Egg (Oocyte) Donor Program
Becoming an Egg (Oocyte) Donor
Thank you for your interest in our Egg (Oocyte) Donor Program. For many couples, physical or genetic barriers make egg donation the only option available to them to have a child. Women who apply to be egg donors for our program are sincerely interested in helping others in their journey to have a child.
Donor qualifications for participation in our Egg Donor Program are:
- between the age of 21-34
- good general health
- have no known genetically inherited or sexually transmissible diseases
- within normal weight range
- non- smoker
The Egg (Oocyte) Donation Process
Step One:
Complete the online eligibility questionnaire. Your completed questionnaire will be reviewed by one of Donor Program Specialists.
Step Two:
After reviewing your online eligibility questionnaire, you will be contacted by one of our Donor Program Specialists who will answer your questions and discuss the next step in the donation process. Should you qualify to continue the evaluation process, you will be asked to complete a medical and genetic history. These records will be reviewed by our staff. If you meet the medical and genetic criteria, a preliminary appointment will be scheduled for you in the clinic where blood tests, psychological evaluation/testing, physical exam and a pelvic ultrasound will be performed. This initial evaluation is very important as it provides information necessary for you to make an informed decision regarding egg donation. During this evaluation, the donation process will be discussed and any questions answered. Due to its importance and thoroughness, this appointment lasts approximately 4 hours.
Step Three:
After all of the tests have been completed, results reviewed and approved, you will be included in our list of available egg donors. Recipients will review your profile which includes non-identifying information such as your medical history, physical characteristics, and family medical history. Once you are formally matched with a couple, you will be scheduled for ovarian stimulation and given an approximate date for egg retrieval.
Step Four:
Ovarian stimulation will begin on a specific schedule. To produce several eggs for donation, you will need to take injectable medications to increase your egg production. All donors receive instruction on the use, delivery and side effects of these medications. All risks will be explained and questions answered before donors begin any ovarian stimulation medications.
Step Five:
At the appropriate time in the stimulation cycle, egg retrieval will be performed. Egg retrieval utilizes a vaginal ultrasound probe and attached needle guide to allow insertion of the needle through the vagina and into the ovary/ovaries. This procedure usually last approximately 45 minutes and is done on an outpatient basis. You will need to be accompanied by a friend or family member who can escort you home. We will make a post-procedure phone call approximately one to two weeks after your retrieval to discuss how you are feeling.
Step Six:
Six months after the egg retrieval, you will be required to complete follow-up blood tests.
Compensation:
The process of egg donation requires several steps and a commitment of time to the process. Below is the compensation breakdown for egg donation.
Initial Screening/Preliminary Visit/Form Completion
- You will receive $75 for your time and effort
- Upon completion of all initial screening forms, physical exam, and one-time laboratory tests at your preliminary appointment.
During each cycle (total of $3000.00):
- $200 - Upon completion of each cycle's initial appointment, cycle planning and ultrasound
- $2,500 - Oocyte retrieval. Retrieval may be canceled if laboratory tests or ultrasound findings do not meet necessary requirements. In this instance, compensation for such cycle would be prorated based on length of time of participation in the cycle.
- $300 - Upon completion of required follow up blood testing six months following oocyte donation.
Online Eligibility Questionnaire
The first step in becoming an egg donor at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is to complete the online eligibility questionnaire. The information we receive from this questionnaire is important in the decision-making process regarding who will continue in the evaluation process.
Once you have completed and submitted this short online form, your application will be reviewed by one of the donor program specialists. After this review, you will be contacted by mail regarding continuation in the evaluation process.
If you are considering getting new tattoos or piercings, these will eliminate you from the donor program for one year.
Online form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do couples need donor eggs?
There are a number of reasons why couples need to use donor eggs to achieve a pregnancy. These may include situations such as premature menopause, genetic or family background or age.
What are the general requirements to become an egg donor?
