In the season of giving, many of us search for ways to give back and serve our communities. For many women experiencing infertility, a chance to start a family is the best gift of all. At Carolina Fertility Institute, we rely on egg donations from healthy women aged 21-29. While the process is a commitment, usually spanning over two to three months, there are many benefits to egg donation. To gain a better understanding of the pros and cons of becoming an egg donor, we’ve compiled a list breaking down what you can expect from the process.
Pros of Becoming an Egg Donor
Helping those who want to start a family
Giving the gift of a family is one of the greatest gifts one can give. Whether you’re donating your eggs to help a same-sex couple or a couple who are not able to conceive on their own, you’re a crucial piece in making their dream of having a baby come true.
Gain insight into your personal fertility
If you decide to undergo the egg donation process, there are a number of physical and psychological tests that you will need to complete. While these tests may seem like a lot of work at first, you’ll be able to gain valuable insight into your own personal health and fertility. The egg donation process at CFI includes a variety of tests, including physical exams, a trans-vaginal ultrasound, blood tests, and a genetic screening panel. Throughout this process, you will be able to learn all about your reproductive health and your risk of hereditary diseases.
The process, including medical tests, is free to the donor
All testing associated with the egg donation process is completely free to the donor. This means that all of the valuable information you learn about your personal wellness, genetic disposition, and reproductive health can be revealed at absolutely no cost to you. This knowledge allows you the chance to make informed personal health decisions for the rest of your life.
Anonymity
Due to carefully crafted contracts, your information remains confidential and anonymous throughout the entire egg donation process. CFI will do everything possible during the donation process to maintain anonymity. Once the donation is complete, your responsibility associated with the process is finished.
Compensation
To make up for the time commitment involved with egg donation, compensation is a standard part of the process. At CFI, all payments are made within 30 days of the completion of egg retrieval.
Cons of Becoming an Egg Donor
Time involved
The egg donation process is approximately two to three months and requires time set aside for travel, tests, screenings, and frequent clinic visits. It’s important to reflect on your current schedule and lifestyle to ensure that you have enough time to devote to egg donation.
Possible Complications
As with any procedure, there are possible complications associated with egg donation, such as infections. Donor safety is CFI’s #1 priority, and we are committed to keeping our donors safe, healthy, and minimizing risks. Possible but rare complications include bleeding, infection, or damage to a pelvic organ that may require follow up care. While egg donation will not interfere with your personal fertility, it’s always important to consider these risks involved in any medical procedure.
Hormone Injections
CFI offers a medication teaching class to prepare donors for self-administration of hormone injections. These injections stimulate your ovaries so that you produce multiple eggs at one time. Possible side effects of hormone injections include headaches, mood swings, bloating, nausea, and/or temporary stinging at the injection site. There is also a possibility of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, a condition in which the ovaries become swollen and painful. During this time, it’s important to either use a barrier birth control method or to abstain from sex to avoid pregnancy.
Talk to A Fertility Expert
If you are interested in becoming an egg donor, head over to our Becoming an Egg Donor page to learn more about the egg donation process. If you are interested in becoming a recipient of a donor egg or embryo, reach out to Carolinas Fertility Institute today. We offer a wide variety of services, from fertility evaluations to In Vitro fertilization. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation by calling our Charlotte office at (844) 686-2233 or our office in the Triad at (336) 448-9100.