Consider becoming an egg donor and help make the dream of becoming a parent a reality. If you are between the ages of 21-30, a non-smoker and a healthy weight you may be a candidate.
If you are interested in becoming an egg donor, we invite you to complete the online survey. You may call (919) 572-8845 for more information, and address additional questions to kimberly.briley@duke.edu or dfcdonor@dm.duke.edu.
Screening Process
The first step to becoming an egg donor is to complete the application form required to begin the process. Egg donation involves medical, genetic, psychological and infectious disease screening.
- Initial Screening: online survey that includes personal and family medical history. We will review your answers by phone.
- Standard Screening: online FDA-required infectious disease survey.
- Psychological Screening: Office visit with our psychologist, Dr. Julia Woodward.
- Physical Exam and infectious disease testing: Office visit with Donor Program staff. Includes blood draw for genetic disorders and infectious diseases.
You must complete all of the screening and be approved at all stages to be eligible to participate in the egg donation process. There is no cost to you for this testing.
Egg Donation Procedure
Once you are approved, have agreed to donate and are matched with a recipient, you will begin the egg donation process. The process begins with oral contraceptive pills. We will ask you to call when your period begins to schedule an ultrasound scan and give a blood sample.
Once both you and your recipient are ready, you will begin injections of fertility medications. This will be followed with ultrasounds and blood draws every 1-2 days. You will attend approximately six clinic visits over a two-week period.
The ultrasound scans and blood analysis will help the medical team determine the best time for egg retrieval. When your lead follicles reach 13mm, you will be instructed to begin a second medication to prevent ovulation. You will be advised to take a final at a specific time to prepare you for the egg retrieval procedure. You will have one final blood test the following day.
Egg Retrieval Process
On your retrieval day, you will be sedated during the procedure to minimize discomfort. Once you are sedated, we will guide a small needle through your vagina into your ovary to retrieve your eggs. You will be monitored after the procedure. Someone will need to come with you to your appointment to drive you home that day and you should not plan to return to normal activities until the next morning.
Afterward, some people report pelvic cramping and light bleeding, but significant pain is uncommon. Most people take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen to manage the pain and are back to normal in a few days.
Your recipient will provide egg donation insurance coverage to protect you in the very rare event of a complication related to the egg donation procedure and following your procedure, you will receive payment for your time and involvement in the donation process.
Payment
Egg donors are reimbursed $5,500 for each donation and can donate up to 6 times.
This payment is made by check and is taxed by the IRS. If the donation is canceled for medical reasons or the recipient cancels the procedure, you’ll receive a portion of the $5,500.
While egg donors receive compensation, financial gain is not the main reason that donors choose this path. Learning what motivates you to become an egg donor is part of the initial screening process.
Why should I go to the Duke Fertility Center instead of an agency?
While agencies may provide higher compensation, it is often required that you fly out of state for doctor visits and stay in a hotel room for several nights to undergo egg retrieval in another city. This is because the clinic selected for egg retrieval will be local to the recipient and not necessarily local to you.
When you donate your eggs at the Duke Fertility Center, the recipients are Duke patients who typically live locally.