HOW DO I CHOOSE THE BEST EGG DONOR?

Conceiving through egg donation and medical fertility advances have allowed couples to build families who would not be able to do so otherwise. That is why this is such a personal decision, and what is important to one person might not be that important to someone else. There should be some baseline requirements to have in place before you are besieged with details like your egg donors eye colour and personality. At the basic level, egg donors go through a rigorous screening process for physical and mental health, family medical history, genetics and so much more. It should go without saying that the most important quality is passing this screening process. Some criteria you might think about include: Appearance: height, hair color, eye color. Many donor egg recipients are interested in donors with similar physical features. Personal background: education, personality, career. Does a donor’s values and personality mesh with yours? Background: ethnic, religious. Again, many families look for a donor with a background that matches their own.

HOW DO I KNOW IF THIS IS RIGHT FOR ME?

Simple question, tough answer. Using donated eggs to conceive is not easy decision for anyone. By this time, couples have often gone through many unsuccessful treatments attempts already, which can be both physically and emotionally hard on both partners. Do you need more time to reflect, think, or maybe even grieve? These are questions you need to think very carefully about, and if you need help with this decision, see a psychologist who will be able to help you work through these issues. Take the necessary time to do so and go easy on yourself before making big decisions. On the other hand, some may be very ready to go on to the next step and don’t want to wait any longer.

HOW WILL I KNOW WHICH DONORS I SHOULD CONSIDER?

Trust your instinct! We have an extensive database filled with donors that want to help a loving couple or individual become parents. When looking at donor profile after profile, it can be easy to get caught up in finding someone that matches everything on your checklist. Try not to concentrate too much on one particular trait, like; height, eye colour, race, private schools, or additional features. Parents who loosely follow their checklist and select a donor ‘that feels just right’ are typically the happiest in the long run. It is important to feel a connection to your donor! We often get intended parents who do not speak English and therefore struggle to read through the donor profiles and understand them fully. Email us and let us know what is important to you – ie. skin tone, height, etc and we will send a few profiles that suit your requirements.

HOW MANY EGGS WILL I GET?

As many eggs as the donor produces in that treatment cycle – usually between 5 and 10.

HOW MANY EGGS WILL THEY TRANSFER TO MY WOMB?

Generally clinics will only put back 2 embryos – and the success rate is good.

WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE EMBRYOS THAT ARE LEFT OVER?

You have several choices if you have leftover embryos after a successful in-vitro fertilisation procedure. Some individuals opt to keep their embryos indefinitely frozen, whereas others may decide to discard their unused embryos once their family is complete. The surplus embryos may also be donated for scientific research or to another family, such as other people or couples who are experiencing infertility. The field of assisted reproduction is constantly growing, and embryos donated to scientific research allow us to find out more about fertility and reproductive medicine.

WILL THERE EVER BE ANY CONTACT BETWEEN THE EGG DONOR AND MYSELF?

No, it is completely anonymous and confidential – according to SA law. You'll be viewing her donor profile that will tell you a lot about her. Also, the egg donor won't know who you are, but we can tell her a little bit about you if you agree, to make things more personal for her. Keep in mind, she's giving you the most beautiful gift.

WHAT IF THE EGG DONOR WANTS TO TRACE MY CHILD YEARS LATER?

As there is currently no egg donor registry in SA, this is not possible. To ensure that they are comfortable with what they are doing, women who donate their eggs are thoroughly evaluated psychologically. They believe that they are not giving “their children” away, but rather that they are donating their eggs just like they would donate blood to someone who needs it.

WHAT DO I TELL OTHER PEOPLE?

That is completely up to you. If you are not comfortable telling them, you don't have to say anything at all. You're going to be pregnant and you're going to give birth to this baby, and it’s your choice if you want to tell other people what a miracle it is.

Whether you tell your family and friends about your donor child is entirely up to you. Do as you feel; it is your child, and this is your decision. However, it is advisable to tell just the closest family members to avoid possible drama later.

Are you thinking about using Donor Eggs to conceive?

We understand what a challenging journey you’ve been through trying to become parents. For the majority, it’s the turbulent relationship between hope and despair. However, at some point, you may have to accept that you need help and that the answer lies in an egg donor.

Even to admit that there’s no other alternative, is a massive step to take. And we understand that it’s exceptionally lonely because no-one seems to get what you’re going through.

We are here to help you try to fulfil your dream of becoming a parent, through it all.

What’s next?

