Egg Donation

Egg donation is truly a life-changing event that brings together medical, psychological, legal and even ethical concerns.

If you are considering becoming an egg donor, there is much to consider and much to learn. Many of our donors start here while other choose to e-mail us their questions or concerns including enquiries like these:

Exactly how much time is involved?

You will need to be on fertility injections for approximately two weeks, during which time you are required to have ultrasounds and blood work to monitor your progress and ensure your safety. These appointments take 10-15 minutes each. The actual egg retrieval usually takes about 15-20 minutes. Within two weeks of the egg retrieval you should be back to normal.

What are the risks?

The primary risk of fertility medications is ovarian hyperstimulation, which we discuss in detail with you. In almost all instances this is a preventable occurrence. Studies have shown that here are NO long-term risks associated with fertility medications (such as cancer). The egg retrieval process is also extremely safe, with a < 1% chance of complication (such as bleeding or infection).

Does it hurt?

You will be asleep during the entire 15-20 minutes of your egg retrieval and when you awake you will not remember anything.

Who receives the eggs?

Eggs are donated to our patients who need them to have a baby. This includes women who for various reasons cannot have a baby (such as older women whose eggs are no longer viable; women who have lost ovarian function due to illness, chemotherapy or radiation; or women with genetic disorders). Men (gay or straight) who want to have a baby also commonly turn to egg donation.

Is it always anonymous?
Depending on your comfort level and preferences (and those of the people receiving your eggs) your donation can be wither anonymous or non-anonymous. It is up to you. Many of our donors feel that meeting the people who are receiving their eggs once around the time of the donation helps to make the process more personally rewarding, but seldom is a long-term or future relationship maintained.

Compensation
Egg donors are compensated $8000 (per completed cycle) for their time and kindness.