Guest Post
Egg donation is one of the most selfless deeds, helping to create a life or lives for a couple or individual who would otherwise be unable to have a family. However, if you’re considering donating your eggs or using an egg donor to have a child, it’s important to educate yourself thoroughly about the process involved.
Family Source Consultants screens and facilitates egg donations, as well as partners egg donations with intended parents.
Staci Swiderski, Co-Founder of Family Source Consultants, says: “I’ve actually been an egg donor twice and some other Family Source team members have donated their eggs multiple times, too. There are emotional aspects that accompany parenthood via egg donation so egg donors and intended parents must know all of the facts before embarking on such a journey.”
Here are six truths about being an egg donor:
1. There are three types. Anonymous donation, where egg donors are not given any information about the recipient parent/s, however, they can usually find out whether or not a pregnancy occurs if they wish; semi-open egg donation where egg donors may be given some very basic information about the recipient parents (for example, first names and ages) or open egg donation, where once the recipient parents express interest in an egg donor, all parties have a relationship with each other and keep communication channels open, potentially throughout the life of the child/children born via the egg donation.
2. Egg donors have to be aged 21 to 31. An initial screening process takes place to ensure the donor is also in healthy physical condition and to confirm that they are a good candidate for egg donation. This includes an evaluation of hormone levels and testing for genetic diseases, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases – a donor’s spouse or partner might be tested too if applicable.
3. There might be psychological counseling for all parties. A donor will meet with a mental health specialist who specializes in third party reproduction and be administered a psychological assessment test. When applicable, a donor’s spouse or partner might be required to meet with the psychologist as well.
4. Both parties should be legally protected. Upon passing the screening process, an egg donor and intended parents will work with a reproduction attorney to review a contract. This legal phase must be completed prior to a donor beginning any injectable medications to prepare for the egg retrieval.
5. Egg Donation is a big time commitment. Egg donors follow a stringent medication protocol, consisting of injectable medications. Learn more about the medical process involved here.
6. Egg Donors receive compensation for their time and efforts. This is usually between $5000 and $10,000 and egg donors can donate up to six times in a lifetime.
About Family Source Consultants
Family Source Consultants is one of North America’s leading surrogacy agencies, with offices in Illinois (Hinsdale and River North in Chicago) and Florida (Cape Coral). When matching and facilitating Gestational Surrogacy and Egg Donation arrangements, Family Source Consultants work with traditional, gay or lesbian couples and individuals of all races, religious and ethnic backgrounds. They provide personalized support throughout the entire process and work with the very best reproductive law attorneys and doctors.