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What is an egg donor?
An egg donor is a healthy young woman who is between the
ages of twenty-one and thirty. This special woman donates a few
of her eggs to a recipient who strongly desires to have a
child but who is unable to produce eggs from her own
ovaries. Following their removal, the eggs are fertilized
with the recipient’s male partner’s sperm or with donor
sperm. The resulting embryos are then placed into the
recipient’s uterus. She then has the amazing opportunity of
becoming pregnant, carrying, and delivering a child to
finally create the family she has so long hoped for. A donor
gives one of the most beautiful gifts possible—the gift of
potentially growing a family.
Why would someone need an egg donor?
The recipient of donor egg(s) is someone who desires to have
a child but is unable to produce viable eggs from her own
ovaries. Various reasons a woman might not be able to
produce eggs include premature ovarian failure, infertility
due to poor egg quality or age, severe endometriosis,
genetic disorders that she does not want to pass on, or
elevated follicle stimulating hormone.
What is the first step of being an egg donor?
Intended Parents are looking for a donor who matches their
physical characteristics so that the child will share
physical characteristics with the Intended Parents. Once you
qualify to be an egg donor through our agency, your
information will be placed on our donor list where couples
can view your profile and photo. We are a completely
anonymous egg donor agency so your confidential information
will not be shared. The Intended Parents will not know your
identity but will know your physical characteristics and any
pertinent details of your medical and family history.
What if I am on birth control?
You can continue to use birth control pill while you are
waiting to be matched with an Intended Parent. If you are
using Norplant or Depo Provera you will have to discontinue
use for several months before you can donate. If you have an
Intrauterine Device (I.U.D.) that does not release any level
of hormone, you may be able to donate without removing it.
Will donating eggs now affect my chances of getting
pregnant in the future?
No. You are born with approximately two million eggs. Each
month a group of eggs enter a growth phase that will
ultimately result in ovulation. Normally, your body selects
only one egg each cycle to ovulate and the remaining eggs
from this group do not develop fully and are lost. Fertility
medications allow your body to rescue many of those eggs
that would have been lost and do not affect any eggs
destined to enter growth phase in future cycles.
How many eggs are removed during the retrieval?
On average, ten to twenty eggs are aspirated (removed) per
cycle. Donors can produce sixteen or more eggs.
What are the side effects of the retrieval?
You may experience very minor discomfort such as bloating,
breast tenderness, or some soreness, and your ovaries will
be enlarged.
What are normal activities after the procedure?
You MUST have someone drive you home after the procedure.
You may find that you will wish to sleep for the remainder
of the day after the procedure, and we strongly recommend
you take it easy for a few days post retrieval. Your
fertility clinic physician may give you other guidelines
regarding post-operative activities.
Can the donor have intercourse during the stimulated
cycle?
Giving Hope Egg Donation prefers you do not have
intercourse throughout the cycle, but the fertility clinic
physician will give you exact guidelines.
When can I resume sexual intercourse?
You will need to wait at least a week after the aspiration
to resume sexual intercourse, preferably after your normal
cycle resumes.
When will I get my next period?
The next period of your normal cycle will generally start
ten to twelve days after the aspiration.
How many times can I be a donor?
The number of times you would like to donate is up to you
and the fertility clinic physician. On average donors will
donate eggs one to five times in a lifetime.
Who pays my medical bills?
All medical costs are funded by the Intended Parents.
What will be my compensation?
Compensation for your time is based on your number of donations with Giving Hope, which you will
receive within 72 hours of egg retrieval:
- $ 5,500 First time donor with Giving Hope
- $ 6,500 Second and third time donor with Giving Hope
- $ 7,000 Fourth through sixth time donor with Giving Hope
The compensation
paid does not begin to fully reflect the immense gratitude
the Intended Parents feel. Their deep appreciation and good
wishes for the donor continue for many years.
Do I meet the couple receiving my eggs?
No. We are an anonymous egg donation agency. The recipient
will not know your identity, only your physical
characteristics and the details of your medical history,
family history, hobbies, and educational background.
Will I have to miss time from school or work?
Yes possibly. You will have to go to the clinic three to
four times for ultrasounds and blood work. You will also
have to miss school or work for one to two days for egg
retrieval.
When does the recipient receive the eggs from me?
After about three days the recipient will have your eggs
transferred.
Can I have a tattoo or body piercing?
Before you can donate you must wait at least one year
after receiving your tattoo or body piercing.
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