Becoming an egg donor is a generous and impactful way to help individuals or couples struggling with infertility achieve their dream of having a child. If you’re considering this path, it’s important to understand the process and the steps involved in becoming an egg donor.
Becoming An Egg Donor
Throughout the Carolinas and all over, there are families who are unable to become parents on their own, so they reach out to the Carolinas Fertility Institute for help. Our nationally renowned fertility experts guide each family on their journey to parenthood using the latest and most advanced reproductive techniques. Here are eight steps that outline the process of becoming an egg donor.
1. Research, Screening, And Applying
The first step in becoming an egg donor is to educate yourself about the process. Familiarize yourself with the medical, legal, and emotional aspects of egg donation to ensure that you fully comprehend the commitment you are considering. Next, it is important you go through an initial screening process for specific eligibility criteria. These criteria can include age (usually between 21 to 32 years old), good physical and emotional health, drug and nicotine-free, healthy weight, free of communicable disease, and a flexible schedule.
The next step would be the application process, in which an interested woman would apply by submitting the CFI online pre-screen application. To access our Pre-Screening Questionnaire, visit https://www.fertilityselection.com/App/Login.aspx/DonorRegistration/13937
2. Donor Application
Once you’ve determined your eligibility, you’ll need to complete an application with the chosen fertility clinic or agency. The donor profile at Carolinas Fertility Institute is submitted through an application that is reviewed by our Third-Party Reproduction Program Team. If accepted, an in-office donor interview is scheduled. The interview is performed at CFI in Charlotte, Winston-Salem, or Asheville.
3. Interview And Evaluation
Required testing and screening are performed on all CFI egg donors to ensure the health of the woman and eggs, including:
- Medical History form (ASRM)
- Transvaginal ultrasound to assess ovaries (AFC) and ovarian reserve blood test (AMH)
- Pap smear per OB/GYN recommendations
- STD testing
- Genetic carrier screening panel, including cystic fibrosis
- Blood testing for communicable diseases
During this time, the potential egg donor also gives consent and agrees to any lab work.
4. Psychological Screening
Along with medical screening, psychological screening is also a part of the egg donor process. This may include questions regarding your social and sexual status, reproductive history, and personal and family mental health issues. All of these questions are asked in order to deem a potential egg donor psychologically healthy. Here at CFI, our psychological consultation is with a psychologist who is familiar with third-party reproduction issues. The testing and screening is usually completed in 3-4 appointments.
5. Training
Once you’ve passed the initial evaluations and consultations, it is time for the training aspect. A medication teaching class is in place to prepare CFI donors for self-administration of hormone injections. Training also can include cycle coordination.
6. Treatment Visits
After the training, frequent clinic visits will be coordinated during the ovarian stimulation process for monitoring via transvaginal ultrasound and blood testing. All donors must be available during weekday business hours for required appointments.
7. Egg Retrieval
Eggs are retrieved under monitored anesthesia and as an outpatient procedure. An egg donor may undergo a maximum of six egg retrievals per the recommendations of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. The donor must arrange for a ride home following the egg retrieval procedure and can return to work the next day.
8. Compensation
A donor is not financially responsible for any fees associated with the screening process, the treatment cycle, or the fertility medications. All donors are covered by a health insurance policy that covers additional costs associated with the donation process should a complication occur.
Donors are compensated for their time, inconvenience, and the risk undertaken. The donor compensation package starts at $5,500 for a completed donation. All payments are made at the completion of the egg retrieval and sent by mail, arriving within 30 days.
CFI’s egg donor candidates are women who lead healthy lifestyles and have a strong commitment to helping others. Our donors’ participation is completely voluntary, and they are fully compensated for their time, inconvenience, and risks undertaken. CFI’s highly specialized team of medical professionals works closely with egg donors throughout the process to ensure their health is the highest priority. For more questions on how to become an egg donor, call us at (336) 448-9100 to reach our office in the Triad or (844) 686-2233 for our Charlotte office.