The surrogacy process gives parents quite a few options on how to pursue having a child. From using your own egg and sperm to using a donor egg and/or sperm, surrogacy agencies and fertility clinics can help you decide on a plan that will give you the best outcome.

Working with an egg donor can help you achieve your goals of growing your family. Speak with a surrogacy professional to find the best way for you to pursue surrogacy.

Egg Donor Basics

An egg donor is a woman who donates her eggs to couples or individuals in order for them to have a child. Egg donors are often used in the surrogacy process.  There are many reasons why someone may choose to use an egg donor. For women whose age is affecting the quality of their eggs to infertility to same-sex couples, using an egg donor can help build your family.

Finding an Egg Donor

Choosing to work with an egg donor is a wonderful step forward towards creating a family. When it comes to finding an egg donor, many people may have questions about the process and simply about how to find the right egg donor for them.

• Can I find my own egg donor?
  You will be able to choose your own egg donor from the list the agency will provide you. You can create a set of choices to determine the type of egg donor you’d prefer to use as well including race, education and more.
• Can I ask someone to be my egg donor?
  There are many pros and cons if you’re hoping to ask a family member or friend to be an egg donor. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine has specific ethical guidelines regarding the use of adult interfamilial gamete donors.
• Can I see pictures of the egg donor?
  Many egg donors will offer their baby pictures with their profile. Sometimes if you purchase additional access you can see adult pictures of the donor. This is to secure the privacy of the donor.
• Should I use an egg donor bank near me?
  Using an egg donor can be a private process for many people. Most egg donor banks are located in larger cities with larger populations. When concerned about whether you may know the egg donor, the chances are not very likely. Using a conveniently located egg donor bank and fertility clinic can help you achieve the process in a timely manner.

Egg Donor Requirements

Just like the surrogacy process, there are requirements and screenings to become an egg donor. This alleviates any concerns about the quality of the eggs you will be using and gives you peace of mind in the process. Some typical egg donor requirements include:

• Between the ages of 21 and 31
• Physically healthy
• Have a BMI of 19-29
• Non-Smoker
• Have regular, monthly menstrual periods
• Not using Depo-Provera injections, Mirena IUD or implants as forms of birth control
• Have both ovaries
• Psychologically healthy
• No current use of psychoactive drugs
• No history of substance abuse
• No family history of inheritable genetic disorders
• Willing to take injections
• Dependable, mature and able to keep appointments

Organizations to Work With

You have a number of options when it comes to finding an egg donor. If you are already working with a surrogacy agency, they may be able to help you decide on the best choice for you based on your financial status and location. The most common organizations to use include:

• Fertility Clinic – This a great option if you’ve been working with one already through infertility issues. Most fertility clinics will have an egg donor who is part of their program while others will work with an egg donor agency.
• Egg Donor Agency – Working with an egg donor agency can give you a larger pool of potential egg donors. This might be a slightly more expensive option, but they will be able to help you find an egg donor based on your preferences.
• Egg Bank – An egg bank is a slightly less expensive option for those looking for an egg donor. Most of their eggs have been frozen or cryopreserved. The quality of egg banks can widely vary, so be sure to do your research if this is the route you choose to use.

No matter what route you choose to pursue egg donation, your surrogacy agency will be with you every step of the way. Contact a surrogacy professional today to learn more about your egg donor options for surrogacy.