Egg Donation Process

Key Takeaways

• Egg quality plays a big role in fertility, and it’s influenced by everything from your lifestyle and mental health to age and genetic factors.
• By eating a balanced diet, exercising, managing stress, limiting cigarettes and alcohol, and working closely with your fertility doctor, you can optimize your egg quality and increase your chances of achieving pregnancy.  
• If you have been trying to conceive for more than one year without a successful pregnancy, it’s time to talk to a fertility care specialist. For women over 35, seeking expert care after six months is advisable.

What Is Egg Donation?

In straightforward terms, egg donation involves extracting healthy eggs from a donor to help another person, the recipient, achieve pregnancy. Donor eggs are fertilized in a specialized laboratory via in vitro fertilization (IVF) then placed into the uterus of the person carrying the pregnancy.

There are many reasons an individual might need to use someone else’s eggs to become pregnant. Some patients may not have responded well to hormone treatments or IVF cycles in the past, or they could be older patients facing age-related fertility decline and therefore not able to produce healthy eggs of their own. Other patients may have damaged ovaries due to chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

Some egg recipients may have a genetic or chromosomal abnormality that they want to prevent passing on to their children but still would like to experience pregnancy. For same-sex couples, single individuals, and people of all identities who wish to build a family but lack the ability to carry a baby to term, egg donation with a gestational carrier can present a viable and fulfilling pathway to parenthood. 

Choosing to proceed with an egg donor represents a significant change for patients who initially hoped for a biological child. However, it also offers an extraordinary chance to create a family.

Egg Retrieval Process

No matter the reason, the process of egg donation is relatively similar across the board.

Pre-Retrieval Checkups

Before the egg retrieval process can begin, the donor undergoes testing to evaluate the viability of retrieval and the health of the extracted eggs. 

To maximize the chances of success, egg donors at SDFC are healthy women aged 20 to 30 who undergo a thorough review, including the following:

• Comprehensive application and in-person interview
• Medical history review and physical examination
• Infectious disease testing
• Psychological assessment
• Genetic counseling and inheritable disease screening

Ovarian Stimulation

Once the egg donor is approved and gets the green light from a fertility specialist, she undergoes ovarian stimulation to retrieve multiple eggs.

In a typical menstrual cycle, usually only one egg fully matures and gets released. However, when collecting donated eggs, hormone injections and medications are administered for roughly two weeks to stimulate multiple eggs to mature concurrently. These mature eggs are then extracted together. Any unused eggs are often frozen (or cryopreserved) for future use in IVF or for a donor egg bank.

Egg Retrieval

After starting the hormone treatment, a monitoring period helps determine the optimal time for egg extraction.Eggs develop within follicles in the ovary, and as they mature, the follicles increase in size. When the follicles reach a specific diameter, a final hormone injection (called the “trigger shot”) is given – and soon it’s time for egg retrieval. The egg retrieval procedure is done in an outpatient setting, under sedation by a fertility doctor. The doctor will use a transvaginal ultrasound device and a special needle to extract the eggs from the ovaries.The retrieved eggs are placed in a stable environment for further evaluation by an embryologist. They can be used for fertilization immediately or frozen for future use in IVF cycles or egg banks.

Who Is Eligible for Egg Donation

The screening criteria for egg donors can vary slightly depending on the facility, but there are common guidelines that most organizations follow. Let’s break it down:

• Age and Health Egg donors are typically healthy women between the ages of 21 and 31. They should not have significant medical conditions.
• Body Mass Index (BMI)Many clinics require that donors fall within a specific BMI range. Maintaining a healthy weight is important for successful egg retrieval.
• Non-SmokingDonors are usually required to be non-smokers. Smoking can negatively impact fertility and overall health.
• Inheritable DiseasesProspective donors undergo screening for inheritable diseases. This involves completing a family history form to assess any potential genetic risks.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)Donors are tested for STIs such as chlamydia, syphilis, HIV, and other infections that people can get through sexual contact.
• Psychological EvaluationFertility clinics also assess prospective donors psychologically. The process of donating eggs can be emotionally challenging, so evaluating how donors cope with these aspects is crucial.

How Safe is Egg Donation?

Egg donation is generally safe, but there are potential side effects associated with the process. During the hormone injection phase, some individuals may experience pain or minor bruising, especially when giving their own shots. 

A rare condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) can occur after egg retrieval, with symptoms including weight gain, swelling, and pain in the abdomen. Severe cases require medical attention, but most cases are mild and resolve within a week. 

The egg retrieval procedure itself is considered a low risk procedure, with generally minimal side effects such as mild cramping and light bleeding. Complications from the procedure are rare. In fact, one study found less than 1 percent of patients had complications related to ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval.Any discomfort is usually temporary and can be helped with over-the-counter pain relief medication such as Tylenol.

Egg Donation Process FAQs

How old must I be to donate eggs?

While it can vary among clinics, the required age range usually falls between 21 and 31 years of age. At SDFC, our egg donors are between 20 to 30 years old.

How often can I donate eggs?

Fertility clinics typically direct you to wait at least two to three months between donation cycles. In addition, American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommends that donors limit their total donation cycles to six throughout their lifetimeIs egg donation anonymous?

We collaborate with both identified and anonymous egg donors at SDFC. Typically, donors from egg banks remain anonymous. However, with the increasing availability of at-home DNA testing, complete anonymity is no longer assured. As donor-conceived children grow into adults, they may express curiosity about their biological origins. Fortunately, there are abundant resources and support networks available for families dealing with these sensitive matters. Be sure to discuss any concerns about egg bank anonymity with your doctor.

What legal issues are involved in egg donation?

Most clinics require that both donors and recipients sign a contract or consent form. This document outlines the donor’s relationship to any child born from their eggs. Donors typically waive any legal rights or responsibilities associated with the resulting child. Additionally, it usually covers details about compensation, expenses, and other relevant matters.Some states have laws addressing the rights of children conceived through egg donation. When these children reach a certain age, they may have the right to learn the donor’s identity. It’s essential to be aware of the legal framework in your specific state.If a donor wishes to withdraw from the arrangement, they can do so. However, their compensation may be limited based on the terms of the contract.If you have concerns about the legality of a contract proposed by a clinic or recipient, seek advice from a legal professional who can guide you on your options and potential implications.

Bottom Line

The egg donation process involves both compensation to the donor for her time and effort, as well as compassion since it plays a crucial role in helping couples achieve their dream of parenthood. If you are interested in becoming an egg donor, visit us online to begin your application and learn more.If you are having difficulties trying to conceive and would like a personalized evaluation to determine your options, please contact our office to schedule an appointment. If we establish that donor eggs are a viable part of your personalized fertility treatment plan, we can connect you with a referral from one of the egg donation centers with which we collaborate. At SDFC, we’ve managed our own in-house egg donor program for more than 20 years, and our double board certified fertility care experts are here to help you every step of the way.

The information provided in this article is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re considering egg donation, consult with a qualified fertility specialist to discuss your individual situation. Egg donation involves medical procedures and legal agreements, and it’s essential to understand the process thoroughly before making any decisions.