North America’s leading surrogacy agency, Family Source Consultantshighlights six things you didn’t know about egg donation
Egg donation is one of the most selfless acts, helping to create a life or lives for a couple or individual who would otherwise not have a family. However, if you are considering donating your eggs or using an egg donor to have a child, it is important to educate yourself thoroughly about the process involved.
Family Source Consultants screen and facilitate egg donations, as well as partnered egg donations to intended parents.
Staci Swiderski, Co-Founder of Family Source Consultants says: “I have actually been an egg donor twice and several members of the Family Source team have also donated their eggs several times. There are emotional aspects that come with being a parent through egg donation so egg donors and intended parents all the facts must be known before embarking on such a journey.”
Here are six facts about being an egg donor:
- There are three types. Anonymous donation, where egg donors are not given any information about the recipient parents, however, they can usually find out if there is a pregnancy or not if they want; semi-open egg donation where
Egg donors may be given some very basic information about the recipient parents (for example, names and ages) or open egg donationwhere once the recipient parents express interest in an egg donor, all parties will have a relationship with each other and keep communication channels open, possibly throughout the life of the child/children born through egg donation. - Egg donors must be between the ages of 21 and 31. An initial screening process takes place to ensure that the donor is also in healthy physical condition and to confirm that they are a good candidate for egg donation. This includes checking hormone levels and testing for genetic diseases, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases – the donor’s spouse or partner may also be tested if appropriate.
- There may be psychological counseling for all parties.
A donor will meet with a mental health specialist who specializes in third-party reproduction and will be given a psychological evaluation. When appropriate, a donor’s spouse or partner may also need to meet with the psychologist. - Both parties must be legally protected.
After passing the screening process, an egg donor and the intended parents will work with a reproduction attorney to review a contract. This legal phase must be completed before a donor begins any drug injections to prepare for egg retrieval. - Egg Donation is a big time commitment.
Egg donors follow a strict medication protocol, which consists of injectable drugs. Learn more about the medical process involved here. - Egg Donors receive compensation for their time and effort. It is usually between $5000 and $10,000 and egg donors can donate up to six times in a lifetime.
About Family Source Consultants
Family Source Consultants is one of North America’s leading surrogacy agencies, with offices in Illinois (Hinsdale and River North in Chicago) and Florida (Cape Coral).
When matching and facilitating Gestational Surrogacy and Egg Donation arrangements, Family Source Consultants work with traditional, gay or lesbian couples and individuals of all races, religions and ethnic backgrounds. They provide personalized support throughout the process and work with the best reproductive law attorneys and doctors.
