The Egg Donor
Process

1. Filling Out An Application

This is the first step and most important part of the process; it is critically important to fill out the application with complete honesty as this is used to begin the screening process.
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2. Application Screening Process

Once the application is received by Family Formers, we will reach out to you to discuss and review your application. If you meet the criteria, we will request additional photos. We mentioned it in step 1, but it is worth repeating, remember to be honest in providing all the information requested and provide the most accurate or “to the best of your knowledge” information about you and your family.

3. Follow-up Meetings &
Phone Calls

Once we have discussed and reviewed your application, we will set up a meeting with you to discuss any questions or concerns that you may have. If cleared, the next step would be completing the rest of the required paperwork for your file.

4. Paperwork

Once we have answered any and all questions you may have, we will email documents for review and signature. The documents will include:

  • HIPAA Form
  • Egg Donation Records Release Form (if you have donated before)
  • Physician Records Release Form (if you have had a recent PAP Smear test completed within the last year)
  • Donor Agreement
  • Insurance Acknowledgement
  • Medical Procedure Acknowledgement

5. Pretesting For Acceptance Into Egg Donation Program

All donors undergo pretesting in order to be accepted into Family Formers’ Egg Donation Program.

6. Donor List

Finally, once you have met all the requirements and the pretesting is satisfactory, you will be entered into Family Formers’ database and into their donor list. This list provides minimal information about you; your name, confidential and personal information is not provided to the intended parent(s). You are assigned an ID number in order for your profile to be presented to the intended parents for selection.

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7. The Match

Family Formers will present several Donors’ profiles to the Intended Parents’ (IPs) based on their requested characteristics. Once IPs have selected a donor of their liking, the chosen donor will be contacted and informed of the match and next steps.

8. Psychological & Medical Evaluation

The donor who has been matched will then complete a psychological test (MMPI-II) and an interview with a psychologist who specializes in the fertility field. She will go through a medical screening at the IPs IVF clinic. Medical screening will include ultrasound of the ovaries, FDA bloodwork to rule out any STDs, a genetic screening panel, and physical examination. Once she is psychologically and medically cleared, she will receive a calendar for potential dates of the donation, pending the receipt of the clearance letter from the IPs attorney.

9. Legal

The IPs will have their attorney draft an Anonymous Egg Donation Agreement between the IPs and the anonymous Donor. The Donor will have her own legal representation (paid for by the IPs). Once the agreement is fully executed, the IVF clinic will receive a notification from the IPs’ attorney confirming that all parties have signed the agreement and the donation can take place.

10. Medication Cycle & Egg Retrieval:

To commence a cycle, you may receive a prescription for oral contraceptives to help regulate your cycle. This will help coordinate your cycle with that of the intended mother or gestational carrier.

The second phase of medication involves an 8 to 10-day series of injections of a follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), such as Follitism or Gonal-F. This medication helps the eggs grow and mature. You will have blood work and ultrasounds regularly during the stimulation phase to determine the number and size of the eggs.

The possibility of pregnancy during this phase is very high therefore, the fertility doctor will recommend that you avoid intercourse from the first day of stimulation until one week after egg retrieval. Sometimes an egg is not retrieved and that could lead to pregnancy for you.

During the egg retrieval procedure, you will be under general anesthesia to avoid discomfort. The IVF specialist will use an ultrasound machine for guidance and will insert a needle through the back of the vaginal wall to retrieve the eggs. This procedure will take about 20-30 minutes.

Recovery time varies from person to person but generally the experience of mild discomfort is similar to menstrual cramps.
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