Egg Donor Information, FAQ

Why is our Texas donor egg program looking for donors?

Many times infertile women are not able to use their own eggs in an in vitro fertilization cycle and are candidates for our donor egg program. This could be due to:

• Premature menopause
• Diminished ovarian reserve
• Poor egg quality
• Advanced female age
• Previous ovarian surgery
• Cancer or cancer chemotherapy or radiation
• Repeated IVF cycle failures
• Pelvic, or other diseases.

How Are My Eggs Retrieved? 

The egg retrieval, also called ultrasound guided transvaginal oocyte retrieval, is performed under IV sedation 34 to 36 hours after the hCG injection. The vaginal ultrasound helps the physician guide the thin aspiration needle through the vaginal wall into the ovarian follicles. After retrieval, the eggs are separated from the follicular fluid by the embryologist. He/she then examines the eggs to confirm maturity and quality.   Once exposed to sperm and fertilized, the embryos are placed in incubators that closely controls environmental factors.
 

Will I experience an increase in vaginal discharge prior to my egg donation procedure? 

Yes, this is very common. As your estrogen level goes up you may see an increasing amount of clear discharge. This is a normal response and does not mean you are ovulating prior to your procedure.

Fertilization is the penetration of the egg by a sperm and the union of the gametes (genetic material) leading to the development of an embryo. The eggs will be examined for fertilization about 16 to 18 hours after insemination.

Post Retrieval Instructions

The egg donor may have slight spotting the day of your retrieval, contact our office if you are experience excessive bleeding, or a temperature greater than 100.4.

Post retrieval guidelines:

• No tampons only pads
• No intercourse for one-week post procedure as you may introduce bacteria into the pelvic cavity.
• Continue taking prenatal vitamins
• Avoid caffeine
• No smoking
• No alcohol 

What does it take to become an egg donor?

Step 1

All egg donor candidates for our Tx donor egg program must meet the following criteria:

• Be between the ages of 21-34
• Non-alcoholics
• No drug addiction
• Normal weight range
• No family history of congenital abnormalities
• Pass psychological screening
• Pass and complete a physical exam and history by a physician in our facility
• Pass and complete lab testing
• Completely fill out a 3 page “Egg Donor Questionnaire”

Not all Applicants will qualify to become an egg donor. 

Step 2:

Once we receive your “Donor Questionnaire” allow approximately 1 (one) week for a response.  At this stage of the process, all calls and questions should be directed to the Donor Egg Coordinator.

Step 3:

Once your Donor Questionnaire has been reviewed, egg donors are advised if they will proceed to Step 3. In step 3, you come to our office for a physical exam and review of your medical history by Dr. Allon. We may also perform a pap smear or other appropriate tests as indicated.

Step 4:

All potential egg donors must meet with our psychologist for an evaluation.  The psychologist will review your social history, mental status, level of support from family and significant others, marital satisfaction, and your general “well-being”.

Step 5:

Once you have completed Steps 1-4 you will be notified if you are eligible for the “Egg Donor Work Up” visit.  This visit consists of a number of blood tests, cultures, and a pelvic ultrasound.
The tests listed below, and possibly others, will be conducted.

• Cystic fibrosis screening
• FSH Levels
• LH Levels
• TSH Levels
• Prolactin levels
• Hepatitis panel
• RPR
• ABO Group
• HIV
• Rubella
• STD’s, chlamydia, gonorrhea, mycoplasma, ureaplasma
• Tay-Sachs, Canavan disease for donors with Ashkenazi Jewish heritage
• Sickle Cell disease, Thalassemia (CBC with hemoglobin electrophoresis) For African American, Asian, Mediterranean, Hispanic origin donors.
• A pelvic ultrasound will be performed to evaluate your ovaries.

Step 6:

Please allow 2-3 weeks for our donor egg program to complete the evaluation process. You will be contacted with our decision.

NOTE: A recipient may request additional testing.

How do we match our egg donor’s and recipients?