- between the age of 21-34
- good general health
- have no known genetically inherited or sexually transmissible diseases
- within normal weight range
- non- smoker
What is involved in the final screening/preliminary process?
The screening process is designed to obtain information about your medical and genetic history, perform blood tests, psychological evaluation/testing, physical examination and a pelvic ultrasound. The initial evaluation is very important as it provides the information necessary to ensure that you are medically and genetically appropriate as an egg donor.
Are there side effects from taking the medications used in ovarian stimulation and/or egg retrieval?
As with any medication, there are possible side effects. These side effects will be discussed thoroughly with you and you will have every opportunity to ask questions. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine lists the following as possible side effects of the medication and/or egg retrieval:
Medication Risks:
- Mild bruising and soreness are possible with any injectable medication such as those used for IVF, allergic reactions are very rare.
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome can occur whenever women use ovarian stimulation medications, especially injectable gonadotropins. This complication occurs in less than 1 percent of women who have an egg retrieval with IVF. When severe, ovarian hyperstimulation can lead to dehydration, large amounts of fluid accumulation in the abdominal and lung cavities, blood clotting disorders, and kidney damage. Occasionally, IVF cycles are canceled to prevent hyperstimulation. We monitor you closely by evaluating hormone levels and ultrasounds to decrease your chance of developing ovarian hyyperstimulation syndrome.
- Although studies are contradictory, some researchers have reported an increase in borderline ovarian cancer in women who use injectable gonadotropins. Early studies suggested a possible link between ovarian stimulation drugs and ovarian cancer. More recent, and longer studies do not support this finding. Until further research is available, careful use of ovarian stimulation drugs is reasonable. We believe, based on current information, that egg donation is safe in terms of long term health.
Egg Retrieval Risks:
Ultrasound-guided transvaginal egg retrieval is a procedure whereby a long, thin needle is passed through the vagina into the ovary. Although women are under sedation or local anesthetic, this procedure can cause mild to moderate discomfort. Injuries during this procedure are extremely rare. Limited bleeding from the ovary may occur, but the need for transfusion is extremely rare. Infections following transvaginal egg retrieval are also possible but rare.
Will I be responsible for medical expenses related to donating my eggs?
No. The recipient will pay all of the medical expenses related to the donation of your eggs. If you have any complications within 2 weeks of egg retrieval and you come to the UIHC for treatment, you will not incur any costs.
Can a women “run out” of eggs by donating them?
No. Each month a woman ovulates one egg. However, multiple eggs are dissolved and absorbed in this process. The donation process uses these “lost” eggs. Therefore, you will have the same number of menstrual cycles after donating your eggs as you did before. We do not believe, based on current information, that egg donation injures your own future fertility nor does it lead to early menopause.
Who will “own” the eggs after retrieval?
Following the retrieval of the eggs, the Donor relinquishes all ownership rights. The eggs and any embryos resulting from fertilization of the donated eggs are the sole responsibility of the recipient. The donor will have no claim to the eggs or the embryos.
Will the recipients be given my name or identifying information?
The program is set-up and intended to be an anonymous program. No identifying information will be given to the recipient couple. Only non-identifying information such as characteristics (i.e. hair color, eye color, height, weight, family and genetic background, health psychology visit summary) are provided to the couple.
Although our program intends the donation process to be and remain anonymous, there is no guarantee that future state or federal legislation may one day allow recipients or any children conceived by donor eggs to access donor identity.
Will I be able to learn the identity of the recipients couples?
No. The program is anonymous.
Can I change my mind about participating in the egg donor program?
Yes. We ask that you take every consideration and decision to be made in the process of becoming an egg donor very seriously and commit to participate before we offer your profile to a recipient couple.
Contact Us
Should you have any questions, feel free to contact one of the Donor Program Specialists at (319) 356-8483 or send an e-mail to: infertility@uiowa.edu (please be sure to include a full name and phone number where you can be reached). A Donor Program Specialist will respond to all inquiries as soon as possible.
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