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Everything you need to know about becoming an egg donor in one place
I built this lens because I know a lot of women are interested in learning more about egg donation. Recently I researched how to become an egg donor and I wanted to share what I learned.
In this lens, you'll find:
- explanations and descriptions of egg donation
- print articles about egg donation in the press
- audio interviews with experts on egg donation
- A partial listing of US egg donor agencies (complete directory of all US egg donor agencies is here)
- links to groups who regulate egg donation and write about the ethics of egg donation
I hope you find this lens helpful!
In this lens, you'll find:
- explanations and descriptions of egg donation
- print articles about egg donation in the press
- audio interviews with experts on egg donation
- A partial listing of US egg donor agencies (complete directory of all US egg donor agencies is here)
- links to groups who regulate egg donation and write about the ethics of egg donation
I hope you find this lens helpful!
What is egg donation?
Egg donation is a medical procedure in which one woman agrees to give some of her eggs to another person. Donated eggs can be used in several ways by recipients.The most frequent way is to donate your eggs to a woman who plans to get pregnant, but who has medical problems producing her own eggs. Another way donated eggs can be used is to give them to another person who hires a surrogate to get pregnant for them. Both of these ways involve the use of IVF, or in vitro fertilization. IVF is a procedure that makes human embryos in a laboratory by fertilizing eggs and sperm. After creating the embryos, doctors can place them into a woman's uterus and try to achieve a pregnancy or freeze them for later use.
Egg donation involves a series of medical procedurees. After the potential egg donor has been examined by a doctor to ensure she is healthy enough to donate, doctors use fertility drugs to regulate and synchronize her egg production with the recipient's cycle. When the donor's cycle and the recipient's cycle are in synch, doctors then surgically remove eggs from the donor. After the eggs are removed from the donor, they are usually fertilized in an IVF procedure.
What are the steps involved in donating eggs?
In general, there are six steps to a complete egg donation cycle:
1. Research egg donation programs and submit your application (I have a list of programs below!).
2. The egg donation program selects you as a potential donor.
3. The egg donation program performs a psychological screening on you.
4. You and the egg donation program negotiate and agree upon the terms of the contract.
5. Begin the medical stimulation of your eggs. Your doctor will begin the process of synchronizing cycles. Drugs are given to stimulate the donor's ovaries to produce multiple eggs. The Recipient Mother (or Surrogate) then undergoes treatment to prepare her uterine lining to receive the embryos.
6. Using mild sedation, a vaginal ultrasound probe is used to remove the donor's eggs (oocytes). The oocytes are examined and mixed with sperm before being placed in a special medium. They are then incubated for between 3-5 days to allow fertilization and cell division to occur. Several embryos are implanted into the uterus of the recipient mother and the remaining embryos typically are frozen.
(You can read about the entire egg donation process here)
1. Research egg donation programs and submit your application (I have a list of programs below!).
2. The egg donation program selects you as a potential donor.
3. The egg donation program performs a psychological screening on you.
4. You and the egg donation program negotiate and agree upon the terms of the contract.
5. Begin the medical stimulation of your eggs. Your doctor will begin the process of synchronizing cycles. Drugs are given to stimulate the donor's ovaries to produce multiple eggs. The Recipient Mother (or Surrogate) then undergoes treatment to prepare her uterine lining to receive the embryos.
6. Using mild sedation, a vaginal ultrasound probe is used to remove the donor's eggs (oocytes). The oocytes are examined and mixed with sperm before being placed in a special medium. They are then incubated for between 3-5 days to allow fertilization and cell division to occur. Several embryos are implanted into the uterus of the recipient mother and the remaining embryos typically are frozen.
(You can read about the entire egg donation process here)
What is the compensation for the egg donor?
There is no standard amount of compensation for egg donors. In general, the compensation ranges from between $3,500 - $15,000. Some even earn more than that. It's fair to say the law of supply and demand is at work in this situation, which translates to higher compensation amounts for more sought-after donors.Donating eggs is a very individual experience, though many women experience a great deal of emotional satisfaction knowing they are helping others conceive. (You can read about how much egg donors make here)
Directory of US egg donation programs
Find an egg donor program near you - They're organized by State
For a complete directory of egg donor agencies and infertility clinics, click here
- University of Arkansas Egg donation program
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
InVitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer (IVF/ET) Program
Little Rock, Arkansas - Egg donation and recipient program
- Center for Fertility and In Vitro Fertilization
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, California - UCSF Center for Reproductive Health
- The UCSF Ovum Donor Program began in 1991 and was one of the first programs of its kind in the Bay Area.
San Francisco, California - Donor Egg Program
- Reproductive Science Center
San Francisco, California - Egg Donor Program
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine
Denver, Colorado - Yale University Fertility Center
- Yale University Medical Center
New Haven, Connecticut - The Egg Donor Program
- The Egg Donor Program
Studio City, CA 91604 - Egg Donor Program
- South Florida Institute for Reproductive Medicine
Three offices in South Florida
South Miami, Pembroke Pines, and Palm Beach
Latest Articles from Guide to Egg Donation
http://egg-donation-directory.blogspot.com
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byEgg donation in the news
Magazine and newspaper articles
- Why Harvard Is Recruiting Egg Donors for Stem Cell Studies
- By ALICE PARK.Time Magazine June 6, 2006
The groundbreaking initiative could eventually lead to new treatments for conditions ranging from diabetes to Alzheimer's - Golden Eggs: When Donation Funds an Education
- By Sarah Kliffm Newsweek. Summer 2006 issue
With up to $50k for one little egg, colleges have become the breeding ground for the booming fertility market. - Will You Be My Baby's Mama?
