If you are looking into parenthood through egg donation, you’re come to the right place. Embarking on a journey to find an egg donor and deciding on who you want as your egg donor is a big decision. Find solace in knowing that there’s no right or wrong way to choose an egg donor. Selecting a donor is a very personal decision, as is the criteria on which you base your decision.
Here are some suggestions to assist you:
- Decide on the type of donation you want. There are 4 different types of egg donation available to egg donors and intended parents. Here are details about the differences between each:
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- Known donation is becoming more popular. It allows communication and contact between intended parents (IP) and donors. You can carry on the relationship to your agreed-upon level of comfort during the process. Some intended parents and egg donors continue their relationship after their journey is over, too.
- Semi-Known donation is when the donor is willing to meet the intended parents, but no identifying contact information is exchanged. There is a legal agreement with the intended parents, and the donor may or may not allow the release of her identifying information later.
- ID Release donation is when there is no contact with intended parents, however identifying information about the egg donor will be released if a donor-conceived child at legal age requests details.
- Anonymous or De-Identified donation is when there is no contact with intended parents. Identifying information will not be released if a donor-conceived child at legal age requests details (unless directed by law or court decree).
Getting to know your donor is considered to be beneficial for both you and your child. It helps your child to understand where they came from, provides your child with a healthy sense of identity, and allows you and your child to remain updated about their genetic parent’s medical history as it changes over time.
2. Review and compare egg donors’ profiles. Applications are filled with questions and answers that reflect the applicant’s personality, traits, and values. Once the application is complete, donors submit photos that that will appear in their profile, which is featured in our online egg donor database.
3. Identify traits that are important for your egg donor to have. Through the egg donor database, intended parents can filter egg donors by hair color, height, age, eye color, weight, education, experience, and ethnicity—the possibilities are endless. Others choose donors who look like the parent who isn’t biologically connected to the child. For example, if you have dark hair and blue eyes, you may want to choose an egg donor based on those criteria. Some intended parents choose based on personal interests, talents, personality, or intellect. Many times we counsel parents to find an egg donor who could “fit in” with the family and has similar traits to the intended parents.
4. Have a back-up plan in case your requested donor is in cycle. By choosing three to five donors, you’ll prevent yourself from having to go through the matching process again in the case of a failed match. Keep in mind that even if your preferred egg donor is in cycle, you can ask if she would be willing to consider another donation with you if you’re willing to wait.
5. Be open and flexible. The probability of finding everything you want in one egg donor is low. Intended parents are encouraged to approach the experience with an open mind. Our egg donors are smart, giving and caring women who want to help you achieve your dream of building your family.
Parenthood through egg donation is a very special way to grow your family. If you’d like more information about our program, please click here.