Egg Donation Center
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If you are a Prospective Egg Donor:
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If you are Intended Parents:
Intended Parents
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Egg Donor Database
If you are looking for a Surrogate:
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Surrogate Database
If you have any questions or comments:
San Diego Office:
13025 Danielson St,
Suite 200
Poway, California 92064
Phone: 858-748-4222
Facsimile: 858-748-4244
Driving Directions
Los Angeles Office:
2029 Century Park East
Suite 1400
Los Angeles, California 90067
Phone: 310-867-2743
Facsimile: 310-943-1692
Driving Directions
The Medical Process Of Egg Donation
We Specialize in Partnering With You for Parenthood...
Getting Started
If you feel you might be a candidate for egg donation, the first step is to contact our office for an application. Only those donors accepted into our program will then be contacted for a comprehensive selection interview, where we will thoroughly review your personal situation and advise you on the appropriateness of egg donation. Once this intense screening has been completed, your information will be added to our database for Intended Parents to review.
Selection of an Egg Donor
Typically an egg donor will be no older than 29 years old. Egg donors will have their medical and social history evaluated; they will also undergo a physical examination, a psychological screening, a laboratory screening for sexually transmitted diseases, hormonal testing, and a genetic health assessment once selected. The donor should not have any family history of birth defects or hereditary diseases.
The Donation Cycle - Ovarian Stimulation
To prepare the body for the Advanced Reproductive Technologies (ART), various hormonal medications are used alone or in combination, to stimulate the development of ovarian follicles. This is known as "superovulation" or "controlled ovarian stimulation" (COS).
These medications are administered for two reasons, (a) to enhance the growth and maturation of as many follicles as possible, thereby improving chances for fertilization and development, and, (b) to control the timing of ovulation so eggs can be retrieved before they are spontaneously released.
Hormonal medications are administered for nine to twelve days; doses may be adjusted during the cycle depending upon follicle growth. The patient is carefully monitored using laboratory tests (estrogen levels), ultrasound, and physical examination. When, in the physician's judgment, follicular development has reached the stage where an optimum number of eggs will be produced without untoward effects, hCG will be administered to trigger ovulation. Egg retrieval will be scheduled within 34 to 36 hours after hCG is administered.
Egg Donor Screening Video
These medications have been used for over twenty years to treat women who do not ovulate regularly. As with any medication, side affects are a possibility and should be discussed with your physician. The effects most commonly reported include allergic sensitivity, and pain, irritation, or swelling at the injection site. Occasionally, overstimulation of the ovaries may occur. Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) generally causes enlargement of the ovaries accompanied by abdominal discomfort and/or pain. In severe cases, additional symptoms may require hospitalization of the patient.
Monitoring
ART cycles are monitored in two ways: by ultrasound and by blood hormone test. Monitoring is necessary in order to assess the growth and development of the follicles and to avoid the possibility of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome.
Serial ultrasounds are used to follow follicle growth in the ovary beginning at approximately cycle day eight and on a regular basis thereafter. The ultrasound unit sends out high frequency wave signals that reflect or "bounce" off the structure in the pelvis and are translated into images on a TV like monitor. The procedure is essentially painless. The patient may feel the pressure of the transducer on her abdomen or in her vagina, however, she cannot feel or hear the sound waves nor have there been any harmful effects to the developing eggs or early pregnancy demonstrated from ultrasound.
Through ultrasound, the physician can obtain an actual image of a woman's ovaries and can clearly identify, count and even measure the fluid filled follicles as they develop. As the follicles get larger, the ultrasound also provides an indicator of approaching ovulation.
Blood tests to measure hormone levels are performed in conjunction with and on essentially the same regular basis / schedule as ultrasound. As follicles develop, they secrete increasing amounts of the hormone estrogen, specifically estradiol (E2). Concentration of E2 in the blood indicates the degree of response to ovarian stimulation. In general, the higher the E2, the more follicles are developing.
Egg Retrieval/Recovery
Egg recovery is accomplished by an ultrasound-directed procedure. This is a minor surgical procedure and can be performed under local anesthesia. The vaginal transducer is placed in the vagina. An aspiration needle is inserted along-side the transducer and through the upper part of the vagina directly into the ovary. The ultrasound image allows the physician to accurately guide the needle into each follicle for aspiration as previously described.
**CALIFORNIA STATUTE ADVISORY**
"Egg donation involves a screening process. Not all potential egg donors are selected. Not all selected egg donors receive the monetary amounts or compensation advertised. As with any medical procedure, there may be risks associated with human egg donation. Before an egg donor agrees to begin the egg donation process, and signs a legally binding contract, she is required to receive specific information on the known risks of egg donation. Consultation with your doctor prior to entering into a donor contract is advised."