FAQs on Egg Donation

Can I donate Eggs even if I am on birth control? You can participate in our egg donation program while on the Pill and Patch. You are actually asked to start taking the Pill in order to coordinate your cycle with your recipient’s cycle. If you are taking Depo Provera, you will need to stop this method of birth control for 6 months in order to become an egg donor. Your program coordinator will instruct you as to when to stop birth control. You can even donate if you have had a tubal ligation or IUD.

Once I am selected, how long will it take before my egg retrieval? Each program will vary in length; it depends on the clinic where the procedure will be done. Generally it takes 3 to 4 months.

Do I have to take any medication? First you will be on a form of contraceptive like OCP or  Nuvaring®.  You will then be put on a low dose Lupron® and then finally, stimulation medications (FSH). Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is used to increase and mature the number of eggs the ovaries release in a cycle.

What if any side effects might I have from the medications? 20% of donors report occasional headaches and hotflashes. Most donors report bloating for 1-2 weeks.

What is involved in the retrieval procedure, and are there any medical risks? You will be monitored with a trans-vaginal ultrasound and blood test many times during  the last week before the retrieval so your doctor can follow your hormone levels and to watch the number and size of your follicles. A small probe will be inserted into your vagina in order to see the developing eggs clearly. The day of your retrieval, you will be sedated intravenously (IV in the back of your hand) before the egg retrieval and will remain asleep for the procedure.  A trans-vaginal ultrasound probe will be inserted into your vagina, and a needle guide will be placed onto the probe to get direct and accurate access to the eggs. The eggs are removed through this needle. After the egg retrieval is completed, you will still feel drowsy and will not be able to drive for 24 hours.

There are few complications although extremely rare:

• You may experience an unknown allergic reaction to one of the medications.
• There is a small risk of a pelvic infection following the procedure. Most infections occur in women who have a previous history of pelvic infections.
• A blood vessel could be inadvertently injured with the needle.
• For a complete list of medical complications please consult the physician who will be performing the procedure.
  
  

Where will my retrieval take place? The egg retrieval will take place at the clinic with which the intended parents are working.

Will I have to travel, and for how long? You will have to travel only if the clinic that the intended parents select is in a different city. If so, you will have to travel to the city in which the clinic is located for a minimum of 3 days but, normally, no more than 10 days.

What if a donor cycle is cancelled? Am I still compensated if the recipient cancels the cycle? Yes, you will be compensated through that portion of the cycle.  Remember, you are being compensated for your time.

Who makes my travel arrangements? Our program coordinator will arrange all travel and hotel accommodations for your program.

How many times may I donate my eggs? The American Society of Reproductive Medicine recommends that any one woman donate eggs no more than 6 times in a lifetime.