Egg donation procedure: a step-by-step guide for donors

If you’re considering egg donation, first of all – congratulations! Choosing to donate your eggs and helping someone start or extend their family is one of the most wonderful and selfless things you can do. You just can’t put into words the positive impact it can have on somebody’s life.

However, it’s also a big decision to make. While you might feel excited to get started, it’s important to understand exactly what’s involved before moving forward. 

In this guide, we will walk you through each step of egg donation, answering some of the most commonly asked questions. 

What is egg donation?

Egg donation is a process that uses part of the in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedure to collect eggs from your ovaries. However, instead of using these eggs for your own treatment, they are donated to somebody else, offering them the opportunity to either start or grow their family. 

Some women choose to donate their eggs to someone they know, such as a friend or family member who may not be able to conceive with their own eggs. Others donate simply for the pure joy of helping someone they have never met become pregnant. 

Some women also opt to donate their eggs as part of an egg-sharing scheme. For those who are already having IVF treatment, becoming an egg sharer allows them to donate some of their eggs to another woman in exchange for a heavily discounted IVF treatment package.   

Egg donation can also be done for other reasons, such as supporting fertility research, training purposes or no longer needing eggs that are frozen or in storage. 

Whatever your reason might be, choosing to donate your eggs is a selfless and altruistic act – one that allows you to help another woman in a way that feels right for you.

Who can donate their eggs?

If you’d like to become an egg donor with us at Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic, you’ll need to meet the following criteria: 

• Be between the ages of 18 and 35 years old
• Be a non-smoker
• Have a body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 30
• Be fit and healthy, with no family history of hereditary illnesses or diseases

As part of the egg donation process, we’ll carefully check your eligibility to give your egg recipient the best possible chance of having a healthy baby. This involves carrying out certain screening tests to assess your fertility and ensure there is no risk of passing on any serious medical conditions to the recipient or baby. 

Don’t worry – our friendly team will guide you through the process, making sure you’re fully informed about what to expect at every step. 

Egg donation: how the process works

To become an egg donor, there are a number of steps you’ll need to complete. Here’s what to expect:

Step 1: Arrange an appointment

The first step is to get in touch with our team to express your interest in donating your eggs. We will then arrange an appointment at a time that suits you, where we will explain the process in more detail and answer any questions you might have. 

During this first appointment, we’ll ask for some personal information, which will help us learn more about you. Some of these details may be shared with hopeful parents and donor-conceived children once they reach 18 years of age. We’ll explain which information is shared and how the process works, so you’ll always be well-informed. 

Step 2: Give your consent 

If you’re happy to go ahead with the egg donation process, we will need to receive written consent from you beforehand. Your decision is always your own, and you can change your mind at any time up until your eggs are used in somebody else’s fertility treatment. 

Step 3: Initial fertility screening and health tests

Once you’re ready to move forward, we will carry out a few tests across separate appointments to confirm you’re a suitable candidate. 

Some of the tests you’ll receive will include: 

• Fertility Health + Wellbeing assessment – involves taking a detailed medical history and running blood tests to assess your hormone levels, risk of infectious diseases and genetic background 

• Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) assessment – a blood test used to measure your ovarian reserve, giving us an idea of how many eggs you have available

• Ultrasound scan – a simple scan to check the health of your ovaries and womb

• Counselling appointment – high-level support to talk through your mental wellbeing, address any questions or concerns you might have and ensure you understand the emotional aspects of donating your eggs

After completing each of these health assessments, you will have an appointment with one of our fertility specialists. They will review your results and determine your suitability for egg donation. 

If you’re suitable, we’ll work closely with you to find the best time for the donation process to take place.

Step 4: Start the IVF process

Before you donate your eggs, you’ll have an appointment with a nurse who will explain the details of the procedure. This is your opportunity to ask any remaining questions and gain complete peace of mind that you know what to expect. 

The egg donation process is exactly the same as the early stages of IVF. First, we will perform an initial scan of your ovaries to ensure everything is in order, and repeat the screening blood tests for confirmation. 

Once you’re cleared to proceed, you will begin taking follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) injections to encourage the development of multiple follicles, each of which may contain eggs. 

Depending on your medical history, we may need to suppress your hormones before stimulating your ovaries. This could involve using a nasal spray or another form of injection. 

Normally, your body only produces one mature egg each month but for your egg donation, we need to encourage your ovaries to produce more. To do this, we’ll administer medications to help stimulate your ovaries and monitor your fertility cycle. 

Throughout this stimulation phase, we will perform regular blood tests and ultrasound scans to monitor your response to the medication, making adjustments as needed. 

We will also provide you with clear instructions on how and when to take each type of medication.

Step 5: Egg retrieval and collection

We will use ultrasound scans to monitor the growth of your follicles. Once your doctor determines they have reached the optimal size, you’ll receive what’s known as a human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) injection to help them mature. This typically happens a few days before the egg retrieval procedure. 

The egg collection itself will be performed under sedation or general anaesthesia, and the procedure normally takes approximately half an hour.

During the procedure, your doctor will use a fine needle, guided by ultrasound, to gently remove the mature eggs from your ovaries. Once collected, the eggs will either be used ‘fresh’ to create embryos that same day or frozen and stored for future use.  

Step 6: Aftercare, recovery and counselling 

After the egg retrieval procedure, you’ll be given time to rest and recover before heading home. It’s normal to feel a little sore or bruised afterwards, so we may recommend certain pain relief to help with your comfort. 

In the days that follow, we’ll check in with you to see how you’re feeling. If you notice any unusual symptoms or have concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us for further advice. 

We also offer counselling after your egg donation to ensure you continue to feel fully supported throughout your recovery. Our team is always available to provide guidance whenever you need it. 

Why choose Bourn Hall for egg donation

At Bourn Hall, our egg donor service offers dedicated support from a small team of experts. Every egg donated to us will only ever be used by applicable recipients and handled with the utmost care by our team. 

We never sell the eggs we receive to other providers and, as part of our service, you’ll receive unparalleled access to a whole range of benefits: 

• A dedicated team of specialists 
• High-quality in-house egg bank
• No waiting list
• Fast-track screening service 
• Expertise founded by the pioneers of IVF
• Decades of fertility expertise
• Regular engagement calls

If you’d like to learn more about our egg donation process, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our friendly team will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have. 

Alternatively, feel free to explore some of our most frequently asked questions below. 

FAQs about egg donation

Does egg donation affect my fertility?

No, choosing to donate your eggs shouldn’t impact your future fertility or interfere with your plans to have children later on. 

In fact, by undergoing our Fertility Health + Wellbeing assessment, you’ll gain valuable insights about your own fertility, which could help shape your future plans. 

Is the procedure painful? 

While the egg retrieval process will involve a minor surgical procedure, any discomfort you experience should be minimal. 

As with any surgery, there is a small risk of bleeding or infection. However, please rest assured that our team will do all they can to support you and ensure your complete comfort and safety. 

Can I donate more than once? 

Yes, you can donate your eggs multiple times. According to UK regulations, an egg donor can help create up to ten families. 

Will the child know who I am? 

Yes, when a child conceived using an egg donor turns 18, they can find out your name and any other identifying information through the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). However, before that age, they will only have access to non-identifying details.