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Managing The "Emotional Abandonment Feelings" Of Egg Donation

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Egg donation is a powerful way to help mothers who are not able to conceive their own children. However many women who donate have conflicted feelings about it. For example, they may feel they are abandoning a child. Managing this problem requires understanding it and working with it immediately.

Emotional Abandonment Is A Real Possibility

One thing that surprises many women when they abandon eggs are the feelings of abandonment that pop up after their egg has been accepted. These feelings are akin to the emotions a woman would feel giving a child up for adoption, but usually not as severe. It can be surprising to hear that this is the case, but it does happen.

Abandonment is a difficult feeling to control because there's not much a woman can do to manage it without help. Even if she spends time with the child that results from her donated egg, she may still feel that she abandoned it. More importantly, these feelings could cause her to be denied for egg donation.

Psychological Screenings Are Mandatory

If anyone is having difficulties with the concept of abandonment with their egg donation, it is important to understand that psychological screenings are mandatory for everyone involved. This helps to identify possible emotional problems that could emerge and help make sure that all parties are prepared for the emotionally difficult aspects of donation.

This includes spotting abandonment issues that could make it difficult for the donor. While not all women will be emotionally attached to their eggs in this way, it can and does happen. As a result, a well-meaning donor may end up either receiving heavy therapy or being denied the right to donate. Is there a way to avoid this problem when being screened?

Talk And Honesty Is Important

When a woman feels these emotions about egg donating, it is important not to deny them but to talk about them openly. Discussing it with the woman who is receiving the eggs can help open up a dialogue between the two that may be positive and supportive. It can even allow the woman who is donating the eggs to learn more about the family and their needs.

It is also a good idea to talk to a psychiatrist or psychologist to work through the emotional difficulty. They can help identify where these feelings are originating and come up with a way of managing them. It might not be easy and it may take time, but managing abandonment when donating eggs can be done. For more information, contact establishments like Missouri Center for Reproductive Medicine.


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