Egg donation is a procedure where a woman, after undergoing extensive medical examinations, contributes eggs to aid someone in achieving pregnancy. During this process, the donor undergoes medication to stimulate the development of multiple ovarian follicles, each containing eggs. Typically employed for assisted reproduction, egg donation integrates in vitro fertilization technology, involving the fertilization of eggs within a laboratory setting. This method is considered a form of third-party reproduction within the realm of assisted reproductive technology (ART).
Donor Profile
As a prospective egg donor, you will be requested to fill out the donor profile, providing information on your personal and family medical history, along with other essential details.
Testing
Following that, you will be requested to visit the office on Day 2-4 of your menstrual cycle for baseline hormone screening and ultrasound.
Date of Donating
After undergoing testing, you will have a meeting with the fertility specialist practitioner on "Donor Day." This one-day visit entails a comprehensive review of your test results, discussion of your role as the egg donor, and an overview of basic reproduction and fertility concepts.
Donation Cycle
Once the active cycle commences, the donation process spans approximately three weeks. Throughout this period, you will initiate medication to stimulate ovarian activity and attend clinic appointments for 'morning monitoring,' comprising bloodwork and sonograms to track egg development. Upon reaching maturity, the follicles are prepared for retrieval through the administration of an HCG injection. HCG plays a crucial role in priming the egg donor's ovaries for the release of eggs.
Egg Retrieval
Approximately 36 hours following the HCG injection, the egg retrieval procedure is conducted once the eggs have reached full development. While the actual retrieval process takes around 20 minutes, plan to spend 2 and 1/2 to 3 hours at the surgical suite. Following the retrieval, it's advisable to arrange for someone to drive you home, where you should rest for the remainder of the day. Normal activities can be resumed the following day.
Confirmation to Donate Again
Following your initial egg donation at Hope Fertility Bank, you have the option to proceed with subsequent donations. The egg donor coordinator will reconnect with you and provide guidance for the subsequent donation process. Details regarding the number of eggs retrieved and your medical records for the upcoming egg donation will be shared with you.
For any inquiries about the egg donor process, please feel free to post your questions in the section below. Our Program Coordinator will respond to your queries within 24 hours.
