Egg Donor FAQs
The process of egg donation is relatively pain free. There are subcutaneous injections (very small needles that only go right under the skin) that you have to administer to yourself in the abdomen or thigh for 2-3 weeks during the cycle. Blood draws are also administered by nursing professionals at each medical appointment. The retrieval process is done under light sedation, therefore the donor is asleep during the retrieval process. The donor may experience mild bloating or cramping for a few days after the retrieval process, but once her menstrual cycle starts the body goes back to its normal routine.
We allow our egg donors to participate in no more than six donation cycles. This is the recommended guideline set forth by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
When you are born, you have one to two million eggs. During each cycle you have multiple eggs that start to develop, and one egg or “follicle” becomes dominant and that is the egg you ovulate. The remaining eggs are absorbed.
Whether you are using birth control, have a natural cycle or are donating your eggs, you will “loose” the same amount of eggs each month. Most egg donors go on to have children of their own after the donation process. Please view the latest research on How egg donations do not impair donors future fertility
The most common side affects are similar to those experienced during your menstrual cycle. These may include headaches, bloating, mood swings, hot flashes and breast tenderness. The injections (shots) may cause slight redness or irritation at the site.
The Fertility Center providing your care will educate you on how to take the injections. Ovarian Hyper stimulation Syndrome is a more serious side affect that can be associated with the over stimulation of your ovaries by fertility medication.
The risk of the syndrome is very low and the frequent blood draws and vaginal ultrasounds done during the medial appointments will greatly decrease this risk. If this is identified as a problem, the physician providing the care will decrease the medications used or they will stop the cycle.
It is imperative that you administer your medication exactly as instructed by the reproductive physician and that attend all of your scheduled medical appointments.
Egg donors should not engage in sexual intercourse while taking the fertility medication and should not resume sexual activity until they have experienced their first menstrual cycle following the egg retrieval procedure.
Engaging in sexual activity during this time can drastically increase your chances of getting pregnant. You may resume your normal methods of birth control once you have completed a donor cycle.
If you are taking oral contraceptives (birth control) pills each month, you may still donate. You will be asked to stop your pills during the actual donation process. During the time you receive the “stimulating” medications, you should refrain from sexual intercourse. Once you have completed the donation process, you may start back on your monthly pills. It is always recommended to use a barrier contraceptive the first month of starting pills or when restarting them.
• If you are using the “patch”, it is recommended you donate after being off of this for three months.
• If you are using Depo Provera shots, you may donate three months after your LAST injection.
• If you have a Non-Hormonal IUD or Hormonal then you may participate in a donor cycle without having it removed.
• If you are using Depo-Provera or a Norplant device, it is required that you are off of it for at least one year and have had three regular menstrual cycles before participating in an egg donation cycle.