Egg Donation Process

Before getting started with the egg donation process you will need to submit an egg donor application online with us and pass an in-depth interview with us. Supporting documentation will be requested of you in regards to SAT, ACT and grades. Intended parents want to know that everything possible has been done to ensure that the donor that they select is indeed the person she has represented herself to be. After you have passed all the application screening with us then you are added to our password protected donor database. Intended parents will look at this database to choose a donor. Please only accept a match with an intended parent if you are 100% committed to the whole process and time frame. The doctor and the intended parents are relying on you to be responsible in following all directions given to you by both the IVF clinic and the doctor.

The first step to the egg donation process is going thru the screening process to assure that you can be a donor. This first screening is typically completed on the 2nd or 3rd day of your menstrual cycle. The following test are completed, FSH, E2, AMH and a transvaginal ultrasound to look at your ovaries as well as to get a count of your resting Antral Follicles. After passing this screening you then move onto your full one day work-up at the intended parents IVF clinic. This screening process entails blood tests to test you for STDs, Hormone Levels, and Genetic Diseases. A trans-vaginal ultrasound will be conducted again to assure that your ovaries, cervix, uterus, etc. look good and healthy. You will have a psychological evaluation prior to this appointment. You will have to take a drug test. All of the screening for Day 2/3 testing can be conducted at a local clinic near you. For your one day work-up you will be required to be screened at the intended parents clinic. If this is the case, we will arrange for you to travel for 1-2 days to have these tests completed. The intended parents are responsible for these travel expenses.

Once you have passed all screening tests and have signed the legal contract and your attorney has send a clearance letter to the IVF clinic that you will be cycling at then you can begin the donation process. You will begin the cycle with the suppression phase. This phase is the cycle before your egg retrieval. You will be on birth control pill for approximately 3 weeks and maybe Lupron. This phase suppresses the ovaries to prepare them for the stimulating medication that will begin the following menstrual cycle. You will begin injectable medication. About 1 week after the start of injections, you will have a period. You will then go in for another trans-vaginal ultrasound and then will begin follicle stimulation hormone, which will stimulate the eggs to begin growing. This medication is usually taken for 7-14 days. During this time, you will be closely watched to determine when you may be ready for retrieval. Since the chance of pregnancy is very high the fertility doctor will recommend that you avoid intercourse from day one of your stimulation until one week after aspiration of the eggs. Sometimes an egg is not aspirated and that could lead to pregnancy for you.

When the doctor determines that it is time for the retrieval you will be given instructions on the exact time to take the HCG injection or Lupron injection. These injection prepares your ovaries to release the follicles. This shot should be given at an exact time as instructed by the doctor. Timing is extremely important!!

The retrieval is scheduled for 36-40 hours after the HCG injection or Lupron injection is given. During the retrieval, you will be under IV anesthesia. The eggs are retrieved from your ovaries via a “vacuuming procedure.” Basically a small needle is inserted through the vaginal wall into the ovaries and the eggs are vacuumed from each follicle. While under anesthesia you will not feel anything during the procedure. The entire procedure itself takes only 15-30 minutes.

The donor will usually stay in the fertility clinic for 1-2 hours to recover and then is released and sent home. You will not be able to drive so a companion will be necessary. You will likely go home and rest for the remainder of the day. You may experience cramping or light bleeding. You will be advised to monitor weight, abdominal girth and discomfort symptoms and call the IVF clinic if you do not feel well. 98% of donors usually return to work or school the day after surgery. The other 2% are back to work and school the 2nd day. Your next period will be within 2 weeks after retrieval and at that time you can resume contraception of choice. This period is likely to be heavier than normal.