The Egg Donation Medical Process Involves IVF

How Egg Donation Works

Once you are selected to donate your eggs, we will follow the medical process below to grow, collect and transfer your eggs.

• When your period begins we will start you on birth control pills for 14-21 days and synchronize the recipient’s menstrual cycle with yours. When you’ve finished taking the birth control pills you will have an ultrasound and some blood work done to make sure you are ready to begin the fertility medication.
• You will give yourself daily injections of gonadotropins (follicle stimulating hormones) twice daily for approximately 10-14 days. This medication will stimulate your ovaries to produce several follicles (the sacs containing the eggs). About 6 days later another medication called Ganirelix will also be added to prevent you from ovulating.
• You will come to TFC for more ultrasounds and blood draws during this time so that we can monitor your ovaries’ response to these medications. These appointments are required and are always scheduled between 8am-9am in the morning. During this 10-14 day period, you should plan on appointments approximately every other day.
• When your follicles have reached the proper size, you will give yourself one final injection called your “trigger shot”, of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Administering hCG is the final step in the egg maturation process and prepares them for retrieval. Approximately 34 hours later your eggs will be retrieved.
• The egg retrieval is a surgical procedure performed at the TFC office. During the retrieval a needle is passed transvaginally into each follicle to aspirate the eggs from inside of them. You will be given intravenous sedation for this procedure so that you won’t feel or remember anything. You will be closely monitored by the anesthesiologist and the physician throughout your procedure.
• Following your retrieval procedure you will stay in the recovery room for about 30-45 minutes before you are ready to go home. You must have a responsible adult with you to drive you home.
• Upon discharge following completion of your egg retrieval procedure and recovery you will be issued a check in the amount of $5,000.
• You will want to rest the remainder of the day of the procedure, but you will be able to return to normal activity by the following day.