Finding Egg Donors

Egg donors should undergo a rigorous screening process before they can begin donating eggs. Neither the egg donation nor the impregnation procedure is simple; that is why it is important for recipients to consult a fertility clinic and egg donation agency before undergoing treatment. Both egg donors and egg donation recipients are advised to educate themselves thoroughly before starting either process.

Egg Donation Agencies and Clinics

Egg donors can be found through a variety of methods. Many couples decide to use egg donation agencies or egg donation clinics to find an egg donor. A reputable agency can simplify the process by offering a wide selection of donors who have been fully screened, who will remain anonymous, and who have signed the necessary release forms. Egg donation clinics often partner with egg donation agencies or maintain their own databases of donors to facilitate the process.

Egg Donor Databases

Some egg donation clinics work with egg donation agencies to obtain eggs, while others maintain their own registry of donors and offer a complete, in-house egg donation process. Egg donation clinics provide psychological and medical screening of donors, and administer the necessary treatments and procedures to the recipient. The clinics have full medical facilities for performing in vitro fertilization, and the doctors at egg donation clinics have specialized training in the egg donation procedure and implantation of the embryo.

Egg Donation and Infertility Treatment

Professional, reputable egg donation agencies and clinics will thoroughly discuss their procedures, the rights and responsibilities of donors and recipients, and the risks of the egg donation process to both egg donors and recipients. Regardless of an agency's or clinic's standing, donors and recipients should read all contracts carefully before signing.

Family Members

Sometimes a family member or friend is willing to donate eggs. This can work well because a more complete medical, genetic, and psychological history and profile can usually be obtained. However, future complications involving the donor can arise, so careful thought and consideration should be used before choosing this option. If the recipient chooses to use the eggs of a relative or acquaintance, the recipient will arrange with an egg donation center or clinic to have the donor properly screened and prepared.

Placing Your Own Ad

Couples often place their own newspaper and Internet advertisements to find a donor that meets their specific qualifications. This can work, but in order to avoid a host of potential problems, the recipient should make sure that any potential egg donor undergoes a thorough medical and psychological screening and signs an attorney-prepared release before initiating the egg donation process.

Contact an Egg Donation Agency

Egg donation agencies and clinics provide many benefits to both donors and recipients by ensuring that the complex aspects of the egg donation process are professionally handled. DocShop provides a directory of reputable fertility specialists across the nation to help potential donors and recipients connect with qualified medical professionals in their area.