Our goal is to safely retrieve multiple eggs from your ovaries to maximize the chances of a successful pregnancy for the intended parents using your oocytes (eggs). On this page, we outline the steps involved.
Consultation and Evaluation
with Dr. Arnold
Dr. Arnold will perform a medical examination, blood work, and ultrasound to evaluate your ovaries. You will also meet with the Egg Donor IVF Coordinator who will explain the egg donation process and answer your questions.
Training and Administering Medication
The nurse coordinator will train you to administer subcutaneous injectable medications called gonadotropins to stimulate your ovaries to produce eggs. Producing many eggs will increase the chances of creating healthy embryos with the intended father or donor’s sperm.
You will use needles similar to the type diabetes patients use to give themselves insulin. We will review your menstrual cycle calendar before you start taking the medications.
Medical Evaluation of Donors
Ovarian Cycle Monitoring
Once you pass your medical, genetic, and psychological exams and your menstrual cycle starts, you may begin the IVF/egg donation process. You will need to come to our office in the morning frequently during your cycle so we can monitor your progress with blood draws and ultrasounds. Based on the monitoring results, we will contact you in the afternoon for medication instructions. The medications are taken for approximately 12 days, as long as it takes naturally to develop mature eggs.
Consents
We will ask you to sign consent forms for medical treatment so you are fully informed about what you will undergo. You must also sign a legal contract with an attorney to donate your eggs legally. Please read the consent and contract carefully.
Egg Retrieval
Once your ovaries are sufficiently stimulated, Dr. Arnold will retrieve your eggs through your vagina via ultrasound guidance under IV sedation anesthesia. Since you will have been under anesthesia, you will need someone to drive you home approximately one hour after the retrieval. Later that day, our embryology laboratory will inseminate the eggs to benefit the couple receiving them.
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
Ovarian hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is an extremely rare side effect of injectable fertility medications. It is your body’s overstimulated response to excess hormones. It usually occurs a week or two after you start taking the medications.
Though rare, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of OHSS, including abdominal pain and bloating, tenderness around the ovaries, nausea, and vomiting. If any of your symptoms become more severe, you have rapid weight gain or shortness of breath, notify us immediately.
After Your Egg Retrieval
We will ask you to keep in touch and let us know when you start your next period.
Apply Today!
Thank you for all you will do to help create a family.
Your gift of egg donation will be life-changing.