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Egg donors are available for intended parents unable to produce a viable egg on their own. Some IVF clinics may have direct access to donor eggs or will be able to recommend an appropriate clinic. Costs range from $14,000 to $30,000 depending on different circumstances. Here are three aspects of egg donation to help inform intended parents about the process.

Proven Donors

A proven donor is someone who has successfully donated eggs before. A proven donor has experienced the process and committed to the expectations, including attending appointments and taking necessary injections and hormones. Her egg(s) typically resulted in a successful birth(s) and makes her a desired candidate. Choosing to work with a proven donor may seem like the stronger option but can delay the process. Proven donors are highly desired and either have a longer wait time or demand a higher price.

Frozen Eggs or Fresh Eggs

Intended parents have the choice of using a frozen egg or a fresh egg. Statistics indicate that using a fresh egg has approximately a ten percent greater chance of fertilizing than a frozen egg. However, modern methods for freezing eggs, including vitrification, improve the quality of the frozen egg and have increased percentage of successful fertilization. Also, frozen eggs are more readily available.  

Donor Screening

Egg donors undergo a thorough screening process to ensure their qualifications. The results create a profile that will help donor recipients identify the best match for them. Screenings include:

• Infectious Disease Testing
• Genetic Testing
• Psychological Evaluation
• Physical Examination
• Fertility Evaluation
• Urine Drug Screen

Any donors who successfully pass the screening tests will complete a questionnaire to provide personal information for their profile. They will disclose: highest level of education completed, level of athleticism, details about their level of motivation, personality, and family history. The profile will also specify the donor's physical traits.

Intended parents may initially insist on specific physical characteristics. Be aware that too specific a request list could increase the time it takes to find the right egg donor. In turn, the amount of time before beginning IVF is increased.  

Red Flags

Fortunately, the screening process is a thorough evaluation of potential donors. Tests conducted eliminate most candidates who are unlikely to commit to a positive experience. Of course, there are always exceptions and intended parents should not be afraid to question any behaviors that are concerning.  When choosing to work with a donor, intended parents should be wary of any reluctance or unreliability on the part of the egg donor.

Concerns may arise if the donor is irresponsible, does not attend scheduled appointments or develops a pattern of arriving late. Focus on monetary compensation might prove concerning. The process to retrieve a fresh egg is involved. If the egg donor's primary motivation is to walk away with money rather than to help someone grow a family, she may lack the discipline to completely commit to the process. Rest assured, these scenarios are not likely. More common are stories of successful experiences with egg donors.

*Please note: This is a general synopsis. You should speak with your healthcare provider for more information and details about your individual process.