(BE)COMING AN EGG DONOR
When looking into egg donation, you will soon find so much information out there and it can seem daunting. With Be Egg Donation you are never alone and we are here to help walk you through every step! Our team is compassionate, kind and has a wealth of knowledge. We are here to support you every step of the way, answer all your questions and make you feel fully supported. Our communication style is friendly, open and honest and our goal is to help you make confident and informed decisions on your path to becoming an egg donor.
Egg donation is a safe and meaningful way for one person to enable another to experience what may otherwise have been impossible: bringing a baby into the world. Egg donors make a commitment to be part of something that will positively and meaningfully impact the lives of others.
WHY BECOME AN EGG DONOR:
Women from all walks of life, with varying backgrounds, ethnicities and occupations become egg donors. Each beautiful woman has her very unique motivation on why she wants to help others. There are some incredible benefits to becoming an egg donor:
- Compensation: your selfless and brave commitment to helping someone else have a family allows you to receive a generous compensation for your donation.
- Egg Donors Receive Free In-Depth Health and Fertility Assessments providing them with a deep insight into their overall health
- Egg Donation Is Emotionally Rewarding. Egg donation is a deeply personal and empowering journey that gives egg donors a sense of personal growth and empowerment.
Our Compensation for first time egg donors starts at $12,000 . That can be increased substantially if you are an Ivy League student or graduate, if you meet specific ethnic requirements and if you are a repeat egg donor.
EGG DONOR REQUIREMENTS
The requirements to become an egg donor usually include the following:
- Between the ages of 21 and 31
- Physically healthy
- Have a BMI 19-29 (BMI Calculator)
- Non-Smoker
- Have regular, monthly menstrual periods
- Not using Depo-Provera injections, Mirena IUDs or implants as a form of birth control
- Have both ovaries
- Psychologically healthy
- No current use of mental health medication
- No history of substance abuse
- No family history of inheritable genetic disorders
- Willing to take injections
- Dependable, mature, and reliable
You may not qualify to donate eggs if you fail to meet these requirements or have a history of drug use, including smoking and other recreational drugs. Additionally, if you have a history of infertility, or other genetic conditions, you may not be eligible for egg donation. We conduct thorough screenings before the procedure to ensure you are physically and emotionally prepared for the retrieval.
EGG DONATION TIMELINE
Egg Donors are matched with intended parents before starting a cycle. Egg donors are screened at the intended parent’s fertility center. An egg donor clinic screening includes the following:
Initial Screening:
- Fertility Screening: A donor’s ovaries will be examined for the ability to produce eggs through a physical/pelvic exam, and blood tests. To determine ovarian function and reserve, the egg donor may also need to have a vaginal sonogram on the second or third day of menstruation.
- Medical Screening: This involves testing for blood type, infectious diseases, drug use, and general health.
- Genetic Screening: Family history will be evaluated to raise awareness of possible hereditary diseases or genetic disorders. Testing consists of blood tests for genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs disease, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and more.
- Psychological Screening: The donor will be asked to speak with a psychologist to make sure she fully understands the benefits and risks of egg donation and has proper motivations for becoming a donor.
Cycle Synchronization
- To begin the egg donation cycle, the egg donor will be put on birth control pills, which synchronizes both the donor’s and recipient’s menstruation cycles.
- After the third week of her cycle, the egg donor will have a vaginal sonogram and then begin daily self-injections of Lupron hormones. Self-injections of Lupron will be administered for 7-14 days.
- Next, a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) will be self-injected for approximately 8-10 days to grow the egg follicles.
- Egg donors are monitored daily during the FSH injections to measure the follicle growth and make sure it is within a healthy and appropriate range. Clinics use vaginal sonograms and blood tests to monitor follicle growth.
- Another STI (sexually transmitted infections) screening will be given to the egg donor before retrieval.
Retrieval
- Once the follicles have matured enough for retrieval, an injection of HCG is administered. HCG prepares the egg donor’s ovaries to release the eggs.
- Egg retrieval will take place approximately 36 hours after the HCG injection.
- The donor will be given a light IV sedation for the egg retrieval procedure to ensure their comfort. Under ultrasound guidance, the physician will pass a needle through the vaginal wall and aspirate the follicle fluid which contains the eggs.
