What is the eligibility criteria to be an egg donor?

1) You must be under 36 years of age.

2) You must have had a recent (within the last 6 months) ovarian reserve hormone profile (screening for FSH, LH, E2 and AMH) on day 2-4 of a natural menstrual cycle. This is to confirm suitable levels for treatment, including a FSH level less than 8IU/I and AMH level greater than 12pmol/I.

3) You must have completed a full donor suitability health questionnaire.

4) You must have negative results for HIV, Hepatitis B surface antigen and core antibody, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and STIs within the last 3 months. Additional screening may be required depending on individual risk factors and ethnicity.

5) You must have normal karyotype and negative cystic fibrosis carrier screening.

6) You must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of less than 30.

7) You must consent to the Agora Clinic contacting your GP.

8) You must have both ovaries present.

9) If you suffer from mild to moderate PCO (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) you may be eligible, however severe PCO is an exclusion criteria.

10) You must not have had a previous FSH result of 8 IU/I or more.

11) You must not have been a previous poor responder, or have had a previous disappointing outcome to treatment, i.e. no previous failure to reach embryo transfer.

12) You must not have previously had 3 or more failed IVF treatments.

13) Moderate/severe endometriosis is an exclusion criteria.

14) You must not have any personal or family history of any congenital, familial or hereditary disease.

15) If you have no knowledge of your family's medical history, as may be the case if you were adopted, you will not be eligible.

16) You must be a non-smoker.

Why do you have to take hormone injections?

In a normal menstrual cycle several follicles begin to grow, but only one follicle containing an egg will develop to maturity. Although it is possible to donate this one egg, the chances of the egg fertilizing and resulting in an ongoing pregnancy are small. To increase the chances of success, hormone injections are used to stimulate the follicles to produce several eggs.

Are there any side effects or risks to taking these IVF drugs?

The stimulation injections can make you feel tired, bloated and experience premenstrual like symptoms. However, these effects last only whilst you are on the medication and would disappear with your next period. All potential side effects are discussed with you prior to treatment, and each individual is prescribed differently, with medication planned around your own personal needs to ensure your safety at all times.

What can I expect from the Egg Collection?

The Egg Collection is classed as a minor day case procedure which takes about 20 minutes. You would be given sedation and a local anesthetic so that you would not feel any pain. Someone would have to take you home and stay with you for the rest of that day. We advise donors to take it easy for 2 or 3 days following the egg collection. As a result of the egg collection, some women experience bloating, discomfort and a small amount of bleeding for a few days after the procedure. Your period would usually start 10 to 12 days later.

Can donors claim any costs?

The Agora Clinic may compensate egg donors with a fixed sum of up to £750 per cycle of donation, which includes loss of earnings and travel expenses. Where a prospective donor does not complete a cycle, the Agora Clinic may compensate the egg donor on a 'per clinic visit' basis. Donors are not allowed to receive any other form of payment for their donation as specified in HFEA legislation.

Who are the HFEA?

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is the UK's independent regulator overseeing the use of gametes and embryos in fertility treatment and research. The HFEA licenses fertility clinics and centers carrying out In vitro fertilisation (IVF), other assisted conception procedures and human embryo research.

Who will receive the eggs?

There are many reasons why intended parents consider using donated eggs, and women are added to the waiting list for recipient eggs after consultation and counselling. Some women are unable to produce eggs, other women carry a genetic abnormality which might be passed onto a child if their own eggs are used. As an egg donor you may be matched with 1 or 2 recipients during a treatment cycle.

Who are the legal parents?

You will not be the legal parent of any child born from your donation. In the UK a woman who gives birth to a baby is the legal mother. In the case of egg donation, her partner (if applicable) is the legal parent, provided there is written consent to treatment and they are being treated together as a couple. So, the child's birth certificate would state that the recipients were the legal parents.