Self-image and social-image of the donors: Two different views from oocyte donors’ eyes

Abstract

To identify the perceptions of women oocyte donors this qualitative study was conducted on 30 oocyte donors using in-depth interview. The three main categories of decision-making challenge, the consequences of participation in assisted reproductive treatment, and the contrast between the self-image and social-image of the donor were inferred. Financial and altruistic motivation, social taboo, and the approval of trusted people were the sub-categories of the decision-making challenge. The results of the study showed that the decision for oocyte donation follows the effort of women to balance the financial and spiritual benefits of the donation against its cultural barriers.

Emotions towards potential genetic offspring among oocyte donors: a cross-sectional study

“…In ART through using donated oocytes, oocyte donors are selected from among young women in order to obtain an appropriate number of oocytes with high fertility potential and increase the treatment success. Moreover, as studies have shown that the oocyte donor’s participation in ART is mainly because of financial motivations [ 1 , 3 , 11 ], the lower economic condition of this group can be justified.…”

“…The widespread use of the third party in assisted reproductive techniques (ART) and the success of infertility treatment following its use has led to an increased number of women volunteers who enter the oocyte donation process [ 1 ], mainly for financial reasons and altruism [ 2 , 3 ]. This process leads to the creation of a creature that is the genetic offspring of the donor and may inherit the thoughts and feelings of the genetic mother.…”

“…However, unlike the intended mother in surrogacy, oocyte donors are not considered as the mother of the resulting offspring. However, there is evidence showing the maternal emotional feelings of the donors towards the potential genetic offspring resulting from the donation process [ 3 ].…”

“…In this regard, research on the views of oocyte donors has shown that donor women considered genetic relationship as an integral part of the family concept and stated that a woman, even if she donates her oocyte to another woman, still considers herself the mother of that child [ 6 ]. A qualitative study in Iran showed that oocyte donor considered the offspring as part of their own existence [ 3 ].…”

Psycho-social experience of oocyte recipient women: a qualitative study

“…The reluctance of the recipient couples, especially women, to disclose the resulting offspring's genetic origin [13], concerns about the physical and mental health of the donor [14], decreased self-concept [15], concerns about the outcome of the treatment [16], ethical and religious issues [17], and economic and social challenges [18] are among the most known problems of using this technique. Furthermore, the significance of fertility as the most prominent gender-related role of women in traditional societies leads to new dimensions of social challenges for women in these societies [19].…”