Ovum Donation: The Gift of Life

Thank you for your interest in our Ovum Donation Program.

As you know, there are women who would greatly benefit from your willingness and generosity by donation of your eggs. This program is an infertility treatment for women who have a normal uterus, but inadequate and/or absent ovarian function. This treatment is also for women who have had multiple miscarriages due to a chromosomal abnormality, or have a genetic disorder that can result in serious birth defects. Until recently, their choices were limited strictly to adoption or living childless; but with today's technology, egg donation gives infertile couples new hope.

Egg donation involves the removal of eggs from a donor who has undergone stimulation of her ovaries with the use of fertility drugs. The recipient is simultaneously placed on hormones to adequately prepare the lining of her uterus to receive the fertilized eggs (pre-embryos). Once the donor eggs are adequately developed, the donor then undergoes ultrasound directed egg retrieval. Donor eggs are placed with the recipient husband's sperm, or in some cases, donor sperm is used. The eggs undergo fertilization in the lab and the resultant embryos are then transferred into the recipient's uterus. Determination of whether this procedure produces a pregnancy in the recipient usually occurs approximately two weeks after the embryo transfer.

To be considered as an egg donor,  you must be a healthy woman between the ages of 21 and 30, not smoke, have regular monthly cycles and be of normal weight. If you are seriously interested in becoming an ovum donor, then complete the Donor Pre-Screening Form. In turn, the information will be reviewed to determine whether you meet the initial criteria. An email will be sent to you with further instructions.

The final portion of the screening process usually requires one or two visits in our office. You will undergo a medical review of your family's health, physical exam, and pelvic exam with vaginal ultrasound, psychological assessment, and laboratory testing.

If you successfully meet the donor criteria for eligibility and a match with a recipient couple is found, you will then be scheduled for a donation cycle. Monetary compensation of $4,000 is provided for each completed donation cycle.

Your interest in our Ovum Donation Program is greatly appreciated. I look forward to receiving your Donor Pre-Screening Form to begin the screening process.

Sincerely,

Margaret M. Vogt, RNC, NP, MSN
Ovum Donation Nurse Coordinator