Becoming an Egg Donor
Egg donation begins with basic screening and tests. All egg donors must meet a list of initial criteria recommended by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. These criteria include:
- Be between the age of 21-30 – Have a BMI (body mass index) under 29
- Willing and able to receive injections
- Drug, nicotine, and smoke-free lifestyle
- Current regular monthly periods
- Being in excellent physical and mental health
- Not on any birth control methods (Depo Provera, Implanon, etc)
- Dependable and fully ready to commit to a 6 month long process involving appointments, tests, etc.
The Application Process
The Match
Determining Donor eligibility begins with the initial application that is usually filled out online. This application asks questions regarding general health, medical history and family history to ensure the Donor meets initial criteria prior to proceeding. Some common questions include:
- Have you ever had a sexually transmitted disease?
- Have you had an abnormal pap smear?
- Do you get a period every month?
- What type of birth control do you use?
- Do you have any medical/genetic problems?
- Any medical/genetic problems in your family?
- Do you smoke cigarettes/ hookah/vape?
- Do you use any drugs or medication?
Legal Contract and Health Insurance
All Egg Donors will have health insurance coverage for the duration of their cycle and a month after. This is a precautionary measure to make sure if anything happens the Donor will have access to medical insurance and appropriate care. There are limitations to this insurance and the policy can be different at each center.
The Donor cycle does not begin until the Egg Donor is selected by an Intended Parent to cycle. An Intended Parent looks through a database filled with Donor profiles when considering a Donor. The Donor profile includes a few photos and information about the donors medical history, family background, history, grades, goals, hobbies, work experience, and personality traits. Once the match is completed the Donor begins the screening process.
The Psychological and Medical Screening
- Medical history and physical exam
- Pelvic ultrasound to look at the ovaries
- Ovarian reserve testing
- Blood work to check all sexually transmitted disease
- Genetic testing
- Pap smear
The psychological evaluation is to determine if the egg donor is in suitable condition to make the decision to donate her eggs. It is important to make sure that the decision to donate eggs is done with a sound mind with no coercion involved. The donor should not be suffering from depression, anxiety, or any mental health condition. The egg donor must be in good mental health to proceed with the cycle.
APPLY TO BE AN EGG DONOR
THE EGG DONOR PROCESS
Simple Steps Fertility is one of the premier egg donor and surrogacy agencies in the United States, and strives to provide an exceptional and professional environment from beginning to end.