Become a Donor

Becoming an Ovum Donor is not a simple decision. There are many factors that can influence a woman's decision to share her genetic material and help a loving family to grow. Although financial recompense is provided, most women who pursue donation are interested in helping others to conceive a child. FFC considers the emotional, psychological and physical health of all potential donors to be very important and our rigorous screening process helps us filter out any women who might be too immmature yet to fully appreciate the responsiblilties involved, or due to financial hardships solely motivated by the lofty fee some donation agencies offer.

A Brief Overview of the Donation Process

There are two phases to the medical procedure of ovum donation, the stimulation of the ovaries and the retrieval of the mature eggs at the end of the cycle. Below is a brief overview of some of the highlights along the way.

Ovarian Hyperstimulation is the first step. This is accomplished via the administration of 3 drugs: to regulate the menstrual cycle, stimulate the follicles and trigger ovulation to retrieve the mature eggs. For more information on these medications and the procedure please refer to this article.

The next step is the retrieveal of the eggs via a surgical procedure (transvaginal ultrasound aspiration) under the care of the physician chosen by the recipients. The procedure is brief, and the clinic stay is generally only 3-4 hours total.

Both ovarian hyperstimulation and the retrieval process can have side effects, which the physician will go over in detail prior to beginning the donation cycle. Some of the side effects you may experience during the stimulation period are: abdominal swelling and pressure, mood swings, and soreness at the injection site. Because the retrieval is a surgical procedure there are risks involving sedation side effects, and the possibility of post-procedural infection, but all due precautions are taken to minimize this likelihood.

Compensation

At Family Fertility Center we understand that the decision to share your genetic material with another family involves committment and sacrifice of time and effort. We take these matters into account when considering what fair and appropriate compensation should be. You are much more than your genetic material to us, you are a critical component in helping families to grow.

All donors are paid the same compensation, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or other individual considerations.

First time donors are compensated $6,000
Second time donors are compensated $7,000
Third time donors are compensated $8,000

Repeat donors are compensated at a higher rate to reflect the ongoing time, effort and stress on the body of multiple donation cycles. In addition to this compensation Family Fertility Center provides all necessary support to make your donation experience as positive as possible.

Why do we restrict women who smoke from donating their eggs?
"The best available scientific data indicate that cigarette smoking strongly contributes to infertility. Smoking should be discouraged for both male and female partners in couples with a history of infertility or recurrent miscarriage. Smoking cessation may improve natural fertility and success rates with infertility treatment."

Please read the full article (PDF) on Smoking and Infertility by the American Society For Reproductive Medicine.