How Do I Become an Egg Donor?

When you have made the important decision of becoming an egg donor to afford couples or single individuals who face the circumstances in not being able to conceive children on their own, the first question to reflect on is age.

Age Requirement

Most egg donation facilities only consent to women among the ages of 21 and 35, granting this may vary depending on the clinic.

When a woman reaches the age of 35 she may be less probable to react to fertility drugs and her eggs have a greater chance of devising abnormalities that typically increase birth defect risks. In some cases, donation programs necessitate a woman to have given previously birthed a child or donated eggs. Such requirements sometimes exist because the clinical mission statement emphasizes past births or donating experience translates into better probabilities of success with donating.

Testing

An egg donor necessities area respectable physical well-being; before being accepted into an egg donation program, physical and gynecological exams as well as in-depth medical history and information on family background must be provided. This is obtained through an application process. Review our Egg Donor Application Example. Urine and blood tests as well as a psychological assessment will also be performed. These things are intended to filter out unnecessary physical or mental conditions being passed on to the unborn child.

Who cannot become an Egg Donor?

A woman may not be able to become an egg donor if STDs or certain abnormalities of the reproductive system are present. Many egg donation programs prohibit smokers and those who are overweight. A woman that abuses drugs or alcohol, past or present, typically showcases a profile of previous medication use that modifies mental development, or a great deal of strain in her own personal life; involved in an unbalanced relationship or is not sufficiently able to understand the process of donating. In this case, typically a potential candidate is not accepted as an egg donor.

Likewise, if physically or sexually abuse has taken place and has not been treated and/or counseled for that abuse, that is also grounds for rejection to an egg donor program. Additionally, certain inheritable conditions or traits, such as sickle cell anemia will not be able to become an egg donor. You are prohibited from donating eggs if you have introduced your body to illegal drugs or been involved in any form of prostitution within the last three years, identified with syphilis or been the recipient of acupuncture, tattoo or body piercing without sterile procedures established. The program typically requires your sexual partner to be confirmed HIV negative.

The donation screening process of becoming an egg donor can be a lengthy, meticulous process. Papers must be signed acknowledging consent that you understand the process of donating eggs and the risks involved, compensation provided, and any legal rights that you will have accompanying a child being born with your donated eggs.

When the screening process is completed and you are approved to become an egg donor, the fertility clinic will start the recipient matching process. When a match is completed, the actual egg donation process starts.

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