The Experience of Counselling for UK Egg Providers

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to address current gaps in knowledge regarding the appropriateness and quality of counselling provided to egg donors in the UK. MethodsThe present study used a cross-sectional, qualitative design. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 29 UK egg donors to explore their experiences of egg donation and the counselling received. ResultsOf the 29 participants, 24 had received counselling. The remaining five did not receive counselling because they were either not accepted as a donor (n = 4) or were offered, but chose not to take up the session (n = 1). The findings are presented in relation to five themes: feeling supported via counselling; feeling well-informed; welcoming an individualised approach; the counselling setting; and thinking about the future. ConclusionEgg donors in this study had varying experiences of counselling offered to them as part of the egg donation process in the UK. ImplicationsThe findings indicate that there are some aspects of counselling in the UK that could be improved, including the routine offering of counselling throughout the egg donation process and the tailoring of counselling to meet egg donors' individual needs.