Egg Donation FAQs

What are the general requirements to become an egg donor?

A prospective egg donor needs to be 21 to 31 years of age and in excellent health. She must also be height and weight proportionate, live within a reasonable distance of our clinic and a non-smoker.

What medical procedures are involved?

After initial physical examination, laboratory testing and psychological and genetic screening, the treatment cycle will include daily injections of fertility medications, vaginal ultrasound monitoring of oocyte (egg) development and blood testing for estrogen levels. When mature, the oocytes are retrieved via a simple, outpatient procedure under sedation in our center. A postoperative examination is scheduled approximately one week after the retrieval.

What if I’m on birth control?

It’s okay to be taking “the pill”. You should not be using the Norplant or taking injections of Depo Provera for birth control. The reason for this is it will prolong the time it will take before your cycle is normal enough to be an egg donor.

How long does the egg donation process take?

The initial intake process may take 4 to 6 weeks. The interval of time to selection is unpredictable and depends on a couple choosing you as their donor and their decisions regarding the timing of treatment. When the treatment cycle begins, you should plan on a time commitment of two three weeks for intermittent monitoring visits and the egg retrieval.

Does it hurt?

One of our prime concerns is the comfort and safety of our donors. Egg donation is a simple medical procedure. Thousands of women donate eggs each year. Generally, our donors will give themselves their injections in the privacy of their own home or dorm room. Most donors report to us that they do not find the injections particularly uncomfortable. The egg retrieval procedure is done as an outpatient procedure under sedation and is not painful. Most experience mild discomfort after the procedure with some cramping and bloating that may last for several days. We will provide pain medication as needed.

Who pays my medical expenses?

All medical expenses will be covered by the center.

Will I be compensated?

Our current compensation starts at $7,000 and increases up to $8000 for additional cycles.

Can I run out of eggs if I give them to someone else?

No. Few women are aware that each month many eggs are dissolved and absorbed by their own bodies prior to the selection of the single egg that will be ovulated. Fertility medications preserve a portion of these excess eggs, which the body would have ordinarily discarded. Therefore, no extra eggs are used up in the process.

Is it possible to accidentally get pregnant as a result of the egg donation procedure?

We have never had a donor conceive as a result of an egg donation procedure in our center. We require abstinence during the entire process so that there is no risk for conception.

What are the legal responsibilities of egg donors?

In accordance with the contract you will be asked to sign, any and all children born as a result of the egg donation process will legally belong to the couple receiving the donated eggs. Egg donors legally have absolutely no responsibility to the future welfare or support of any children who may be born from their donation.

Do I have to meet the couple who is receiving my eggs?

Though some donors are known to their recipient couple, that kind of arrangement occurs under special circumstances, at the request of the couple and the donor. The vast majority of egg donation cycles in our clinic are anonymous and you will not meet the recipient couple nor will you be provided with any information about them.