Questions & Answers for Parents

What type of screening process do your donors go through?

Donors must be at least 21 years old. Upper age limit is set by your clinic and generally ranges between 29 & 32. Donor's must be in excellent health, and have no known negative genetic history. I accept women who appear to be mature, emotionally stable, intelligent, and able to commit to the requirements of the program. I work within the IVF clinics medical guidelines to ensure that the donors I present will be acceptable to your clinic on a medical level.

After several preliminary email questionnaires and a phone call, applicants complete a full application. In addition to covering their educational background, physical and personality characteristics, etc., this questionnaire covers their physical and mental health in extensive detail, plus the health and characteristics of their immediate and extended family.

Next, I meet with each prospective donor for a 2 hour in-person interview and assessment. The medical, emotional and legal processes are discussed as well. At this point, if the donor appears to be a suitable candidate, her profile materials are prepared for your review.

Once you select a donor she will be evaluated by a licensed psychologist or social worker (depending on your clinic's requirement) and by the medical personnel at your Fertility clinic. Most clinics include some combination of the following tests in their screening. Please check with your clinic for specific screening protocol.

Antral Follicle Count Ultrasound: (determines # of selectable follicles) The count is an indicator of how a donor will respond to the hormone stimulation given to her in the egg donation cycle.

Blood Tests: Day 3 FSH / E2 (hormone levels) evaluated in conjunction with the AF# to determine donor's potential response level to hormonal stimulation used in the egg donation cycle. ABO, Rh (blood type) HIV 1 HIV 2 Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Hepatitis B Core Antibody Hepatitis C Antibody GC culture Chlamydia culture Pap RPR (Syphilis) Cystic Fibrosis or other genetic testing based on ethnicity CBC Drug Screen Nicotine Screen

Why don't you complete all the screening tests on all the donors in advance?

Due to FDA regulations, the screening tests are only valid if completed shortly prior to beginning the actual donation process. Additionally, a donor's health & test results could change at any time, so screening too far in advance could give erroneous information.

What happens if our donor does not pass the medical or psychological screening?

Because there are so many tests involved with the donor's screening there is a possibility that she many not pass a test or receive a result that would cause a delay in proceeding. Your Clinic's Donor Coordinator will notify you if this occurs. Depending on what the situation is it will either cause a delay in the cycle starting or in some cases prevent that donor from participating. If she is unable to participate then you will need to select a new donor. Although NWFC does not charge anything further to find a replacement donor, you may be liable to your IVF clinic or to the psychologist for screening your next donor.

Why do women donate eggs?

Women donate for a variety of reasons. Many are students or young mothers who are drawn to the process by empathy or altruism. Some have a friend, co-worker or neighbor who has experienced infertility; some want an infertile couple to be able to experience the joy that they have experienced through raising their own children. The financial compensation is usually the initial draw, but my goal is to work with donors who show evidence of other motivation and a general interest in helping others.

Will you help us find a donor if we cannot find one in your current pool?

Yes, because my service is highly personalized I am able to run more specific ads to hopefully find you a donor that best matches your requirements.

What happens during an egg donation cycle?

As for the actual process of egg donation, it is easiest to think of it as an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle split between two women. Please note that exact processes and medications used vary from Clinic to Clinic. Outlined below is the process used by one of the major Seattle area fertility clinics.

You and your donor will begin the cycle by taking birth control pills. The pill assists in cycle synchronization and also in the ovulation suppression process. Next, your donor will use a synthetic hormone agent such as Lupron to continue suppressing her ovulation. During the last week she is using Lupron, she will also begin taking a fertility hormone (FSH or Follicle Stimulating Hormone). This hormone stimulates her ovaries to mature multiple eggs - sometimes up to ten or more in one cycle, rather than one, which is what her ovaries would normally produce each month. She will take this hormone for approximately a week to ten days.

While she is taking these medications, she will be very closely monitored through blood samples and ultrasound to see how the follicles (eggs) are developing. In the meantime, you will also be using Lupron to bring your cycle into alignment with your donor's cycle. Once this is accomplished, you will begin using estradiol (estrogen) to begin preparing your endometrium for a possible pregnancy.

