Seeking advice about becoming a donor

[lknc4]

I am interested in possibly becoming an egg donor, I am a healhly, attractive caucasain 27 year old non-smoker. Don't use drugs, no history of disease and have never had any major health issues. I would be willing to consider meeting the couple in person or via phone, provide pictures, interviews, etc. under the supervision of legal counsel.

I do not know anyone who has done this, I am seeking advice about being a donor. I am trying to decide to work with a couple privately or if I should use an an agency. If I was to work direclty with a couple I would expect to have my attorney involved in all aspects of the process, if I go through an agency will I have the same opportunity? I have been looking at clinics in my area (North Carolina) but I'm not sure which to choose, any recommendations? REACH or PREG? I also have questions about compensation & the risks involved.

Any guidance you can give me would be appreciated, any recommended reading that may give me further insight as well as any information you can give me about your experience as a donor.

Feel free to email me - LKNC4@yahoo.com

Thanks!

[JADE0199]

Hi
Let me first off say that your decision to want to be an egg donor is a very selfless and generous thing. I am currently going thru an IVF cycle with a 26 yr old donor, so I may be able to help you with some of your questions.

One, you can either meet someone that is seeking an egg donor on your own, thru the newspaper or internet or you can go thru an agency. I think going thru an agency has its advantages, we found our donor thru an agency. However, an agency is more costly for the prospective parents. You will be screened in many ways, you will be asked multiple personal questions about yourself and your family history. More than likely, photos of yourself will be posted on the internet for those seeking a donor to view in the privacy of they're home. We you planning on meeting the prospective parent(s) or remaining anonymous?
Another advantage of going thru an agency is that they will provide you with legal consultation with a lawyer who specializes in the reproductive law. The agency will also go over all the risks with you as will the IVF surgery center that you will be having all the testing done and egg retrieval.

You will be asked many personal questions like...."how would you feel knowing you might have a biological baby/child out in the world?" or
"are you prepared that being an egg donor and going thru an IVF cycle can risk OHSS (overhyper ovarian stimulation) or decrease your chances of having a child on your own?"
they will throw all these questions out there, not to scare you, but to weed out all the ones that aren't serious about being a donor.

On a personal note, we chose to find a donor thru an agency so that we could see photos of what she looks like, but I don't mean that to sound superficial. I wanted someone that had some similiar features to myself. We paid $5K agency fee and $5K donor's compensation. Proven donors (those who have donated before) fees are higher, as high as $10K. We are also responsible for travel fees and if your "prospective parents" are in another state, are you willing to travel?

OR, you can call your local IVF/RE surgery center and they are always accepting egg donors. They're donor compensation is a bit less, (ours was $3K) and because you are typically in the same area and will be matched up with someone cycling at they're office, the prospective parents will not be shown any photos and your identity will be anonymous. Nor will much travel be required. They will do all the necessary testing at the cost of the prospective parents.

I could probably go on and on with more info, but I don't want to scare you or bore you either. I want you to follow your heart and trying to help someone have a baby is a wonderful thing. I always say a prayer for our donor and may God bless her.

Hope this helps, best of luck. Please feel free to write again if you have more questions. I;d love to help.
Cathy

[lknc4]

Thx for the info! I'm researching the agencies in my area, I still haven't decided what route to take. I don't mind sharing photos, health info, etc. I'm not sure I will ever have children of my own, which is one reason I feel I would like to donate.

One question I have is how to know what websites are credible? I don't want my pics & info floating around cyberspace... I'm hesitant to "advertise" and aside from this site I haven't posted anything.

Thanks again & best of luck to you & your donor.

[JADE0199]

Hi
Glad you found the information helpful.

One question I have is how to know what websites are credible?

I think what you can do is contact your local IVF surgery center or Reproductive Endocrinologist and see who they like to use or recommend. There are also advertisements in CONCEIVE magazine for agencies. I don't know if you need to find an agency in your area/state, it may make sense to find one in your location for convienience if there are appointments and meetings with the coordinators there. Or you can contact the AFA, http://www.theafa.org/. The American Fertility Association, they'd be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

Best of luck to you!!!!
Cathy