What to Expect During Egg Donation

If you’re considering becoming an egg donor, you may want more information on what to expect before you submit an application. From the exact steps you'll follow on your journey to the details of the process – we've put together this handy guide to help explain the egg donation process. Read more about what to expect on your egg donation journey today.

What happens once I apply? 

Once you submit your application to be an egg donor via our website or social channels, your application will be passed along to our friendly Donor Programme Assistants, Steph and Olivia – who will contact you via email and confirm you’re happy to schedule an initial chat about your application and questions you might have.

They'll run you through the process and explain everything you need to know about donation – from the timeframe, medical and legal implications, and what compensation you'll receive. We want to make sure you are fully informed and comfortable with all aspects of egg donation before your application moves forward.

Once we've explained everything to you in more detail, we can book you in for your first appointments at the clinic. We genuinely value our egg donors and the gift they provide. It's part of why we go to such lengths to ensure our donors are comfortable throughout their journey with us.  We prioritise your wellbeing and so encourage you to ask questions about any aspect of the donation journey.

Liz Johnson, Donation Team Manager, said: "We can't express sincerely enough the impact egg donation has on the lives of people who need donor eggs to create their families and just how valuable a gift our donors provide them with. Our egg donors help countless patients overcome heartache every single year.

Although the attitude towards egg donation has changed so much to where it is now widely accepted, what has stayed the same is our respect and admiration for our donors. That's why we ensure our donors are well looked after and wholly supported throughout their fertility journey."

Egg Donor Tests & Screenings

When you apply to become an egg donor, one of the most important factors we consider before progressing your application is whether you are physically fit and healthy enough to donate. This starts with a BMI check to ensure you are between the recommended range of 19-35.

We also perform some tests to ensure you are clear of any nicotine, as you need to stop using any nicotine-based products for at least three months before you start the donation process. You'll undergo blood tests to check for any viral conditions or infections, like STIs, and to measure your Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) levels. As part of the process, you'll also have a transvaginal ultrasound to gain an estimate of your antral follicle count. Your ultrasound results and an AMH blood test will let us know your ovarian reserve – which will give us a better idea of how you might respond to treatment.

As part of the donation process, Steph or Olivia will guide you through how to complete your detailed family medical history, a process you can read more about here, and arrange your initial appointments. 

Donor Implications Counselling

Before you’re ready to donate, you’ll also receive implications counselling, where one of our expert counsellors will walk you through the legal and emotional aspects of the egg donation process.  Our donors use the counselling session as an opportunity to discuss and explore the donation process in more detail.

As all our counsellors have lots of experience working with egg donors, they're more than equipped to guide you through this stage and offer any advice. 

We hold our counselling sessions virtually, meaning you can attend from the comfort of your own home. You can attend your counselling session with your partner too. Learn more about why we offer counselling during egg donation on our blog.

Writing my pen picture

Pen pictures are a vital part of crafting your egg donor profile. As we can't show egg recipients a photograph of a potential donor, due to donor anonymity laws, the pen picture is a written description of yourself that a potential parent can read to help them find their donor match.

We ask you to write a pen picture, as it helps recipients build an idea of who you are and helps them connect with you as a person. It’s an opportunity to tell someone all about your skin tone, hair and eye colour. But to also discuss your culture, career and hobbies, as knowing what you value and what you enjoy can be just as important as your appearance to many recipients.

In our experience, this process comes naturally to most egg donors, but our team is on hand to help you think of things to include and provide an example profile for reference if you're struggling. 

What is an egg collection?

The egg collection, or egg retrieval, procedure is one of the final steps in your donation journey. During the process, one of our expert consultants uses ultrasound guidance to collect eggs directly from the follicles in your ovaries.

Your eggs are then taken straight to our state-of-the-art laboratory to be prepared for future fertility treatments!

By the time you're ready for your egg collection, you'll already be familiar with the team and the clinic - so you'll know precisely who and what to expect when you arrive on the day.

If you'd like more information on the egg collection, such as what happens in the days before or what you may feel like after, read everything you need on our blog.

How much will I be compensated?

All UK-based egg donors receive the same compensation for their donation, which is currently £985. This compensation should be used to cover any expenses accrued during the donation process, such as travelling to and from the clinic or childcare if you are a parent. 

Where should I start?

Our team always say we've heard every question at least once, and none are silly, so if you'd like to get in touch for more information on the process, contact Steph and Olivia from our dedicated donation team at 0161 300 2734. Or, if you're ready to begin your egg donor journey, apply online today.