When the doctor determines that your donor's follicles (eggs) are nearing maturity (they can tell by ultrasound), she will stop taking fsh and will receive one final injection of a different hormone called hCG. hCG allows the eggs to become completely matured and ready for release. At about the same time, you will begin daily injections of progesterone in addition to continuing the estrogen. Progesterone is the other hormone you need to maintain a pregnancy.

Next, your physician will remove your donor's eggs (before they are released) during the egg retrieval procedure. This procedure lasts about 20 minutes and is done under sedation. A needle is guided via ultrasound into the ovaries to aspirate the eggs. This is done through the back of the vagina.

What happens to the eggs once they are retrieved?

Once the eggs are retrieved, they are "washed", inspected and placed in a petri dish where they will be fertilized with your partner or donor's sperm. There, they will grow and develop into embryos. Generally, three or five days later, one or two of the embryos will be placed into your uterus. You will continue to take estrogen and progesterone to prepare your uterus for a possible pregnancy. Then we cross our fingers! You receive your first pregnancy test about 2 weeks after the embryos have been transferred to your uterus. Any "healthy" embryos that were not placed in your uterus will be frozen for future attempts at getting pregnant.

What happens during the embryo transfer?

The actual procedure set-up feels similar to a pelvic exam. Your physician will pass a very small catheter through your cervix and deposit a tiny drop of culture media in which the microscopic embryos are suspended. Additionally, the physician is guided externally by sonogram allowing them to verify the exact placement of the embryos. After the transfer, you will be asked to lie still for a short while and then you are released. Your physician will give you information regarding what level of activity you may have after the procedure.

Do we receive all the eggs that are donated by the egg donor? What happens to any extras that are not transferred during this cycle?

Yes, you receive all the eggs that are retrieved from your donor. You and your doctor will determine how many embryos should be transferred during your cycle. Generally, it is 1 or 2. Any remaining embryos will be frozen. You may use these embryos in the future, at your discretion. They are legally your embryos. Many couples end up with 2-6 frozen embryos.

Can we donate "extra" frozen embryos to another couple if we complete our family and decide not to use them?

Yes, but you will need to decide if that is an option you may be interested in PRIOR to the egg donation cycle commencing. Your donor and the recipient husband/partner or sperm donor will need to have a few extra tests for FDA purposes. If the donor does have a complication related to the donor egg cycle, who pays for her medical treatment? To help insure that you are not exposed to any additional costs, NWFC provides a donor insurance policy, which covers your donor while she is in the egg donation cycle and for a limited amount of time post-retrieval. The cost of the policy is included in the program fee you pay to NWFC. There is no deductible. The coverage is 250,000 per accident and there are some other benefits as well.

Will my donor have enough eggs for own future pregnancies after donating to me or other recipients?

Yes. A young woman goes through many, many eggs each month to select the single one that is ovulated. The follicles that don't complete the development process normally dissolve and are absorbed by the body. Fertility drugs (hormones) preserve a portion of these excess eggs that the body would ordinarily discard. No extra eggs are used up in the process.

How is the donor compensated?

Donors are compensated post-retrieval $5,000-5,500 for participating in the program. This sum is intended to provide reimbursement for the time, effort, and inconvenience involved with screening appointments and tests, taking fertility medications, appointments at the fertility clinic and for undergoing the egg retrieval. Your donor's reimbursement check will be mailed to her soon after her egg retrieval. If the cycle is canceled before the egg retrieval occurs (i.e., inadequate ovarian response), she will receive partial compensation ($600) for her time and inconvenience.

Can we meet our egg donor?

Yes, if you have selected a donor who is open to this option (the majority of my donors are). If you decide to meet, I will be there to introduce you and facilitate the meeting. This meeting is usually held at my office, and meetings are arranged only after the donor you have selected has completed her psychological and medical screening requirements. Some couples have very strong feelings about wanting to meet their donor, others prefer to remain anonymous. If you prefer to remain anonymous, I maintain strict confidentiality.