The 6-Step Process

Below is the simple process the donor undergoes to produce sound, usable eggs for a woman who cannot use her own eggs.

1. Click the “Apply Now” button and Register your profile

2. Look through our Donor Profiles

3. Choose your Donor

4. Make payment to The Egg Donor Co

5. Donor goes for tests

6. Treatment plan at Clinic begins

POTENTIAL PARENTS FAQs

HOW DO I CHOOSE THE BEST EGG DONOR?
Conceiving through egg donation and medical fertility advances have allowed couples to build families who would not be able to do so otherwise. That is why this is such a personal decision, and what is important to one person might not be that important to someone else.There should be some baseline requirements to have in place before you are besieged with details like your egg donors eye colour and personality. At the basic level, egg donors go through a rigorous screening process for physical and mental health, family medical history, genetics and so much more. It should go without saying that the most important quality is passing this screening process. Some criteria you might think about include:
1. Appearance: height, hair color, eye color. Many donor egg recipients are interested in donors with similar physical features.
2. Personal background: education, personality, career. Does a donor’s values and personality mesh with yours?
3. Background: ethnic, religious. Again, many families look for a donor with a background that matches their own.
HOW DO I KNOW IF THIS IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Simple question, tough answer. Using donated eggs to conceive is not easy decision for anyone. By this time, couples have often gone through many unsuccessful treatments attempts already, which can be both physically and emotionally hard on both partners.Do you need more time to reflect, think, or maybe even grieve?These are questions you need to think very carefully about, and if you need help with this decision, see a psychologist who will be able to help you work through these issues.Take the necessary time to do so and go easy on yourself before making big decisions.On the other hand, some may be very ready to go on to the next step and don’t want to wait any longer.
HOW WILL I KNOW WHICH DONORS I SHOULD CONSIDER?
Trust your instinct! We have an extensive database filled with donors that want to help a loving couple or individual become parents. When looking at donor profile after profile, it can be easy to get caught up in finding someone that matches everything on your checklist. Try not to concentrate too much on one particular trait, like; height, eye colour, race, private schools, or additional features. Parents who loosely follow their checklist and select a donor ‘that feels just right’ are typically the happiest in the long run. It is important to feel a connection to your donor!We often get intended parents who do not speak English and therefore struggle to read through the donor profiles and understand them fully. Email us and let us know what is important to you – ie. skin tone, height, etc and we will send a few profiles that suit your requirements.
HOW MANY EGGS WILL I GET?
As many eggs as the donor produces in that treatment cycle – usually between 5 and 10.
HOW MANY EGGS WILL THEY TRANSFER TO MY WOMB?
Generally clinics will only put back 2 embryos – and the success rate is good.
WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE EMBRYOS THAT ARE LEFT OVER?
You have several choices if you have leftover embryos after a successful in-vitro fertilisation procedure. Some individuals opt to keep their embryos indefinitely frozen, whereas others may decide to discard their unused embryos once their family is complete. The surplus embryos may also be donated for scientific research or to another family, such as other people or couples who are experiencing infertility.The field of assisted reproduction is constantly growing, and embryos donated to scientific research allow us to find out more about fertility and reproductive medicine.
WILL THERE EVER BE ANY CONTACT BETWEEN THE EGG DONOR AND MYSELF?
No, it is completely anonymous and confidential – according to SA law. You’ll be viewing her donor profile that will tell you a lot about her. Also, the egg donor won’t know who you are, but we can tell her a little bit about you if you agree, to make things more personal for her. Keep in mind, she’s giving you the most beautiful gift.
WHAT IF THE EGG DONOR WANTS TO TRACE MY CHILD YEARS LATER?
As there is currently no egg donor registry in SA, this is not possible. To ensure that they are comfortable with what they are doing, women who donate their eggs are thoroughly evaluated psychologically. They believe that they are not giving “their children” away, but rather that they are donating their eggs just like they would donate blood to someone who needs it.
WHAT DO I TELL OTHER PEOPLE?
That is completely up to you. If you are not comfortable telling them, you don’t have to say anything at all. You’re going to be pregnant and you’re going to give birth to this baby, and it’s your choice if you want to tell other people what a miracle it is.
DO I TELL MY CHILD?
Whether you tell your family and friends about your donor child is entirely up to you. Do as you feel; it is your child, and this is your decision. However, it is advisable to tell just the closest family members to avoid possible drama later.
CAN I CHOOSE MY OWN CLINIC?
Yes, absolutely.