Become an Egg Donor
Becoming an egg donor means you could help make the dream of a family a reality for people that struggle with infertility or LGBTQIA+ people. Pacific NW Fertility is different. We provide excellent, personalized care, offer flexible appointments, and support you in achieving your goals.
If you are a healthy, non-smoker, and between the ages of 21 and 29, we hope you will consider applying today. The initial application will only take a few minutes.
How it Works
The donor egg program has been established to assist patients who cannot have a child. This includes women who are unable to produce good quality eggs, single men, same-sex male couples, and other members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Application & Screening
If your initial application is accepted, you will be asked to schedule an exam. This visit will include a physical and gynecological exam, blood and urine tests, drug testing, and genetic testing. You will have a chance to review any questions or concerns with one of our medical providers.
Preparation
Using donated eggs to establish a pregnancy involves in vitro fertilization (IVF). The first step is to start taking birth control pills to regulate your cycle. You will then take a series of fertility drugs, which you will inject, to stimulate your ovaries.
Retrieval
Removing the eggs from your ovaries, or egg retrieval involves a minor surgical procedure that takes place in our facility’s procedure room. After you recover from the egg retrieval, your part of the donation cycle is finished.
After Retrieval
Following the egg retrieval, your eggs will either be frozen or combined with sperm in the Pacific Northwest Fertility Laboratory. If embryos result, they will be cultured for several days in a petri dish before being transferred into the uterus of the recipient. All of the eggs or embryos resulting in this procedure, even those that are not transferred, and are instead frozen; belong to the recipient (and their partner if applicable). If they or their surrogate become pregnant and a child is delivered, they will be the legal parent(s) of that child, even though the child will be genetically related to you.
FAQs About Egg Donation
How are donors selected?
To be considered for the application process, you must complete a detailed medical and psychological history about yourself and your close blood relatives. You will also complete a criminal background check. Your application is reviewed, and if accepted, you will be invited to complete the rest of the screening process.
Infectious Disease Screening: When blood or tissue is transferred from one person to another, it can carry viruses or bacteria.
Genetic and Medical History & Screening: You will be required to provide your complete medical history and family medical history. We want to learn all we can about your genetic make-up, in order to minimize the chance that a baby will have a birth defect or serious inherited disease. You will be asked medical questions about your biological parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, brothers, and sisters. For more information regarding genetic screening and testing, please visit Myriad
Psychological Screening Session: Donating eggs requires you to confront complex ethical, emotional, and social issues. The psychological screening session with a counselor will help you evaluate your desire for donating your eggs and the implications surrounding your donation. Aspects of your personal life, your support system, and your feelings about the donation will be discussed. A Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) will also be completed during this session.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine suggests that a woman should not donate eggs if she:
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Has a serious psychological disorder
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Abuses drugs or alcohol or has several relatives who do
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Currently uses psychoactive medications
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Has significant stress in her life
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Is in an unstable marriage or relationship
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Has been physically or sexually abused and not received professional treatment
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Is not mentally capable of understanding or participating in the process
Will donating eggs affect my everyday life?
Egg donation is time-consuming. During the donation cycle, you will be injecting medications daily for approximately two weeks. You will have 2 visits to the office before you start your stimulation medications, and then will have approximately 5 short visits to the clinic for blood tests and ultrasounds, every other morning, while you are on your donation medications. You will be responsible for arranging your work or school schedule to fit the demands of egg donation.
You will be required to refrain from drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and using illegal drugs. Please check with the Donor Team prior to using any prescription or non-prescription medications. If you are in a sexual relationship, you must abstain from intercourse during the treatment cycle.
How much will I be compensated?
On the day of your egg retrieval, your time invested in the egg donor program will be compensated with a check for $7,000. You will receive the full, agreed upon amount no matter the number or quality of the eggs donated. If your cycle must be canceled before eggs are retrieved because of poor response, you will be reimbursed $500 for your time. If a cycle is not completed because of non-compliance to requirements, you will receive no reimbursement for the time you spent in the program. You will be provided with a 1099 Form.
If you refer a friend and they are matched as an egg donor, you will receive a referral bonus of $ 500.00. This is another way to help patients build their families!
Can I donate more than once?
There are no laws about how many times a woman can donate her eggs. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommends that a woman donate no more than six times. We would discuss your interest on a case by case basis. It is important to know how the medications affect you, how difficult the procedure and recovery are for you.
Where can I find more information about your program?
For more information, click here.
How do I complete an application?
To complete an application, click here.