You may not be sure right now about this choice or have questions about it. We can discuss this concept further at our first meeting, and you will have plenty of time to make this decision.

What if our child wants to know about the egg donor in the future?

The growing trend among recipient parents is to give their child information about the egg donor at the appropriate time, which usually means relating information in an age-appropriate fashion. As in the case of adoptive children, there is evidence that it is important for a child to understand their genetic origin before they reach adolescence. Not revealing this information to a child creates a family "secret", which may somehow be discovered by the child in the wrong setting. Children can become confused and unsure of whether they can trust their parents when this occurs. I will provide you with a number of articles and resources at our in-person meeting that will help you make the right decision for your family.

When you select your donor, you will be given quite a bit of non-identifying information about her that you will be able to share with your child if you choose to do so. Many donors are receptive to revealing additional information about themselves either at the time of their selection or at a later point via NWFC or through the attorney who creates the egg donation agreement.

Will we receive legal guidance?

Yes. A contractual agreement between you and your ovum donor is required to be completed before any reproductive procedures begin. This agreement serves several purposes. First, it allows the parties the opportunity to clarify their expectations and understanding of their rights and responsibilities. This significantly reduces the risk of confusion or unforeseen complications during or after the cycle. This also provides individuals with the chance to address legally related questions, concerns and clearly communicate their intentions in the reproductive relationship. With the legal process complete, both parties are able to proceed with a greater level of confidence.

Presently, most states have little to no legislation or case law regulating assisted reproduction. Consequently, in the very few cases that have been brought to litigation, the courts have declared that they will look to the intent of the parties when making their ruling. This means that the courts will likely look to the legal agreement in order to determine the original state of mind and intentions of the parties. NWFC will make referrals to attorneys in the greater Seattle area specializing in assisted reproduction law.

Will the egg donor also receive legal guidance?

Yes. She will be referred to a separate attorney (who also specializes in assisted reproduction law) to help her review and understand the egg donation agreement that your attorney has established.

Still have questions?

Please do not hesitate to call or email me. (206) 285-4855 / sharon@nwfertility.com

