Why do women become Egg Donors? Am I a good candidate for becoming an Egg Donor?

The most common reason women become Egg Donors is they have a genuine altruistic wish to help infertile women/couples get pregnant. Like Surrogates, some Egg Donors report being inspired by empathy for a friend, co-worker or relative they have witnessed going through infertility or pregnancy loss. Other Egg Donors do not necessarily “know” anyone personally who has had reproductive issues, but still have a desire, once exposed to the concept of egg donation, to assist someone else in this remarkable way. Oftentimes, women who become Egg Donors have an internal personally characteristic—a particularly strong sense of compassion—that drives them to help others in general.

In addition to having a genuine desire to assist a couple or individual in family building, a woman considering egg donation should be healthy, of above average intelligence, and familiar with her family’s physical/mental health history (or be able to access this information). As far as physical appearance is concerned, there is more of a likelihood that an Egg Donor will be chosen if she is considered average looking or above; however, each potential Recipient Parent/s will have their own version of what constitutes physically attractiveness. In addition to physical description requirements, many Recipient Parents will choose Egg Donors based on their personality traits, hobbies, interests and/or intellect. Egg Donors usually receive compensation, and this is clearly an added incentive for them and their spouses/partners (when applicable); however, we at Family Source believe strongly that the financial aspect should definitely not be the #1 motivator.

In a nutshell, personal gratification and financial compensation are the primary benefits to egg donation for women who: do not view their eggs as their offspring from a maternal aspect (i.e., they recognize they are passing on their genetics, but do not consider themselves to be the “mother” to any resulting children from their egg donation); are healthy overall and have attractive mental and/or physical traits, are willing to follow a fairly intense medication protocol (which will likely include injections); and who have support from either a spouse/partner, friend or family member with whom they can share thoughts and feelings with as they go through their egg donation experience.