Donating your eggs is a selfless, compassionate act of kindness. You are helping people who want to become parents turn their dream into a reality, including heterosexual and same sex couples, single individuals or any person struggling with the hurdle of infertility. If you’re wondering how to become an egg donor, you’re in the right place. Let’s talk through what to expect on your egg donor journey.
How to Become an Egg Donor: Eligibility & Process
Egg Donor Eligibility
Before you can donate your eggs, you must be:
- Between the ages of 18 and 30: There are some exceptions and we will consider some egg donors over the age of 30—in most cases if they have been a successful egg donor before or have some unique qualifications
- A healthy BMI: Height / Weight Ratio is within a normal range
- Experiencing regular menstrual cycles
- Not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- Physically healthy
- A non-smoker
- Not currently using any psychoactive drugs or nicotine (some alcohol is acceptable)
- Not registered with any Native American tribes
There are a few more requirements to keep in mind in addition to the above list.
Egg Donor Screenings
Before you go through the egg donation process, you’ll need to meet with a genetic counselor to review your family health history. If more testing is required, please keep an open mind.
Traditional egg donor screenings include (but are not limited to) the following tests:
- Genetic screen tests
- HIV
- Hepatitis
- Pelvic exams
- Pap Smears
- Cultures
- Ultrasounds
- Urine tests
- Drug tests
- STDs
Cycle Monitoring & Medications
All egg donors will also have their cycles monitored by the intended parent/s’ fertility doctor (aka reproductive endocrinologist or RE). You must agree to follow exact instructions about self-administering injections (or have a reliable family member or friend assist with medications), be consistent with attending all doctor appointments, and follow all doctor and medical instructions.
Egg Retrieval
To extract the eggs from your ovary, you’ll undergo an outpatient procedure that takes about 20-30 minutes. You’ll be sedated and shouldn’t feel anything during the retrieval. Ultrasound will guide a needle into the vagina and through the ovary. The healthcare provider will collect follicular fluid (which contains the eggs) from the follicles in your ovaries.
Once your eggs are retrieved, you’ll rest in a recovery area for about an hour. Potential side effects from the procedure are rare, but may include:
- Pain
- Infection in the pelvis and ovaries
- Injury to the bowel, bladder, uterus, ovaries or major blood vessels
Most egg donations take 8 to 12 weeks from the time you’re selected until your eggs are retrieved. That includes the medical screening, evaluations, monitoring appointments, and the actual medicated cycle and egg retrieval.
What You Get When You Become an Egg Donor
You can’t put a price on the birth of a baby. But for your selfless gift, you will be compensated between $6,000-$10,000 as a first time egg donor, plus additional benefits.
Being an egg donor is a true commitment. And while it’s not terribly time-consuming, people are relying on you to follow through. Once you make the decision to become an egg donor, it’s important that you understand the requirements and accept the process completely. If you have any questions, we’re here to help.
To get the egg donation process started, set up a call with one of our egg donor coordinators. We’ll explain the steps in more detail, answer any questions you might have, and make sure you’re a good candidate.
Egg Donor and Surrogacy Services
Since 2004, The Fertility Agency has helped bring over 1100+ babies into the world. We work with all intended parents, surrogates, and egg donors no matter their sexual preference, relationship status, ethnicity, location, etc. Our personal experiences and years of expertise provide us with the perfect balance of business and passion.
