The decision to become an egg donor is a big one. Chances are, you’ll be feeling a roller coaster of emotions. One thing most young women think about as they become egg donors is the type of relationship they are looking for with their intended parents.
As you go begin the process, you’ll want to start thinking about the type of egg donation you’d like to pursue. You should choose a relationship level that makes you feel the most comfortable. This will help Circle match you with intended parents who are looking for the same level of relationship.
As you move forward as an egg donor, you’ll have three options from which to choose: Known, Semi-Known and Anonymous.
What is a known egg donor?
Known Egg Donation is the most open form of egg donation process. In this arrangement, egg donors and intended parents have contact. They mutually determine what type of contact/relationship works best for all parties during the cycle and in the future. Communication may be through Skype, a phone call, email, or an in-person meeting, and donor identity information is disclosed between the parties. Known donation is designed to give intended parents direct access to their egg donor should they (or their children) have questions for her in the future. Learn more about known egg donation myths and other egg donation misconceptions in our related blog post.
What is semi-known egg donation?
Semi-Known Egg Donation allows the egg donor and recipient intended parents to mutually agree to some limited contact to determine what type of relationship works best for all parties. And while the communication may be through Skype, a phone call, email, or an in-person meeting – there is no exchange of identifying information. This type of egg donation allows intended parents to connect with their egg donor and hear her story; this contact should solidify that this is the right match.
What is an anonymous egg donor?
Anonymous Egg Donation is just that: anonymous. You don’t receive background information about your intended parents, and they don’t receive information about your identity. Both the egg donor and the intended parents agree to respect each other’s privacy during the egg donation cycle and in the future.
Choosing the Egg Donor Program That’s Right for You
So how do you choose the type of egg donation that is best for you? Do your research, and ask yourself and your support network what you’re most comfortable with. If you’re open to it, Known and Semi-Known Egg Donation are great options that allow you to establish a relationship with your intended parents, to get to know the parents who you’re helping, and answer any questions each of you may have.
Getting to know your intended parents can help alleviate some uneasy feelings you may be experiencing. And because there are no “right” or “wrong” emotions during your egg donation journey, you can take comfort in learning more about your intended parents to help yourself feel more at peace with your decision to match with them.
In the end, you’ll choose from the type of egg donation that fits your comfort level and personal situation. And that will be the right decision for you. As always, Circle’s Egg Donation team is happy to chat with you about the different types of egg donation to help you make the best decision.
Are you interested in learning more about Egg Donation at Circle? On our website, you can learn how the process worksfor egg donors, how it works for intended parents, how to become an egg donor, or how to find an egg donor in our egg donor database and more!