Egg Donor
Frequently Asked Questions
Step 1: Completing the Medical History Profile:
Start by reviewing the information provided on our “Information on Becoming an Egg Donor” document. It will help you decide if egg donation is right for you.
Next, reach out with any additional questions you have. We want you to be educated and empowered, before you commit.
Step 2: Application Approval by Egg Helpers:
We will review your application and call you to discuss your medical history and next steps!
Step 3: Application Approval by Fertility Clinic:
Your medical history must be approved by a clinic we work with. It may take up to one week for your profile to be approved. If the doctor reviewing the profile has questions, we will then reach out.
Step 4: Counselling Appointment and Blood Work:
Once your profile is approved, you will be asked to have your counselling and blood work completed. This takes place at a fertility clinic. More information will be sent to you when this step is reached. The counselling appointment will be an opportunity to discuss any concerns and feelings that surface surrounding your egg donation.
Step 5: Screening Appointments:
Complete a full medical screening with the doctor, ultrasound and genetic testing (genetic screening, STD testing, drug/nicotine screening, etc.). The coordinator will contact you to schedule your appointments. The appointment is in one visit and may take up to a full day depending on appointment times. More information will be given to you by the coordinator when this step is reached.
Step 6: Cycling (Medication and Monitoring):
The clinic nurse will call you to start your protocol for a cycle. This means that you have been matched and are ready to start your donation.
During the last two to three weeks of the process, you will be required to give yourself daily injections that will stimulate your egg development. You will be closely monitored to ensure you are responding well, typically six to eight appointments, early in the morning.
Step 7: Retrieval Day:
You will undergo the egg retrieval which is a 20-to-30-minute procedure. During the procedure, you will be given sedation, but no incisions will be made. We always recommend that someone accompany you on this day as you will feel unwell after.
There are no proven long-term risks from egg donation. Empirical studies have not demonstrated any definitive link between egg donation and infertility, cancer, or any other significant long-term health problems. However, it is always important to discuss any side effects with your doctor.
Yes, you may be an egg donor if you’ve had a tubal ligation. Your eggs will be retrieved prior to being released from the ovary.
Yes, you can donate if you’ve had abortions in the past.
Having an IUD will not disqualify you from donating your eggs. Donors who have had an IUD insertion generally can donate without removing it. Please be sure to inform Egg Helpers if you have had an IUD insertion.
Unfortunately, you cannot. It’s important to do your medical screening at the clinic you will be working with.
You might! There are two kinds of egg donation: anonymous and known. Our team will speak with you during your intake about what type of egg donation will be right for you.
Yes, the ½ day screening appointment and monitoring appointments are usually early in the morning, so please note that a flexible schedule is an asset, as there are typically between six and eight appointments. You will need to block an entire day for the egg retrieval.
Donors are expected to refrain from engaging in strenuous exercise from the time they begin stimulation hormones through a couple of weeks after the retrieval to avoid medical complications.
Yes! We have offices in Ontario and British Columbia, but we have egg donors, intended parents, and clinics that are located all over the world to accommodate you and the parents’ respective locations.
Criteria for egg donors are fairly standard. Rules are set for legal reasons, but are also designed to increase the chance that pregnancy will result. These restrictions also ensure the safety of both the egg donor and the recipient. Commonly, egg donors must be between 19 and 30. The lower limit is to ensure that the donor may legally enter a contract, and the upper limit reflects the fact that older women respond less to fertility drugs. Older women’s eggs also increase the chances that a pregnancy will not occur, or birth defects may result.
If you are completing an anonymous egg donation then you won’t be able to receive information about the recipient(s). But if you are completing a known egg donation than you would be able to receive information about the recipient(s).
Donors must remain off this medication for several months before they can donate.
No. Women have hundreds of thousands of eggs and a small amount of these eggs are lost each month through ovulation.
Yes, though you will have to stop during the process once you begin injectable medications.
As we require that you have at least three regular menstrual cycles prior to participation, you would have to wait after having a baby. Additionally, you may not donate while you are breastfeeding. You can start the application process now though!
Due to the risk of infectious disease, donors must wait six months after receiving a tattoo or body piercing before they can donate. However, if your body art practitioner can provide written and signed proof that your tattoo was administered with disposable needles, you do not have to wait the six months.
All medical expenses related to the donation cycle are paid by the egg recipient (future parent).
Donor confidentiality is protected by a consent form signed by the donor, as well as the recipient.
The future parents (recipients) assume total responsibility for the children born, as outlined in a legal document and consent.
You will be asked to refrain from drinking alcohol and taking certain medications during the cycle.
As donors become extremely fertile while on hormone stimulation medication, you run the risk of becoming pregnant with multiples. For this reason, donors are expected to abstain from sexual intercourse while on medication. Also, sexual intercourse could potentially expose the donor to sexually transmitted diseases, which could be problematic for the egg donation cycle. A cycle can be canceled if an egg donor engages in sexual intercourse while on medications.
Yes. Donation can be performed with either of these conditions, as well as any other STD that occurred more than a year ago.
You should have a healthy BMI.
Please speak to your coordinator at Egg Helpers for full details on reimbursement.
Yes, egg donors will sign a legal contract after being matched with a recipient (future parent). All legal fees are covered by the recipient.
