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1) How much will I get paid to donate my eggs?
Our egg donation compensation is $10,000 on average for a completed egg donation cycle, post retrieval. You can earn more, depending on your qualifications. Our staff will determine if your profile may fit a VIP Custom Donor category. If your cycle is canceled due to no fault of your own, you are compensated $500.
2) How old do I have to be to donate my eggs?
We ask that you between the ages of 20 and 31 years of age, though exceptions are occasionally made for women who may fit the Custom Category.
3) Do I have to live in a city that I would like to donate?
No. We accept egg donors from all over the United States and Canada. You may need to travel for egg retrieval and to be prepared to stay near a clinic for 5-10 days during your retrieval process. We are not able to accept donors from outside of the United States and Canada.
4) How long does it take till I can donate my eggs?
The time can vary but most often it takes a month or so for you to complete your preliminary approval. Once accepted into our program, ideally an Intended Parent will find you soon. However, the time is not exact as your profile may not fit a particular Intended Parent right away. Some donors may never be matched; other donors are matched almost immediately, and we do all we can to create an attractive profile which shares photos of you, medical background, your interests and personality.
5) What is the egg donation process like?
The egg donation cycle itself usually takes about 3-4 weeks, and you will be administering self-injections of hormonal medications to help your ovaries produce multiple eggs. During this phase, you will have frequent local office visits to monitor your progress. Prior to this stage, you will visit the Intended Parents clinic at least once, for on site examinations, blood tests, drug and std testing. Once you get close to the retrieval time, you will travel again to the Intended Parents clinic for 5-10 days for the retrieval period.
6) Do I have a choice to be anonymous or not?
Yes. You may choose to be known or anonymous, and we will find Intended Parents who are in synchronicity with your wishes.
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7) What egg donation side effects will I experience (if any) from taking fertility medication?
Most egg donors go through the process with no side effects; however, some may feel bloating, weight gain, pelvic discomfort or moodiness. It may feel like the symptoms of Pre Menstrual syndrome that you experience before or during your period
8) How will egg donation affect my personal lifestyle?
Once on fertility drugs, you need to ensure that you have only protected sexual intercourse for that month as well as the month following egg donation. From start to finish, you will generally have 10-12 doctor visits; the majority of these visits occur during the two weeks prior to egg retrieval and can be done at a locally approved clinic.
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9) Will I be more or less fertile after egg donation?
You will be more fertile in the month following egg donation. After one month, you will return to your normal fertility status.
10) How does egg donation affect my fertility in the future?
Egg donation does not appear to have any long-term effects on your fertility.
11) What are some of the medical risks or other medical complications that may occur if I donate my eggs?
Egg retrieval is always performed under ultrasound guidance. However, there is always a risk that a needle may puncture surrounding tissue or organs causing injury, bleeding and/or infection. There is also a small risk (less than 5%) of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. During ovarian hyperstimulation, the ovaries become enlarged and fluid may collect in the abdominal cavity causing bloating; a weight gain of 5-10 pounds and severe pelvic pain may occur. Hospitalization may be required if ovarian hyperstimulation progresses to a severe state. In addition, certain studies have suggested that some ovulation drugs are associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer; research in this area is ongoing, however, and more recent data refutes such a risk.
12) How long does the egg donation process take?
The egg donation process from treatment start to retrieval takes approximately one month. The egg retrieval itself takes minutes.
13) Will the couple who receives my eggs ever find out who I am?
If you sign up for the anonymous egg donation process, the couple will not find out who you are. They will know characteristics about you, but not your name or any other information that could lead to your identification.
14) What is involved with taking infertility medication?
The medications you will need to take are injectable. You will be required to give yourself injections one time per day for the first two weeks of the egg donation process and two times per day for the second two weeks. The fertility clinic nurses will teach you how to self-inject safely and are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions.
15) Will I be put under general anesthesia for egg retrieval?
We use intravenous (IV) sedation, which is administered by an anesthesiologist. Occasionally, you may experience short-term side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, sleepiness. Therefore, we instruct you to rest for 24 hours after egg donation. You are also required to be picked up by somebody after the egg donation and must not drive for 24 hours.
16) How many eggs does the average donor produce?
Egg production depends on the individual and how they respond to the medication; the number of eggs produced by a donor can be as low as 5 and as high as 35 or more.
17) Will I experience a lot of pain or bleeding after egg retrieval?
No. You may experience some discomfort similar to menstrual cramps. You may also have bloating, spotting, abdominal cramping.
18) How long will I have to be away from work or school after the egg retrieval?
For donors who need to travel, we suggest that you anticipate the possibility of being away from home twice; once for 2 days, and once for 5-10 days in the city where the clinic is located.
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19) How long will it take for my body to return to normal after egg retrieval?
Following your next menstrual cycle, your body should be back to normal.
20) How often can I donate?
Most RE Doctors will allow up to six donations, each at least three months apart.