Donor Egg Program

For Women Who Wish to Donate Their Eggs

Donors of the following ethnicities are urgently needed: Chinese, Ethiopian, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Middle Eastern, Filipino and Vietnamese.

This page describes the enrollment criteria and steps for women who wish to donate their eggs. Feel free to contact Susan Ondr with the WFC Donor Program at eggdonor@washingtonfertility.com or 703-752-7718, at any step of the process, with any questions.

Donor Enrollment

Step 1
Please review the following two criteria lists to see if you pass the minimum qualifications necessary to apply to become an egg donor:

You must be able to answer "yes" to each of the following criteria:

• Age 21 - 28 year old healthy female

• Non-Smoker

• Must reside within 1 hour drive from the Center

• No current use of psychoactive drugs

• Previous fertility desired, but not required

• Must be able to provide own transportation to the clinic

• No history of substance abuse

• Must be responsible

Your weight cannot be above the following maximum limits, according to height:

Step 2
If you meet the above minimum requirements, then please complete and submit the online Preliminary Donor Application.

Step 3
If you pass the Preliminary Donor Application, WFC will mail you a complete information packet. This packet includes personal medical history, family medical history, and personal quotes. You will also need to attach both a baby photo and recent photo of yourself. Upon completing the application, it should be returned to the Center in the self addressed, stamped envelope provided. WFC always used discretion when contacting donor candidates whether via mail or telephone.

Step 4
WFC reviews the application and invites you for an interview with the Donor Coordinator. At this meeting, the discussion will include an explanation of the enrollment process, screening and cycling procedures, including the stimulating medications. Risks and complications will be covered. You will be given the opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns. A tour of the facility will follow. You will be compensated $50.00 for your time in completing the questionnaire and having the office interview.

Step 5
If you decide to proceed, the next step is to call on Day 1 of your menstrual cycle. You will need to be seen by one of our physicians on Day 2 or Day 3 to have a vaginal ultrasound. This is another opportunity to discuss any questions regarding the egg donation process with the doctor. You will have blood drawn for hormonal testing to include Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Leutinizing Hormone (LH), estrogen, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroid, and prolactin levels. You will be compensated another $50.00 for your time and commitment. 

Step 6
If the above ovarian qualifications are met, the next step is to complete the following list of medical screening procedures (compensation is provided):

• MMPI and Shipley IQ Test, $50.00 

• Psychological Screening, $50.00 

• Complete History, Physical and Genetic Counseling, $50.00

The Complete History and Physical will include the following:

Blood:

• HIV 

• Hepatitis B & C 

• Syphilis

• CMV IGG & IGM 

• Blood Type 

• RH Factor 

• Drug Screen

The following genetic testing will also be done:

• Cystic Fibrosis 

• Thalassemia

• Sickle Cell

• Tay-Sachs

• Chromosomal Analysis 

• Fragile-X

Cultures: 

• Chlamydia 

• Gonorrhea 

Additional tests:

• Pap Smear

Donor Cycling

After being chosen by a recipient couple or couples, the donor cycle will take approximately six weeks to complete. The egg donor coordinator will mail a letter to you outlining the tentative dates for the cycle. The first three weeks involve taking the birth control pill every day as prescribed by the Center. The last 4 days of the pills will overlap with the medication Lupron, which is a GnRh agonist that prevents ovulation or natural release of eggs during the cycle. An ultrasound is required prior to starting Lupron. The medication is taken on a daily basis through a small needle (insulin syringe) into the fatty layer of the lower abdomen. This medication is administered throughout the cycle until the day before the egg retrieval.

The actual stimulation process begins after the Lupron menstrual period. An ultrasound will be done on the second day of the period before starting the stimulating medications. You will continue daily injections. The stimulating medications used at the WFC are Follistim or Gonal F and Repronex. On the 5th day of stimulation, an ultrasound of the ovaries and blood draw for hormonal levels will be done. You must be available to visit the center in the morning before 11 am. Subsequent visits to the center will be decided by the physician depending on the results of the testing. The last 7 days of stimulation, you must come to the office each morning for an ultrasound and blood draw. It is during these visits that the physician will track the growth of the ovarian follicles and blood hormonal levels. Daily injections continue. It will be up to the discretion of the physician to determine treatment.

The egg retrieval is done at the Annandale location. A MD anesthesiologist inserts an intravenous line and provides light IV sedation. The physician performs the actual retrieval by passing a needle under ultrasound guidance through the vaginal wall and aspirating the follicle fluid (which contains the egg). The entire retrieval takes approximately 20 minutes. The process does not involve cutting or suturing. It is necessary to have someone drive you home following the procedure due to the sedation. Some patients may experience vaginal spotting or cramping and may take Tylenol for the discomfort. Barrier protection will also be required at this time for contraception. You will also resume birth control pills on the day of retrieval. The entire time at the Center is approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hrs.

The compensation on the day of retrieval is $6,000.00. A nurse or staff member will call the following day for an update. You will be required to return to the Center in 2 weeks for a follow up exam with a physician.

This is a brief overview of the egg donation process. The physicians and program director will go over the entire process with each candidate individually to include potential risk factors such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

Copyright © 2006 Washington Fertility Center