Are you a recipient? Then check out the Recipient FAQ‘s.
Want to know more about surrogacy? Visit Surrogacy Advisory Group
What is an egg donor?
An egg donor is a healthy young woman who is between the ages of twenty one and thirty four. This special woman donates a few of her eggs to a recipient who strongly desires to have a child but who is unable to produce eggs from her own ovaries. Following their removal, the eggs are fertilized with the recipient’s male partner’s sperm or with donor sperm. The resulting embryos are then placed into the recipient’s uterus. She then has the amazing opportunity of becoming pregnant, carrying, and delivering a child to finally create the family she has so long hoped for. A donor gives one of the most beautiful gifts possible—the gift of potentially growing a family. Egg donors are so special in fact, that they get front row seats and houses with sea views up in heaven.
Why would someone need an egg donor?
The recipient of donor egg(s) is someone who desires to have a child but is unable to produce viable eggs from her own ovaries. Various reasons a woman might not be able to produce eggs include premature ovarian failure, infertility due to poor egg quality or age, severe endometriosis, genetic disorders that she does not want to pass on, or elevated follicle stimulating hormone. Being unable to have a child when you really, really want one is heartbreaking. Infertility isn’t something we would wish on our worst enemy!
Why should I donate through Nurture?
Because we understand this business of egg donation better than anyone else. We will answer all your questions honestly, and support you all the way through the process. In a nutshell, we care. We call. We write. We call some more. Melany rarely sleeps (we suspect she may be a vampire in disguise)!!!
What is the first step of being an egg donor?
Recipients often look for a donor who matches their physical characteristics. Once you qualify to be an egg donor through our lovely agency, your information will be placed on our password protected donor list where couples can view your profile. We are a completely anonymous egg donor agency so your confidential information will not be shared. The Recipients will not know your identity but will know your physical characteristics and any pertinent details of your medical and family history. We need to know that you are not part Vampire like someone else we know. No names mentioned!
What will it be like having my children running around out there?
Think of it this way: Point A: Those eggs you donated? They would have been flushed away with your normal cycle if you hadn’t donated them. Point B: Eggs alone do not a child make! Without the partner’s sperm, and without the future mother’s womb, there aint gonna be no child. So fear not, there aren’t going to be any of ‘your’ children running around any where!
How do people choose a donor?
The factors recipients consider are varied and personal. For some people, things like eye colour, hair colour etc are important. Others couldn’t care less. Some are looking for donors who share similar interests. Actually, it is often the little messages and personal bits that help them decide on the ‘right’ donor for them. It is very important that you complete the application as honestly and thoroughly as possible and provide quality baby photographs of yourself. Those gorgeous baby pics of yourself mean a lot and the recipients appreciate all the information you can provide.
What if I am on birth control?
You can continue to use birth control pill while you are waiting to be matched with a recipient. If you are using Norplant (jadelle) or Depo Provera (2/3 month injection) you will have to discontinue use for several months before you can donate. (i.e. you need to have two consecutive periods after discontinuing.) If you have an Intrauterine Device (I.U.D.) that does not release any level of hormone, you may be able to donate without removing it. If you have a mirena – this will have to be removed prior to the donation – and will be replaced on the day of retrieval – at no cost to you.
Will donating eggs now affect my chances of getting pregnant in the future?
You are born with approximately two million eggs. Each month a group of eggs enter a growth phase that will ultimately result in ovulation. Normally, your body selects only one egg each cycle to ovulate and the remaining eggs from this group do not develop fully and are flushed down the loo. Fertility medications allow your body to rescue many of those eggs that would have been lost (those rescued ones are the ones you donate!) and do not affect any eggs destined to enter growth phase in future cycles. The fertility medication has no proven long term effects.
What are normal activities after the procedure?
You MUST have someone drive you home after the procedure. It’s the law. You may find that you need to sleep for the remainder of the day after the procedure. We recommend you take it easy for a few days post-retrieval. Your fertility clinic physician may give you other guidelines regarding post-operative activities.
Who pays my medical bills?
Not you! All medical costs are funded by the recipients.
What about compensation?
Compensation is guided by the South African Medical Ethics committee and is currently set at R5000. This compensation paid is not intended to pay for the eggs donated (as donors donate their eggs as a gift of hope), nor for monetary reward. Dudette, you are not ‘selling’ your eggs, you are giving them as a gift to someone else. And for the mission of going to all the appointments and taking your meds like good gals, you will be rewarded on earth (the five thousand ront) and in heaven (front row seats, house with sea view). The payment is recompense for expenses occurred and inconvenience suffered during the donation process. The five grand does not even begin to come close to reflecting the immense gratitude the recipients feel. Their deep appreciation and good wishes for the donor continue for many years.
