How to Become an Egg Donor

More women than ever before are choosing in vitro fertilization to deal with fertility issues. Many of these women need donated eggs to become pregnant, and more and more fertile women are choosing to help others achieve motherhood by becoming egg donors. Whether the donor chooses to be anonymous or known, the process is very easy and can be very profitable.

Things You'll Need

• Days off from work
• Healthy eggs

Instructions

1. Find a fertility clinic in your area that is accepting eggs. Look in the telephone book, ask your doctor or use an online directory to find a nearby location (see Resources below). Call the clinic, and if they are currently accepting eggs, ask if an appointment is necessary for the initial screening.

2. Complete a screening and consultation at the clinic. These tests vary from clinic to clinic but most consist of a basic female physical exam and a visit with a counselor. Most fertility clinics will also ask for your medical history and have you fill out a genetic questionnaire, and if everything checks out, you move on to the next phase of the process.

3. Produce healthy, fertile eggs for donation. The doctor will prescribe you a hormonal therapy drug to stimulate your ovaries, and this will produce multiple eggs. Most clinics will schedule 15- to 20-minute follow-up appointments once a week for 2 to 4 weeks, during which time the doctor will monitor your ovaries with blood tests and vaginal ultrasounds.

4. Donate the eggs. The final step is to have the eggs removed. This is a non-surgical procedure that lasts about 1 hour and is usually performed with anesthesia in the clinic. The total time at the clinic is usually 2 to 3 hours, and the donor will need to have someone drive her home.

5. Collect a check from the clinic. Depending on the clinic and the number of eggs donated, the amount can range from $1,000 to $10,000, with some known donors reportedly receiving as much as $20,000 for their eggs.

Tips & Warnings

• The optimal age for an egg donor is 21 to 34 years old.

• Clinic visits and egg removal should be free of charge to the donor.

• Recovery from the egg removal procedure usually takes 1 to 2 days. Many women have been able to return to work the day after the donation.

• Schedule appointments wisely. Egg donors can miss significant work attending all of the doctor's visits and consultations. The initial consultation and tests can take up to 4 hours on its own, but follow up visits can usually be done during lunch hours or after work. Some clinics stay open late for women who work during the day.