Tell me about your Egg Donors:

At Compassionate Beginnings™ we take pride in providing a large selection of screened donors. We personally meet and interview each donor. They are primarily recruited from colleges and surrounding cities. Our database will provide information on the donors including physical characteristics (height, weight, hair color, eye color, and blood type), medical and genetic history, ethnic background, education, occupation, special interests, and a recent photo. Once you complete an application, we will provide you a username and password to view our donors.

How is the donor egg IVF procedure done?

Recipient couples are asked to select one to three donors whom they find suitable. We will make every attempt to work with the first choice donor pending the outcome of the medical evaluation. If the first donor is not medially cleared to donate, we coordinate the testing of the second and third donor. The Fertility Center working with the Intended Parents will coordinate the cycles of the donor and recipient throughout the process. Synchronization of cycles includes using a series of medications to facilitate a hospitable uterine environment for transfer of the embryos. All viable eggs produced in a single donor cycle are fertilized, and all embryos belong to the recipient couple. If there are embryos in excess of the number for safe transfer, Cryopreservation is strongly advised. Cryopreserved embryos can be used for subsequent attempts at pregnancy whether or not the fresh transfer is successful.

What types of birth control can I use and still be an egg donor?

• If you are taking oral contraceptives (birth control) pills each month, you may still donate. You will be asked to stop your pills during the actual donation process. During the time you receive the “stimulating” medications, you should refrain from sexual intercourse. Once you have completed the donation process, you may start back on your monthly pills. It is always recommended to use a barrier contraceptive the first month of starting pills or when restarting them.
• If you are using the “patch”, it is recommended you donate after being off of this for three months.
• If you are using Depo Provera shots, you may donate three months after your LAST injection.
• If you have a Non-Hormonal IUD then you may participate in a donor cycle. However, if you are using a Hormonal IUD, you will need to have it removed and have three regular menstrual cycles before participating in an egg donation cycle.
• If you are using Depo-Provera or a Norplant device, it is required that you are off of it for at least one year and have had three regular menstrual cycles before participating in an egg donation cycle.

Can I have sexual intercourse while taking the fertility medications?

Egg donors should not engage in sexual intercourse while taking the fertility medication and should not resume sexual activity until they have experienced their first menstrual cycle following the egg retrieval procedure. Engaging in sexual activity during this time can drastically increase your chances of getting pregnant. You may resume your normal methods of birth control once you have completed a donor cycle.

Are there side affects to the fertility medication?

The most common side affects are similar to those experienced during your menstrual cycle. These may include headaches, bloating, mood swings, hot flashes and breast tenderness. The injections (shots) may cause slight redness or irritation at the site. The Fertility Center providing your care will educate you on how to take the injections. Ovarian Hyper stimulation Syndrome is a more serious side affect that can be associated with the over stimulation of your ovaries by fertility medication. The risk of this syndrome is about 5%. The frequent blood draws and vaginal ultrasounds done during the medial appointments will greatly decrease this risk. If this is identified as a problem, the physician providing the care will decrease the medications used or they will stop the cycle.  It is imperative that you administer your medication exactly as instructed by the reproductive physician and that attend all of your scheduled  medical appointments.

Will being an egg donor affect my ability to have children?

When you are born, you have one to two million eggs. During each cycle you have multiple eggs that start to develop, and one egg or “follicle” becomes dominant and that is the egg you ovulate. The remaining eggs are absorbed. Whether you are using birth control, have a natural cycle or are donating your eggs, you will “loose” the same amount of eggs each month. Most egg donors go on to have children of their own after the donation process.

How many times can I donate my eggs?

We allow our egg donors to participate in no more than five donation cycles. This is the recommended guideline set forth by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).