Do you want to be an egg donor? You may think you know a lot when it comes to the subject of egg donation. Maybe you spent a lot of time researching or you just found articles on the topic in your favorite magazines. However, there may be some things you don’t know when it comes to egg donation.
Here are seven things you may not know about donating eggs.
1. You can choose the level of relationship you want to have with the intended parents
Circle offers four types of egg donation relationships: known egg donation, semi-known egg donation, ID issuance and anonymous egg donation. Believe it or not, more Circle parents choose known donation than any other option. Here’s a brief overview of what each one includes.
- Known: With this arrangement, you and your surrogate egg donor will know each other’s names and have the opportunity to get to know each other and meet in person if both parties choose! You can learn more about the benefits of known egg donation in our related blog post.
- Semi-Known: The amount of information shared is limited. For example, intended parents and egg donors may decide that they do not wish to exchange contact information but may wish to meet in person at our office or IVF clinic.
- Issuing ID: As with an anonymous donation, the egg donor and the intended parents have no contact, however, with ID Release, identifying information is released if a donor-conceived child of legal age requests the details .
- Anonymous: There is no open contact or communication between the intended parents and the egg donor. Contracts use first names only and all information is exchanged through our agency. We ask that anonymous egg donors inform us of all changes in their health history and maintain their contact information.
2. The egg donor has no right to the child.
Egg donation agencies and egg banks use contracts to make sure everyone is on the same page and to avoid surprises. The egg donor agreement gives the parents control over all eggs obtained from the donor as well as any resulting embryos. Intended parents can use them as they wish, including IVF to produce their own children, donation to a third-party, or medical research.
3. More egg donors donate their eggs for altruistic reasons than for financial reasons.
A common misconception is that women become egg donors for pay. However, egg donors are often motivated by a desire to help others. For many egg donors, money is one of the many benefits of being a donor, but it is not the whole motive. Many egg donors in the Circle program have personal connections to infertility whether it’s a parent, sibling, or friend. This is what drives them to want to help others who may be struggling to raise their families.
4. Egg donors go through extensive screening.
The egg donation process is very deep. In addition to the medical examination, an egg donor must complete a psychosocial examination. For egg donation agencies, the selection process begins when an egg donor is matched with the intended parents. Once she passes the psychological screening, she advances to the medical screening at the IVF clinic (usually a one- to two-day appointment). Medical testing usually includes a blood test, urine sample, and ultrasound (among other things). If a woman chooses to donate using an egg bank, all her screening will be done before her donation.
5. Not just anyone can donate their eggs.
While it’s great to welcome all women who want to help grow a family, IVF agencies and clinics are bound by strict requirements for egg donors to ensure it’s healthy for all parties involved. To obtain the highest quality eggs for recipients, the egg donor must meet specific requirements. Here is an overview of our agency’s egg donor requirements:
- Between 20-29 years old (up to 31 for experienced donors)
- Body Mass Index (BMI) of less than 29
- Be a US or Canadian citizen
- No more than one occurrence of the same cancer in family history (except non-genetic cancers, such as leukemia and lung)
- No serious heart disease or heart attack under the age of 55
- There are no psychiatric hospitals
- Some education after high school ie enrolled in college, college classes, certification programs, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, Ph.D., etc.
- Applicants of all ethnic and racial backgrounds are encouraged to apply
- Must be comfortable giving yourself daily injections with small needles, such as those used for insulin
6. Donor eggs will create embryos that will be carried by the intended mother OR a gestational surrogate.
When an egg donor donates her eggs, and the embryos are created, either the intended mother will carry the baby or a gestational carrier. In gestational surrogacy, a surrogate carries a baby for the intended parents. The surrogate has no genetic tie to the baby (the embryo is created using donor eggs and the sperm of an intended father or sperm donor). This parenting path is chosen over adoption because of the genetic link to the child. However, both options are fantastic family building options.
7. You can increase your payout with multiple donations or when you refer a friend!
As a first-time egg donor, many women can earn around $9,000. However, compensation increases each time a woman donates. Multiple donations = more payouts!
Also, Egg donors in the Circle Surrogacy program are eligible for a referral bonus when they refer friends to become an egg donor with us! Our egg donors are incredible and amazing women, who have surrounded themselves with women who are just as amazing as they are. Because of this, we love to get egg donor referrals from current and past donors. After all, no one knows better than you how much fun it is to be an egg donor! Donors receive a $500 referral bonus when their referral is matched and the same medically and legally clean!
We are always accepting new and experienced egg donors and would love to meet you! If you are interested in learning more about the process, you can check out the egg donor section of our website! If you’re ready, you can too fill out our application now!
