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Becoming an Egg Donor
Egg donors are women between the ages of 21 and 31 years of age who have been screened to insure good general and reproductive health and psychological stability. Egg donation treatment is always combined with in vitro fertilization (IVF), the process of placing eggs and sperm together in the laboratory to stimulate fertilization and embryo development. When a woman's own eggs will not allow for successful IVF treatment, donor eggs may be substituted. At Georgia Reproductive Specialists, the IVF and egg donation treatments are performed by a reproductive endocrinologist and take place at the practice's on-site surgical center in the main office.
Normally, a woman produces one mature egg each month and loses several immature eggs; through the use of medications, several follicles, or egg sacs, can be induced to develop mature eggs for retrieval. The process of IVF and egg donation requires that the donor take a series of injectable medications which induce the growth of multiple ovarian follicles. These follicles, which contain eggs (oocytes), are removed vaginally and the eggs can then be donated to a known or an anonymous recipient.
Screening for Egg Donor Candidates
By your interest and commitment, as well as meeting a series of strict medical and psychological standards, you may qualify and participate in an egg donation program. Basic program qualifications typically include the following:
- women between the ages of 21-31
- height and weight within normal range
- no smoking or drug use
- previous delivery preferred
Your health insurance information will be placed on file for use in case of emergency along with specific donor insurance provided by the clinic for your care during the donation process. No out-of-pocket costs, associated with this program, are charged to the egg donor.
Preliminary screening steps include filling out a detailed medical history form, which covers information about your general health, surgeries, gynecological history and family medical history. Potential donors are also required to have an initial interview with the donor egg nurse coordinator and a comprehensive gynecological exam with a Georgia Reproductive Specialists' physician. Psychological and genetic prescreening is also provided, consisting of an interview and testing. We strongly suggest that your partner/spouse be involved in your decision to donate and be present during your psychological visits.
Please note: If you are not fluent in English, you are required to bring an interpreter to all office visits.
Preparing to Donate
Once selected, a GRS donor program nurse will meet with you to discuss pertinent issues for your donation treatment 'cycle'. You will be advised about the fertility medication injections that you will administer at home for a series of up to 21 days. The entire process encompasses between one to three months of planning, followed by about three weeks of cycling time. During the actual treatment phase you will be seen in the GRS office for morning monitoring, including about 4-7 mornings of blood work and vaginal sonograms to gauge your egg production.
Collecting the Donated Eggs
The egg retrieval, also called TVA or egg pickup, is generally done in the morning and you will be sedated using medication administered through an IV. With the ultrasound as guidance, the ovary follicles (hopefully containing eggs) are retrieved. The procedure takes about 30 minutes, including a short recovery period in the office, we recommend that you spend the rest of the day quietly at home. Women are given detailed discharge instructions and encouraged to begin oral contraceptives. Most women feel fine the next day, and normal periods generally return in about 2 weeks.
Compensation
We recognize that your decision to be an egg donor is a tremendous gift! The American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) does not allow participants to be 'paid' for their eggs, though it is clearly recognized that a donor should be compensated for their time and commitment to the program. Georgia Reproductive Specialists offers $6000 for donors who complete the cycle to the point of egg retrieval.
For more information about the Egg Donor Program at GRS, please email us or call 404-843-2229 x138.
Please read Donor Letter before proceeding.
Donor Night
Check the dates and R.S.V.P. ONLINE or call 404-843-2229 x141 for more information:
For Directions to our Meridian Mark office, Click here.
Step One
Click here for more information about egg donation.
Step Two
Download and complete the Donor Packet.
Other Forms, As Requested
Oocyte Donor/Prospective Parent Agreement
Psychological Consent for Egg Donation Participants
Oocyte Donor In Vitro Fertilization Permit
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