Helping those who struggle with infertility is a precious thing, and egg donation is an important part of the process for many. It is an invaluable gift to these those who want nothing more than to start a family, and we sincerely appreciate all of our donors for trusting us with this gift. For many people who are considering egg donation, the time commitment can be a concern. So, how long is the egg donation process?
In short, the first donation takes an average of two to four months from the time you are selected. Every egg bank has its own process, so the steps and time frame will vary depending on where you go.
To learn more about the process at The World Egg and Sperm Bank, here is a breakdown of what you can expect from us if you choose to move forward with this valuable offering to another couple.
Matching
The first step to donating your eggs is to fill out the application to become a donor. Once you are selected as a suitable candidate for egg donation, we will reach out to guide you through the first steps of the process. Where you will be screened and tested before initial egg retrieval.
Screening
The application is just the first step in the egg donation process. We go to great lengths to ensure that you and your eggs are as healthy as possible to give our intended parents the likelihood of a successful retrieval. Screenings are not a one-and-done occurrence. Instead, you will be subject to a variety of screenings ranging from genetics to STDs.
You will even have an evaluation with a psychologist to ensure that you understand and are emotionally prepared. At The World Egg and Sperm Bank, we also provide counseling and resources to educate you about the process.
The timeframe for these screenings can vary based on scheduling availability. We must wait for all of the results to come back before we can move on to the next step.
Monitoring and Stimulation
After the screenings, you will come in for an office visit to prepare you for two weeks of hormones that you will self-administer through subcutaneous injections. These hormones are meant to stimulate the body to produce more than one mature egg during your next cycle. Your body naturally loses hundreds of eggs during each cycle, and these hormones allow us to rescue more eggs.
During this process, you will also need to come in for more office visits to monitor your response to the hormones. Most people plan for three to five additional office visits during this time.
Initial Egg Retrieval
You have made it this far – congratulations! It is now time for us to retrieve your eggs and get them to the intended parents.
Egg retrieval is scheduled roughly ten to thirteen days after monitoring and hormone injections. This does depend on how your body responds to the treatment. The procedure is noninvasive, painless, and you will be under twilight sedation while we retrieve the microscopic eggs from your ovaries.
Despite the fact that it is painless, we do not recommend that you return to work right away. Most people are encouraged to take the day after off from school, work, and other obligations to rest from the procedure. Many donors report feeling cramping and bloating similar to menstruation, so we recommend that you take some time to rest.
Subsequent Donations
Are you ready to donate your eggs again? Many of our egg donors will do this several times. In part, they may return because it is easier to do so the second (or third or fourth) time around. The initial screenings are done, and you are already on the hormones necessary to mature multiple eggs. As a result, you will find that subsequent donations go much more quickly.
In the case of repeat egg donors, it usually takes just one to two months to complete a retrieval for a repeat donor. You can donate a maximum of six times.
How Long is the Egg Donation Process?
The truth is that the egg donation process is not necessarily quick. It takes time and commitment to become an egg donor, but your donation will have a lifelong impact on a future parent looking to start a family. We appreciate you taking the time to consider whether this is the right decision for you.
If you are interested in donating your eggs, contact The World Egg and Sperm Bank to learn more about whether you are a good candidate. We are happy to answer all of your questions regarding the process!
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