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People can grow their families in some remarkable ways, thanks to science. While some families may turn to sperm donation, IVF, or gestational carriers, others find that using donor eggs is the path for them.
There are examples of families who turn to donor eggs everywhere. For instance, celebrities like Lance Bass and Barbara Corcoran have opened up about their donor egg journeys. We’ve teamed up with Donor Egg Bank USA™, a leading frozen donor egg bank since 2012, to answer some of your top questions about egg donation, what to expect from a donor egg journey, and what to look for in your ideal donor.
Mike Large, VP of Donor Gametes at Donor Egg Bank USA, explained that donor eggs and gestational carriers can be two parts of the same journey but don’t have to be. As with most family planning journeys, it depends on what works best for you and your family.
According to Large, here’s what to consider if you’re thinking about donor eggs and gestational carriers:
“Someone would need a gestational carrier if the intended mother has a medical condition that prevents her from carrying a pregnancy (e.g., absent uterus, certain health risks) or for same-sex male couples or single men who cannot carry a pregnancy themselves and would therefore need a gestational carrier.”
The path towards donor eggs
“There are many other reasons why individuals or families also choose to turn to donor eggs as a way to have a child. Most commonly, fertility issues are one of the main reasons, which can include everything from diminished ovarian reserve to ovarian insufficiency,” explains Large.
“Donor eggs can be helpful for couples with a history of poor egg quality or failed IVF attempts using the intended mother's eggs,” explains Large. “People with a genetic disorder risk can also benefit if there's a risk of passing on a genetic condition, since using donor eggs from a screened donor may help prevent that risk.”
Like other forms of assisted reproductive technology (ART), donor eggs help create a bridge for those struggling to start a family. It offers a path forward for anyone who may have found themselves struggling with infertility and can also provide them with a sense of autonomy over a process that up until then may have felt outside of their control.
Fresh vs. frozen donor eggs
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Once you’ve decided that donor eggs are the right next step for you, your egg donor journey turns to the more logistical questions in your process — like do you prefer fresh or frozen eggs, and do you know what qualities you’re looking for in an egg donor?
The main difference between fresh and frozen eggs is the timing of the collection.
“Frozen eggs are readily available, allowing you to begin the IVF process on your own schedule, potentially within weeks of choosing a donor,” explains Large. “Fresh cycles may involve additional costs for the donor's medication and stimulation procedures. Frozen eggs eliminate these costs, potentially lowering the overall cycle expense.”
Finding the ideal egg donor for your family
While on your egg donor journey, an agency or egg bank will help you choose a donor based on your preferred criteria. They will ask you to think about your preferred traits like physical characteristics, education levels, religion, or other interests or affiliations.
“In order to find the ideal egg donor for you and your family, intended parents should identify what traits and characteristics are important to them (i.e physical and non-physical characteristics),” encourages Large. “Then they can work with egg banks or agencies to find the best donor to suit their needs.”
Typically, all egg donors must meet the requirements an agency or egg bank sets forth. At Donor Egg Bank USA, these include being between the ages of 21 and 28 years old, being in good physical and mental health, and being STD-free, to name a few.
Donor Egg Bank USA focuses specifically on frozen donor eggs, which Large explains can be a great option for anyone looking to conceive on their own timeline.
“With frozen donor egg banks like Donor Egg Bank USA, you have pre-screened donors with detailed profiles available for immediate browsing, picking, and choosing,” explains Large. “You can search the database based on your desired characteristics and choose a donor that fits your needs.”
The quick turnaround time is noteworthy since the process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months with egg donation agencies or fresh egg donors, according to Large.
Large adds: “The flexibility and predictability of frozen donor eggs can alleviate some of the stress associated with fertility treatments. Knowing the exact number of eggs available may allow for better planning and budgeting for your IVF journey.”
Costs and financial planning for using donor eggs
Another consideration families often look into once they have chosen to use donor eggs, is cost, and there are varying factors for pricing between fresh and frozen eggs.
Fresh donor eggs tend to be more expensive due to the needs for immediate medical and logistic handling, whereas frozen donor eggs may offer a more cost-effective option with greater flexibility with timing.
Donor Egg Bank USA was the first egg bank to offer a live birth guarantee* to patients through their popular financial plan, their Assured Refund Plan®.
“This option guarantees a live birth or provides a 100% refund if you do not bring home a baby within your six cycles,” explains Large. “It offers up to six cycles of frozen donor egg IVF and unlimited frozen embryo transfer cycles, and there is no obligation to complete all six cycles. You can end treatment and still receive a 50% refund.”
In addition to their Assured Refund Plan, Donor Egg Bank USA is proud to offer a variety of other plans, like their Multi Egg Lot Plan. All of their plans have a blastocyst guarantee** and are designed to help give families increased peace of mind and provide confidence in your investment with them.
If donor egg is a path you are considering, we encourage you to ask questions, find resources, and reach out to your community. While this journey may have its moments of isolation or the feelings that come with the great unknown, there are places like Donor Egg Bank USA that provide a space where you may feel a little less lonely — and perhaps, not only supported, but truly understood.
*Restrictions apply. See Financial Plan Agreement for restrictions and details. Patient must qualify for the plan.
**See Blastocyst Guarantee language provided to clinics for restrictions and details.
Vivian Nunez is a writer, content creator, and host of Happy To Be Here podcast. Her award-winning Instagram community has created pathways for speaking on traditionally taboo topics, like mental health and grief. You can find Vivian @vivnunez on Instagram/TikTok and her writing on both Medium and her blog, vivnunez.com.