Question 1

What is egg donation and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Egg donation is a process where a healthy young woman provides her eggs to help someone else conceive a child. At Ivy Surrogacy, egg donors go through a thorough screening process, followed by hormone stimulation to produce multiple mature eggs, which are then retrieved in a brief outpatient procedure. The eggs are fertilized with sperm in a lab to create embryos, which are then transferred to the intended mother or a surrogate. The entire active medical process typically takes about 4-6 weeks.

Question 2

Why do people choose to become egg donors?

Accepted Answer

Egg donors are motivated by a combination of altruism and practical benefits. Many donors are inspired by the desire to help individuals and couples who cannot conceive on their own—whether due to infertility, age, same-sex parenthood, or genetic conditions. Donors also receive meaningful financial compensation for their time and commitment. Many find the experience deeply fulfilling, knowing they have played a unique role in helping someone build their family.

Question 3

Can I become an egg donor if I've never donated before?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Most egg donors are first-time donors. No prior donation experience is required. What matters most is that you meet the health, age, and lifestyle requirements. Our team guides you through every step of the process, from the initial application to the egg retrieval, so you feel fully supported and informed. First-time donors typically start with competitive compensation, and experienced donors may qualify for higher compensation in subsequent cycles.

Question 4

How long does the entire egg donation process take?

Accepted Answer

The overall timeline varies by individual. From the time you submit your application to the egg retrieval, the process typically takes 2 to 4 months. This includes application review, profile creation, matching with intended parents (which can take weeks to months), medical and psychological screening, legal consultation, and the active stimulation cycle (about 10-12 days of hormone injections followed by the retrieval). The retrieval itself is a brief outpatient procedure lasting about 15-20 minutes.

Question 5

Is becoming an egg donor a big time commitment?

Accepted Answer

The time commitment is manageable for most donors. The initial application and screening can be done mostly online. During the active stimulation phase (about 10-12 days), you will have several monitoring appointments at the fertility clinic, each lasting about 30 minutes. The egg retrieval itself takes about 15-20 minutes, though you should plan for a half-day including prep and recovery. Most donors continue their regular work and school schedules throughout the process with minimal disruption.

Question 6

Will I meet the intended parents?

Accepted Answer

This depends on everyone's preferences. Some donors prefer to remain completely anonymous, while others are open to meeting the intended parents (in person or virtually). We facilitate whatever arrangement feels comfortable for all parties.

Question 7

Can I donate if I live far from a fertility clinic?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We work with donors nationwide. Travel expenses are fully covered by the intended parents, including flights, accommodations, and meals. Many donors only need to travel for the final monitoring appointments and retrieval.

Question 8

How does matching with intended parents work?

Accepted Answer

Once your profile is complete, intended parents browse our database and select donors based on their preferences. When a family chooses you, our team will discuss the match and ensure it's a good fit for both sides before proceeding.

Question 9

Can I still donate if I'm a college student?

Accepted Answer

Yes, many of our donors are college students. We can work around your class schedule and exam periods. The flexibility of the process makes it manageable alongside academic commitments.

Question 10

What happens to my donated eggs?

Accepted Answer

Your eggs are used to create embryos with the intended father's sperm (or donor sperm). These embryos may be transferred to the intended mother or a gestational surrogate. Any resulting children are the legal children of the intended parents.

Question 11

Can I see my donation records in the future?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we maintain secure records of all donations. If you need information about your medical history related to egg donation (for example, for future healthcare providers), we can provide appropriate documentation.

Question 12

Can I choose the type of family I donate to?

Accepted Answer

While you cannot choose specific parents, you can express preferences (e.g., LGBTQ+ families, single parents) and we'll try to honor them when matching.

Question 13

What if I change my mind after matching?

Accepted Answer

If you decide to withdraw after being matched—but before signing the legal contract—you are legally allowed to do so. However, we strongly encourage all egg donors to only proceed to matching when they feel fully committed to the journey. By the time you're matched, the intended parents may have already invested in psychological and medical screenings, legal coordination, and other non-refundable expenses. Withdrawing at this stage can result in emotional and financial loss for them. Once the legal agreement is signed, you are contractually obligated to complete the cycle unless there is a medical reason to stop. We ask that you take the decision to become an egg donor seriously and communicate openly with our team if you have any doubts along the way.

Question 14

What is recovery like after egg retrieval?

Accepted Answer

Most donors experience mild cramping and bloating for 1-3 days after retrieval. You'll need someone to drive you home after the procedure. Most donors return to work or school within 1-2 days. We recommend avoiding strenuous exercise for about a week.

Question 15

When can I resume normal activities?

Accepted Answer

Light activities can typically resume the next day. Most donors return to work within 1-2 days. Avoid heavy lifting, intense exercise, and sexual intercourse for about a week to allow your ovaries to return to normal size.

Question 16

What support is available if I experience complications?

Accepted Answer

You'll have 24/7 access to our support team and the fertility clinic. If any complications arise, the intended parents' insurance covers all related medical expenses. Serious complications are very rare with modern protocols.

Question 17

When will my period return after donation?

Accepted Answer

Your menstrual cycle typically returns within 1-2 weeks after the retrieval procedure. It may be slightly heavier or lighter than usual for the first cycle, but should normalize quickly.

