Egg Donors

Do you know a friend or family member who has previously struggled with infertility? Some individuals and couples dream of starting their family, but are limited by infertility or gender. We have patients at NRM who need your help!

Fill out the Donor Questionnaire to get started!

What is egg donation?

Egg (or oocyte) donation refers to the process of selecting and retrieving eggs from an egg donor. The egg donor agrees to anonymously donate her eggs to a woman who cannot use her own eggs to become pregnant. To do this, the donor takes fertility medications to produce multiple eggs prior that are surgically retrieved for use in an IVF cycle. These eggs will be combined with the recipient partner’s sperm to create embryos that will be transferred into the recipient’s uterus.

Why donate?

• The majority of donors state that the primary benefit to them is the knowledge that they’ve helped someone have a baby.
• Often, donors have had personal experience with friends or family members who have struggled with infertility and have seen how devastating it can be — and they want to help.
• Financial compensation (see below).

Who should consider egg donation?

Healthy young women between the ages of 21 and 32 who have regular menstrual periods and don’t smoke are eligible for anonymous egg donor screening. Women who smoke or have risks of infectious disease will not be eligible for egg donation.

Does donating your eggs affect your fertility?

No. There is no evidence that donating your eggs will impact your fertility if you are young, healthy, and have excellent ovarian reserve.

Does donating your eggs hurt?

• The majority of donors find that they have no problems with the injectable medications.
• Some people experience mild discomfort when getting their blood drawn.
• Some egg donors experience bloating or discomfort as their follicles grow. While this is normal, we will closely monitor you for any signs of moderate to severe hyperstimulation, or “OHSS” (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome), leading to abdominal distention, pain, or other medical concerns.
• The surgical egg retrieval is done under anesthesia with pain medication going through your IV. You may have some cramping similar to a menstrual period for 2-3 days after the procedure; part of your medication packet includes pain medication that you can take if you need it.

Do you find out who receives your eggs? Do recipients find out who their donor is?

No. While there are some situations where donors and recipients either know each other or are related, our egg donor bank is anonymous. Neither the donor nor the recipients know who the other party is in their process.

How long does the process take?

• The process of screening to be accepted into the anonymous egg donor pool can take about 2-3 months.
• Once your profile has been chosen by a recipient and your cycles have been synchronized, the actual IVF process takes about 3 weeks.

What is the compensation?

• As a NRM donor, you will earn $4,000 for your donation.
• At any point after you’ve taken the injectable medications and before you go through the egg retrieval, if your cycle is cancelled for any reason other than second thoughts on your part, you will be paid $500 for the time and effort you have already given. If you choose to cancel the cycle after you’ve started the injectable medications, you will not be compensated.

What are the steps in the process?

1. The first step is to submit your information below to our Donor Coordinator. You will then be contacted for a telephone interview and can complete a donor questionnaire online.
2. Following your initial eligibility determination, we will schedule a physician appointment, ultrasound and lab testing, and mental health screening.
3. You will then undergo the Matching Process to match you to the recipient(s). Once you are matched, we will coordinate your cycle with the recipients, and prepare you for ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval!

Why choose to become an egg donor with NRM?

• Our providers and staff have 15 years experience with donor egg IVF, and are skilled in matching donors and recipients and juggling the multiple aspects of third-party reproduction.
• NRM boasts a brand-new, state-of-the-art office space and lab in Colchester, Vermont, with convenient access and free parking. You won’t have to travel out of the state to complete an IVF cycle for a recipient many miles away.
• NRM staff is caring, sensitive, and understands the delicate nature of an anonymous egg donor/recipient relationship. We are committed to ensuring your anonymity and privacy throughout your experience, from your initial contact through your egg retrieval.