Egg donation is a selfless act of helping an intended couple or individual to have a family of their own. If you are choosing to donate your eggs, then you may have one or two questions about the requirements of the process and about the egg donation process itself. In this detailed piece, our fertility expert at Orange County provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Egg donation. We also explore what you should expect and the things to watch out for to make sure you are safe while the process is going on.
Egg donation is highly regulated
To the FDA, egg donation is just like the donation of any other organs of the human body. There are several regulations and rules in place for prospective donors and egg donation agencies.
There are three ways to make egg donations: It can be through an agency, through a fertility clinic that runs a donor service or a direct egg donation
Agencies are always looking for potential egg donors to recruit. They can pay very generously based on the specifics of an egg donor. Note that donors donโt always receive the same compensation. Most agencies base the amount depending on the cost of living in the area and probably cover costs, like transportation, lost wages, among other expenses.
For instance, in California, egg donor compensation ranges from $6,000 to $12,000. You can even earn as much as $25,000 for donating your eggs if you go through a reputable agency. Instead of recruitment through an agency, you can also look for a clinic that offers donor services by yourself. Another possible option is direct egg donation. In this case, an egg donor donates her eggs to someone she knows, e.g., a friend or family member. It takes away the need for the matchmaking process carried out by agencies. Some intended families have specific egg donor requirements such as Ivy League school education. In cases like these, such families may advertise in a local newspaper with specific requirements for matching candidates to donate eggs.
Receiving a big payout for a specifically directed egg donation is not always a good idea
There are compensation guidelines in place to ensure that there is no financial forcing in the Egg Donation Process. Our fertility treatment center in Orange County is not in support of such practices for Egg Donation. We aim to identify compassionate women who are not doing it for monetary reasons only. At Coastal Fertility, Orange County, we always look for donors who see the egg donation process as a way of helping another person while helping themselves, too. Many times, advertisements for donors put too much emphasis on the financial part. A woman might later regret her decision if she sees egg donation only as a means of getting money. Such a decision could affect her for life.
Coastal Fertility Clinic, Orange County recommends not to go for Egg Donation more than six times
There are two reasons for this. First, it is to ensure that the donor is safe, sound, and healthy. Secondly, to make sure that there are not too many half-siblings roaming the streets unknowingly. Please remember that there is no national registry or disclosure policy on this matter. So, parents donโt need to tell their children they are conceived with donor eggs. It is also the reason for the lack of proper monitoring of the six-time limit to maintain the balance of egg quantity. After donating six times at a particular clinic, a donor can still try to make egg donations at another clinic. The same applies to sperm donation. Sperm banks also limit the number of times a donor can donate. These are stipulated guidelines that ASRM (American Society for Reproductive Medicine) has set.
A series of physical and psychological screenings fall under the Requirements before you Donate Eggs
As per FDA regulations, a prospective donor may not be eligible if she has gotten a tattoo on any part of the body within the past twelve months, where strict sterile procedures were not in place. We may also review your travel history. It is to be sure that you have not visited a country affected by Zika in the last six months. During the physical examination, you may have to go through a series of blood tests. You will also undergo an ultrasound to ascertain the number of remaining eggs you have in your egg reserve. All this information is important to anyone willing to become an egg donor. Qualified at the moment or not, a prospective donor would at least gain valuable information about her fertility.
The screening process can be very thorough, and only a small percentage of people qualify for egg donation
The percentage of people eligible for egg donation differs from one clinic to the next. It is because of the intensive screening process. Only a small number of candidates end up becoming egg donors at many agencies. Different factors can lead to disqualifications, e.g., Body Mass Index (BMI).
STI history can also affect eligibility
The screenings mostly target HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and hepatitis. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common sexually transmitted infection and is checked on a case-by-case basis. In line with FDA regulations, you are ineligible for egg donation if youโve had a treatment of chlamydia or gonorrhea within the past twelve months. Plus, if you are diagnosed with Syphilis, Hepatitis B, or C, you cannot donate eggs. These diseases can be transferred to the offspring.ย
Who to consider a good fit as a prospective egg donor?
Based on the selection requirements at our Orange County fertility clinic, the ideal candidates for egg donation are women between the age of 19 to 29, who have a college degree, and do not smoke. Note that your BMI must fall below 28 to be eligible to participate in our egg donor program.
You will likely get a match before completing most of the process
You are going to have a match with an intended parent before the onset of the screening process. Some of the donated eggs are frozen to be used later in the future. Although, in many cases, both the donor and the recipient of the eggs will be undergoing treatment concurrently. This way, the donated eggs are going to be โfreshโ at the time for fertilization.ย
Find a reputable clinic for egg donation
It is good to do your research before choosing a clinic. Contact clinics that you think would be suitable for you to inform them of your intention to become a donor. Ask questions about their requirements and procedures and the risks that come with Donating Eggs before you donate. Ensure that they comply with the guidelines set by ASRM.ย
Make sure the clinic protects your anonymity
The process requires you to reveal certain personal details, medical history as well as your family & genetic history. However, the clinic is responsible for protecting your anonymity and privacy from the intended parents. Otherwise, it is a big warning sign. There should be no force on you to reveal your identity to egg recipients. Although you are receiving payment, you need to speak up when necessary.
The actual process may take several weeks
The egg donation process usually begins with an online application. Once the donor has been accepted, we are going to create a profile. We will put details of her best qualities and give them to the intended parents. After matching with a recipient, you will then proceed to the screening process. Screening includes background checks, psychological evaluation, and medical examination. You will then agree upon a contract and will have a coordinator assigned to you. It is the coordinator who will discuss fertility medications, birth control, and your schedule while the egg donation cycle is going on.
The next thing to do is to visit our clinic for egg retrieval. All expenses related to the egg donation process will be paid off. Additionally, one of our fertility experts will carry out the egg retrieval using a less invasive procedure.ย
Although the procedure itself does not take more than half an hour, you will need to be at the clinic for a few hours. Once you get the go-ahead to go home, we will schedule a post-retrieval check-up at a monitoring center nearby you.ย
Stay away from sex until your next menstrual period after undergoing the egg donation process
The chances are that your fertility doctor will not retrieve all mature eggs during the process. Also, you will be very fertile at this time due to the self-injected fertility hormones. While we do everything to ensure all eggs are retrieved, one cannot guarantee that there is no egg left behind. So, we advise donors to avoid sexual intercourse until their next menstrual period to prevent unexpected pregnancy.
Note: In case you are facing any abdominal pain or having irregular periods, consult your fertility clinic or the physician.
Know that women from all walks of life donate eggs
All types of women make egg donations. We have seen the artist who wants to augment their income and the kind-hearted person who only wants to assist another family. We have also come across college student who may wish to travel upon graduation or is looking to clear his student loans.ย
It is not all about compensationย
One of the most common misconceptions about egg donation is that it is all about compensation. Women donโt always give out their eggs for money, but to help others start a family. A donor might know someone battling with infertility. Looking at all the requirements to donate eggs, one can understand that it is not an easy task. Donors pass though a lot to give out their eggs. Break down the money they receive into hourly compensation, and you will realize they are not doing it solely for the money. A lot of our best donors have a story behind their decision or know someone that does. We are not saying that money doesnโt help. Of course, it does, but it is not the motivating factor.
If you are interested in becoming an egg donor or want to know whether you qualify for the egg donation program, fill out the application to see if you qualify.
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