“Each and every step of the process helped me learn more about myself and what it means to help others.”  BH

How does the travel arrangement work?

If you consent to be matched in another city or state, you can expect to travel for one day to undergo the physician consult and testing during the beginning of the process.  Later, when you begin medication, you can expect to travel to your destination city for a stay anywhere between 7-14 days in order to complete the process and undergo the egg retrieval.  You are encouraged to bring a companion for this last trip.  Airfare, hotel and daily stipend are all covered by your intended parents.

What about my privacy? 
Overwhelmingly, most donor matches are anonymous however, there are some cases when both parties - egg donor and intended parent - choose to meet one another.  We will work to maintain everyone’s privacy to the extent they wish while also working with those who are interested in a more open arrangement.  Some cases even provide for future contact if both parties agree.
It is ConceiveAbilities’ policy to attempt to maintain your anonymity as well as that of the intended recipients. Identifying information provided by you will be deleted from information shared with the intended recipients. Likewise, identifying information about the recipient couple will be deleted from information disclosed to you. Donors who carefully research agencies feel most secure with our level of privacy and security.

Does this cost me anything?
Along with egg donor compensation, the intended recipients pay the costs of the screening and the donation process. The premium and any deductible for the supplemental short-term accidental health insurance policy will also be paid by the intended recipients. You should be aware that donors receive a 1099 tax form at the end of the year for the compensation you earn. ConceiveAbilities withholds no tax. The only cost to you is your local transportation.

Why are egg donors compensated?
Egg donor compensation covers the time, effort, inconvenience and high level of commitment necessary to accomplish an egg donation. The program places expectations on you as an egg donor to follow through and feels that the compensation egg donors receive should mirror the importance placed on your commitment and generosity.

What are the medications I must take?
The physician will determine what medications you will take. While ConceiveAbilities does not possess medical expertise, based on experience with donors, there are three medications or hormones most donors take. The first medication, called Lupron, prevents the donor's hormones from causing follicle (the sac surrounding the egg) production and ovulation on their own. It also allows for the next medication to be more effective in producing multiple follicles. This next medication is FSH. Pure FSH (follicular stimulating hormone) naturally occurs in a woman's body but in a smaller quantity than the dose which donors usually take. FSH is responsible for the production of follicles (the sacs surrounding the eggs). Lastly, the donor will usually be given hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) that will stimulate her body to finalize the maturation of the eggs and induce ovulation. For detailed information, please visit our Egg Donor Medications page.

Are these medications safe?
These are medications commonly used for the treatment of infertility. The use of the medications for fertility treatment and egg donation is very widespread throughout the United States and the world. This widespread use in the U.S. is the result of rigorous testing for effectiveness and safety by the scientific community and the FDA. Additionally, with approximately ten thousand cases of egg donation in the United States performed every year, and with the guidelines set by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine at 6 donations per egg donor, the track record on safety is excellent. As with any medicine, there can be adverse side effects. During the screening consultation with a physician, you should inquire about all of the risks and potential side effects of the medications and medical procedures. We also encourage you to talk with your gynecologist about your desire to be an egg donor, to help you feel more comfortable and confident in your decision.

Is the retrieval process painful?
Every donor is different. Some donors go out to eat or shop the day of the procedure. Others take is easy for several days particularly if they are experiencing any uncomfortable cramping and bloating in the days that follow the procedure. Often Tylenol and rest are sufficient to diminish these effects. The medical personnel can discuss their experience with you regarding discomfort following egg donation.

What are some things that will prevent me from being a donor?
The professionals involved in the screening process look very carefully at motivation, health and family medical history, emotional stability and other factors. Many factors are weighed, and often, it is no one thing that disqualifies a donor candidate. However, missing scheduled appointments without informing the professionals involved is actually the leading cause of disqualifying donor candidates. Due to the time sensitive nature of the procedures, the ability to keep a schedule is one of the most important aspects of the egg donor program. Women who have a habit of making and breaking appointments are not qualified candidates. Please consider this point before making the overture to apply.

Will I be able to always receive the appointment time I need?
The professionals involved understand that most donors work, have child care issues, or go to school and have strict schedules to keep. Efforts will be made to accommodate you. However, this may not always be possible. Occasionally a doctor may be late, a desired time slot may be unavailable, or some other scheduling problem may occur. So you need to be flexible.

How many times can a woman be an egg donor?
ConceiveAbilities limits a woman to six egg donations. If a donor decides she would like to participate in a second or third donation, she will have already completed the screening process successfully and may be given approval to begin another donor cycle as scheduling permits. (It's much quicker the second time around.)