- By ANNIE M. LOWREY.The Harvard Crimson. April 29, 2004
The egg donor market wants you, Harvard women, and it'll pay - Ova for Sale
- By Kerry Howley Reason Magazine October 2006
The art of the deal in the gray market for human eggs
Recommended books for potential egg donors
Having Your Baby Through Egg Donation
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 12/05/2009) 
List Price: $24.95
Egg donation
Amazon Price: $43.00 (as of 12/05/2009)
List Price: $43.00
Hope & Will Have a Baby: The Gift of Egg Donation
Amazon Price: $17.05 (as of 12/05/2009)
List Price: $19.95
Building Your Family Through Egg Donation: What You Will Want to Know About the Emotional Aspects : Including Disclosure vs. Secrecy and Guidelines for Telling Your Children
Amazon Price: (as of 12/05/2009)
List Price: $25.00
New Ways of Making Babies: The Case of Egg Donation (Medical Ethics)
Amazon Price: $41.95 (as of 12/05/2009)
List Price: $41.95
Egg donation discussed on the radio
Listen using Windows Media Player or Real Audio
Links to audio interviews
- The Ethics of Egg Donation
- NPR Talk of the Nation, December 16, 2005
Summary: Should researchers pay for egg donations used in their research efforts? Some say it only seems fair, while others claim it opens up a host of ethical problems. - Egg Donation and the Free Market
- NPR All Things Considered, July 28, 2005
Summary: Human egg donation has become a regular business, thanks to decades of developments in reproductive technology. But some say donation is a misnomer, since women are paid for giving up their eggs -- sometimes as much as $50,000, if desirable traits are in evidence. - Payment for Eggs Donated for Research Under Debate
- NPR All Things Considered, December 1, 2005
Summary: Whether women should be paid for donating their eggs for research is under debate after Korean scientists recently revealed they paid their eggs donors. A National Academy of Sciences panel has urged banning payment. But others say, given the time and discomfort associated with the procedure, remuneration is reasonable. - Egg Donor Controversy
- NPR Morning Edition, December 23, 1998
Summary: Catherine Winter of Minnisota Public Radio reports on the controversial practice of buying eggs to become pregnant. Women in their late thirties and forties who are trying to conceive are finding it difficult.
List of egg donation regulatory agencies and professional organizations
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- The leading group of professionals providing health care for women.
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine
- Non-profit American organization devoted to advancing knowledge and expertise in medicine and biology.
- Center for Reproductive Law and Policy
- A non-profit legal advocacy dedicated to promoting and defending women's reproductive rights worldwide.
- Council on Contemporary Families
- Non-profit, non-partisan organization of family researchers and service providers devoted to promoting informed discussions about changing families.
- International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics
- The only global organization of gynecologists and obstetricians.
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- Minivan_Mama Minivan_Mama Jul 18, 2007 @ 10:42 pm
- Great lens on a difficult topic. I am not sure of my opinion yet, but you have me thinking. 5 stars.
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- kah22 kah22 Jul 18, 2007 @ 9:20 am
- You really turned out a great lens on cancer care! I got a lot of great info on the subject. I have a lens on acne too at Childhood Leukemia Check it out and rate it for me! Kevin ;)
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- kah22 kah22 Jul 18, 2007 @ 9:20 am
- You really turned out a great lens on cancer care! I got a lot of great info on the subject. I have a lens on acne too at Childhood Leukemia Check it out and rate it for me! Kevin ;)
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- Ashlynn Ashlynn Jul 17, 2007 @ 3:14 pm
- What an insightful lens, 5 stars for all your hard work. And welcome abroad - Everything you need to know about birth control needs more great lenses like yours.
:)Ash
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- SalesPractice SalesPractice Jul 17, 2007 @ 2:55 pm
- You've put together a great resource. Thumbs up!
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- Jun 16, 2007 @ 12:28 am
- Wow, absolutely great lens. 5 stars!
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- steveT steveT Jun 11, 2007 @ 2:53 am
- Very nicely done lens sparklemotion. I can see you have put a ton of time into it. You have earned my 5 stars. Steve, from male sexual health
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- SparkleMotion SparkleMotion Jun 4, 2007 @ 9:08 pm
- Hi Spirituality, great question! For more information on donating eggs, check out http://egg-donation-directory.blogspot.com. It's filled with information about becoming an egg donor.
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- spirituality spirituality May 22, 2007 @ 9:22 am
- Why would one want to donate an egg?
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- Acne_Medicine Acne_Medicine Apr 26, 2007 @ 8:23 pm
- very detailed lens. awesome material.
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