Egg Donor FAQs
Answers to frequently asked questions about being an egg donor
Q. Will the egg donation process impact my chances of becoming pregnant in the future?
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A. It should not. The risk of a severe complication related to egg donation is less than .05% and even less for a complication that could impact fertility. We also make sure to only work with doctors who are highly qualified and follow the most rigorous medical standards.
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Q. How much will I be paid to donate my eggs?
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A. While egg donors are not paid for their eggs, they are paid for the time and care they commit to the egg donation cycle. Compensation starts at $10k - $13k for first-time donors, and goes up for each additional cycle. We have many donors who eventually receive over $20k for a cycle. An egg donor can complete up to six egg donation cycles. In some cases, more.
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Q. When am I paid?
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A. Donors receive $500 when they begin medications, and the balance of their compensation after the egg retrieval.
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Q. If I donate my eggs will I run out?
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A. No. Women have hundreds of thousand of eggs. A small amount of these eggs are lost each month through ovulation. The only eggs a woman loses during egg donation are the eggs she would have naturally shed that month.
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Q. Can I donate if I am on birth control?
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A. Yes. Donors are instructed to stop birth control pills shortly before they begin fertility medications. Donors with an IUD and other forms of birth control can also donate.
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Q. Do I have to pay for any medical expenses?
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A. No. The hopeful parents pay for all medical expenses, and all other expenses related to the egg donation cycle.
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Q. Can I donate if I have had my tubes tied?
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A. Yes.
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Q. Can I go to my own doctor for the medical screening?
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A. No, the medical screening is completed at the fertility clinic chosen by the hopeful parents.
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Q. How can I be sure that my donation remains confidential?
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A. Donor confidentiality is highly protected by all professionals (doctor, nurses, therapists, agency staff, etc) involved with the egg donation cycle.
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Q. Will I get to meet the couple that receives my eggs?
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A. We can facilitate a meeting between the hopeful parents and egg donor, as long as both parties agree to this arrangement.
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Q. What are my responsibilities to any children that may be born from this process?
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A. The hopeful parents assume total responsibility for the children born from this process. This is guaranteed in the legal contract between the egg donor and hopeful parents.
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Q. How much time will I have to take off of school or work?
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A. It is possible to complete the egg donor health screening around a work or school schedule. Once the egg donor begins fertility medications she will need to be available for regular monitoring appointments at the fertility clinic. These appointments usually occur in the morning. Egg donors typically need to take these medications for 10-12 days and there are usually 6-8 monitoring appointments during this time.
The donor will have to take off work or school on the day of the egg retrieval. She will also need someone to drive her home after the egg retrieval.
If the egg donation cycle involves travel to the city where the hopeful parent's fertility clinic is located, the donor will need to take about 7-10 days off work or school, unless they can fulfill their work or school duties remotely.
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Q. Will I have to pay for the expenses if travel is involved in my match?
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A. No. The hopeful parents pay for all expenses.
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Q. What are the side effects from taking fertility medication?
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A. Most egg donors experience few side effects when taking fertility medications. The most common side effects are some mild abdominal bloating and a slightly heightened emotional state. The medications will be out of the egg donor's system within 48 hours after the egg retrieval. The bloating usually subsides within a week after the retrieval.
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Q. Do I have the right to receive information regarding the hopeful parents?
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A. Egg donors can request information about the hopeful parents, but we can only provide information the hopeful parents are comfortable sharing.
