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Becoming an Egg Donor

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Published: 02Apr2012
Word count: 518
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Egg Donation Opens New Doors for Infertile Couples

For years, many couples who have been unable to conceive have relied upon fertile donor sperm. More recently, reliable processes for egg harvesting, fertilization and implantation have increased fertility options for women whose own eggs are unviable. Some women donate their eggs at the request of a family member or close friend who does not produce fertile eggs; others answer newspaper adds and are attracted by the handsome fees egg donors command. Whatever the reason, becoming an egg donor is a very serious decision.

Egg Donor Eligibility

Women who wish to donate their eggs must meet criteria established by the relevant fertility clinic or donation program. Donors must usually be aged 21-25 and be a healthy weight for their height and frame size. Potential donors must undergo a battery of medical and psychological tests that normally includes urinalysis, blood tests, a psychological evaluation, a gynecological exam and a complete physical exam. These tests must usually be completed before a prospective donor is accepted into the fertility program. Once the donor is enrolled, they are placed on the list of available egg donors. No eggs are collected until a client has selected the donor and both women have signed consent forms.

Cultivating and Harvesting Eggs

The process of cultivating and harvesting viable eggs is quite lengthy, and requires the donor to take a carefully calibrated set of fertility drugs designed to make the ovaries release many eggs during a single ovulation. While they are taking the drugs, egg donors must have frequent medical exams; most fertility programs compensate donors for time and travel to these appointments, and cover the related medical expenses as well. Donors should also expect random screenings for drug and alcohol use during this time; failed tests usually result in ejection from the donor program. Egg harvesting is a minor surgical procedure that is usually performed under local anesthesia; once the eggs are harvested, the donor's involvement in the process has ended.

Financial Compensation

Many women consider egg donation because of lucrative financial incentives offered by many fertility clinics and egg brokers; donors often receive $8,000-$10,000 per donation, plus coverage of medical expenses and travel to medical appointments. It is important to find out as much as possible about the program or person behind an advertisement; fertility clinics often place ads because they wish to expand their donor roster, while other ads seeking donors are placed by prestigious "fertility brokers" who have been hired directly by their clients to find suitable eggs. If this is the case, potential donors should expect a detailed screening process that may include requests for college transcripts, IQ tests, multiple photographs and character references.

Conclusion

Egg donation is a wonderful option that alleviates the heartbreak of infertility for many loving couples. Women who become donors may find it psychologically difficult to process the reality that they will have genetic offspring who will not be part of their life; counseling can help a donor or prospective donor process the conflicting feelings that result.

Becky Downrose is the Founder of www.myalternativefamily.com - the premier online platform for donating eggs and finding egg donors, as well as sperm donors and co-parent(s). http://www.myalternativefamily.com

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