Becoming an egg donor is a wonderful gift—offering families, couples, and individuals who have struggled with infertility the opportunity to have the baby they’ve always dreamed of. Yet, before donating, you may wonder how the whole process works. Do the recipients know who you are? Can you remain anonymous?
As an anonymous egg donor, your selfless act is protected by donor confidentiality. However, this isn’t the only type of egg donation. So, let’s take a closer look at the different types of egg donors and how exactly anonymous egg donation works. What should you know before starting this process?
What Are The Different Types Of Egg Donations?
Generally, there are four different types of egg donations, including anonymous egg donation known egg donation, semi-open egg donation, and open egg donation. Each type involves a different level of anonymity. In the following sections, we take a closer look at each one.
Anonymous Egg Donor
With anonymous egg donation, legal consent is signed by both you (the donor) and the recipient for the purpose of confidentiality. This means that identifiable information is not disclosed to the intended parents, allowing you to maintain your privacy now and in the future.
Known Egg Donor
A known egg donor is usually a close friend, relative, or family member. In fact, many intended parents may find comfort in using donor eggs from someone close to them. Usually, the topic is breached privately amongst you and those close to you. Once in agreement, you must follow the same procedures and testing required for all other egg donors.
Semi-Open Egg Donation
Semi-open egg donation involves some information passing between you and the intended parents, meaning it’s neither anonymous nor fully transparent. In many ways, it offers a middle ground between anonymous egg donation and open egg donation.
Depending on the agreement, egg donor information shared may include certain details from your donor profile. However, usually, they won’t know your full name, address, or contact information. Typically, there is also a third party, such as a lawyer or agency, who is in charge of the sharing of any information.
Open Egg Donation
An open egg donation involves open and direct communication between you and the intended parents. The parents and child (once they reach 18 years of age) will also have your information. You may also meet the intended parents before or after the baby is born.
Yet, it’s important to note this may look different for everyone. While the intended parents know who you are, they will often lead the way on how much communication you have and what the relationship involves.
How Does Anonymous Egg Donation Work?
As previously mentioned, anonymous egg donation involves the protection of your identity. This means you undergo the egg donation process with no knowledge of the intended parents, and the intended parents also agree to your anonymity. As an egg donor, depending on your location, you may also be entitled to some form of compensation. In the following sections, we explore what the anonymous egg donation process involves in further detail.
Choosing An Anonymous Egg Donation
Deciding to be an anonymous egg donor allows you to maintain your privacy and life as it is while also providing couples or individuals in need with the opportunity to expand their families.
It all starts with all the necessary medical testing to ensure you are an ideal candidate for egg donation. You must be in good health, not have any infectious diseases, or have any genetic disorders. After the necessary forms are signed for confidentiality, you follow the same process as any other egg donor. This usually involves eight different appointments across three to five weeks, where medication is taken to prepare your body for the egg retrieval process.
Egg Donor Information
With anonymous egg donations, the intended parents are usually not given any of their personal information. Usually, such as with ELITE IVF, the agency involved retains your personal info. The intended parents also sign a confidentiality agreement and are only given non-identifiable information.
Fresh Vs Frozen Donor Eggs
Fresh donor eggs mean that your eggs are used by the intended parents right away, which is typically within two to three months. In contrast, frozen donor eggs involve the retrieval of the eggs, then the freezing of them, which are then thawed when they are ready to be used.
Either way, becoming an anonymous egg donor is an exceptionally selfless act. When you donate, you provide hope for many families and individuals. Give the gift of egg donation, and start the process today. At ELITE IVF, our caring and compassionate team will guide you every step of the way.
