To begin the process of becoming an egg donor, click here to complete our short online form.
Based on the information collected in your initial screening form, you will receive a more in-depth questionnaire about your family and medical history. If the completed questionnaire shows that you would be a good candidate for egg donation, you will be asked to come to our center for consultations with our medical and psychological staff, who will explain the process in greater detail.
Consultations are scheduled visits and usually take up to two hours to complete. Screening includes a physical exam, psychological testing, blood tests, and an instructional session with our Nurse Coordinator.
Before donors are accepted into our program, they must undergo various screening and psychological evaluations. We screen all egg donors according to guidelines recommended by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
Potential donors must be between the ages of 21 and 32 and be non-smokers. Candidates will need to fill out a questionnaire reviewing their medical history, family history, and social habits. This will be reviewed by a physician to determine the donor’s acceptability and ascertain the potential risk for significant medical or genetic disorders.
The potential donor is then invited to one of our informational sessions to learn all about egg donation, including any associated risks and what to expect during the process. Afterward, you can start the egg donation process.
Following the medical tests, potential donors are evaluated with psychological tests and counseled by our psychologist. During this session, we will discuss the emotional, psychosocial, ethical, and legal issues that pertain to egg donation and evaluate the donor’s psychological well-being and preparedness.
Counseling allows the donor to explore the effect her donation may have not only on herself but also on the recipient and the potential child that is conceived.
To help increase the success of egg donation, we work to obtain multiple eggs for fertilization. Donors are treated with self-administered hormone injection fertility medication that stimulates the development of multiple egg follicles within the ovary. These medications have been used for decades and are the same medications used by women undergoing their own IVF cycle. You will be given detailed information and instructions about this medication, including how to self-administer the injections and potential side effects.
During two to three weeks of the egg donation cycle, while you are on fertility medications, you will need to make regular visits to our fertility clinic for blood tests and ultrasounds.
These visits usually last less than 30 minutes and are scheduled between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. This monitoring tells us when the follicles are mature, informing your physician when it is the right time to retrieve the eggs and complete the cycle.
The egg retrieval process is performed at The Center on an outpatient basis. IV sedation is performed by one of our anesthesiologists to ensure a painless procedure. The procedure takes about 30 minutes. It is done using a needle inserted through the vagina with ultrasound guidance to help locate the eggs for retrieval and requires no incision. You will rest in our recovery area after the procedure for about 45 to 60 minutes. You can return to your normal daily activities in 24-48 hours.
Our psychologist is available to provide counseling at any time during and after the cycle to offer emotional support. Some women experience side effects, including tenderness in the breasts or ovaries, fluid retention, and moodiness. These symptoms can take up to two weeks after the cycle to disappear completely. Your physician will review the side effects and symptoms associated with the procedure.
We will compensate you for your donation on the day of your egg retrieval. You’ll receive a check from us for $8,000.
We prioritize and maintain the confidentiality of both the donor and recipient. We protect both your identities, and you both must agree not to seek identifying information concerning each other.