- Egg retrieval is a short procedure, generally lasting 30 minutes or less. After the retrieval, the donor will be monitored for an hour or two before a family member or friend can drive her home.
Post-Retrieval
The donor can return to their normal routine one day after retrieval, with the exception of physically strenuous activity or exercise.
This timeline can vary depending on individual circumstances, clinic protocols, and legal requirements. It’s essential for all parties involved to communicate openly and follow the guidance of medical professionals throughout the process.
COMPENSATION
Our payment for first-time donor compensation is $12,000. We want you to feel adequately compensated for your contribution to helping grow another family.
Your compensation does increase with each subsequent donation. We offer an increased compensation after the first donation because you are now an “experienced donor”, and prospective recipient parents can now review results from your previous egg donation cycles, like quantity and quality of eggs previously retrieved.
FAQS
Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions we get from women who are interested in becoming an egg donor. If you have any additional questions, reach out to us and we can schedule a call!
Egg donation involves using eggs from a donor to achieve pregnancy. The donated eggs are fertilized with sperm, either from a partner or a donor, and then transferred to the recipient’s uterus or a surrogate’s uterus to achieve pregnancy.
Individuals or couples who are unable to conceive using their own eggs due to factors such as infertility, genetic conditions, advanced maternal age, recurrent pregnancy loss, or premature ovarian failure may consider using an egg donor.
Egg donor payments are broken into two disbursements. The first payment made to an egg donor is $1,000 and is paid upon the start of injectable medications. The balance of an egg donor’s compensation is paid after the completion of the egg retrieval procedure regardless of the number of eggs retrieved. Your egg donation compensation will be in the form of direct deposits or mailed checks. From reimbursements to your final compensation, our finance team will make sure you receive any payments or reimbursements in a timely manner.
You can donate your eggs up to six times. After the egg retrieval is complete, one of our admissions specialists will request the medical records from your egg donation cycle. An IVF physician will review your medical records and make a recommendation as to whether you are able to return to the program to complete additional egg donation cycles.
Egg donors are eligible for many benefits and expenses related to the egg donation cycle, including:
- Medical Expenses
- Psychological Expenses
- Legal Fees
- Egg Donor Insurance
- Travel expenses (transportation, hotels, meals, etc)
- Travel Companion
- Lost Wages
- Between the ages of 21 and 31
- Physically healthy
- Have a BMI 19-29 (BMI Calculator)
- Non-Smoker
- Have regular, monthly menstrual periods
- Not using Depo-Provera injections, Mirena IUDs or implants as a form of birth control
- Have both ovaries
- Psychologically healthy
- No current use of mental health medication
- No history of substance abuse
- No family history of inheritable genetic disorders
- Willing to take injections
- Dependable, mature, and reliable
** NOTE: Eligibility criteria vary by each IVF clinic
The egg donation process typically includes initial screening, medical and psychological evaluations, ovarian reserve testing, hormone injections to stimulate egg production, monitoring appointments, egg retrieval via a minor surgical procedure performed under sedation, and recovery. The entire process usually takes several weeks/months to complete.
Egg donation is generally considered safe when performed by reputable fertility clinics with experienced medical professionals. However, as with any medical procedure, there are potential risks and side effects, including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, infection, bleeding, and anesthesia-related complications. It’s essential to discuss these risks with your healthcare provider and undergo thorough screening before proceeding.
Egg donation often involves signing legal agreements outlining the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved, including the donor, recipient, and any resulting child(ren). It’s crucial to consult legal experts specializing in reproductive law to understand your rights and obligations before proceeding with egg donation. We will help connect you with the most appropriate legal counsel in your state.
We do offer options for anonymous or known egg donation, allowing donors to choose whether they want their identity to be disclosed to the recipient(s) and any potential children. It’s essential to discuss your preferences regarding anonymity with us before proceeding.
Egg donation can be a deeply rewarding experience but may also evoke complex emotions, including pride, altruism, and concerns about the well-being of any resulting offspring. It’s essential for potential egg donors to reflect on their motivations, expectations, and emotional readiness before embarking on the donation process. Seeking support from friends, family, or mental health professionals can also be helpful.
