Egg Donor FAQs

Yes! Although our office is based in Southern California, Patriot Conceptions collaborates with egg donors, intended parents, and clinics across the United States and internationally. If you are interested in becoming an egg donor, we invite you to visit our office in Costa Mesa, California. If you’re unable to travel, we can arrange a remote appointment via email, phone, or video conference.

Egg donors must be females aged 21 to 28 years old who are physically and mentally healthy, do not smoke or use drugs, and have no major genetic illnesses. These criteria are established to ensure the highest quality of eggs, thereby increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy. Adhering to these standards benefits both egg donors and recipients, and we strictly follow these guidelines for legal and quality assurance purposes.

The level of pain experienced during the egg retrieval procedure varies from person to person. This minimally invasive, outpatient surgery typically lasts about 30 minutes, followed by a recovery period of 30 to 45 minutes. The procedure is performed under light sedation, ensuring you feel no pain during the surgery. Post-surgery, egg donors may experience grogginess and irritability due to sedation. Some donors report mild symptoms such as tiredness, cramping, or bloating, but these side effects are generally temporary and resolve after a few days of rest. Most of our egg donors report minimal pain and are able to resume normal activities the day after the retrieval.

At Patriot Conceptions, we do not provide medical advice or possess medical expertise. Your physician will be responsible for determining the appropriate medications for your egg donation process. Based on our experience, most egg donors start with a form of birth control to synchronize their menstrual cycle for approximately one month. Following this, IVF clinics typically administer an injection using a small insulin-type needle to stimulate the ovaries in preparation for egg retrieval. The duration of the injection cycle can vary between clinics, generally ranging from 2 to 4 weeks.

Once an egg donor is selected and matched, the entire process typically takes 8-10 weeks to complete. This timeframe includes medical screening, legal procedures, and the donation cycle leading up to the egg retrieval procedure. After being accepted into the program and having your profile made available to intended parents, there is a waiting period for the matching process. This waiting period can vary widely, ranging from a few days to several months, depending on individual circumstances and matching needs.

Yes, you can! But you will need to specify the type and brand of your birth control on your application for reference. Please note that certain birth control methods, such as Depo-Provera, Nexplanon, or Implanon, may affect your eligibility. Donors using these methods will need to discontinue their use and have at least three regular menstrual cycles before being considered for admission.

Choosing an egg donor is a deeply personal decision for intended parents, and the time required for matching can vary from case to case. This is why there is not set timeframe when entering the matching phase of your journey.

According to the guidelines established by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the State Health Department, an egg donor can donate up to six times. Since all children conceived from a single donor are technically genetic half-siblings, there is a slight possibility that they may encounter each other later in life without realizing their familial connection, which could raise health concerns for their potential offspring.

The only costs you will need are for your current pap smear and local transportation. Intended parents will cover all medical expenses, insurance costs, and travel expenses, as well as provide your compensation.

Most donations are classified as “anonymous donations,” meaning that personal identifying information will be removed from your profile when presented to intended parents. Similarly, the identities of the recipients will remain confidential. At Patriot Conceptions, we prioritize the privacy of all parties involved, with confidentiality ensured and protected by legal agreements. However, some donors may choose an “open donation.” In these cases, if all parties consent, we would be pleased to facilitate a meeting between you and the recipients.

If you live outside the local area (more than 60 miles from the recipients’ clinic), travel will be necessary. In such cases, Patriot Conceptions will handle all travel arrangements for you. Intended parents will cover all associated travel expenses, including airfare, transportation, and hotel accommodation.

Currently, there are no proven or clearly documented long-term side effects associated with the egg retrieval procedure or egg donation. In rare cases, 1% to 3% of donors may develop Ovarian Hyper-Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS). Your physicians will carefully monitor your condition to prevent any potential issues. Some donors might experience temporary symptoms such as bloating, nausea, or a slight sting from injections or medication. Rest assured, neither the medication nor the egg retrieval procedure will impact your future fertility or affect your ability to become pregnant.

Absolutely not. During the legal phase of the donation, recipients will establish full parental rights for the child. Egg donors will have no rights, responsibilities, or obligations regarding any children born from the donation. Further discussions can be made if both parties agree to keep in contact after the birth, but again no obligations or responsibilities are to be given to the surrogate.

You may begin the application process at any time. However, you will only be admitted into our program once you have stopped breastfeeding and resumed regular menstrual cycles. We do not recommend discontinuing breastfeeding solely to expedite your admission.

As an egg donor, you will have specific responsibilities and commitments:
• Health and Lifestyle Restrictions: During the donation cycle, you must avoid alcohol, smoking, vaping, illegal drugs, and any prescription or non-prescription medications without prior approval.
• Abstinence: Abstain from unprotected intercourse during certain weeks of the cycle.
• Appointment Scheduling: Most clinic appointments for blood tests or ultrasounds are scheduled early in the morning to minimize disruption to your work or school. However, you will need to take a full day off for the egg retrieval procedure.
• Travel and Time Off: If travel is required, plan for approximately 5 to 14 days off. Doctor's notes can be provided upon request.
It is crucial to consider these responsibilities and adjust your personal schedule accordingly to determine if egg donation will impact your work or school commitments.