another woman to carry the gestation for 9 months and give birth to her (surrogate uterus). This is perhaps the technique that generates the most controversy. While in egg and sperm donation the donor’s intervention is limited and punctual, even in most cases it is anonymous, in surrogacy the intervention of the third person is long (for 9 months), deep and rarely anonymous. This situation often leads to emotional and legal conflicts.
Making the decision to use one of these techniques is a complex process, which requires very good communication from the couple and the help of a professional who knows the subject. The good news is that for many couples this choice has been wise and they have achieved their desire to form a family.
