Do I have to have medical insurance?
It is recommended that all people have medical insurance but if you don't you can still be a donor in our program. The intended parent you are matched with will purchase complications insurance for you.
Are there any complications of which I should be aware?
Most women experience little to no complications. You can experience minor discomfort after the procedure, or symptoms associated with your natural cycles, such as headaches, moodiness, or cramping. There have been a very small number of extreme cases of hyper stimulation. Although it has never happened in our program, there is a need to disclose
Can you briefly tell me what the process is like?
Medications are given to suppress the menstrual cycle and ovarian stimulating medications are given to stimulate the production of eggs. Most of these medications are injections and are self-administered for 2-4 weeks (this can vary) until retrieval. The retrieval is done vaginally with a catheter under a mild intravenous (IV) sedation. The retrieval takes about
Will I undergo surgery?
No. Eggs are retrieved vaginally. There is no surgical cut. For the egg donor's comfort, the procedure is preformed under IV sedation. It is required that the egg donor have a companion to take her home as she is not allowed to drive after the egg retrieval.
How do I give myself injections?
Instructions will be given on how to administer the daily injections. All injections are subcutaneous (under the skin), so they are easy to self-administer. The syringes used have a very small needle and are usually well tolerated by the egg donor.
Are the medications I take safe?
The medications taken for fertility treatment and egg donation are used throughout the United States and the world. This widespread use is the result of rigorous testing for effectiveness and safety by the scientific community and the FDA here in the USA.
What kinds of medications are used?
Medications are used to coordinate cycles, suppress ovulation, stimulate follicles, and to trigger release of eggs. Examples of these include birth control pills, Lupron, Ganirelix, Follistim, Gonal-F, Menopur and HCG. These may be used in different combinations depending on the clinic and physician and some of the medications can be known by various names.
Can I donate eggs if my tubes are tied?
Yes. The aspiration of eggs occurs before the eggs are released by the body. Therefore it is irrelevant as to whether an egg donor’s tubes are tied.
Does egg donation cost me anything?
No. The prospective parents are responsible for all egg donor costs incurred as a result of an egg donation cycle. These expenses include egg donor compensation, all egg donor medical costs, insurance, attorney fees and travel expenses.
Will I miss school or work?
Most appointments are scheduled for early in the morning so the egg donor will have as little disruption to her schedule as possible. The retrieval day will require an entire missed day. Most egg donors return to school or work the following day. Due to the time sensitive nature of the procedures, it is most