Egg donation is very common all over the world and gives future parents an open door to the possibility of growing their family. This process gives hope and inspiration to many people who thought they had no chance of having a baby. While most people know what egg donor programs entail, there are still details that they may not be informed about. In this article, some lesser-known facts about egg donation are explained.
Egg Donation Explained
Many women who are above the age of 40 have a limited chance of becoming pregnant naturally as a woman’s egg reserve begins to decline rapidly after the age of 35. Therefore, using the assistance of an egg donor is a viable option for many women who are starting a family later in life but struggling with infertility. In addition, egg donation is also necessary for same-sex male couples or single men working with gestational surrogates.
In short, many couples and individuals search for donor eggs that can provide a close genetic match in terms of race, ethnicity, and other physical characteristics.
Egg Donation Facts for Intended Recipients in the US
As a potential recipient of donated eggs, you may wonder how the process works. While each egg donation and surrogacy agency will have its own operating policies, Family Creations strives to be very transparent in our approach when presenting the facts about egg donation.
Once you begin working with our agency, you will be given a password to view our online egg donor database. At Family Creations, all donors are screened for criteria such as healthy family history, appropriate lifestyle, and other general requirements. In addition, the screening process for egg donation is comprehensive and includes checking for any hereditary disorders or diseases. This level of detail ensures the health and well-being of the donor, the recipient, and the child who will be born.
Our team works hard to be inclusive of donors representing all different races and cultural backgrounds. As a result, our database of available egg donors is diverse and well-rounded. In addition, Family Creations ensures our database of donors is up to date: donors who have “aged out” or are not available are promptly removed. Our attention to detail helps alleviate any disappointment intended recipients feel when they locate a donor match and discover their profile is outdated. Our team has a very specific process to ensure our database of available donors is up to date with donors ready to begin the process immediately. If you have additional questions about registering to receive an egg donation you’d like explained, or want to learn more about our egg donation programs, please get in touch with us.
International Egg Donation Explained
Family Creations offers egg donation services to international clients as well. In many countries, egg donation is illegal, or no agencies or programs available offer egg donation. Family Creations works with many international clients who appreciate our agency because of the wide selection of qualified candidates we offer them. Our team is knowledgeable and experienced regarding the rules, regulations, and facts about international egg donation. Intended recipients residing outside the United States should contact us for a consultation, where we will explain our egg donation process for international clients.
Egg Donation Facts: Celebrities Can Be Donors Too!
Some celebrities have chosen to become egg donors to help those unable to conceive. Kim Kardashian was one of the first celebrities to announce that she had donated her eggs through egg donation. She did this to help another woman who was struggling to conceive. In addition, Salma Hayek, Nicole Kidman, and Olivia Wilde have donated their eggs to help those struggling with infertility.
What about in vitro fertilization?
More and more public figures and celebrities are speaking out about their use of assisted reproductive technology to overcome infertility. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is commonly associated with egg donation, but, in fact, not all IVF procedures utilize donated eggs. In her memoir, “Becoming,” Michelle Obama writes about her own infertility struggles and how utilizing IVF gave her two beautiful daughters.
Frequently Asked Questions About Egg Donation
Is Egg Donation Regulated?
Yes, it is. The FDA regulates the egg donation process in the United States, and donors must meet specific criteria before participating in this unique form of assisted reproduction. Egg donation is a long-standing and well-known procedure that has been in use for over forty years. Many couples unable to conceive through traditional means turn to egg donation as an option because it is one of the most reliable ways to become pregnant.
Do Religions Allow for Egg Donations?
While women donating their eggs through Family Creations are compensated, many choose to participate because they want to help someone struggling to conceive or achieve a dream of starting a family. In addition, many religions allow egg donation, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism. This fact about egg donation can be encouraging to women committed to their faith. However, if you are considering egg donation, it is important to do your research and speak with your religious leader to ensure that it is in line with your beliefs.
Becoming an egg donor can be challenging at times, but the rewards can be significant. The staff at Family Creations is happy to explain the egg donation process if you have specific concerns.
Is Egg Donation Legal in the United States?
Yes, egg donation is legal in the United States. At Family Creations, potential egg donors are required to undergo a psychological evaluation and medical screening to ensure they are mentally and physically healthy enough to donate, sign a legal contract agreeing to the donation process and any potential risks involved, and are compensated for their time and effort. Learn more about our egg donor application process and what’s required.
Get the Facts About Egg Donation at Family Creations
At Family Creations, we have over 15 years of experience matching egg donors with couples wanting a child. Contact us today to learn more about our approach to egg donation or fill out an application online. We’re here to help you at every step of the egg donation process.