I Want to Know More About Egg Donation - Is It Right for Me?

You may have read an advertisement about egg donation, and wondered if it was something you should consider. Or, a friend or relative might have approached you asking if you’d consider helping a couple to get pregnant by donating your eggs. There is a lot to think about if you’re considering egg donation, but if you decide to proceed and are successful, you could contribute to the joy of parenthood for an infertile couple. Egg donation is an important option for couples that want to conceive in a situation where the woman is unable to ovulate for any reason.

If you're considering egg donation, there are a lot of factors to think about. You’ll need to be sure that it’s something you’re committed to doing, you’ll need time to schedule the evaluations, tests, and procedures, you’ll want to be sure that your contract or agreement covers your expenses, and you’ll have to decide on whether you want to be anonymous or if you’d like some contact with the recipient or any children born of your egg donation.

Donating eggs can be time-consuming, and there are legal, moral, and ethical considerations. You’ve also got to be willing and able to undergo a fairly extensive screening process before you donate your eggs. You will probably want to consult with an attorney before you sign any agreement or contract, as there are potential issues.

You’ll need to be sure that your medical expenses and any other expenses are covered, including time off from work or school, as you’ll have a schedule of appointments for lab tests, ultrasound, hormone therapy, and the actual egg donation procedure. You might be asked extensive questions about your health history and that of your family. You’ll need to be able to deal with the fact that once you donate your eggs, they might be used for one couple or several couples over a period of years. There are some risks to the preparation and procedures, which you need to discuss fully with your physicians.

However, if you are accepted as an egg donor, you may contribute a priceless gift to many infertile couples--a child of their own.