Choosing an egg donor is no small decision. It is an incredibly personal one that can vary greatly depending on you, your family, and your future. While exploring our database for the right donor is an incredibly exciting experience for parents, it can also be overwhelming to make such an important choice. We always advise our Intended Parents to take plenty of time to consider and discuss their options whilst choosing an egg donor. This is part of why we have made our egg donor database entirely available online—so that parents can look through their options from the comfort of their own homes and on their own schedules.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by choosing an egg donor, please get in contact with our team. We will be able to provide support and help guide you through this big decision. In the meantime, we have written some questions that we are often asked from parents whilst choosing an egg donor. We hope our answer provides some clarity!
How to Find My Egg Donor “Mother?”
Notice that we’ve put the word “mother” in quotes? That’s because an egg donor is not legally the mother of a coming baby, despite the biological connection. You (and, if applicable, your partner) are legally the child’s parent(s.) This is legally the case whether or not your baby has any genetic ties to you— prior to egg implantation and pregnancy, you will develop and sign a comprehensive document ensuring (among other things,) that you will obtain full parentage rights as soon as the baby is born. This means that your child’s birth certificate will not list your egg donor as their mother.
Now that we have that distinction out of the way, let’s discuss how to find your egg donor. While there are several ways to go about this, we believe that the best way to do so is through a reputable agency. This will not only ensure that you find an egg donor who meets all legal donor requirements, but will enable your family to receive support throughout this exciting but complex experience.
Will a Donor Egg Have my DNA?
No, it won’t. The DNA of your donor egg will be made up entirely of your donor’s DNA, even if you carry and deliver the baby. However, many families use sperm from an Intended Father, rather than a sperm donor, to fertilize a donor egg. In these cases, the embryo will be comprised of both donor DNA and the DNA of an Intended Parent. The babies born from these embryos will be biologically related to the parent whose sperm fertilized the donor egg.
DNA is a big reason that Intended Parents prefer to use a database like ours to select an egg donor. Our database is incredibly comprehensive— you’ll be able to read about potential donors’ unique circumstances, including biological aspects, like family and medical history. This can help parents make a more informed decision.
Are There Egg Donor Clinics Near Me?
Great news— egg donation is a popular and well-regarded procedure across the United States, Canada and Mexico. This means that, yes, you are indeed very likely to encounter some resources for finding an egg donor in any city or town in these countries. However, we recommend embarking on your egg donor journey through an assisted reproductive agency rather than a donor clinic.
Agencies won’t only have a database of egg donors to choose from—they will have all the resources you’ll need to navigate this process, like contacts for reputable legal and IVF services. An agency will also be able to facilitate a surrogacy agreement if it’s something that your family requires. Best of all, an agency like Extraordinary Conceptions allows for Intended Parents to access their entire database, not just a local one. This allows families to find a perfect match for their needs, rather than the best local option.
What is the Egg Donor Process Like for Parents
The egg donor process is involved, but it’s also fairly straightforward. We’ve broken it down into six steps:
1.) Register With Extraordinary Conceptions
This can be done online, at your own convenience.
2.) Consider Personal Needs
Before browsing our database, consider everything you are hoping to find in a donor—it will help you feel confident in your decision down the line.
3.) Browse the EC Database
Our profiles come with extensive information and a selection of photographs, so you can get a clear image of what your potential donor is like.
4.) Meet and Match With a Donor
When a profile seems like a good fit, let us know. We can facilitate a call for you to meet and see if you click.
5.) Legal Contracts
After matching, your egg donor will undergo a few weeks of medical and psychological screening. Once she’s been cleared, you will each work with your respective attorneys to develop a legal contract surrounding the terms of your arrangement.
6.) Egg Implantation
After contracts have been signed, your donor will spend several weeks preparing for her egg retrieval through daily medications and professional monitoring. Once her eggs have been retrieved, it’s time for your implantation procedure. This will be done at your local clinic of choice.
Let’s Get Started!
If you have any questions about egg donation, please get in touch with the Extraordinary Conceptions team at your convenience. We are here to support you through every step of this exciting time for your family—we are honored to be a part of your story!
