If you have injected drugs or engaged in prostitution within the last five years If you have been diagnosed with syphilis, Chlamydia or certain other infectious diseases within the last year (if treated, you must be deemed disease-free for at least 12 months) If you have a BMI (body mass index) which is beyond the currently accepted "healthy" levels. That is, if your body weight is excessive. If you have a medical and/or family history of birth defects that required surgery (such as cleft lip, Spina Bifida, or a heart defect), Huntington's Disease, Hemophilia, Tay-Sachs Disease, Sickle Cell Anemia, major medical problems, mental handicaps and/or psychiatric problems. If you are a carrier of the gene or genetic mutation for certain diseases or syndromes (i.e. Cystic fibrosis, Fragile X, Tay-Sachs, Sickle Cell Anemia). The Fertility Institutes reserves the right to decline any applicant at our discretion. All information in your application is kept secure on our password protected website.
Once the screening is complete and an agreement contract signed, you will begin the donation cycle, which typically lasts between 3-6 weeks. Prior to beginning the process, nurses at our Center will speak with you about the proposed schedule and will assure that your own schedule is free to allow you to complete the several examination visits to our center that will occur during the process. There are two parts to a successful egg retrieval procedure: the Egg Donor’s Cycle and the Recipients’ Cycle. For donors in the "egg bank" process, the "Egg Donor’s Cycle" and the "Recipient Cycle" are independent of each other. For Donors in synchronized cycles, the two cycles occur simultaneously. The Egg Donation Cycle will begin with a few weeks of birth control pills (to synchronize your cycle with the Recipient’s), followed by injections that will temporarily halt your ovaries’ normal functioning. An initial injection will be given to you at the doctor’s office where you will also be given instructions on how to properly administer the injections yourself. These injections must be administered on a daily basis for one or more weeks (typically not more than 3 weeks.) The next step is to stimulate egg production. You will be given follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH and FSH/LH) to increase the number of mature eggs your body will produce. These injections are similar to the natural hormones your body produces. The fertility hormones are typically injected just under the skin for a period of ten to twelve days. If you are unable to administer the injections yourself, you will have to arrange for someone to administer them for you. Throughout the cycle your doctor will continually monitor you. They will run blood tests and perform ultrasound exams to determine your reaction to the hormones and the progress of follicle growth. Once the doctor decides the follicles are mature, the date and time for your egg retrieval will be determined. This date is critical and it is very important that you understand that it is your personal response to the fertility hormones that will determine this important date. This date cannot be changed. Approximately 36 hours before retrieval, you will be given one more injection (of the hormone HCG or Lupron-leuprolide) to ensure that your eggs are ready to be harvested. The Egg Retrieval is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that requires sedation and lasts about 20-30 minutes. The doctor will use a small ultrasound-guided needle inserted through the vagina to aspirate the follicles in both ovaries. Immediately following the surgery you will rest in the recovery room for an hour or two. Due to the administration of the sedative, you will need someone to drive you home. It can take one full day up to a week to fully recover, but generally Donors return to normal activities the next day.
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