Egg Donor Process

The egg donor process is relatively simple, and can happen from beginning to end in just a few short months. Here is a look at the steps that are required: 

1. Approval: Applicants are put through a screening process to determine if they are appropriate candidates to be an egg donor. Though every program is different, common screening items include genetic history to screen out potential carriers of certain diseases, age, lack of reproductive disorders, and a healthy, drug-free body. Women are expected to be between 21-29, typically, because this gives the highest likelihood of healthy, abundant eggs.

2. Medication for overstimulation: Applicants are put on a series of medications to grow multiple eggs at once. This is called ovarian hyperstimulation. This three-drug cycle requires daily injections for a few weeks. Donors are required to refrain from intercourse during this time to avoid accidental fertilization. Women are monitored for the date of ovulation, and scheduled for egg retrieval just before this happens.

3. Egg Retrieval Surgery: This is an outpatient surgery done at many clinics. Donors are placed under twilight sedation, and a laproscopic camera with a small vacuum needle is inserted into each ovary to vacuum out the mature eggs. After the procedure, women are usually clear to go home within 1-2 hours. They will be required to have a driver take them home due to the anesthesia.

4. Fertilization: The final step in the egg donor process, retrieved eggs will be analyzed and graded for their quality. They can then be frozen and/or fertilized by couples in need.