How old do I have to be to donate?

Women between the ages of 21 and 32 are considered to have the optimal egg quality, which gives the intended parent the highest chance of conception. Our program requires donors to be at least 21 years old in order to protect their own reproductive health and to ensure that they are mature enough to make such an important decision.

Do I need any special skills or qualifications to become a donor?

Our donors come from all walks of life, all ethnicities and all levels of education, bringing with them many different and diverse talents.

Do I have to be a mom to donate?

No. While some of our egg donors already know the joys of parenthood and donate their eggs to help an intended parent experience that same happiness, it is not a requirement

Why do people need egg donors?

Intended parents may be struggling with infertility because they:

• were born without oocytes
• experienced menopause prematurely (before age 40)
• have chromosomal problems with their own eggs
• have undergone cancer treatments, which affected their eggs
• have diminished fertility due to age
• are a same sex couple who needs donated eggs in order to build a family

What are the benefits of becoming an egg donor?

Studies have found that women who donate their eggs feel a long-lasting sense of pride and fulfillment. After going through the donor experience, many women report that giving the gift of life was the best part of it and they take pride in the knowledge that they have made such a profound impact on someone’s life.

In addition to the feeling of goodwill that comes from this act of human kindness, donors receive $10,000 as compensation in recognition of the time and effort required to prepare for and successfully complete an egg donation cycle. Many egg donors find this helpful in supporting their academic goals or in supplementing their regular income. Additionally, the elective egg freezing option for our proven egg donors is a great benefit for those who are not ready to build their own families yet.

What are the egg freezing benefits for RMA LI IVF donors?

Choose the elective egg freezing option that's right for you:

• An Elective Egg Freezing Cycle. This is offered to repeat egg donors at a substantially-reduced cost. In this cycle, all of the eggs would be frozen for your future use. Medications included. Egg storage fees apply.
• An Elective Egg Freezing Cycle with a Shared Donation. Qualified repeat egg donors cycle again, but share the eggs this time. Half are frozen for your future use and the other half goes to the donor recipient. You get half of the eggs, plus $5,000 (half of the usual $10,000 egg donor compensation). Medication included. Egg storage fees apply.

Can I donate anonymously?

At RMA Long Island IVF, we keep a donor's identity anonymous and confidential. Recipients choose donors based on characteristic information such as ethnic background, family health history, height, weight, and previous donation records. Identifying information about a donor is never disclosed to recipients.

Will I know who gets my eggs or will recipients know my identity?

 Identity is never disclosed to the donor or recipient in an anonymous donation. Most egg donations are made to anonymous recipients and donors are never told the outcome for these donation cycles. PLEASE BE ADVISED:  With advancements in technology, platforms such as 23andme and ancestry.com provide public databases with access to genetic information. If you or a family member opted to use such platforms, genetic information is available to the public.

Can I donate to a friend or family member?

Although most egg donations are made to anonymous recipients, known donations can be made to friends or family. Known donors undergo the same screening process as anonymous donors.

How many times can I donate?

Many of our egg donors have donated more than once, though the final approval is made on a case-by-case basis after reviewing the earlier donation cycle and after reassessing the donor’s health. In accordance with the guidelines set forth by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), RMA Long Island IVF policy allows egg donors to donate up to six (6) times during her lifetime. Proven egg donors who come back to donate again are also eligible for our elective egg freezing benefit.

Are there any risks associated with being an egg donor?

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has been around for decades and is commonly regarded as a generally safe medical procedure. However, there are some short-term risks associated with egg donation which can be reduced by both advance knowledge and recognizing the warning signs. Our exceptional clinical team provides education and counseling to our egg donors regarding how to avoid, recognize and address unwanted symptoms or outcomes related to medication side effects, temporary weight gain, increased fertility or the medical procedure. Additionally, egg donors are monitored very closely throughout the medication stimulation phase and come back to the facility for a post-operative appointment two weeks after their retrieval for a checkup.

Will I have to inject myself?

Stimulation medication is required daily. You can either inject yourself or have someone else do it for you. Our clinical staff instructs each donor on how to self-administer the medications with small needles which are injected into the abdomen. Alumna donors of our program tell us that the injections were easier than they anticipated in large part to the compassionate teaching skills and the support they received from our nursing team

Do I have to stay local during my donation cycle?

Yes, you have to stay in the area during the medication phase of the cycle and through the retrieval procedure. The medication phase of the cycle begins when you start the stimulation medication and continues until the egg retrieval procedure (approximately two weeks). During this time you will have to be available daily each morning if needed for monitoring. You will also have a follow-up exam within two weeks after the retrieval to confirm that you are doing well.

Are there physical or emotional side effects?

In general, most women tolerate the stimulation medications very well. However, since the medicines are injectable and they are hormones, some patients may find some discomfort at the injection sites and some report being a bit more emotional. You may also feel bloating as the egg retrieval procedure date nears but that feeling generally subsides soon after egg retrieval.

How long will it take for my body to return to normal?

You should expect a menstrual period within 14 days after the egg retrieval. The first period is likely to be unusually heavy compared to your average period but this is normal and to be expected as a side effect of the stimulation medication. Following your next period, your body should be completely back to normal.

Do I have any responsibility for or any rights to the child created with my eggs?

In accordance with current New York State law, an egg donor has no rights to or responsibility for children which may be created using their donated eggs. The intended parents assume all responsibilities. Egg donors may also chose to consult a reproductive law attorney for advice or further information.