Egg Donor FAQ
Interested in Becoming an Egg Donor?!
- Do you want to help others achieve a family?
- Are you a healthy non-smoker?
- Are you between the ages of 21-32?
- Do you have a BMI between 19-35%?
Frequently Asked Questions
Egg (or oocyte) donation refers to the process of selecting and retrieving eggs from an egg donor. The egg donor agrees to anonymously donate their eggs to a person(s) called “egg recipient(s)”. To do this, the donor takes fertility medications to produce multiple eggs that are surgically retrieved for use in an IVF cycle. These eggs will be combined with sperm to create embryos that will be transferred into a uterus for family building.
- The majority of donors state that the primary benefit to them is the knowledge that they’ve helped someone have a baby.
- Often, donors have had personal experience with friends or family members who have struggled with infertility and have seen how devastating it can be — and they want to help. Or have friends or family members who do not have access to eggs in their family building relationship.
- Financial compensation (see below).
Healthy people with ovaries between the ages of 21 and 32 who have regular menstrual periods and don’t smoke are eligible for anonymous egg donor screening. Persons who smoke or have risks of infectious diseases and will not be eligible for egg donation.
No. Every month you have a cohort of eggs that you either use or lose. Most individuals ovulate one egg out of this cohort of 10-20, and then lose the rest. When you undergo egg donation, we use fertility medications to “rescue” those other 10-20 to retrieve your whole monthly cohort for the donation. This does not take any eggs from your future cycles or your future fertility!
- The majority of donors find that they have no problems with the injectable medications.
- Some people experience mild discomfort when getting their blood drawn.
- Some egg donors experience bloating or discomfort as their follicles grow. While this is normal, we will closely monitor you for any signs of moderate to severe hyperstimulation, or “OHSS” (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome), leading to abdominal distention, pain, or other medical concerns.
- The surgical egg retrieval is done under anesthesia with pain medication going through your IV. You may have some cramping similar to a menstrual period for 12-24 hours after the procedure but this should gradually resolve.
No. While there are some situations where donors and recipients either know each other or are related, our NRM egg donor bank is de-identified. Neither the donor nor the recipients know who the other party is in their process.
- The process of screening to be accepted into the anonymous egg donor pool can take about 2-3 months.
- Once your profile has been chosen by a recipient and your cycle has been scheduled, the actual IVF process takes about 3 weeks.
- As an NRM donor, you will earn $7,000 for each donation, and can donate up to 6 times.
- At any point after you’ve taken the injectable medications and before you go through the egg retrieval, if your cycle is canceled for any reason other than second thoughts on your part, you will be paid $500 for the time and effort you have already given.
- The first step is to submit your information below to our Donor Coordinator: NRM VT - Donor Questionnaire (eggdonorconnect.com)
- If you pass the initial eligibility determination, we will schedule a medical provider appointment, ultrasound, blood draw lab testing, and mental health screening.
- You will then undergo the Matching Process to match you to the recipient(s). Once you are matched, we will coordinate your cycle and prepare you for ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval!
- Our providers and staff have 20 years' experience with donor egg IVF and are skilled in matching donors and recipients and keeping you safe and informed throughout the process.
- NRM's office is state-of-the-art located right off the highway exit in Colchester, Vermont, with convenient access and free parking.
- Our NRM staff will help you help others! We have a streamlined process and are committed to ensuring your safety and privacy throughout your experience, from your initial contact through your egg retrieval.
Fill Out the Donor Questionnaire to Get Started!
Some people dream of starting their family but do not have access to healthy eggs to create their family. We have these patients at NRM who need your help!
Egg donors are generously compensated for your time and efforts, $7000 for each donation, up to six donations!
Once you become an egg donor, you are eligible for our Egg donor referral program! Receive an additional $500 for each donor you refer to our program after they successfully complete their first cycle.