7 Questions to ask before becoming an egg donor

7 questions to ask before becoming an egg donor.

Becoming an egg donor entails more than filling out the egg donor application. We encourage our applicants to learn about the process prior to applying. Given that, we want to provide as much information as possible to potential egg donors.

Here are key questions to help you determine if you’re ready to start the egg donation process.

1. Do I understand the egg donation process?

The egg donation process involves creating a profile, matching, contracts, screening, medications, and more. Here’s a quick overview of the egg donation process from application to retrieval.

· Creating a profile: Providing as much information as possible helps intended parents connect with you.

· Matching: When intended parents show interest in your profile, you'll review their profile to see if you'd like to move forward.

· Contracts: This is the legal part of egg donation where contracts are drafted, finalized, and signed for both you and IPs. Your lawyer fees are covered.

· Screening: This phase includes a psych screening, a physical examination as well as genetic testing and drug testing.

· Medications: You’ll likely take oral contraception and then start the injection medications for up to two weeks prior to the retrieval.

· Retrieval & Recovery: This quick surgery under light sedation will signal the end of your egg donation journey. Remember to take it easy for at least two weeks, or until you get your next menstrual cycle.

More about the process

2. Do I have a complete enough health history to become an egg donor?

If you have been adopted, a donor program may not accept you unless you can provide all of your medical records as well as those of your biological family. You’ll also be asked to share personal health information regarding you and your family members. It’s important to be comfortable with this and understand that it’s part of the process. It’s also important to note that having an incomplete health history will delay your application’s approval. The approval process is fastest when you provide a complete health history during the initial application.

3. Am I ready to commit to the egg donation process?

Egg donation involves screening, hormone stimulation, monitoring, the egg retrieval, and usually some travel. Becoming an egg donor is an important piece of making a family’s dream come true. As a result, it’s a serious responsibility where many people including intended parents, doctors and Circle employees rely on you to follow a schedule.

How it works

4. Am I willing to abstain from sexual intercourse and strenuous activity during an egg donation cycle?

We ask our egg donors who are in cycle to be abstinent in order to prevent unintended pregnancy. Also, egg donors should abstain from heavy lifting and/or strenuous physical activity during their cycle and recovery period.

5. Am I willing to undergo psychological tests?

As part of the egg donor screening, egg donors take the MMPI, which identifies personality disorders. Further, a social worker interviews you to assess your mental preparedness for the egg donor journey. You must also give a detailed psychological and social history about yourself and your family, which will include answering questions about substance abuse, sexual abuse, and mental illness. Feeling comfortable with divulging personal information is a part of the process we want to make sure potential egg donors are aware of.

6. How does my significant other feel about egg donation?

Part of the requirements to become an egg donor with Circle is to have a primary support person. Having a committed support person who can provide you with emotional support, assist around the house, and even help with hormonal injections is crucial to a successful egg donation journey. Circle requires the consent and support of the egg donor’s primary support person.

7. What kind of relationship would I want with the intended parents?

At Circle Egg Donation, we have three types of donations available: known, semi-known, and anonymous. Each offers a different level of communication between the intended parents and donors. At Circle, we encourage known donation for a number of reasons. Studies have shown that this is best for the child’s sense of identity. With known donation, it leaves the door open for contact in the future when the child wants to learn more about his or her birth story. Ultimately the type of donation you select is your choice. You can be open to all three types of donation as well as one specific type.

Benefits of egg donation

Questions to ask before becoming an egg donor.