Many individuals and couples face challenges in conceiving and building their families. Egg donation has emerged as a remarkable option, offering hope to those who are unable to conceive with their own eggs. If you are considering becoming an egg donor, you’re likely exploring how to sell your eggs and contribute to someone’s dream of parenthood while also potentially receiving compensation for your time and effort. This guide provides unbiased information to help you understand the process, requirements, and considerations involved in selling your eggs.
Can I Sell My Eggs? Understanding Egg Donor Eligibility
Not every woman can become an egg donor. While specific requirements may vary between programs, some criteria are generally standard for legal and safety reasons, as well as to maximize the chances of successful pregnancy and ensure the well-being of both the donor and the recipient.
Age: Typically, egg donors must be within a specific age range, often between 21 and 35 years old. The lower age limit ensures legal consent to contracts, while the upper limit is related to the decline in egg quality and response to fertility medications in older women. Older eggs may be less likely to result in pregnancy and may carry a higher risk of birth defects.
Fertility and Medical History: Many programs prefer donors who have a proven history of fertility, either by having given birth previously or having successfully donated eggs before. This suggests a higher likelihood of fertility and can help programs anticipate a donor’s feelings about offspring being born to someone else. A comprehensive medical and family history is essential to rule out any potential health risks for the recipient and any inherited conditions.
Health and Lifestyle: Egg donors must be in excellent physical and mental health. This involves a thorough medical evaluation, including physical and gynecological exams, blood and urine tests, and screening for infectious and genetic diseases. Lifestyle factors are also considered; for instance, programs typically have restrictions regarding smoking, drug and alcohol use, and sexual history to minimize health risks.
Understanding the Egg Selling Process: What’s Involved?
Selling your eggs is a multi-step process that requires commitment and involves medical procedures. If you decide to apply to become an egg donor, you can expect several medical visits for screening and evaluation before you are accepted into a program.
Screening and Matching: The initial steps involve a detailed application, interviews, and comprehensive screening. This includes medical and psychological evaluations, genetic testing, and infectious disease screening. Once accepted, you will be matched with a recipient based on various factors, often including physical characteristics and preferences.
Ovarian Stimulation: The medical process of egg donation centers around In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). You will take fertility medications, often through injections, to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs. Regular monitoring through blood tests and ultrasounds is necessary during this phase to track your response to the medication and adjust dosages as needed.
Egg Retrieval: Once the eggs are mature, they are retrieved from your ovaries in a minor surgical procedure called transvaginal ovarian aspiration. This procedure is usually performed under sedation or anesthesia. A needle is guided through the vagina into the ovaries using ultrasound imaging to extract the eggs from the follicles.
Post-Retrieval and Completion: After egg retrieval, you will need a period of recovery. Your part in the egg donation cycle is then complete. The retrieved eggs are then used for fertilization in the lab with the intended father’s sperm, and any resulting embryos are transferred to the recipient’s uterus.
Finding Egg Buyers: Where to Sell Your Eggs
If you’re considering selling your eggs, it’s crucial to find reputable programs or agencies to ensure your safety and a positive experience.
Infertility Programs and Clinics: Many fertility clinics and infertility programs directly recruit egg donors to assist their patients. These programs typically manage the entire process, from screening and matching to medical procedures. Working with a clinic directly can offer a structured and medically sound environment.
Egg Donor Agencies: Egg donor agencies act as intermediaries, recruiting and screening donors and then matching them with recipients. If you choose to work with an agency, it’s important to understand their role and responsibilities. Clarify who is responsible for medical procedures, screening, and payments. Investigate the agency’s reputation and ensure they adhere to ethical practices and protect donor confidentiality.
Advertisements and Brokers: You might encounter advertisements for egg donors, sometimes placed by brokers. Brokers recruit donors but may not provide medical services themselves. Exercise caution with ads, especially those promising very high compensation or focusing heavily on specific donor traits. Some ads may be designed to build a database of potential donors for marketing purposes. Always verify the legitimacy and transparency of any advertisement or broker.
Getting Selected and Screened: The Selection Process
The selection process to become an egg donor is rigorous and designed to protect the health and well-being of both the donor and the recipient, as well as to maximize the chances of a successful outcome.
Initial Application and Interview: The process often begins with an application form and may include a phone interview. Based on your initial responses, the program will decide whether to proceed with your application.
Medical Screening: Medical screening involves a comprehensive physical exam, including a pelvic exam and ultrasound to assess your reproductive organs. Blood tests are conducted to evaluate hormone levels and screen for various health conditions. You’ll also need to provide a detailed medical history for yourself and your family to identify any potential genetic risks.
