How to Donate Eggs in Massachusetts

It is both a great gift and a true sacrifice. For infertile couples, egg donations often represent the very last hope of becoming parents. Boston, Massachusetts, is somewhat of a Mecca for childless couples seeking to conceive. Among the many infertility treatments and options is the implantation of donor eggs in a woman’s uterus. Donor eggs, however, are not as readily available as donor sperm, and the procedure the donor must go through is off-putting for many women. If you are interested in donating, contact one of the Boston hospitals or centers specializing in infertility or in vitro fertilization (IVF) and set up an initial appointment.

Instructions

1. Take a preapplication test to determine if you truly understand the sacrifice of time and self you will be making. See the website in Resources below and consider your responses to questions regarding your physical health, ability to self-administer shots, attend doctor’s appointments and undergo sedation for egg removal.

2. Contact an IVF center and ask for an initial application. Call Boston IVF at 1 (888) 300-BIVF (2483), Mass General Hospital Vincent IVF at [phone] or Brigham & Women’s Hospital at [phone].

3. Set up and attend an intake interview upon approval of your initial application. Answer questions about your health, lifestyle and personal and family medical history.

4. Undergo a psychological examination and be approved for the program.

5. Undergo full physical and gynecological exams, including blood work, pap smear and urine tests.

6. Sign a contract with the IVF center, agreeing to terms and conditions of the program and your participation expectations.

7. Begin first phase of self-administered medications, once a day for 12 days. The first round of medicine helps the physician determine the best means of egg retrieval for your individual case.

8. Attend the appointment for blood work and an ultrasound.

9. Begin the second stage of medications, adding another daily shot. This medication stimulates the ovaries to produce more eggs.

10. Attend regular appointments during your egg production phase.

11. Give yourself the “trigger” medication in preparation for egg extraction.

12. Undergo sedation and have the physician extract eggs for donation.

Tips & Warnings

• Egg donation is not risk-free. You will be injecting several medications and be put under anesthesia for the final procedure. Read the contract fully to understand all that may occur, however unlikely.

Resources

• The Donor Source: Pretest for egg donations