Young women in the valley are finding an unusual way to make money. But some say the way they're doing it can be dangerous, even deadly. College aged women are targeted with the potential to make a lot of money. The job? Simply, donating their eggs.
One former UNLV student tells the Healthline 3 Team her decision to donate is a mistake she hopes others don't make.
"It would pay for school, books and then I could pay off my car, cell phone bills or any of the other bills that I had at that time."
Chelsey Ankenbauer needed $1,200 for college and she didn't want to ask her mom for help. Then she saw an ad in the school paper. It offered female students thousands of dollars if they would donate eggs. Chelsey thought it was a great idea. She could help an infertile couple and make money at the same time. But things didn't go exactly as planned, and Chelsey became very sick.
" (I) woke up the next morning, couldn't move at all. My boyfriend was like, 'what's wrong with you?', and he rushed me to the hospital 'cause I couldn't move at all," Chelsey explained.
Her medical reports show that she probably suffered from Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. "Ovarian hyperstimulation is a known complication of fertility medications, fortunately it's rare," says Dr. Jeffrey Steinberg of Las Vegas Fertility Institute. "When it does happen though, it can range from mild to very severe. Severe cases... there have been fatalities reported."
Unfortunately, Chelsey falls into the one percent of egg donors that have had a severe reaction. Only about one percent of egg donors have a severe reaction.
Dr. Jeffrey Steinberg had nothing to do with Chelsey's case. But he does know about the risks associated with egg donation and warns his patients accordingly. "When we give the fertility drugs, we're asking for multiple eggs in a month. That exaggerates all the body processes. And some women's bodies do better with that exaggeration than others."
Chelsey admits she signed consent papers. But says she didn't fully understand what to expect or what could go wrong.
The egg donation process isn't quick. It can take about 6 to 8 weeks from start to finish. Donors must take birth control pills and then inject themselves with fertility drugs. Finally, they have the eggs retrieved in a minor surgical procedure. The eggs, which can be kept frozen, are then implanted in a woman who hopes to become a mother.
Chelsey ended up making $3,000 but says it wasn't worth it. However, Dr. Steinberg points out there is an upside to the donation process. "We have hundreds of very grateful, very happy couples that have been made families as a result of egg donors helping them out, so there's a wonderful, positive side to all of this. Couples are forever grateful."
A while after donating her eggs, Chelsey had an ovary surgically removed. Now she is afraid she won't be able to have kids of her own, something she desperately wants.
Beth: Has it occurred to you that someone out there could have your child and you might not be able to have any?
Chelsey: Yes, and I get angry every time I think about it. I don't know if it's so much anger as it is just pain. To know that I may never be able to have kids.
Chelsey also racked up significant medical bills due to her complications. She doesn't know who received the 22 eggs she produced.
Dr. Steinberg says if all goes well egg donation does not affect future fertility. Usually the donor is up and back to work, or school, in a matter of days. Donors are typically in their twenties because younger eggs are considered more desirable.
An ad in the UNLV paper offered $5,000 to qualified egg donors. However, Ivy League school girls can make more than those in state schools. We found ads in the Harvard Crimson and Columbia Spectator offering up to $25,000, plus medical expenses. Often, donors are required to have SAT scores above 1300.
