Perinatal Mental Health and Assisted Reproduction by Oocyte Donation: analysis of the current situation in Spain

Abstract

Introduction: The number of women who resort to oocyte donation to achieve biological motherhood is constantly increasing. This technique may cause certain conflicts and emotional problems in the women who receive donated oocytes. In this paper, we analyze not only Spain’s oocyte donation social context, but also the healthcare and legal contexts involved. In addition to this, we study the role had by their specific emotional difficulties cared for in specialized Perinatal Mental Health Units.

Methodology: A bibliographic review of Spanish jurisprudence and scientific literature specialized in Perinatal Mental Health.

Development: Spain is one of the world’s leaders in the number of oocyte donations, due to its flexible legislation on human reproduction, the legal anonymity of oocyte donors and the financial compensations offered to them. These procedures are mostly performed in the private healthcare network, which means that most of the women do not have access to the public health systems’ Perinatal Mental Health Units. However, it must be stressed that in the case of assisted reproduction by oocyte donation, the referral to a perinatal Mental Health unit is required by medical protocol. Women who consider oocyte donation frequently present anxious, depressive and post-traumatic symptoms that must be treated by specialized professionals. In addition to this, the Perinatal Mental Health Units offer a place for therapeutic work on the four fundamental areas of conflict that these women may suffer: motherhood and genetic mourning, the mother-baby bonding process, the disclosure of their origin to their daughters or sons, as well as the ethical conflicts they face.

Conclusions: The delay in maternal age and the effectiveness of oocyte donation are leading to an increase in the number of women who resort to it. Their comprehensive assistance must include the due care of the emotional difficulties they may present in Perinatal Mental Health Units.