Infectious Disease Screening: To prevent the transmission of infectious diseases, you will be tested for a range of infections, including HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Certain risk factors, such as recent drug use or high-risk sexual behavior, may disqualify you from donating.
Genetic Screening: Genetic screening aims to minimize the risk of inherited diseases in any resulting child. You’ll be asked about your family medical history, and genetic testing may be performed to screen for specific genetic disorders. It’s important to understand the implications of genetic testing, including your right to receive results and access genetic counseling.
Psychological Screening: Psychological screening is a critical component to ensure you are emotionally and mentally prepared for the egg donation process. You will typically meet with a mental health professional to discuss your motivations, expectations, support system, and feelings about egg donation. Psychological tests may also be administered. This screening helps ensure you can cope with the emotional aspects of donation and adhere to the program’s requirements.
What Happens to Your Eggs and Compensation: The Transaction
Understanding what happens to your eggs after donation and the financial aspects is crucial when considering selling your eggs.
Recipient Matching and Anonymity: In most programs, donor identities are kept confidential. You will not meet the recipient, but the recipient will receive non-identifying information about you, such as medical history, physical characteristics, and sometimes personal essays or profiles. Some programs offer different levels of anonymity, including options for future contact or open donation, but anonymous donation is the most common.
Fate of the Donated Eggs: Once your eggs are retrieved, they are used for fertilization. Multiple outcomes are possible: fertilization may not occur, pregnancy may not result, or multiple embryos may develop. Programs handle unused embryos according to recipient preferences, which may include freezing for future use, donation to another couple, donation for research, or disposal. You relinquish all rights and control over your eggs once donated.
Egg Donor Compensation: Egg donors are typically compensated for their time, effort, and the inconvenience of the donation process. This is not considered payment for the eggs themselves but rather for the commitment and procedures involved. The amount of compensation varies by program and location. It’s essential to discuss compensation details upfront, including the payment schedule and what happens if a cycle is canceled. Understand that this compensation is considered taxable income.
The Egg Retrieval Procedure: A Step-by-Step Process
The egg retrieval procedure is a key part of the egg selling process. Knowing what to expect can help alleviate anxiety and prepare you for this step.
Stopping Your Natural Cycle: You may be given medication to temporarily halt your normal menstrual cycle. This allows doctors to control your ovarian stimulation more effectively. These medications can have side effects like hot flashes and mood changes.
Stimulating Egg Production: Fertility medications are administered to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs. These medications, usually injections, mimic natural hormones but at higher doses. You’ll be taught how to administer these injections, and close monitoring is crucial during this phase. Risks of stimulation medications include injection site reactions, mood swings, and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which can range from mild to severe.
Monitoring Your Progress: Frequent blood tests and ultrasound exams are necessary to track egg development and your response to medications. These tests guide adjustments in medication dosages and help determine the optimal time for egg retrieval.
Egg Removal (Retrieval Procedure): The egg retrieval procedure itself is typically performed transvaginally under sedation or anesthesia. Using ultrasound guidance, a needle is inserted through the vagina into each ovary to aspirate follicles and collect the eggs. The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes, followed by a few hours of recovery. Risks associated with retrieval are rare but can include bleeding, infection, and, very rarely, damage to pelvic organs.
Follow-up Care: After egg retrieval, you’ll receive instructions for follow-up care and whom to contact if you experience any issues. Some programs schedule follow-up appointments. It’s normal to experience a range of emotions after the process, and counseling services are often available.
Impact on Your Life: Important Considerations
Selling your eggs is a significant commitment that can impact your daily life in several ways.
Time Commitment: Egg donation is time-consuming. Expect numerous visits to the clinic for monitoring, blood tests, and procedures over a few weeks. You’ll need to manage your work, school, and personal schedule to accommodate these appointments.
Lifestyle Adjustments: During the donation cycle, you’ll need to avoid alcohol, smoking, and recreational drugs. You may also need to abstain from certain medications and unprotected intercourse. These lifestyle restrictions are necessary for your health and the success of the donation.
Emotional and Psychological Impact: The egg donation process can be emotionally demanding. It’s essential to consider the psychological aspects, including your feelings about contributing genetically to a child you will not raise. Counseling and support services are available to help you navigate these emotional considerations.
Legal and Financial Aspects of Selling Eggs: Contracts and Money
Navigating the legal and financial aspects is a critical part of making an informed decision about selling your eggs.
Contracts: You will likely be asked to sign contracts with the program or agency and possibly with the recipient. These contracts outline your responsibilities, the recipient’s responsibilities, and the program’s obligations. Review all contracts carefully and seek independent legal advice if needed before signing anything.
