1)Why do prospective parents need my help?
There are several answers to this question. Some common reasons are that the female partner may:
A. be over 40 years old.
B. not respond well to fertility drugs.
C. have undergone failed IVF attempts and/or unproductive egg retrievals.
D. not have ovaries.
E. have premature ovarian failure or lack of menstrual cycles.
F. have unexplained or secondary infertility.
OR
The prospective parent/s may be a single man or male couple who need donated eggs to
achieve a pregnancy with a gestational surrogate.
2)How long will it take for me to be matched?
Unfortunately, we can not determine when you will be matched. Ova the Rainbow, Inc. will provide your profile to all prospective parents who request it. If you are chosen, you will be notified immediately.
3)May I donate eggs if I have never been pregnant?
Yes.
4)How many egg donations may I do?
There is no legal limit but many clinics do instill their own rules regarding number of donations and /or pregnancies achieved. Some clinics limitations are following:A. 3 pregnancy limit per donor. This rule does not apply to your own pregnancies.
B. 6 donations per egg donor in her lifetime.
C. some clinics have no restrictions.At Ova the Rainbow, Inc. we will facilitate 3 donations per egg donor only.
5)Do I have to abstain from sexual intercourse?
Yes, you will be on medications that make you very fertile. We hope by asking you to abstain that you will not become pregnant accidentally. We suggest abstinence for the month prior to your retrieval which is the period of time you will be on the medications. If you have specific questions regarding this, please consult with the doctor who will be working with you and your prospective parent/s.
6)Will I meet the prospective parent/s?
Depending on the type of donation you choose, you may or may not meet the prospective parents. Each arrangement is unique, if you want to meet the prospective parents and they agree, then YES, you will meet. If you do not wish to meet a prospective parent, you will never be asked to do so. You determine what level of contact you feel comfortable with prior to being profiled with our agency.
7)How long does the egg donation process take?
Once you have been chosen by a prospective parent and agree to work together, it takes 8-12 weeks to complete the screening process, contracts, donation cycle, and undergo the retrieval procedure. The actual cycle is usually completed within 6 weeks.
8)Will I know if my donation contributed to a pregnancy?
If you wish to know the statistics regarding your donation please make sure that Ova the Rainbow, Inc. staff is aware of your desire to know. We will make every effort to give you the statistics. If you do not wish to know, then we will not tell you. As policy, we will only disclose whether or not a pregnancy was achieved, no mention of outcome.
If you feel you need more detailed information, please let our staff know prior to signing contracts, so that we may discuss your wishes with the prospective parent/s.
9)Do I have to take injections?
Yes, you will be taking daily injections for three weeks or longer. There are other injections that may be required depending on which fertility specialist you and your prospective parent/s cycle with. We advise egg donors to expect to take approximately 50 injections per donation cycle.
10)Can you explain the process in detail?
Yes. The following is a typically used cycle protocol, yours may vary depending on which fertility specialist you are working with. Usually there is a recipient cycling with the egg donor, an intended mother or a surrogate. Both women then begin Lupron in order to get "in cycle" with each other. The egg donor begins receiving daily injections of fertility medications (Gonal-F, Follistim, Repronex, Pergonal, etc.) this helps mature or ripen the follicles in her ovaries. These injections usually continue for 7-12 days. The egg donor will be monitored daily for several days prior to the optimal day for the injection of a medication called HCG which prepares the ovaries to release the mature follicles. When HCG is given the egg retrieval is scheduled. During the procedure, the egg donor is put under light anesthesia. A needle guided by ultrasound is passed through the top wall of the egg donor's vagina, through her uterus, into her ovary, and finally into the fluid-filled follicle. The follicles containing the eggs are vacuumed out and the fluid is then given to the laboratory for preparation and fertilization. This process may seem detailed but really is quite simple, painless, and takes less than 30 minutes. The egg donor will rest in the doctor's office while recovering from the anesthesia. She will be able to leave 60-90 minutes after the procedure.
11)Will my expenses be covered?
Yes, your travel expenses , lost wages, and child care will be paid by your prospective parents through Ova the Rainbow, Inc.
12)What is the average fee for a first time donation?
The average fee for a first time donation is between $3,000-$5,000. Ova the Rainbow, Inc. suggests a fee of $4,000 for a first time donation. You determine your fee.
13)When will I receive my fee?
Since the fee is offered as a consideration for your commitment to the process of the donation cycle, you will receive your fee after the retrieval procedure is completed. Your fee is in trust with Ova the Rainbow, Inc. prior to beginning medications. If at all possible, an Ova the Rainbow, Inc. staff member will hand deliver it the day of your retrieval. If that is not possible, you will receive a check via FedEX within two days.
If your question isn't answered here, please contact us.