Daily injections are a part of life for most surrogates. In the majority of surrogate medical cycles, the IVF doctor will ask our surrogates to administer one intramuscular shot per day over the course of the first ten to twelve weeks of the pregnancy. This necessitates the need for you to keep a large inventory of syringes and IVF needles on hand during the medical cycle. 

HOW TO DISPOSE OF IVF NEEDLES

Once you are done with these injections and weaned from medications, it is typical for there to be several additional needles and syringes on hand. This excess supply often provides a conundrum for our surrogates: What to do with all of those unused needles? The simple answer is this: You need to talk with your intended parents and/or case specialist first. 

These needles and syringes are the property of your intended parents, as they purchased them for your use during the medical cycle of their surrogacy. No matter what you choose to do with the unused medical supplies and medications, this decision should be cleared with your intended parents first. 

CAN YOU RETURN UNUSED IVF NEEDLES?

Some surrogates and their intended parents will opt to send the unused medical supplies back to the pharmacy from which they were purchased. If this is the wish of your intended parents, you’ll want to call the pharmacy in advance to see if any restocking fees exist, if they’ll accept the return of sharps, and how to ship the items safely. 

Mailing the unused needles involves getting the appropriate packing materials, including disposal containers, bag liners, and return boxes approved by the U.S. Postal Service. Follow the directions to properly seal and package your sharps containers.

HOW TO DISPOSE OF LEFTOVER IVF NEEDLES

Perhaps the most common choice is simply disposal, as you’ll need to dispose of your used sharps anyway. In this case, it is important to open the sharps and deposit them into the sharps container as opposed to simply placing them into the trash. You’ll also want to find a location that offers sharps disposal. In many cases, local pharmacies, fire stations, or public health centers will offer disposal services. From time to time, there may be a fee associated with disposal of sharps. 

Sharps disposal guidelines and programs vary depending on where you live. Check with your local trash removal services or health department.

CAN YOU DONATE UNUSED IVF NEEDLES?

An unconventional option for needle disposal is to consider donating them to non-profit causes in your neighborhood. In many big cities, you may be able to find needle exchange programs that will accept donations of unused needles and syringes. 

Often these programs take used needles out of the hands of people with drug addiction, replacing them with the donated unused needles. The hope is that this needle exchange program will help curb the transmission of diseases such as hepatitis and HIV/AIDS. Other needle donation programs also exist to help medical needs in developing countries or, depending on the type of needles and syringes you have, to help those living with diabetes in the U.S. 

You can find a donation program by searching online for "donating unused needles near me."

BEGIN YOUR SURROGACY JOURNEY

Growing Generations is for you every step of the way, from surrogate screening to after the birth. Contact Growing Generations to learn more about surrogacy.