Egg Donor Medical Process
Learn more about the procedures and medications typically involved in an egg donation cycle
Our Southern California egg donor agency walks women through each step of the donor egg medical process. This process includes the egg donor undergoing various medical evaluations, taking fertility medications, receiving regular monitoring at the fertility clinic, and eventually having a simple procedure to retrieve her eggs. We help ensure that this experience is as straightforward and comfortable as possible for our egg donors.
Egg donation fertility medications and procedures
With our expert support, donors often find that the following steps involved in the egg donor medical process are simple and even enjoyable.
Birth control. In many cases the donor takes birth control pills for a few weeks leading up to the egg donation cycle. Some doctors require donors with an IUD have it removed before the donation cycle begins.
Infectious disease screening. Before beginning fertility medications the donor will be tested for infectious diseases like HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.
Ovarian stimulation medications. During the 10-12 days the egg donation medical process typically lasts, the donor self-administers ovarian stimulation medications. These medications cause multiple eggs to mature. At a certain point, the doctor will have the donor begin taking a medication that helps to prevent ovulation.
Monitoring appointments. While the donor is taking fertility medications, she will go to the fertility clinic numerous times for monitoring. This monitoring includes bloodwork and ultrasounds and allows the fertility doctor to assess how the donor's body is responding to the medications, and determine when to retrieve the eggs.
Trigger shot. When the donor’s eggs have reached a certain size, the fertility doctor will instruct her to take a medication that triggers the release of the eggs. The donor will undergo the simple egg retrieval procedure about 35 to 36 hours after taking the trigger shot.
Recovery. Egg donors typically experience minimal discomfort after the egg retrieval procedure and are able to resume most activities the day after the retrieval. However, fertility doctors usually recommend women abstain from exercise and intercourse until they have their period. This typically occurs about two weeks after the egg retrieval.
During the egg donor medical process our Southern California egg donor agency is in close communication with the donor, ensuring that she is fully supported and comfortable.
