How to Select an Egg Donor

There are a lot of things to take into consideration when thinking about egg donation. What are the risks, the benefits, the statistical information, and where do you get an egg? The answer to the latter question is not as cut and dry as you may think. A woman has two options when choosing an egg donor. She can choose an egg donor personally, or she can let the clinic supply the egg from an anonymous source.  

One would think that a woman, whom is opting to have in vitro fertilization performed with a donor egg, would have the luxury of choosing the donor herself. She actually can, if that donor meets certain criteria, fertility clinics are extremely strict when it comes to choosing egg donors. Chances are if a woman is having IVF performed with a donor egg because of a family genetic trait, the clinic will not even entertain the idea of allowing the sister to donate an egg.

A woman is free to choose the donor she wants as long as that donor is under 35 years of age and can pass the medical tests and exams the clinic will perform on her. These tests include: documented laboratory evidence that she is fertile with normal ovarian reserves, and has absolutely no indications of infertility. Also, she must pass a mental and physical exam, and have no history of infectious diseases, or genetic disorders. Although, this information will be backed up by a series of blood tests just to be sure.

There have been several women that shy away from this process because of the inability to chooses exactly who they want. The fertility clinic must have these rules in place to protect not only itself, but also you and your unborn child. Always remember the clinic has your best interest at heart, and if they turn your sister, or cousin, or best friend away they have a very good reason to do so.

Using an anonymous donor is safe, and she has been through a testing cycle just as rigorous, if not more rigorous, than what your choice went through. Bottom line is, no matter where the egg comes from the embryo is yours, and it is going to growing and thriving inside of you. In the end all that matters is that your baby is healthy, and the clinic's strict policy and testing is the first step in the right direction.