Q: Does egg donation require a contract between the intended parents and the donor?
Q: What if the donor we select doesn’t work out?
Q: What if the intended parents – or the egg donor – decide that they want to meet?
Q: How long does the egg donation process take?
Q: What are the basic qualifications for becoming an egg donor?
Q: I’ve had my tubes tied. Can I still become an egg donor?
Q: How long is the egg donation process for the donor?
Q: What are the basic requirements for becoming a gestational surrogate carrier?
Q: What is required of a gestational surrogate?
Q: What kind of side effects can I expect?
Q: Does egg donation require a contract between the intended parents and the donor? (top ^)
A: There is no requirement for a contract between the intended parents and the egg donor, since their identities normally remain anonymous. Most intended parents are satisfied with the waiver that is signed by the egg donor at the fertility clinic handling the in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure. However, if you desire such a contract, NEEDS can refer you to an attorney who is experienced in collaborative reproduction.
Q: What if the donor we select doesn’t work out? (top ^)
A: Occasionally, for personal or medical reasons, the original egg donor selected does not work out. For example, the cycle can be cancelled by the fertility clinic. In all such cases, the intended parents will pay no additional fee to NEEDS to choose another egg donor. NEEDS guarantees that egg retrieval will take place.
Q: What if the intended parents – or the egg donor – decide that they want to meet? (top ^)
A: Normally, the egg donation process is anonymous. Egg donors who are interested in meeting the parents are required to specify that in advance in the pre-screening process. Parents may specify their desire to meet the donor in advance as well. In such a case, NEEDS will work with all parties to arrange a meeting.
Q: How long does the egg donation process take? (top ^)
A: On average it takes approximately three months from the time the aspiring parents choose a donor to the time of egg retrieval and transfer to the intended mother.
Q: What are the basic qualifications for becoming an egg donor? (top ^)
A: Egg donors should be younger than 31 years old, weigh less than 170 pounds, ovulating, non-smoking, and be maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Q: I’ve had my tubes tied. Can I still become an egg donor? (top ^)
A: Yes, you can. If you have had your tubes tied, this will not interfere with the procedure.
Q: How long is the egg donation process for the donor? (top ^)
A: Once you are registered and qualified as a NEEDS egg donor, you could be chosen by intended parents at any time – a week from now, a month from now, or longer. Once you are selected and agree to donate, it takes approximately three months from the time the aspiring parents choose a donor to the time of egg retrieval and transfer to the intended mother.
Q: What are the basic requirements for becoming a gestational surrogate carrier? (top ^)
A: To be considered for surrogacy, you must be a healthy, drug-free woman between the ages of 21 and 40 who has already successfully carried at least one child of your own to term.
Q: What is required of a gestational surrogate? (top ^)
A: Beyond the obvious requirement – willingness to carry a baby (or babies) to term on behalf of its parents – if selected as a gestational carrier, you must be willing to undergo extensive medical testing and take fertility drugs as required for surrogacy process. And most importantly, you must be willing to have an extremely close relationship with the intended parents during the pregnancy.
Q: What kind of side effects can I expect? (top ^)
A: For more information, please visit http://www.stanford.edu/class/siw198q/websites/eggdonor/procedures.html