Confidentiality: Confidentiality is a key aspect of egg donation. Understand how your personal information will be handled and what information will be shared with recipients. Programs must adhere to privacy regulations, but it’s wise to ask detailed questions about confidentiality policies.
Parental Rights and Responsibilities: Contracts should clearly state that you will have no parental rights or responsibilities for any child born from your donated eggs. The recipient is the legal parent. While the legal framework is generally well-established, it’s an evolving area of law, and programs cannot provide absolute guarantees.
Payments, Expenses, and Insurance: Thoroughly understand the payment structure, including when and how you will be compensated. Clarify whether the program or the recipient pays for your medical expenses related to the donation. Inquire about insurance coverage in case of complications. Understand if you’ll be responsible for any out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel or childcare. Be aware that donor compensation is taxable income and programs should provide necessary tax forms.
Donating Again? Considerations for Repeat Donations
While there are no strict limits on how many times you can donate eggs, programs typically have guidelines for repeat donations.
Limits on Repeat Donations: Programs may limit repeat donations due to concerns about potential long-term health effects and guidelines to prevent too many genetic half-siblings from being born from the same donor in a specific geographic area.
Commitment to Multiple Cycles: Some programs may ask for a commitment to donate multiple times. Think carefully before agreeing to this, as each cycle carries physical and emotional demands. You are never obligated to donate more than once, even if you initially agree to consider it.
Future Donations: Recipients may inquire if you would be willing to donate again in the future, should they want to have more children. While you can express your willingness to consider it, you are never bound to future donations.
Glossary of Terms
ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology): Procedures involving the surgical removal of eggs from a woman’s ovaries and combining them with sperm to achieve pregnancy.
Canceled Cycle: An ART cycle stopped after ovarian stimulation but before egg retrieval.
Egg (Oocyte): The female reproductive cell.
Egg Retrieval: The procedure to collect eggs from ovarian follicles.
Embryo Transfer: Placing embryos into the uterus after in vitro fertilization.
Fertilization: The union of sperm and egg, creating an embryo.
Follicle: A sac in the ovary containing a developing egg.
Gestation: Pregnancy duration from conception to birth.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Fertilizing eggs with sperm outside the body, then transferring embryos to the uterus.
Miscarriage: Pregnancy loss before 20 weeks of gestation.
Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction: Reducing the number of fetuses in a multiple pregnancy to improve outcomes.
Oocyte: Another term for egg.
Ovarian Stimulation: Using drugs to stimulate egg development in the ovaries.
Sperm: The male reproductive cell.
Ultrasound: Imaging technique used in ART to visualize ovaries and the uterus.
Source: CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Reproductive Health
Checklist Before Consenting to Sell Your Eggs
Before you formally agree to sell your eggs, ensure you have clear answers to the following questions and that you fully understand and are comfortable with all aspects of the process:
- [ ] What specific screening tests will be performed?
- [ ] What are the benefits and risks of genetic testing for me?
- [ ] Can you thoroughly explain all procedures and medications involved in the egg donation process?
- [ ] What are the potential risks, side effects, and complications of all drugs, procedures, and anesthesia?
- [ ] What information about me will the program keep on file, and how will it be protected?
- [ ] What are all the possible uses of my eggs or resulting embryos?
- [ ] What information about me will be given to the recipient?
- [ ] What costs might I incur if I need medical treatment for donation-related complications?
- [ ] At what point in the process can I change my mind about donating?
- [ ] What financial compensation will I receive for a completed cycle, and what if the cycle is canceled at different stages?
- [ ] Do I fully understand and agree with all the conditions outlined in the contracts and consent forms?
By carefully considering all these aspects, you can make an informed and empowered decision about selling your eggs and embarking on this significant journey.
NEW YORK STATE TASK FORCE ON LIFE AND THE LAW ADVISORY GROUP ON ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
Rev. Msgr. John A. Alesandro, J.C.D., J.D.
Rabbi J. David Bleich, Ph.D.
Owen K. Davis, M.D., F.A.C.O.G
Nancy N. Dubler, LL.B.
Alan Fleischman, M.D.
Cassandra E. Henderson, M.D.
Margaret R. Hollister, J.D.
Gordon B. Kuttner, M.D., FACOG, FACS
Vivian Lewis, M.D.
Ruth Macklin, Ph.D.
Kathryn Meyer, J.D.
Mark V. Sauer, M.D.
Bonnie Steinbock, Ph.D.
Judith Steinberg Turiel, Ed.D.
Staff
Dwayne C. Turner, Ph.D., J.D., M.P.H.
John Renehan, J.D.
Dana H. C. Lee, J.D.
Carl H. Coleman, J.D.
Susan E. Ince, M.S.
Judy Doesschate, J.D.
Jeanne V. Linden, M.D., M.P.H.
