The last episode of 2024 of the “Dr. Fertilidad” podcast focuses on egg and semen donation (gamete donation), featuring Licenciada Xaviana Araujo, director of FertiDonors.
The key points addressed in the episode are:
Donor motivations: Xaviana Araujo explains that egg donation is an altruistic act and that some donors are aware of infertility through people close to them. The financial compensation for the process, which is more extensive for egg donors, is also mentioned.
Psychological evaluation of donors: A thorough evaluation is conducted to rule out psychological or psychiatric disorders, including interviews, psychometric tests, and projective tests. IQ is also measured, and aspects like punctuality and discipline are considered.
Denial of donors for psychological reasons: Participation has sometimes been denied to donors due to personality alterations or disorders, not because of heredity, but to protect the donor due to the intensity of the hormonal treatment.
Experience of recipient couples: Lic. Araujo describes these patients as being at “the last stop,” arriving emotionally exhausted and anxious. Her goal is to make the consultation pleasant, listen to their stories, and explain the donor selection process.
Process of assimilating donation: Accepting egg donation is not a quick decision; it can take up to a year, as it requires time to process and live the grief of not being able to use one’s own eggs.
Cultural and religious influence on the decision: Religious and cultural issues can make acceptance difficult, especially concerning the lack of a genetic connection with the baby.
Semen donation in single women: Dr. Fertilidad addresses semen donation for single women. While technically possible, he does not ethically consider it correct for very young women (under 35), recommending egg preservation as an alternative. He considers it more appropriate for women over 40 who have exhausted their emotional options.
Anonymity in donation: It is emphasized that the donation is completely anonymous, meaning that neither donors nor future parents have access to each other’s identifying information.
Professionalization of the process: Dr. Fertilidad highlights the importance of having mental health professionals like Xaviana Araujo and her team to ensure a safe and rigorous process in donor selection.
Finally, Lic. Xaviana Araujo invites listeners to learn more about her work through her social media (@mentereproductiva, @fertidonors) and her website (fertidonors.com).
