Frequently Asked Question for Egg Donors at PREG
CAN ANY WOMAN BE AN EGG DONOR?
Prior to being accepted as an egg donor at PREG a medical history, physical exam, and psychological screening will be required. This testing will be of no financial cost to you as long as you complete a donation with us or remain with the program for 12 months (whichever comes first). Presently, women less than 21 or over the age of 29 are not accepted. Genetic risk factors are also exclusionary.
HOW MUCH OF MY TIME WILL IT TAKE?
Approximately two weeks of your time is required to complete a donation cycle. This will include lab work, ultrasounds, and egg retrieval. Most appointments are very short- usually 15-30 minutes.
I WORK OR ATTEND SCHOOL. WILL I HAVE TO MISS A LOT OF TIME FROM WORK/SCHOOL?
We make every effort to accommodate students and working women. Most of the lab appointments can be made very early in the morning and only take about 30 minutes.
HOW ARE EGGS PRODUCED?
During any given month most women produce a single egg. To undergo egg donation, we will prescribe medication to increase the number of eggs that you produce. This medication is administered by injection. You will be instructed on injection techniques. Injections will be given one to two times per day. The injections may be from 10 to 15 days in duration. These injections will increase the number of eggs produced by your ovaries.
HOW ARE MY OVARIES MONITORED?
While taking injections, you will be required to have up to 6 blood levels drawn over a 14 day interval. Additionally, up to six vaginal ultrasounds will be preformed. Most women consider vaginal ultrasound painless. All blood tests will be required to be drawn in the morning with an ultrasound scan to follow. Depending on your response, monitoring may be needed on both weekdays and weekends.
HOW ARE EGGS REMOVED FROM THE DONOR?
By monitoring your ovaries with ultrasound and occasional blood tests we can determine when your eggs are mature and ready for retrieval. For egg retrieval, you will come to the office at your scheduled time. Egg retrieval is performed under ultrasound guidance by placing a needle through the vagina and into the fluid around the eggs. You will be put to sleep during the retrieval. After the retrieval, you may have mild cramping for which you will usually only need Tylenol. You will be compensated for your time and pain required to complete the injections and retrieval. Retrieval may occur on a weekday or weekend.
CAN I GET PREGNANT DURING MY DONATION CYCLE?
We request complete abstinence during your egg donation cycle. Abstinence should start at the time of the injections and continue until the menstrual period after the retrieval was performed. If a donor elects not to abstain, pregnancy may occur in the cycle in which she donated the eggs. We will not be responsible for any pregnancies that occur in the donor during her egg donation cycle.
WILL DONATING EGGS AFFECT MY HEALTH?
In women who ovulate regularly, the medications we prescribe are safe. Occasionally, a woman’s ovaries will overstimulate. This may lead to cancellation of the cycle. Overstimulation of the ovaries occurs infrequently. If overstimulation does occur, we will follow you closely in the office or potentially hospitalize you to monitor your ovaries.
HOW MANY EGGS WILL I MAKE?
Women are born with approximately 500,000 eggs. If a woman has regular cycles every month, she will ovulate approximately 500 eggs during her reproductive life span (i.e., puberty to menopause). An average egg donor will make 20-30 eggs for a recipient. Medications to increase the number of eggs in a given cycle do not significantly decrease the pool of remaining eggs.
WILL DONATING EGGS AFFECT MY ABILITY TO HAVE CHILDREN IN THE FUTURE?
Your future ability to conceive will depend on many factors. One in seven couples has difficulty conceiving a pregnancy. Undergoing egg stimulation and retrieval (i.e. egg donation) will neither decrease nor increase your chances for infertility.
WILL I KNOW THE OUTCOME OF THE RECIPENT’S CYCLE?
Your identity will not be made available to the recipients. Likewise, the results of the recipients’ cycles will not be made available to you. Once you have signed our consent form, you have given all rights of these eggs to the recipient couples.
HOW MANY TIMES CAN I DONATE?
We recommend that a woman donate eggs no more than six (6) times during her lifetime, even if donations are performed at different IVF centers.
CAN I EXERCISE DURING MY CYCLE?
Exercise is permitted, however, during the last week of the cycle it is recommended that you do not do any strenuous exercise such as running or aerobics due to the stimulation of the ovaries.
WILL THERE BE ANY COST TO ME?
All of the cost for your evaluation and treatment will be paid by the recipient. As long as you proceed with an egg donation or remain active in our program for 12 months after approved (whichever come first) there are no out of pocket expenses to the donor.
WHAT IS THE REIMBURSMENT PAID TO AN EGG DONOR?
Currently we are compensating $5000 to donors who successfully undergo egg retrieval. This payment is prorated if the donor does not successfully complete the entire process.
WHAT IF I WANT TO FREEZE MY OWN EGGS?
We would be happy to assist you in preserving your own fertility so that you can delay beginning or completing your family when the time is right for you! We offer free egg freezing for our donors with their third donation cycle upon request.
Contact PREG
Donor Application:
https://preg.eggdonorconnect.com/donorprescreen/
Intended Parent Database Access:
https://preg.eggdonorconnect.com/registration
PREG Office Locations
Asheville, NC:
17 Caledon Court, Suite C
Asheville, NC 29615
Spartanburg Office:
1330 Boiling Springs Road
Spartanburg, SC 29303
Asheville Office:
76 Peachtree Road, Suite 210
Asheville, NC 28803
Columbia Office:
2324 Sunset Blvd
West Columbia, SC 29169
Lowcountry Office:
5500 Front Street, Suite 410
Summerville, SC 29486
Mt. Pleasant:
180 Wingo Way, Ste 103
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464