- Sharon


Welcome Donor Profiles FAQ for Parents Compliments Contact Info
	Questions & Answers for Parents What type of screening process do your donors go through? Donors must be at least 21 years old. Upper age limit is set by your clinic and generally ranges between 29 & 32. Donor's must be in excellent health, and have no known negative genetic history. I accept women who appear to be mature, emotionally stable, intelligent, and able to commit to the requirements of the program. I work within the IVF clinics medical guidelines to ensure that the donors I present will be acceptable to your clinic on a medical level. After several preliminary email questionnaires and a phone call, applicants complete a full application. In addition to covering their educational background, physical and personality characteristics, etc., this questionnaire covers their physical and mental health in extensive detail, plus the health and characteristics of their immediate and extended family. Next, I meet with each prospective donor for a 2 hour in-person interview and assessment. The medical, emotional and legal processes are discussed as well. At this point, if the donor appears to be a suitable candidate, her profile materials are prepared for your review. Once you select a donor she will be evaluated by a licensed psychologist or social worker (depending on your clinic's requirement) and by the medical personnel at your Fertility clinic. Most clinics include some combination of the following tests in their screening. Please check with your clinic for specific screening protocol. *Antral Follicle Count Ultrasound:* (determines # of selectable follicles) The count is an indicator of how a donor will respond to the hormone stimulation given to her in the egg donation cycle. *Blood Tests:* Day 3 FSH / E2 (hormone levels) evaluated in conjunction with the AF# to determine donor's potential response level to hormonal stimulation used in the egg donation cycle. ABO, Rh (blood type) HIV 1 HIV 2 Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Hepatitis B Core Antibody Hepatitis C Antibody GC culture Chlamydia culture Pap RPR (Syphilis) Cystic Fibrosis or other genetic testing based on ethnicity CBC Drug Screen Nicotine Screen Why don't you complete all the screening tests on all the donors in advance? Due to FDA regulations, the screening tests are only valid if completed shortly prior to beginning the actual donation process. Additionally, a donor's health & test results could change at any time, so screening too far in advance could give erroneous information. What happens if our donor does not pass the medical or psychological screening? Because there are so many tests involved with the donor's screening there is a possibility that she many not pass a test or receive a result that would cause a delay in proceeding. Your Clinic's Donor Coordinator will notify you if this occurs. Depending on what the situation is it will either cause a delay in the cycle starting or in some cases prevent that donor from participating. If she is unable to participate then you will need to select a new donor. Although NWFC does not charge anything further to find a replacement donor, you may be liable to your IVF clinic or to the psychologist for screening your next donor. Why do women donate eggs? Women donate for a variety of reasons. Many are students or young mothers who are drawn to the process by empathy or altruism. Some have a friend, co-worker or neighbor who has experienced infertility; some want an infertile couple to be able to experience the joy that they have experienced through raising their own children. The financial compensation is usually the initial draw, but my goal is to work with donors who show evidence of other motivation and a general interest in helping others. Will you help us find a donor if we cannot find one in your current pool? Yes, because my service is highly personalized I am able to run more specific ads to hopefully find you a donor that best matches your requirements. What happens during an egg donation cycle? As for the actual process of egg donation, it is easiest to think of it as an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle split between two women. Please note that exact processes and medications used vary from Clinic to Clinic. Outlined below is the process used by one of the major Seattle area fertility clinics. You and your donor will begin the cycle by taking birth control pills. The pill assists in cycle synchronization and also in the ovulation suppression process. Next, your donor will use a synthetic hormone agent such as Lupron to continue suppressing her ovulation. During the last week she is using Lupron, she will also begin taking a fertility hormone (FSH or Follicle Stimulating Hormone). This hormone stimulates her ovaries to mature multiple eggs - sometimes up to ten or more in one cycle, rather than one, which is what her ovaries would normally produce each month. She will take this hormone for approximately a week to ten days. While she is taking these medications, she will be very closely monitored through blood samples and ultrasound to see how the follicles (eggs) are developing. In the meantime, you will also be using Lupron to bring your cycle into alignment with your donor's cycle. Once this is accomplished, you will begin using estradiol (estrogen) to begin preparing your endometrium for a possible pregnancy. When the doctor determines that your donor's follicles (eggs) are nearing maturity (they can tell by ultrasound), she will stop taking fsh and will receive one final injection of a different hormone called hCG. hCG allows the eggs to become completely matured and ready for release. At about the same time, you will begin daily injections of progesterone in addition to continuing the estrogen. Progesterone is the other hormone you need to maintain a pregnancy. Next, your physician will remove your donor's eggs (before they are released) during the egg retrieval procedure. This procedure lasts about 20 minutes and is done under sedation. A needle is guided via ultrasound into the ovaries to aspirate the eggs. This is done through the back of the vagina. What happens to the eggs once they are retrieved? Once the eggs are retrieved, they are "washed", inspected and placed in a petri dish where they will be fertilized with your partner or donor's sperm. There, they will grow and develop into embryos. Generally, three or five days later, one or two of the embryos will be placed into your uterus. You will continue to take estrogen and progesterone to prepare your uterus for a possible pregnancy. Then we cross our fingers! You receive your