Making Dreams Come True: Information about Becoming an Egg Donor

Fertility treatments now make it possible for women to get pregnant even if their ovaries are no longer capable of producing mature oocytes (eggs). In such cases, these patients receive eggs from a donor who can produce mature eggs and who wants the opportunity to help dreams come true for couples who may otherwise remain childless.

Women who donate their eggs are genuinely motivated to help couples with few or no other options for pregnancy. Donors incur no medical expenses for their participation, and they will be financially compensated for their time upon completion of the cycle. Money provided to donors is in no way considered to be payment for the eggs, but instead, it provides compensation for the donor's time away from employment or home.

Did You Know:

In a normal conception cycle one egg is released from the ovary each month for fertilization by a sperm cell to create an embryo.

Through the Egg Assistance program, injectable fertility drugs are given to the egg donor to stimulate the development of more than one egg in the ovaries.

Eggs are retrieved using a process called transvaginal ultrasound which is directed aspiration under light anesthesia.

Egg Assistant Program

What is the process for donating eggs?

Through Assisted Reproductive Technology ( A.R.T.) an egg donor gets medication to stimulate her ovaries. Mature eggs then are harvested from her ovaries using a minor office procedure which requires sedation. After the donor's eggs are fertilized in the laboratory, selected embryos (fertilized eggs) are implanted in the recipient's uterus for a potential pregnancy.

The entire time for initiating a cycle until completion will be approximately 28 days, including seven to eight office visits during the cycle. (Appointments are scheduled in the morning.)

Who qualifies to be an egg donor?

Women aged 21-32 who meet the following criteria:

  • Women with normal menstrual cycles
  • Women who are sexually monogamous
  • Women with no significant medical history or chronic medical conditions, including no hereditary genetic disease
  • Women with a Body Mass Index (BMI) < 30 (please use this link to calculate your BMI http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi)
  • Women who reside within a 50-60 mile radius from office
  • Women must have health insurance (All medical expenses for egg donation are the responsibility of the egg recipient, not the egg donor.)

 
Fertility C.A.R.E. is most interested in donors who are motivated to give their eggs because they want to provide the opportunity of giving the 'gift of life' to couples who may otherwise remain childless.

What screening tests are performed for an egg donor?

  • Blood screening - egg donors are required to have blood testing for infectious diseases, including HIV
  • Physical consult - egg donors will meet with a physician for an interview, review of medical records, physical exam, and explanation of procedures, including side effects and risks.
  • Mental Health Counselor - at the discretion of the physician, some egg donors and their partners if applicable will meet with our psychologist to allow them an opportunity to discuss all aspects of egg donation.

If you qualify to be a donor ... next steps

Before you begin the process, you will be asked to sign an informed consent form asking you to relinquish all rights to the eggs at the time they are retrieved. In addition, you must understand that you will not be told whether or not the person who received your eggs achieved a pregnancy.

Once the egg donor screening process is completed and you are eligible to participate in the egg donor program, you will have an appointment with our Infertility Nurse Specialist for an in-depth review of the egg donation process. At this appointment, material will be presented reviewing and demonstrating injection techniques, procedures and scheduling for the egg retrieval process.

Compensation

Fertility C.A.R.E. is most interested in women who are motivated to donate their eggs because they want to provide the 'gift of life' to other women who may otherwise remain childless. Donors are compensated for their time and effort in the amount of $4,500 payable in full at the completion of the cycle following the egg retrieval procedure. Increased compensation will be considered for prior contribution to a live birth through egg donation.

Become an Egg Donor

If you or someone you know would like to give the gift of life and desire more information on R.E.A.C.H. you may:

 
Fertility C.A.R.E.
Attn: REACH
5931 Brick Court
Winter Park, FL 32792

Or you can call Fertility C.A.R.E. at 407-672-1106 to speak with a nurse specialist about becoming an egg donor. We also request that you have your gynecological and obstetrical medical records sent to us. Once we receive your information, a team member will contact you to discuss your eligibility.