Become a Donor Egg Recipient

DONOR EGG RECIPIENT APPLICATION

LIST OF EGG DONOR PROFILES

To become a recipient of egg donation at NCCRM, the process involves medical and psychological evaluations to ensure eligibility. Recipients undergo hormone therapy to prepare their uterine lining for embryo transfer. The couple selects donor candidates based on personal preferences and medical compatibility from an extensive profile list. Once a match is found, the donor and recipient are monitored throughout the cycle, and embryo transfer is scheduled. The entire process is confidential, and the recipients are supported with thorough education and guidance throughout their journey.

The Application

To be considered for admission to this program, the recipient is requested to send the following materials to the attention of the Donor Oocyte Nurse Coordinator:

1. The downloadable questionnaire is completed in its entirety.
2. A photograph of the husband and wife.
3. Pertinent information from her gynecologist:
   • X-rays and films of the uterus and tubes (hysterosalpingogram)
   • Operative notes of any past surgical procedures, including laparoscopies
   • Results of endometrial biopsies
   • Gynecologist’s final diagnosis of the condition requiring oocyte donation
   • Infectious disease testing of husband’s sperm before storage of backup sperm sample for cryopreservation. (Required by FDA)

Medical Evaluations

Before receiving an egg donation, several medical evaluations are required to ensure the best chance of success. These tests ensure both the recipient and the future pregnancy are well-supported. These include:

• Comprehensive Medical History Review: This assesses overall health and identifies underlying conditions that could affect pregnancy. The recipient should have a normal uterus or a uterine abnormality that can be treated and corrected.
• Hormonal Testing: To evaluate the functioning of reproductive hormones and uterine receptivity.
• Ultrasound and Uterine Evaluation: To examine the health and thickness of the uterine lining.
• Infectious Disease Screening: To test for diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted infections.
• Genetic Testing: To rule out potential genetic concerns.
• Semen Analysis: The recipient’s husband should have a semen analysis adequate for assisted reproduction procedures.

Psychological Evaluations for Egg Donation Recipients

Psychological evaluations are vital to the egg donation, ensuring recipients are emotionally prepared for the journey ahead. These evaluations, conducted by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist, explore the emotional, relational, and ethical implications of using donor eggs to build a family. They help the couple understand the potential challenges they may face, such as feelings about using a donor, discussing the process with their future child, and managing expectations. This step ensures mental and emotional well-being throughout the experience.

Donor Selection

The donor selection process is designed to match the recipient’s needs and preferences with a suitable egg donor. Recipients typically review donor profiles with detailed information such as physical characteristics, medical history, education, and background. Some factors recipients consider include physical traits that align with their family, health history, and sometimes personality traits. The clinical team also ensures medical compatibility between the donor and recipient to increase the chances of success. Confidentiality is maintained throughout the process to protect both parties. This careful matching helps create the best possible outcome for the recipient’s journey to parenthood.

Ovarian Function

If the recipient has active ovarian function, her ovaries will be medically suppressed. For recipients without ovarian function, this treatment is not necessary.

Uterine Lining Preparation

Before an embryo transfer, hormone therapy is used to prepare the uterine lining for implantation. This typically involves taking estrogen to thicken the lining and progesterone to help it mature, creating an optimal environment for the embryo. The timing and dosage of these medications are carefully monitored through blood tests and ultrasounds. Hormone therapy ensures the uterus is synchronized with the embryo’s development, increasing the chances of successful implantation and pregnancy. Your doctor will tailor the treatment to your specific needs.

Insemination

The recipient and her husband should plan to arrive in Cary the day before the donor’s egg retrieval. This ensures a fresh semen sample is available to fertilize the donor’s oocytes. The sperm sample must be provided 4–5 hours before insemination or approximately 2 hours after the egg retrieval. The husband will receive detailed instructions on how to collect the semen sample properly. To address potential challenges, such as stress-related difficulty during collection or the inability to be present at the time of retrieval, a backup semen sample will be cryopreserved in advance.

Anonymously Donated Sperm

The use of anonymously donated sperm to achieve pregnancy has been a common practice in the United States for many years. Advances in reproductive medicine, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and embryo transfer have enabled the development of programs utilizing donated oocytes (eggs). We work with anonymous and known donors at the North Carolina Center for Reproductive Medicine (NCCRM). The evaluation and treatment process is the same for both donor types, ensuring consistent care and outcomes.

Maturation and Fertilization of the Oocytes

The oocytes are inseminated with the recipient’s husband’s sperm. The embryos obtained are cultured for approximately five days before being transferred into the recipient’s uterus.

How to Prepare for Embryo Transfer

Preparing for embryo transfer involves both physical and emotional readiness. Here are the key steps:

1. Follow the Medication Protocol: Stick to your prescribed hormone treatments as directed by your doctor to prepare the uterine lining for embryo implantation.
2. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Focus on a nutritious diet, moderate exercise, and avoid alcohol, smoking, or other harmful substances.
3. Manage Stress: Incorporate relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga to reduce stress.
4. Rest and Hydrate: Ensure you’re well-rested and hydrated before the transfer day.
5. Attend Appointments: Go to all scheduled monitoring visits for bloodwork and ultrasounds.

Transfer of Fertilized Oocytes into the Recipient

The transfer is accomplished using a small catheter. The procedure, which is usually simple and painless, is performed without anesthesia under ultrasound guidance. Therefore, you will be asked to come to the transfer with a full bladder. The recipient lies on her back in the operating room adjacent to the embryology laboratory where the embryo has been prepared. The recipient remains in bed in the center for 30 minutes, then returns to her lodging and remains in bed for 24 hours. Following the transfer, implantation may occur, and a pregnancy may ensue. However, as in natural reproduction, many fertilized oocytes do not survive.

Post-Transfer Care for the Recipient

The recipient may return home one to two days after the embryo transfer and will continue with hormonal support. The recipient’s husband or another qualified individual can administer these hormone injections. Hormonal support should be maintained at least until the pregnancy test is conducted two weeks after the transfer. If the pregnancy test is positive, hormonal support will continue for ten weeks. Women who achieve pregnancy will then be referred to their obstetrician/gynecologist for ongoing prenatal care.

Embryo Sex Selection

In North Carolina, gender selection through IVF is available and primarily done through a process called Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) or Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS). This involves testing embryos for their chromosomal content before implantation, allowing the selection of male (XY) or female (XX) embryos. The primary goal of this process is often to ensure the embryos are free of genetic disorders, but it can also be used for family balancing or sex selection.

While gender selection is legal and available in North Carolina, it’s essential to consult with your fertility specialist to fully understand the ethical considerations, costs, and whether it’s the right option for your family. NCCRM offers this service as part of our fertility treatments when suitable.

Costs

As the donor is compensated for participating in the program, you will be responsible for covering her expenses, including the cost of her treatment leading up to egg retrieval. NCCRM operates on a cash-only basis and cannot extend credit. We accept payments via check, cashier’s check, or Mastercard/Visa credit card. You will be asked to coordinate payment arrangements with our financial counselor during your first visit. For detailed information about program costs, please get in touch with NCCRM’s financial office.

Additional Information

All medical matters should be discussed directly with the attending physicians. The program is overseen by Dr. Sameh Toma, MD, the Medical Director of NCCRM. The Donor Oocyte Nurse Coordinator can assist with any questions about the program and can be reached at 1-800-933-7202.

During the screening process, both the donor and recipient will receive consent forms that provide detailed information about the procedure, ensuring clarity and understanding of the process.