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Oocyte Donation: Psychological Aspects

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Abstract

This chapter reviews historical and current literature pertaining to the psychological aspects of oocyte (egg) donation, and describes the psychological counseling, consultation, and assessment issues that arise for both oocyte donors and recipients. The mental health professional’s role in working with this unique population is addressed, particularly with respect to providing psychosocial education regarding donor selection (anonymity vs. non-anonymity) as it impacts both donor and recipient parties. Also provided are evaluation protocols that are appropriate to these treatment groups, including criteria for inclusion or exclusion from treatment. The goal is to foster and maintain the psychological and emotional well-being of all parties involved. The importance of pre-treatment screening and counseling is underscored. Lastly, the collaborative role of the mental health professional in conjunction with the medical treatment team, and other groups, is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Ronald O. Perelman-Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Weill-Greenberg Building, 1305 York Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10021, USA

    Linda D. Applegarth B.A, Ed.M., Ed.D.

Authors
  1. Linda D. Applegarth B.A, Ed.M., Ed.D.
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Correspondence to Linda D. Applegarth B.A, Ed.M., Ed.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University Hospitals of Cleveland Case Western Reserve University, Director of Fertility Services and In Vitro Fertilization, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

    James M. Goldfarb

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Applegarth, L.D. (2014). Oocyte Donation: Psychological Aspects. In: Goldfarb, J. (eds) Third-Party Reproduction. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7169-1_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7169-1_3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-7168-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-7169-1

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