Donor Egg IVF: Procedure, Cost, Application and Faqs

Last Updated on October 4, 2021

For couples dealing with infertility, an absence of available eggs or eggs that are not healthy enough to lead to conception can be the main cause of their inability to conceive. Donor egg in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a wonderful option for these women.

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IVF with Donor Eggs

The dramatic increase in egg donation, as a part of assisted reproduction, dates back to 1983 when the first woman with ovarian failure delivered a child conceived from a donated egg with IVF. Since then, the procedure has grown in use each year. Now, IVF with donor eggs has become an accepted and widely utilized procedure for helping an infertile couple to have a child genetically related to the male partner. The mother also gets the opportunity to carry the child to term and have the birth experience.

Egg donors for IVF, both known and anonymous, are screened according to the standards recommended by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Egg donors range from 21 to 30 years of age. Donors are screened for blood type and genetic and infectious diseases. Psychological evaluations including specific psychological testing are performed.

Many couples experience heartache because they cannot have a baby. Anonymous egg donation for IVF gives them the chance for their dream to become a reality.

Donor Egg IVF Procedure

The IVF clinic helps many women start or add to their families through egg donation procedures. In most cases, The specialist is able to match a donor recipient with an egg donor in a timely manner. Once matched, and all agreements finalized, the egg donor for IVF begins a process very similar to that of women going through other assisted reproduction therapies.

With a top medical team and a staff specialized psychotherapist. The clinic’s focus is on both the physical and mental health of both the egg recipient and the egg donor. Working together, the IVF clinic team treats donors and recipients for the best possible experience.

Patients undergoing donor egg for IVF receive medications to prepare their uterine lining for pregnancy. The patient’s body must be ready to accept the embryos and support the pregnancy.

Donor Egg Costs for IVF

Donor eggs add an additional high cost to the IVF cycles. It includes service fees, legal fees, agency fees, donor fees, and other lab and screening fees.

For an anonymous egg donor, the costs for IVF will be added an agency fee and a donor fee. If a known egg donor is used, there will be no agency fee and a donor fee associated with the IVF cycle. >> How much does IVF cost?

Here is a list of reference donor egg costs for IVF in the US.

FDA Administration Fee$2,625
Substitute FDA Labs$650
Genetic, infectious and drug screening$800
Mock cycle$775
Psychological consultation$400
Legal consultation$750
Egg donor health insurance$500
Genetic consultation$200

Donor Egg IVF Success Rates

Today donor egg IVF is an extremely valuable treatment for women incapable of regularly producing viable eggs or for women who carry a genetic disease. Success rates now regularly top 55 percent for each egg donation cycle. Eggs, for the most part, come from rigorously screened, anonymous donors although, occasionally, a person known to the recipient couple who, of course, must also pass the screening process donates eggs. These IVF egg donors are chosen for a high level of both physical and mental health. >>Donor egg IVF success rates

Become an Egg Donor for IVF

Many couples experience heartache because they cannot have a baby. Anonymous IVF egg donation gives them the chance for their dream to become a reality. If you are a woman who would like to help a couple make their dream come true, consider egg donation.

While egg donors for IVF are compensated for their time and service, it’s a medical process they should fully understand before submitting an application to donate. Here are the general steps in IVF clinics:

Step 1

Fill out the IVF Egg Donor Application to receive an email with your application packet.

Step 2

  • Complete the Application
  • Sign the application.

Step 3

Return the following to the address noted.

Step 4 

Psychological Screening

Emotional health is a primary concern to the IVF clinic and they want to make sure you fully understand the process and the emotions involved in egg donation for IVF.

Medical Screening

Upon passing the psychological screening, The IVF clinic will give you a medical evaluation which includes both a pelvic exam and blood tests that indicate your general health and hormone levels. These tests also check for any evidence of drug use or sexually transmitted diseases. After these evaluations have been completed, and a review has been conducted, you will receive a report back to you from your Egg Donor Coordinator.

Step 5 

Financial Aspects 

Medical Expenses- any and all medical expenses, including medications, that will be required for your egg donation cycle for IVF, are covered by the intended parents.

Insurance- if you do not have current medical insurance, a short-term policy will be obtained for you by the intended parents. This policy is designed to protect you should complications of any kind arise.

The compensation aspect of this relationship is clearly defined. You as an egg donor for IVF are being compensated for your dedication, time, effort, and discomfort in relation to the egg donation process. You will receive your compensation once your eggs have been retrieved.

Step 6

Should you be selected as a possible match to participate in a cycle, The IVF clinic will contact you to again, review the process and compensation details. At that time, They will also be able to share with you specifics, the amount of time, and travel required to complete the offered cycle. You will then be given time to reflect on this information and, when you decide, give the clinic a call with your decision. If all parties agree, The clinic will enter the agreement phase of the egg donation cycle for IVF.

You may schedule a consultation with the Donor/Recipient Program Coordinator who specializes in addressing any emotional issues associated with egg donation for IVF. During this consultation, she will explain the program guidelines and provide details about the waiting period for the egg donor, the preparatory cycle, and the fertility medications you will use.

FAQs of egg donor for IVF

What kind of person can become an egg donor for IVF?
A healthy woman between the age of 21 and 30 years of age, of any ethnic background, and with a heart to assist a couple.

I’ve had my children but I’m still in your age range. Can I be considered as an egg donor for IVF? 
Absolutely. As part of your medical history, you have already demonstrated your ability to carry a healthy baby to term and have a successful birth. You would be a candidate to enter into the egg donor screening process.

My tubes have been tied. Can I still be an egg donor? 
Yes. The aspiration of your eggs occurs before the eggs are released by your body. Therefore, tied tubes are not a factor in your ability to successfully donate for IVF.

What is the time commitment for egg donors?
Upon passing the physical and psychological screening, you may be accepted as an egg donor candidate for IVF. It can take a few weeks to coordinate your menstrual cycle with that of your recipient. Egg donors are stimulated for egg production. This stimulation cycle lasts about 10 days.

As an egg donor for IVF, will I have surgery?
Yes. Your eggs will be retrieved vaginally so there is no incision into the abdomen. You will be sedated or placed under light anesthesia during this procedure for your comfort. Normally, the entire retrieval takes only about 15-20 minutes. In many cases, you are in and out of the practice in a total of just over an hour for the entire egg donation process for IVF.