Donating your eggs is a serious time commitment that can have a lasting impact on the lives of those who wish to become parents. This process is not short or quick. The question is: how long does it take to donate eggs? The donation process will take approximately 2-4 months from the start of the initial application to the day of the egg retrieval. If you are considering donating your eggs, here is what you need to know about the timeline.
How Long Does it Take to Donate Eggs?
Fresh vs. Frozen Egg Donation Time Frame
The decision to donate fresh or frozen eggs can dramatically affect how long it takes and the overall time frame associated with the process.
For fresh eggs, the recipient of your donated eggs must choose you before the process can begin. By choosing to pursue this path, you could wait months to be selected by an intended parent. There is also a possibility you may never be chosen at all. The variables associated with fresh egg donation make a timeline difficult to predict.
Adversely, frozen egg donation does not require a recipient to select a donor. This allows egg donors to donate when they are ready. After your eggs are retrieved, they will be frozen in a process called vitrification and stored in a cryopreservation tank until chosen by an intended parent.
The World Egg and Sperm Bank works with frozen gametes, and this is where we will focus for this blog.
Application and Screening
The first step toward donating eggs is to complete an application with The World Egg and Sperm Bank and pass all preliminary screening items. This will include genetic testing and counseling, an evaluation with a psychological counselor, STD Screenings, and ultrasounds. These are just a few of the many requirements to donate eggs.
Your ability to move forward may depend on your availability and when you can schedule the necessary appointments and screenings. If you are only available during certain times or days, it may take longer to get through this initial process.
Once you have completed your preliminary screenings, it may take some time to get your test results back, requiring you to press pause on the donation process.
During the psychological evaluation, the counselor will spend roughly an hour with you to discuss your motivation to donate, your mental stability, and anything that may disqualify you from donating your eggs such as serious mental illnesses. Scheduling this appointment requires time from a busy schedule but is essential to making the process possible.
Stimulation and Monitoring
Prior to beginning the hormone injections, you will have an initial baseline visit that includes a vaginal ultrasound and bloodwork. You will want to set aside thirty minutes to an hour for this visit.
Once you begin the hormone injections, you will have 3-5 additional visits with the clinic over those 10-14 days to monitor your progress. These visits are critical to the success of the donation and will require your time and commitment to attendance.
Retrieval
Now that you have made it through every other aspect of this process, it is time for the retrieval itself. How long does it take to donate eggs once you make it here? Most people are surprised to learn how short the actual retrieval process is and how little downtime is associated with it. You will be placed under twilight sedation for a quick and painless procedure, usually lasting less than a half-hour.
With that said, we recommend that all donors take a day off from work, school, or other obligations in order to rest and relax. Donors generally feel fatigue or bloating after the procedure, similar to menstruation. These side effects can be managed with over-the-counter medications, and you can return to your regular commitments within a day or two of egg retrieval.
Subsequent Donations
The good news is that if you decide to donate eggs a second time, it is faster than the first time around. Since you have already completed the screening required in the beginning, you can move ahead to monitoring and stimulation.
If you want to make an impact on as many waiting families as possible, you can donate your eggs up to six times in your life. These subsequent donations can be made back-to-back after your initial donation.
Get Support Throughout the Process
It is essential to know that you are being supported throughout the process of egg donation. Donor comfort is our top priority and we will be with you every step of the way. Never hesitate to reach out to us if you have questions about the process. We are committed to monitoring the health and safety of all of our donors from the very first contact until after the final retrieval.
If you would like to make a profound impact on a growing family, you can apply to be a donor with us today!
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