We're going to assume that you discovered this page because you got curious when you saw an advertisement for egg donors or were told by somebody you know to consider being a donor. Becoming a donor is a very significant decision, so you have to find out as much as you can before signing up for it.
Who can participate in egg donation?
Sad to say, not all women can take part in the amazing journey of egg donation. In many cases, egg donors must be at least 21 years of age and not over the age of 35. There is a maximum age limit since older women don’t respond as well to fertility treatment and there is also that possibility for their eggs to be abnormal. Women who already have gone through a successful pregnancy are also preferred donors because they are much less likely to have concerns about having a genetic offspring born to another person.
What steps are involved in donating eggs?
The process of egg donation involves several steps. You will undergo screening initially and this will involve physical and gynecological exam, blood and urine workups, and a psychological assessment. You may not donate eggs until you are enrolled into a program, matched with a female who will get your eggs. You have to sign a consent as well, so a session with a legal consultant is often provided to talk about your rights and responsibilities as an egg donor.
You will also take a series of fertility drugs, some of which will be administered through injection, to stimulate your ovaries to release many eggs at one time. In some instances, you may be administered with a medicine to halt your ovaries’ normal functioning weeks before stimulating them to release eggs. This makes it less complicated to handle your response to the fertility treatment. Routine tests will be carried out throughout the course of the treatment. A minor surgical procedure will be done to collect the eggs from your ovaries.
How much will I get for donating eggs?
The compensation given to egg donors varies from program to program. Depending on where you are, you can get anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000 for finishing a donor cycle.
Other important reminders
Egg donation can use up a lot of your time. It generally lasts for 2-3 months. Fertility medicines can also cause various symptoms, including puffiness and weight gain, sensitive breasts, and moodiness. In a small number of cases, severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome may happen, and this will call for hospitalization. You also have to avoid having sex or use barrier contraceptives as your fertility treatment migh result to multiple pregnancies.
