Becoming an Egg Donor

HELPING PEOPLE EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF PARENTHOOD

Thank you for your interest in becoming an egg donor here at New Life Mexico. We are proud to have a large database of healthy, young, educated and generous egg donors who are ready to assist intended parents in building their families. There are various reasons why some people are unable to conceive: poor egg quality or ovarian function, previous disease, early menopause, surgical removal of ovaries due to chemotherapy or genetic issues, and age. Without your help, these people may never have the opportunity to experience the joy of parenthood.
 

REGISTRATION

It is a huge responsibility to be selected to serve as an egg donor. You have to fulfill certain criteria to establish your suitability. At New Life Mexico, basic program qualifications typically include the following:

  • Women between the ages of 18 – 30
  • Healthy, non-smoking or drug use
  • Height and weight within normal range
  • Free from STD’s (Sexually Transmitted Disease)
  • Having regular periods
  • Without serious psychological disorder
  • Willing to undergo medical and psychological evaluation
  • Ready to proceed with the egg donation program

You are welcome to fill out the Application Form provided by our coordinator. You will be kindly asked to fill in the comprehensive questionnaire asking about medical history, physical attributes and personal characteristics. If you are eligible for the egg donor program, you will move on to the second part of the application process. The egg donor coordinator will contact you for an interview during which time the process will be covered in detail and program details will be addressed. You will be asked to provide at least five photos.
 

CONTRACT

When you are approved as an egg donor, you will be kindly asked to provide the written consent on egg donation. The terms and conditions of the agreement will be introduced to you in advance. You are encouraged to discuss your rights and responsibilities with the egg donor coordinator. You can withdraw your consent at any time, although you will be kindly asked to notify the egg donor coordinator about your decision and provide written notice in advance.
 

MATCHING PROCESS

When you sign the agreement, your information is entered into our egg donor database. Potential recipient intended parent/parents will be provided the password to our database so that they can review egg donor profiles. Once you are matched with the intended parents, you will be confirmed for the egg donation program.
 

EGG DONATION PROCESS

Once you are selected to become an egg donor, the medical preparation will start. You may be required to make about 5-6 medical visits to the clinic during the entire egg donation process. You will undergo a fertility evaluation to verify the capacity of your ovaries to produce eggs. This consists of a physical examination and pelvic ultrasound. A more extensive physical exam, blood tests, and cultures will also be performed once our physician has verified your ability to produce healthy eggs. All prospective donors at New Life Mexico undergo thorough physical and psychological evaluation in order to protect their health and that of any future biological offspring. New Life Mexico will be providing all screening and medical procedures required.

Egg donors will be tested for the following:

  • Complete blood count/Hemoglobin
  • Blood group
  • HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
  • HbsAg (Hepatitis B)
  • VDRL (Syphillis)
  • HCV ( Hepatitis C)
  • FSH (CD2-4) – Follicle Stimulating Hormone
  • Anti Mullerian Hormone Test
  • LH (CD2-4) – Luteinizing Hormone (must be measured on day 2-4 of menses )
  • TSH/T3/T4 – Thyroid Stimulating Hormone/Thyroid Function Test
  • Prolactin- measures the level of hormone prolactin produced by the pituitary gland.
  • Pelvic ultrasound for Antral Follicle Count (day 3-5 of menses )
  • Vaginal swab tests for Chlamydia to rule out any infection that may flare up during or after retrieval
  • Blood Tests on Chlamydia, Herpes and Citomegaloviruses

You will be asked to complete a detailed medical history to identify any genetic abnormalities or diseases before becoming an egg donor. You will be disqualified if you exhibit risk factors for infections or genetic disorders that could affect eggs. Please be advised that you should inform the physicians about any menstrual abnormalities or hormonal imbalances. Women with a history of psychiatric medication use, depression, counseling, sexual abuse, social introversion, or miscarriage are not eligible for the program.

Please be informed that your medical and personal information will be kept confidential at New Life Mexico and shared with intended parents only. Prior to beginning the drug regimen, you will be asked to take birth control pills in order to regulate your menstrual cycles and to synchronize it with the recipient and control your response to fertility drugs. Your next menstrual period will usually become the starting date of the egg donor cycle. When becoming an egg donor, you will be given exact instructions and all the necessary information by the doctor on when and how to take the medications. You will be asked to receive a series of hormonal drugs which cause the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs during one menstrual cycle. Fertility drugs are similar to the hormones but at higher doses. Treatment will start on a particular day of your cycle and will continue for about 10- 14 days.
 

EGG RETRIEVAL

This phase involves egg retrieval where mature eggs are removed from the donor through a 15-minute surgical procedure called transvaginal ultrasound aspiration, which is performed under sedation. You will be asked to remain in the clinic for 1-2 hours. On the day of retrieval you will need a companion to accompany you to the fertility center and to drive you home. You will be prescribed an antibiotic to prevent infection. Removed eggs will be mixed with sperm in the laboratory to create embryos which will then be transferred to the recipient.
 

SIDE EFFECTS

Similar to any medical procedure, when becoming an egg donor, there are some risks that you should be informed about in advance. Egg donors may experience abdominal swelling, tension and pressure in the ovarian area, mood swings, and bruising at injection sites as a result of fertility drugs. Some may experience temporary menopause-like symptoms, including vaginal dryness and hot flashes. Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is a rare but serious complication marked by chest and abdominal fluid buildup and cystic enlargement of the ovaries that can cause injury. Less than one percent of the time, drugs can also cause adnexal torsion (ovary twist). Since egg retrieval involves surgery, it may carry general risk of any intervention (trauma, discomfort, infection, laceration). Anesthetic complications are usually very rare.
 

COMPENSATION

The gift you bring to people is so precious that compensation can only be estimated. The fee paid to you as an egg donor is for your time, efforts and commitment to bringing happiness to people. Economic assistance to egg donors includes 1,500 – 2,000 USD depending on experience and previous success.