Egg donors offer an amazing gift to couples or individuals struggling to become pregnant. Help families grow, and learn valuable information about your reproductive health through the screening process.
For more information, please fill out this form or call 210-450-9500.
Application and Screening
To get started, complete the egg donor interest form. If you meet the qualifications for egg donation you will be asked to submit an application that includes detailed questions about your background, medical, family, and personal history. Donors are encouraged to provide childhood and current photos. Once an application is submitted, our team will review it to determine if you are a viable candidate. If selected, our team will reach out to arrange a screening appointment where you will meet with one of our providers for a physical examination and blood tests.
The appointment includes:
- Fertility Screening: A donor's ovaries will be examined for the ability to produce eggs through a physical/pelvic exam, vaginal sonogram, and blood tests.
- Medical Screening: This involves testing for blood type, infectious diseases, drug use, and general health.
- Genetic Screening: Family history will be evaluated to raise awareness of possible hereditary diseases or genetic disorders. Testing consists of blood tests for genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia.
- Psychological Screening: The donor will be asked to speak with a psychologist to make sure they fully understand the benefits and risks of egg donation and have proper motivations for becoming a donor.
Selection Process
If you are accepted into the egg donor program, your photos and medical profile will be added to our list of donors. Once selected by families, egg donors are placed on birth control to help regulate their cycle in preparation for ovarian stimulation. The donor will take injectable medications to stimulate the ovaries. Donors are monitored closely during the injections with vaginal ultrasounds to measure the follicle growth. This typically requires 4-6 visits to the clinic.
Egg Retrieval
Once the follicles have matured and are ready for retrieval, an injection of hCG is given to help prepare the ovaries to release the eggs. Egg retrieval is an outpatient procedure done at our clinic. It requires light IV sedation to help ensure the comfort of the donor. The procedure is short and lasts 30 minutes or less. After the retrieval, donors are monitored for an hour before a family member or friend drives them home. Donors are typically able to return to normal routine activities the day after the egg retrieval.