first pregnancy test about 2 weeks after the embryos have been transferred to your uterus. Any "healthy" embryos that were not placed in your uterus will be frozen for future attempts at getting pregnant. What happens during the embryo transfer? The actual procedure set-up feels similar to a pelvic exam. Your physician will pass a very small catheter through your cervix and deposit a tiny drop of culture media in which the microscopic embryos are suspended. Additionally, the physician is guided externally by sonogram allowing them to verify the exact placement of the embryos. After the transfer, you will be asked to lie still for a short while and then you are released. Your physician will give you information regarding what level of activity you may have after the procedure. Do we receive all the eggs that are donated by the egg donor? What happens to any extras that are not transferred during this cycle? Yes, you receive all the eggs that are retrieved from your donor. You and your doctor will determine how many embryos should be transferred during your cycle. Generally, it is 1 or 2. Any remaining embryos will be frozen. You may use these embryos in the future, at your discretion. They are legally your embryos. Many couples end up with 2-6 frozen embryos. Can we donate "extra" frozen embryos to another couple if we complete our family and decide not to use them? Yes, but you will need to decide if that is an option you may be interested in PRIOR to the egg donation cycle commencing. Your donor and the recipient husband/partner or sperm donor will need to have a few extra tests for FDA purposes. If the donor does have a complication related to the donor egg cycle, who pays for her medical treatment? To help insure that you are not exposed to any additional costs, NWFC provides a donor insurance policy, which covers your donor while she is in the egg donation cycle and for a limited amount of time post-retrieval. The cost of the policy is included in the program fee you pay to NWFC. There is no deductible. The coverage is 250,000 per accident and there are some other benefits as well. Will my donor have enough eggs for own future pregnancies after donating to me or other recipients? Yes. A young woman goes through many, many eggs each month to select the single one that is ovulated. The follicles that don't complete the development process normally dissolve and are absorbed by the body. Fertility drugs (hormones) preserve a portion of these excess eggs that the body would ordinarily discard. No extra eggs are used up in the process. How is the donor compensated? Donors are compensated post-retrieval $5,000-5,500 for participating in the program. This sum is intended to provide reimbursement for the time, effort, and inconvenience involved with screening appointments and tests, taking fertility medications, appointments at the fertility clinic and for undergoing the egg retrieval. Your donor's reimbursement check will be mailed to her soon after her egg retrieval. If the cycle is canceled before the egg retrieval occurs (i.e., inadequate ovarian response), she will receive partial compensation ($600) for her time and inconvenience. Can we meet our egg donor? Yes, if you have selected a donor who is open to this option (the majority of my donors are). If you decide to meet, I will be there to introduce you and facilitate the meeting. This meeting is usually held at my office, and meetings are arranged only after the donor you have selected has completed her psychological and medical screening requirements. Some couples have very strong feelings about wanting to meet their donor, others prefer to remain anonymous. If you prefer to remain anonymous, I maintain strict confidentiality. You may not be sure right now about this choice or have questions about it. We can discuss this concept further at our first meeting, and you will have plenty of time to make this decision. What if our child wants to know about the egg donor in the future? The growing trend among recipient parents is to give their child information about the egg donor at the appropriate time, which usually means relating information in an age-appropriate fashion. As in the case of adoptive children, there is evidence that it is important for a child to understand their genetic origin before they reach adolescence. Not revealing this information to a child creates a family "secret", which may somehow be discovered by the child in the wrong setting. Children can become confused and unsure of whether they can trust their parents when this occurs. I will provide you with a number of articles and resources at our in-person meeting that will help you make the right decision for your family. When you select your donor, you will be given quite a bit of non-identifying information about her that you will be able to share with your child if you choose to do so. Many donors are receptive to revealing additional information about themselves either at the time of their selection or at a later point via NWFC or through the attorney who creates the egg donation agreement. Will we receive legal guidance? Yes. A contractual agreement between you and your ovum donor is required to be completed before any reproductive procedures begin. This agreement serves several purposes. First, it allows the parties the opportunity to clarify their expectations and understanding of their rights and responsibilities. This significantly reduces the risk of confusion or unforeseen complications during or after the cycle. This also provides individuals with the chance to address legally related questions, concerns and clearly communicate their intentions in the reproductive relationship. With the legal process complete, both parties are able to proceed with a greater level of confidence. Presently, most states have little to no legislation or case law regulating assisted reproduction. Consequently, in the very few cases that have been brought to litigation, the courts have declared that they will look to the intent of the parties when making their ruling. This means that the courts will likely look to the legal agreement in order to determine the original state of mind and intentions of the parties. NWFC will make referrals to attorneys in the greater Seattle area specializing in assisted reproduction law. Will the egg donor also receive legal guidance? Yes. She will be referred to a separate attorney (who also specializes in assisted reproduction law) to help her review and understand the egg donation agreement that your attorney has established. Still have questions? Please do not hesitate to call or email me. (206) 285-4855 / sharon@nwfertility.com - Sharon .