A Quick Guide to Using an Egg Donor
Egg donation is when a donor gives her eggs to an intended parent to help them conceive a baby. Those who choose egg donation may not be able to conceive with their own eggs due to age or fertility conditions. LGBTQ+ couples and single parents are also able to build the families of their dreams through the use of donor eggs.
Depending on needs and preferences, the egg donation process may look a little different for each situation. For many, this process can be a fulfilling way to bond with the baby, as it maintains the physical connection between mother and child through live birth.
The Egg Donation Process
The egg donation process begins with you matching with an egg donor that fits your specific desires and needs. Most intended parents find egg donors through egg donor agencies, but some may choose to work with a friend or relative. Some fertility clinics, including Chelsea Fertility NYC, have their own pool of egg donors to choose from. Each egg donor is thoroughly screened to ensure that the eggs she donates are healthy and have a high chance of success.
During this time, you will also choose whether to do a fresh or frozen egg donor cycle. In a fresh cycle, the egg donor uses medications to deprogram her regular ovulation and menstruation cycle. Once her period begins again, she takes daily injections of hormone medications that prompt her ovaries to produce more mature eggs than normal. Once the eggs are ready, they are extracted using a fine aspirating needle guided by an ultrasound. The eggs are then fertilized through in vitro fertilization (IVF). The resulting embryos are allowed to develop for five days before being transferred into the recipient’s uterus.
How to Start
The success of egg donation depends on many factors, but with the right support and planning, you can start the family you have always wanted. A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that over half of the eggs donated resulted in a live birth. When planning an egg donor cycle with a donor, be sure everyone involved goes through every aspect of the plan and possible alternatives.
At Chelsea Fertility NYC, we take the time and care to customize your cycle and experience to make sure you get the best experience possible. Contact us today if you are interested in learning more!
