The Center for Reproductive Health

Nashville, TN

Fresh Egg Donors Frozen Egg Donors

Frequently Asked Question for Egg Donors at The Center for Reproductive Health

What is Egg Donation?

Egg Donation is a process in which a woman (referred to as the oocyte donor) provides her eggs to an intended parent(s) to assist in the conception of a child through means of In-Vitro Fertilization. 


Here at CRH, our donation cases are 100% anonymous. At this time we do not offer open or direct donations. 


When applying for egg donation there are 2 main steps to take. 

  • Complete the Application
  • Schedule and Complete the Required Testing
What are the Basic Requirements to Qualify?

The requirements to become an egg donor include a good health history and a willingness to remain committed to the process.

  • Age: 21-30
  • BMI: 18-27
  • Have regular monthly periods
  • No reproductive disorders or abnormalities
  • Physically and emotionally healthy
  • Willing to undergo a medical evaluation
  • Willing to take injectable medication
  • Willing to commit to the process for a minimum of 3 months
  • Willing and able to respond to communication within 24 hours from clinic staff
What will my compensation rate be?

Our donors are compensated $4,250.00 per donation cycle. This is pre-taxed and payable via check on the day of the follow-up consultation to complete the donation cycle. Donors, who remain eligible, are allowed to donate up to 6 times before being retired.

Where is your office located and where will the services be performed at?

Our office is located within Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, TN. 

All services related to egg donation are performed on-site at our facility. We do not offer outside monitoring or provide additional compensation for your travel. 

When applying and committing to being an egg donor, please be aware that if you are chosen you will be expected to travel to Nashville for all the required appointments. On average, you can expect to visit our office a total of 7-10 times per each donation cycle you complete with us.

What does the timeline for treatments look like?

A donation cycle takes about 2 months to fully complete. Once matched, the donor will begin a 6-8 week medication protocol to prepare her body for donation. During this time, monitoring labs and ultrasounds will be performed leading up to the egg retrieval. Some appointments do require multiple visits within the same week. Please make sure you keep an open schedule when committing to a donation cycle. The cycle is complete once the post-retrieval consultation has been performed (about 2 weeks later).

What medications will I be given for the Egg Donation?

The following is a list of the medications that a donor may need to take to complete a successful retrieval:

  • Lupron - Also known as Leuprolide Acetate. 
  • Ganirelix acetate or Cetrotide - Also known as GNRH Antagonist. 
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormones (FSH or Gonadotropins) - Also known as Gonal F, Bravelle, Follistim, Memopur, or Repronex.
  • Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG or “Trigger Shot”) - Also known as Ovidrel, Profasi, or Pregnyl.
What are the purposes of the medications?

Lupron:

Lupron is used to control female hormone levels and prevent the release of the eggs. Research shows that Lupron is harmless to humans, and leaves the body hours after discontinued usage. 


Ganirelix Acetate or Cetrotide:

Ganirelix may also act as a substitute for Lupron to prevent eggs from maturing and releasing during the process.  


Follicle-Stimulating Hormones: 

FSH is the same hormone in a female body used to mature her eggs during the menstrual cycle. FSH is used to develop more sacs (also called follicles, which contain the woman’s eggs), and in turn, more eggs. 


Human Chorionicgonadotropin: 

This is the “pregnancy hormone” produced by a woman’s placenta. It is used to mature the eggs before retrieval. Without hCG, the donor’s eggs would not be usable for IVF.

What risks are involved?

Egg donation has proven to be a safe process with no known long-term side effects. However, it is good practice to understand the potential short-term side effects and risks that accompany the process.


Medication side effects - As mentioned in the previous section, some of the medications associated with egg donation can lead to headaches, moodiness, fatigue, or bloating. Some may lead to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, but this is rare and very treatable.


Antibiotics - There may be antibiotics involved to prevent bacterial infections, and some patients have an allergic reaction. Consult your doctor if you think you may have an allergy to antibiotics.


Blood-drawing and injections - As with most needles, there may be mild discomfort and risk of bruising from the blood-drawing process.


Pregnancy - If a donor has unprotected intercourse after the retrieval process, there is a likelihood of pregnancy because the donor is on medication that enhances fertility.


Ultrasound-guided retrieval process - After the retrieval, some donors may experience physical discomfort. More serious conditions include bleeding, infection, and bowel discomfort. In some cases, surgery may be required to repair any internal damage.

Do I have to submit photos?

Yes, photos are required. 

When submitting your photos please keep in mind these are what the intended parent(s) see first and is their first impression of you. 

To increase your chances of being chosen, we ask that you submit 3-5 photos from various ages of your life, 2 of which would need to be of a semi-professional nature with clean non-distracting backgrounds. We prefer these 2 main photos to be a nice up-close headshot that showcases your physical features and a full-frame body shot to show your body's figure. To reduce confusion, photos being submitted should be of you only, no other people should be present in them. Professional photos are strongly encouraged. 

Also, please refrain from sending photos of the following nature: 

Mirror selfies/ phone visible (tip: use the front-facing camera option instead and set a timer if need be)

Photos with Filters (Snapchat, Facebook, Etc- animals are cute and all, but we want to see your natural beauty)

Photos with identifying information, please be sure all identifying information is covered up or removed from the photo before submitting (examples: name on uniforms, physical location, etc)

Photos containing nudity or anything of a subjective nature, it's okay to show a little skin, but keep it modest

Photos with illegal substances or activity present

Remember, how you present yourself is how people first view you. Put your best face forward, you don't get a second chance to make a great first impression.


FDA, Guidelines

Per the FDA, a donor is required to undergo a quarantine period of 6 months after the use of sterile needles. Please keep this in mind when deciding to get a new piercing or tattoo. If you decide to get a new piercing or tattoo please inform us as we will need to place your profile on a hold status for 6 months.

Contact The Center for Reproductive Health

Intended Parent Database Access:
https://crh.eggdonorconnect.com/registration

The Center for Reproductive Health Office Location

Nashville, TN:
2410 Patterson Street, Suite 401
Nashville, TN 37203