Q: Do I Pay Anything To Become An Egg Donor?

A: There are no out-of-pocket expenses for you to become an egg donor. All costs are the responsibility of The World Egg Bank and the couple accepting your eggs. You must only transport yourself to and from local doctor's appointments. Any long distance travel or driving is reimbursed.

Q: What Is Egg Donation, And How Can I Help?

A: You provide your eggs to a woman who is infertile. The eggs are mixed with sperm for fertilization. Most of the eggs fertilize and several embryos are placed back into the woman's uterus, where implantation and pregnancy occurs. Your generous contribution of eggs will help a woman, who is experiencing infertility for any number of reasons, the rare opportunity to carry a child on her own and experience the gift of motherhood.

Q: Where Will I Donate?

A: We currently match donors with couples across the United States and Canada. The couples you are helping are responsible for all travel, meal and accommodation expenses in addition to your fee. You can choose to donate locally in the state you reside in, or you can choose to travel for a 3- to 10-day period to where the recipient's doctor is located. You receive a higher fee to travel, you are accompanied by a representative from The World Egg Bank, and all travel and accommodation costs are paid for through The World Egg Bank.

Q: What Are The Risks?

A: A one-page fact sheet of medical risks is available for your review. Information about these and other known possible risks may be obtained directly from your attending doctor or the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (www.asrm.org). Medical complications from the egg retrieval process are very rare. Emotionally, you may experience no side effects at all; however, the most common side effects reported include mild mood swings, breast tenderness, hot flashes and other symptoms associated with PMS. You may experience Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome, which is a painful retention of fluid in your abdomen. New protocols for egg donors have reduced this risk to a very low percent. There is no medical evidence that a successful donation will decrease a donor's ability to become pregnant in the future. Any woman considering egg donation is advised to speak with the clinic physician about possible side effects and his/her own specific medical practices.

Q: How Much Can I Expect To Be Paid For My Time And Efforts As An Egg Donor?

A: The compensation you receive as an egg donor for your time and efforts is between $2,500 - $5,000 US (depending on the state you reside in), paid to you upon completion of egg retrieval. All fees and medical costs related to your egg donation are paid by the woman receiving your eggs.

Q: Does My Identity Remain Confidential?

A: You have a choice about the level of disclosure you wish to have with the recipients. Some donors choose to remain anonymous and your identity remains confidential. Some donors may be willing to meet with the recipient in the presence of one of our representatives, but information that would lead to your identity still remains confidential. Many donors are now agreeing to be available to meet the child that may result from your donation after the child is 18 years of age. Most donors also offer to be of assistance to the couple if a child results from the donation and there is a medical emergency that requires consultation with the donor in the future.

Q: After I Register What Happens Next?

A: Once you've completed the online application, we will review it and call you to arrange an interview. We then begin 'matching' you with a couple and contact you once a match is made. At this point, you complete the psychological and medical screening process and the doctors' office will begin coordinating your menstrual cycle with the recipient woman's cycle. Hormone injections last for about ten (10) days before egg retrieval. The entire process from registration to egg retrieval takes an average of 2 - 3 months.

Q: Will I run out of eggs if I give them to someone else?

A: No. Few women are aware that each month many eggs are dissolved and absorbed by their own bodies prior to the selection of the single egg that will be ovulated. Fertility medications preserve a portion of these excess eggs, which the body would have ordinarily discarded. Therefore, no additional eggs are used up in the process.

Q: I just had a baby, can I still donate?

A: Yes, provided you are no longer breast feeding.

Q: How often can I donate?

A: The World Egg Bank adheres to the guidelines presented by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), which allow for a maximum of six cycles per donor.

Q: Can I be an egg donor if my tubes are tied or I have an IUD?

A: Yes, the procedure is done vaginally and doctors are willing to work with you without removing your IUD.

Q: Why Would I donate for storage in the Egg Bank?

A: If you are selected to have your eggs stored in our egg bank, we can work around your schedule and expedite the process.