Significance of specialised preconception counselling in oocyte donation pregnancy with prior history of postpartum eclampsia

Abstract

A well-known complication in oocyte donation (OD) pregnancy is preeclampsia. Here, we present a 31-year-old woman, pregnant after OD. She conceived by the reception of the oocyte from her partner (ROPA) and sperm from a sperm donor. She developed preeclampsia with severe features, necessitating caesarean delivery at 29 weeks’ gestation due to deterioration of her clinical condition. Admission at the intensive care unit postpartum was necessary, because of recurrent postpartum eclampsia and administration of high dose magnesium sulphate for convulsion prophylaxis. This case illustrates the importance of preconception counselling for patients who are considering to conceive by OD and double gamete donation. In this specific case an alternative way to conceive was available. However, ROPA was preferred as part of shared lesbian motherhood. The risk of complications in the subsequent pregnancy has led to an alternative decision to accomplish a second pregnancy.

Evidence-Based Pre-Pregnancy Counseling for Oocyte Donation Pregnancies: a Systematic Review and Guide for Physicians

“…Numerous health professionals encounter OD pregnancies, but are possibly not aware of the high risk of complications since the information for the counseling of couples is scarce. The importance of pre-pregnancy counseling though is illustrated by a case with severe preeclampsia in the pregnancy after oocyte donation of the partner (ROPA) as part of shared lesbian motherhood [22]. Here, the significance and possible consequences of pre-pregnancy counseling before OD pregnancy are emphasized.…”