How many pairs of shoes can I buy with my R5000?
Sjoe! Depends on whether you are doing Prada or Mr P! Girlfriend, we know you aren’t doing this for the shoes, but every girl needs a little treat now and then, and what says “I love me” better than a new pair of shoes!
Do I meet the couple receiving my eggs?
No. Nurture operates within the law – Anonymity is key! No real names – no adult photos. The recipient will not know your identity, only your physical characteristics and the details of your medical history, family history, hobbies, and educational background. Your love of expensive shoes and fear of goggas may also be of interest…so be sure to put all of this info in when completing the application.
Will I know the outcome of the donation?
This is really private stuff, but if the recipient agrees and you really want to know, the doctor will let you know.
Will I have take time off from my studies or work?
Yes – Once matched, there will be an initial appointment with the doctors at the clinic which will take approximately an hour. In addition to this, you will also have a once off hour visit with a psychologist. During the actual procedure, you will have to go to the clinic three to four times for ultrasounds. (This is over a two week period) You will also have to take a day off for egg retrieval. These visits cannot be scheduled for outside of normal working hours or on Saturdays. So ja, you will have to take time off, but not AGES and AGES.
Will I have to take time out from doing the “wild thang” ?
We would prefer that you abstain from having sex during the donation process, unless of course, it is with yourself. However, we are realists – so… if you must, please take extra precautions. Remember – no glove, no love. ps – we want to get the recipients pregnant…not the donors!
Are the Doctors all married?
Sadly yes! (This doesn’t mean you can’t tell them that you love them and then blame it on the anaesthetic.)
What are the possible side effects?
Side effects differ from donor to donor. Some women experience absolutely none. If you are prone to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) you may feel some of the side effects attributed to the injections. These effects are usually mild and may include allergic sensitivity, breast tenderness, abdominal bloating, headaches and/or mood swings. You shouldn’t become too much of a dragon, but if you do, blame it on the hormones! You may gain a kilogram or two, which will only be a temporary weight gain as it is when you have PMS. We advise you to step away from that third box of chocolates. As with any medical procedure, there is always a miniscule chance of infection, and/or reaction to the anaesthetic medication(s). Bleeding is usually minimal and infection is unlikely as an intravenous antibiotic is routinely administered at the time of the procedure.
What are the risks?
This is the serious bit and we can do Serious. Egg donation is a medical procedure and all medical procedures carry some risk. The primary risk is a condition called Ovarian Hyper-Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS). This is relatively rare (1% of IVF cases). It is caused by the ovary producing too many eggs in response to the drug stimulation. This is why we make sure that you can get to the clinic for all those important scans – The doctor’s can soon pick up that your ovaries are over zealous – and will adjust the medication accordingly. Donors are monitored very closely. Symptoms include a feeling of extreme bloating. If ovarian hyperstimulation occurs it reverses completely over a matter of 1-2 weeks. Also, as with any medical procedure, a risk of infection exists, if this happens, you will be given antibiotics and the necessary follow up care needed.
Can I die from the procedure?
With our crazy taxi drivers on the road…you have more chance of dying on the WAY to the procedure than you have of dying DURING the procedure. But, as with everything in life, there are risks. Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome is the most common serious complication (see point above). It may become a more serious problem in 1% of women undergoing egg donation and very rarely it can be life threatening. You are 10 times more likely to die following natural childbirth than from donating eggs.
Can I be registered with other donor agencies?
You mean…….there are other agencies!!! Ok, so, here’s the deal! We would prefer a donor to only be signed up with fabulous us, however….we realize that some donors can and do sign up with other (notnearlyasfabulousasus) agencies, soooooo….if you do this – let us know – and….More importantly – if you are selected through us (or the other agency) we need you to tell them (or us) right away. As you know, it is physically impossible to do 2 simultaneous donations! There is a VERY precious recipient who is investing a whole lot of soul (and moola) here, so… a bit of common sense and courtesy needs to prevail here! Yebo yes!?
How many times may I donate?
The South African guidelines state that a donor may donate six times or five viable pregnancies. (whichever comes first). This can differ slightly between clinics – depending on their policy.
Unlike other agencies who may think that you are a “battery hen”, Nurture believes more in the “free range” approach. So – it is completely up to you as to whether you would like to donate more than once. When you are matched for a donation, we remove your profile from our website. After the donation is completed – if you would like to join the gorgeous and divine Nurture team once more, we will put your profile back on the website a month after your last donation. That way if you get snapped up straight away, you will have had three months break between donations.
What if I’m still not sure.…
If your application is successful and you are chosen, you are given the opportunity to chat about these feelings with
our counseling psychologist before proceeding. This is a very personal decision, you must be comfortable with it. We will respect whatever you decide and encourage you to take time to make the right decision for you.
