Becoming an Anonymous Egg Donor
Egg Donation at REACH - Information for Egg Donors
Egg donation can be a wonderful gift, and we require a strong commitment from our Egg Donors. Become an egg donor at REACH and receive $4,500 in total compensation per cycle. Egg donation, in conjunction with IVF (in vitro fertilization), makes it possible for women who have poor-quality eggs or too few eggs to realize their dream of conceiving a child. If you are considering egg donation, the team of experts at Reproductive Endocrinologist Associates of Charlotte (REACH) want to provide you with all of the information you need to decide whether becoming an egg donor is right for you.
Who Can Become an Egg Donor?
If you meet the following criteria, you may be eligible to be an egg donor:
- In good physical and emotional health
- Between the ages of 21 and 31
- BMI less then 30
- No negative inheritable/genetic traits
The Egg Donation Process
Egg donation, also known as ovum donation, involves multiple steps. Although it is a complex process, it is a worthwhile experience, because the end result is a precious gift for a deserving couple. After passing the screening questionnaire and you are invited to one of our informational seminars that lasts about an hour in our office, the entire process is covered in more detail at the informational seminar. There is no cost to the donor during the egg donation process.
Screening
After completing the initial application form, the screening process begins. Potential donors are asked questions regarding their general health, family medical history, and gynecological history. A complete physical evaluation is then completed followed by a personality test.
Selection and Matching
Once selected, a donor meets with a fertility expert who will help her understand the egg donation process. She will also be matched with a recipient couple. Since the egg donor program is confidential, the donor's identity will remain anonymous to the recipient.
Cycle Synchronization
Hormones, often in the form of birth control pills, are administered in order to coordinate the donor's cycle with that of the recipient. Synchronization may take a few weeks to a couple of months. During this stage, egg donors may experience symptoms similar to those of PMS or menopause.
Stimulation
After the donor's cycle has been synchronized with the recipient's cycle, the donor will receive follicle stimulating medications. Since each mature follicle produces one mature egg per month, these injections cause multiple follicles to mature. Donors are carefully monitored during this stage of the egg donation process to prevent over-stimulation. Development of the eggs will also be monitored.
Egg Retrieval
Egg retrieval is performed under moderate sedation anesthesia (aka MAC) and takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes. During the procedure, the physician inserts a vaginal ultrasound probe that allows him or her to view the donor's ovaries on a monitor. Then, the eggs are gently aspirated from their follicles.
Compensation for Anonymous Egg Donors
Donors are compensated $4,500 for the completion of a cycle. If the cycle is cancelled due to inadequate ovarian response, the donor will be compensated $75 per day of stimulation completed.
Apply to Be an Anonymous Egg Donor
The first step in the egg donation process is to complete an online history and genetic screening application. Our donor egg department will review your screening questionnaire and you will be contacted to attend one of our informational seminars that last about an hour in our office. Click here to apply to become a Donor.
