How do I become a donor?
Please go to our website www.ivfmn.com and fill out the donor application. We will contact you within a few business days.
How long does it take to be accepted into the donor program?
It depends on how motivated you are to move forward. There are a few items that need to be addressed but if you are accepted into the program and do the work up in a timely fashion, you can be an active donor within 2 months.
How much does it pay?
Currently, our donors receive $6700.00 per retrieval.
When do I get paid?
You will receive the payment on the day of the retrieval (egg cultivation).
What kind of medications will I be using?
Everyone has a different protocol of medications prescribed by our doctors. The most used medications are birth control pills, Lupron, Follistim or Gonal F, Menopur, Ganirelix/Cetrotide, and HCG.
How long does one cycle take?
The typical cycle takes 8-12 days of injectable medications to be completed.
Will I be anonymous or will the child be able to contact me in 20 years?
You will be an anonymous donor. The recipient will know you by donor number only, along with seeing a baby photo of you.
Will I know if the recipient becomes pregnant?
Yes, if interested, you may know the pregnancy results 2 weeks after the retrieval is complete.
What are the side effects of the medications?
Some patients complain of bloating and breast enlargement as well as mood swings, others have no negative effects.
Are the medications oral or injections?
Both. There are oral birth control pills that give us control of your menstrual cycle, however, the rest of the medications are injectable. They are mostly subcutaneous, which is a small needle given under the skin on your abdomen. Our donor nurses will instruct you on how to give these injections to yourself.
Will I need someone to drive me to any of my appointments?
The only time a driver is needed in on the day of the egg retrieval procedure. The reason for a driver at this appointment is that you will be given anesthesia to remove the eggs and you cannot drive for 24 hours after anesthesia.
What is a retrieval? Is there any discomfort associated with the egg retrieval?
The egg retrieval is the procedure where we remove the eggs from the ovaries. This is completed after the fertility medications have worked on the ovaries and the ovaries have grown multiple eggs. We do this procedure in our operating room. A physician will use an ultrasound-guided needle that passes through the vaginal wall to remove the eggs from the ovaries. You are asleep during the procedure.
Are there any potential side effects from the cycle itself?
The most common side effects are minor weight gain or water retention that may cause bloating, swelling or cramping. This will resolve on its own within 2-5 days. A less common side effect is Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome. Ovarian hyperstimulation (OHSS) is a complication of superovulation. It is an enlargement of your ovaries. It occurs in 1 to 5 percent of cycles. Our physicians monitor you very closely to decrease this potential side effect.
Do I need to pay for anything?
There are no charges for our donors.
Will the recipient know what I look like?
The recipient will only see a baby picture of you. Our donor coordinators are the only ones that see your adult pictures and they will be the ones to match you with a recipient based on that picture.
What can exclude me from the program?
There are some factors that can exclude you from the program such as drug use by you or a family member, genetic conditions and elevated body mass index or BMI.
How many times do I need to be in Minneapolis?
You will have approximately 10 appointments in a months’ time. This is the reason we require you live less than 2 hours away from the clinic.
What time are the appointments?
All appointments are from 7 am to 10:30 am every day of the week, including weekends.
Can I do any of the appointments at my OB’s office?
No. All appointments will be at our Minneapolis office so our physicians can keep a close eye on your progress.
Do I need medical insurance?
No, you do not.
Does my family have to know about this?
No. You will need accurate family medical history which may require interviewing family members if you do not know this information.
Do I have to have a child to donate my eggs?
No, you do not.
How do I learn to give myself shots?
You will be taught how to give yourself injections by one of the donor coordinators.
Could this affect my ability to have children in the future?
No. Donating your eggs as a young woman will not affect your ability to have children in the future. You will not deplete your egg supply by donating.
What are the clinic’s expectations of me?
Once you have committed yourself to a cycle with a recipient couple, we expect you to follow through with this commitment including being responsible for your appointment dates and times. You will need some flexibility with your appointment dates and times at the end of your cycle. We also would like you to be respectful of others within the clinic.