Each potential egg donor is assigned an identification number.  The recipient is provided with the donor ID# and the “DEMOGRAPHIC, EDUCATION/OCCUPATION/HOBBIES and HISTORY” section of the donor questionnaire. The recipient may choose one of our egg donors or an egg donor from another source, such as an agency.  If the recipient chooses one of our donor’s, then we have a match.

When and how are donors compensated?

An  “Anonymous Oocyte (egg) Donor In Vitro Fertilization Financial Agreement” must be completed and signed.  This agreement outlines the terms of compensation.  The egg donor receives compensation once a cycle is completed defined as progression from screening to oocyte retrieval.

How long until I am matched with a recipient?

Once a couple selects you, we will contact you with further details. Remember, this process can require time and some potential egg donors are never chosen. Please be patient, as we will contact you as soon as you are chosen.

What is In Vitro Fertilization?

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) literally means “fertilization outside of the body”.  The female undergoes ovulation induction with gonadotropin hormones to stimulate the development of multiple eggs.  Once these eggs mature, they are retrieved from the ovaries and combined with the partner’s sperm in a Petri dish. The resultant embryos are placed in incubators for 3-6 day or until mature. Once mature, they are transferred into the mother’s uterus.

Will the egg donation process affect my chances of becoming pregnant in the future?

There is no evidence that egg donation affects the chances for future conception. An average female has millions of eggs, a few of which are ovulated each month. If a serious infection occurred, it could adversely affect the reproductive organs; however, this is very rare.

If I donate my eggs will I run out?

No. An average female has thousands of eggs, a few of which are ovulated each month.

Can I donate if I have had my tubes ties?

Yes.  The eggs are retrieved directly from the ovarian follicle located on the ovary and do not travel through the fallopian tubes.

Will I get to meet the couple or couples that receives my eggs?

No.  You have been selected as an anonymous egg donor; therefore, all identities are kept in confidence unless disclosure is ordered by a court of law. 

Medication and Side Effects

In vitro fertilization requires the use of several fertility medications including FSH, (Follistim, Gonal-F, Repronex, etc.), Lupron or Ganirelix, hCG, progesterone and others. All of these medications can produce side effects in a comparatively small percentage of women to include:

• Hot flashes
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Visual symptoms
• Ovarian enlargement
• Hyperstimulation
• Local bruising or redness
• Ovarian cyst formation
• Swelling, pain
• Fluid in the lungs
• Abdominal bleeding
• Blood clots
• Rarely death
• Ovarian cancer (extremely rare, weak association seen in one study)

The most serious potential side effect of gonadotropin therapy is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which often requires hospitalization.

Modified &/or Cancelled Cycles

Lack of adequate ovarian response, or a sudden drop in estradiol levels, may indicate the need to modification the drug regimen in your next stimulation cycle.

Donor egg cycles will be cancelled if there is poor follicular development during the stimulation cycle. They might also be cancelled if there are mechanical (scarring, pelvic disease, etc.) barriers to egg retrieval. If the cycle is cancelled, you will meet with Dr. Allon to discuss future options.

How are my eggs retrieved?

The egg retrieval, also called oocyte aspiration, is performed approximately 34 to 36 hours after the hCG injection.  This process is performed under intravenous sedation, which is administered by an anesthesiologist. 

The physician guides a thin aspiration needle through the vaginal wall into the ovarian follicles using ultrasound guidance.  After the eggs are removed, they are taken to the laboratory in a culture tube with special media to examine the follicular fluid for eggs.  The eggs are evaluated for maturity and placed in a culture medium.  The climate in the laboratory is specifically controlled to provide the optimum environment for the eggs and future embryos. 

Is the egg retrieval painful?

A qualified anesthesiologist will administer IV sedation to make you as comfortable as possible. After the procedure, there may be some discomfort or intermittent sharp, cramp-like pains. 

How long does the egg retrieval last?

The egg retrieval requires approximately 15 to 30 minutes and patients are monitored for one to two hours afterwards. 

How Much Time off Work Should I Expect?

The day of retrieval you may have some pelvic cramps and/or bleeding and you can probably return to your normal activity the day after the retrieval.

• Donor- Frequently Asked Questions
• Donor Application
• Egg Donor Personal Information Form
• Donor Initial Screening Form
• Donor Information Packet