Egg donation is a big step to take for any woman. Whether you want to be an egg donor or you need the services of one, this choice will change your life for the better.
We hear a lot of different questions from women who are considering egg donation, whether as egg donors or as intended parents. Despite your plans or intentions, you deserve to be as well-informed as possible before making a decision.
Hopefully, this article will address some of the most commonly asked questions regarding egg donation.
1. How Much does Egg Donation Cost?
The exact cost of egg donation depends on a variety of circumstances including location, experience, ethnicity, and more. However, there are some general guidelines available on what contributes to the costs of egg donation. The intended parents cover a number of fees, including compensation for their egg donor. There are also medical screenings and exams, and a supplemental short term insurance policy for the donor.
2. What Fees Does the Egg Donor Pay?
The egg donor covers the cost of a current pap smear. Under normal circumstances, they need to provide for their own local transportation. There are no other financial expectations of the egg donor.
3. Why Are Donors Compensated?
Egg donation requires a substantial commitment, and significant sacrifices in terms of personal availability and convenience. The process involves a significant amount of time and effort on their part, as well as a number of relatively basic medical procedures. An egg donor passes significant requirements and background investigation in order to help others that need their service. ConceiveAbilities believe that they deserve something, in return for their many sacrifices.
4. What Medication Must an Egg Donor Take?
This is something that must be attended to by the physician involved. There is no protocol that covers all cases equally, but – here again – there are some general guidelines of what you ought to be able to expect. Specific drugs may vary.
Lupron
Lupron prevents a woman from ovulating, and it also stops her eggs from naturally growing their own follicle – the nutrient “sack” which surrounds the actual cell. It does this by impeding the production of certain natural hormones within the woman’s body. This impediment is only temporary.
FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
FSH, which is available under a variety of brand names, occurs naturally within a woman’s body, but in smaller amounts than her dosage as an egg donor will entail. The second medication in the sequence, it is administered in order to stimulate follicle growth at the right time, in a more efficient and controlled fashion than what might occur naturally.
hGC (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)
Like FSH, hGC occurs naturally within a woman’s body. It is all but entirely responsible for controlling the metabolic function of an egg. In controlled amounts, as the third medication in the egg donor sequence, it is used to help a woman’s eggs reach a state of maturity where they may be harvested, and to induce ovulation as part of the process.
5. What Factors Might Stop Egg Donation?
Applications to become an egg donor are screened very carefully. Physical and mental health are considered. This includes an applicant’s current state, her personal history, and – to a certain extent – her family history. Emotional and financial stability are both weighed, as personal responsibility is a critical factor to help ensure that an applicant completes the process – rather than withdrawing due to the inconvenience. Age is a factor; with ConceiveAbilities, an egg donor must be between twenty-one and twenty-nine years of age.
There is a lot to consider, but mindset is absolutely key. The number one cause for applicant disqualification is actually missed appointments with the professionals involved in the process – in particular, those which are missed without any notification in advance. In such cases, cancellation is due in part to notions such as dedication and responsibility, and the expectation thereof. There is also a physiological aspect to such upsets. Many of the steps involved in being an egg donor are extremely time-sensitive; even if a missed appointment is understood, it may make the arrangement nonviable.
6. Are Egg Donor Matches Unknown?
Absolutely. Every measure is taken to ensure that the two parties, the egg donor and the IP, are unknown to each other, with the exception of those wishing for a little more contact. This is by no means required, nor is it specifically suggested or discouraged. It is a purely personal decision, to which both parties must agree.
Due to the constantly evolving laws surrounding surrogacy and egg donation, however, either party must consult with an attorney – a specialist in third party reproductive rights – before any such meeting takes place. Also, by both law and policy, all contracts must be arranged and approved beforehand.
7. Where May I Find More Information on Egg Donation?
ConceiveAbilities offers additional resources on becoming an egg donor and family planning through egg donation.
If you feel that you may be ready to begin either process, please see our respective egg donor and donation services applications.
If you require additional information, here is another, also highly reputable source on the subject.