Question 18

Can I still qualify if I've had an STI in the past?

Accepted Answer

A previously treated STI like chlamydia or gonorrhea won't automatically disqualify you. We assess your current health and medical history during screening.

Question 19

Can I donate if I smoke, vape, or use marijuana?

Accepted Answer

No. To protect egg quality and safety, all egg donors must be nicotine-free and abstain from marijuana and recreational drug use.

Question 20

Will recent tattoos or piercings affect my eligibility?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You must wait at least 12 months after receiving a tattoo or piercing before donating, due to infection risk.

Question 21

Can I be an egg donor if I have a chronic medical condition?

Accepted Answer

Chronic conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or certain mental health diagnoses may disqualify you. We evaluate each case individually.

Question 22

Can I donate if I take antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications?

Accepted Answer

Possibly. It depends on the medication and your diagnosis. A mental health assessment is part of our screening to ensure donor safety.

Question 23

Do I need to collect and submit medical records?

Accepted Answer

No. If you've donated eggs in the past, we'll ask you to sign a medical records release form so we can request your previous records directly from the IVF clinic you worked with. If this is your first time donating, all necessary screenings will be performed by the intended parents' fertility clinic as part of the standard process. You won't need to provide any medical records yourself.

Question 24

What kinds of photos and videos should I submit?

Accepted Answer

High-quality recent headshots, full-body images, childhood photos, and lifestyle pictures are requested. A short video introduction is optional but recommended.

Question 25

Is there a deadline to finish the full application?

Accepted Answer

While there's no hard deadline, completing it within a week improves your chances of quicker matching.

Question 26

Can I update my profile after submitting it?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. If your situation changes or you'd like to update photos or other details, just let us know.

Question 27

Is my personal information secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We use secure systems and never share identifiable information without your explicit consent.

Question 28

Can I apply again if I was rejected previously?

Accepted Answer

In some cases, yes—especially if your medical or lifestyle situation has changed. You're welcome to reach out and ask.

Question 29

Can I decide how much compensation I want?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You may set your preferred compensation, though setting it significantly above market rates may delay your match.

Question 30

Do Ivy League or academically accomplished donors earn more?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many intended parents are willing to pay a premium for donors with exceptional academic achievements or prestigious university backgrounds.

Question 31

Are all agencies offering the same compensation?

Accepted Answer

No. Compensation varies widely depending on the agency's clientele. Ivy Surrogacy often works with families seeking high-profile donors.

Question 32

Do I have to pay for anything during the egg donation process?

Accepted Answer

No. As an egg donor, you will not be responsible for any costs. All medical evaluations, medications, psychological screenings, legal fees, travel expenses, and accommodations are fully covered by the intended parents. Our agency ensures that you are supported every step of the way without financial burden.

Question 33

Do I get compensated if the egg donation cycle is canceled?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the terms outlined in your egg donation agreement. In most cases, full compensation is only provided after the egg retrieval has taken place. If the cycle is canceled before retrieval—due to medical or other reasons—whether you receive partial compensation will depend on your contract. Before moving forward, your independent attorney will review the agreement with you to ensure you fully understand your rights and compensation terms.

Question 34

Will compensation be affected if fewer eggs are retrieved?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. Compensation is typically fixed per cycle, not per egg. However, consistent low egg counts might affect future match opportunities.

Question 35

Can I sell my eggs for money?

Accepted Answer

This is a common misunderstanding. Egg donation is not a sale, but a regulated medical process. Donors are compensated for their time, effort, and commitment—such as medical screenings, hormone treatments, and the retrieval procedure—not for the eggs themselves. At Ivy Surrogacy, every step is supervised by fertility specialists, ensuring fairness, safety, and transparency.

Question 36

What medications will I take during the cycle?

Accepted Answer

You'll use hormone injections such as FSH to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs. Most are self-administered for about 10–12 days.

Question 37

Can I drive myself home after the retrieval?

Accepted Answer

No. You'll need someone to drive you home or to your hotel, as the sedation effects can linger for a few hours.

Question 38

What happens if my body doesn't respond well to the medication?

Accepted Answer

While it's rare, there are occasional cases where an egg donor's ovaries don't respond adequately to stimulation medications. This outcome is uncommon because egg donors are typically young and have good ovarian reserve. If this happens, the current cycle may be canceled, and the intended parents will usually move forward by matching with a different donor. However, depending on your overall profile and screening results, you may still be eligible to be matched with a different intended parent in the future. Our team will assess your case carefully and advise you on next steps.

Question 39

Will I need to visit the clinic multiple times?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You'll have several monitoring appointments (ultrasounds, blood work) during the stimulation phase before the retrieval.

Question 40

Can I donate while on antidepressants?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the specific medication and your overall mental health history. During the screening process, you'll be evaluated by an independent licensed mental health professional who will determine whether you meet the psychological eligibility criteria for egg donation. Some medications or diagnoses may disqualify you, but each case is carefully assessed on an individual basis.

Become an Egg Donor FAQ

General

Health & Aftercare

Requirements

Application & Referral

Compensation & Benefits

IVF & Medical

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