5 Common Questions About Becoming Egg Donor

Confused by all the conflicting information out there about egg donation? Well, you’re in luck! We’re about to set the record straight. 

Here at Family Source Consultants, we’re used to hearing the same sort of questions about how egg donation works and what you can expect. 

Let’s break down the top five questions that egg donors ask. 

1. How much does egg donation pay?

This is definitely one of the most-asked questions! 

The amount you can expect to make as an egg donor will vary between agencies. At Family Source Consultants, egg donors receive between $8k to $10k per donation cycle. You can donate for up to six cycles, and the payment increases with your level of experience. 

But that’s just your earnings from the donation itself. You’ll also be compensated for all other expenses that accompany your donation journey, including medical tests, medications, and any other appointments. Legal fees are also covered. 

All travel-related expenses are paid for by your Intended Parents. That includes transportation for attending your appointments, whether it’s by car or air. Accommodation and meals are also included. In other words, everything is paid for. 

2. Is the egg donation process painful?

Good news – it’s really not! Most donors describe the process as uncomfortable. 

The only time you might experience some pain during is during the egg donation is with the injections. Many of your fertility medications are given subcutaneously, which means they’re injected into the fatty tissue just above the muscle. Most donors say this doesn’t hurt, but it really depends on your personal pain tolerance. There are a ton of ways to reduce any pain you might feel during injections, and your egg donor coordinator will be happy to share their advice with you!

Another discomfort you might experience could be with the hormonal treatment. The side effects of fertility drugs can feel quite similar to getting your period. You may experience mood swings, bloating, tender breasts, and headaches. 

There is absolutely no pain involved during the donation procedure itself because you’ll be under sedation for the egg retrieval process.

3. Is it legal to sell my eggs?

Let’s clear this up: you’re not actually ‘selling’ your eggs. You’re donating them to a couple or an individual who cannot produce eggs themselves. This is perfectly legal. The money you receive for donating your eggs is to compensate for your time, effort, and incredible generosity. 

It’s also legal for you to donate anonymously or to share your identity with your prospective Intended Parents. This decision is entirely up to you. 

4. Am I considered the parent of any babies that are born from my donation?

No. Agreeing to donate our eggs means that you relinquish all legal rights to the child, and you are under no obligation to care or provide for them at any stage. This is sometimes difficult for people to get their heads around. Although you are the biological mother of the resulting child, you are not the legal parent.

One of the most important things you’ll do with your egg donor agency is to sign a contract that ensures you have no legal rights or responsibilities to any children born as a result of your donation. 

Your agency will provide you with an attorney who is well-versed in egg donor contracts to be certain your rights are protected. 

5. Do I qualify to become an egg donor?

There are some strict requirements for becoming an egg donor. For most donor agencies (including Family Source Consultants) this means you’ll need to pass medical exams that show you are in overall good health. 

You’ll also be between the ages of 20-31 with a body mass index (BMI) of 18-28. This is crucial to ensure the best outcome for you as well as the best quality of any eggs you may produce.

At FSC, we require our egg donors to have a minimum of a high school equivalency diploma (GED), although higher education is preferred. You’ll also need to be 100% okay with injections because this is how your fertility medications will be administered. 

And, as you’d expect, you can’t be using a hormonal birth control device or the birth control shot for at least eight months prior to your donation. You’ll also have to be totally free from any nicotine or illegal drug use.

Your genetic background matters, too. You should know at least one-half of your genetic makeup or family medical history. 

For practical reasons, egg donors must also be able to show they have reliable transportation to and from their appointments. 

Once all that is checked off, the final step is to pass a stringent physical and psychological screening process. 

Have more questions?

Every egg donor is different, and every egg donor’s experience is different. The best way to figure out if this is the right path for you is by researching and learning more! 

If you have any questions about becoming an egg donor, we would be happy to answer them. Call or email us for a chat!