The Egg Donation Process: What to Expect When Donating Ovum
The egg donation process is a very thorough one, and is purely rewarding too! However, you may not be familiar with the process of donating ovum in detail.
If you're reading this, perhaps you are donating ovum for altruistic reasons, or perhaps, your motivation is financial in nature. For many donors, their motivation involves a little bit of both because it always takes a remarkable woman to have the courage to give others a chance to raise families of their own.
Without a doubt, one must be brave, because there are so many unknowns–especially if it is their first time donating eggs!
Working with a reputable surrogacy agency that can guide you through the egg donation process is incredibly important. They will make sure that everything is in order before you receive your initial fertility medications.
Surrogate agencies expedite the entire journey from start to finish, so here’s what to expect when donating eggs for the first time.
Why do some women decide to donate their eggs?
Infertility treatments have come a long way in recent times, and success rates are reasonably high.
You'd be wrong to assume that women only donate ovum for the money because there's almost always a charitable component to the decision. Certainly, financial compensation plays a significant part – and you may initially focus on the money – yet it's common for altruistic reasons to win over many women who want to donate their eggs to help a family in need.
Empathy toward couples – the total strangers you'll never meet in person – requires an extraordinary kindness and uncommon compassion that not everyone can demonstrate by their actions.
You might not realize it because it's part of who you are, but when you decide to donate eggs, it says something loud and clear about how you feel about helping others!
The money is simply prudent from a time-investment standpoint; however, it isn't everything.
What types of families benefit from egg donation?
The families that can benefit from egg donation include the full range from single individuals to married and same-sex couples!
Surrogacy in the U.S. has a reputation worldwide, so sometimes, families come from overseas to find suitable surrogates when their home country doesn't allow them.
Surrogates go into the equation to give others a chance to experience parenthood whenever it's impossible to become pregnant or too risky. The reasons people may not be able to conceive vary, but the takeaway is clear: surrogates help all types of families!
What are the requirements to be eligible to donate ovum?
If you're unsure of the requirements to donate eggs, it's always best to contact a surrogate agency or a fertility clinic. Of course, you need to be in good health and a non-smoker who lives in a non-smoking household too!
A healthy reproductive history is essential as well, and if your body mass index (BMI) is around 30, you'll qualify – but there's a catch. Donating eggs usually requires a lower BMI than it takes to qualify as a surrogate mother.
That's why the recommended age is between 18 and 34 years old. Women in this demographic have a statistically higher chance of producing healthy ova. That way, the fertility clinic can increase its success rate by providing strong, healthy eggs for in-vitro fertilization procedures.
Your education level may also come into play, but it's mainly for intended parents to compare different donors.
What is the egg donation process like?
The first step is to apply for egg donation–and then pass all the health screenings and medical requirements.
At a minimum, you'll have to undergo physical exams, see a gynecologist, give blood and urine samples, and give your family's medical history as best you can. The matching process comes next, and that's when an agency may get involved!
After getting approved and finding intended parents, you'll start by taking various fertility medications, like hCG, FSH and Ganirelix, at specific points during your menstrual cycle to kick-start the egg-producing process. The first ten days or so involve taking hormonal drugs via injection; you can perform some of these at home.
Next, the egg retrieval process then comes into play when a physician administers a so-called "trigger shot" and removes the ovum after about 36 hours.
Finally, a tiny needle will be inserted into your ovaries to suction out the eggs, and this part can take as little as 15 minutes to finish.
How much can I be paid for donating my eggs?
Compensation for donating ovum varies clinic-to-clinic, but generally, you can expect to fetch about $10,000 or more as base payment.
If you have specialized eggs, you can earn as much as $20,000!
But keep in mind that those figures are estimates, so your actual payment may vary slightly.
Still, the situation gets murky when you talk about international egg donation, so be sure to ask questions from the agency.
Does the egg donation process hurt?
When you donate eggs, you'll be under sedation, so you don't feel any pain during the actual procedure. However, the retrieval may cause a few side effects, and the truth is that everyone's body responds differently.
You might notice spotting or feel more bloated than usual, including cramping and soreness!
The good news is that most women recover in a day or two, and no side effects are long-lasting.
As you can see, the egg donation process at a fertility clinic is pretty thorough, which is why it takes a while to complete. In the end, you can rest assured knowing you've made a difference in someone's life!
About SurrogateFirst
We're a boutique surrogate agency specializing in quickly matching intended parents around the world with our fully-vetted, exceptional surrogates.
We help individuals and couples, regardless of race or sexual orientation, build their families through the miracle of surrogacy.
Every team member at SurrogateFirst is either a former intended parent or an experienced surrogate herself. We also have first-hand knowledge of what it takes to have an incredible, successful surrogate journey.
Speak with an experienced surrogate today to learn more about how to become a surrogate or if you need to find a suitable surrogate.
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