Donor Egg Program
Overview for Potential Egg Donors

The following is a description of the donor egg screening and selection process.
Initially, to qualify as a donor the following criteria should be met:

• The donor must be between the ages of 21 and 34
• The donor should be in good health
• The donor must have private health insurance coverage (Medicaid is not recognized)
• Although evidence of a prior successful pregnancy in the donor is preferable, it is not essential.

Each potential donor will be asked to complete the Egg Donor Screening Form . Please return it as soon as possible to:

Arkansas Fertility and Gynecology Associates
Donor Oocyte Program
Attn:  Sarah Humphries, APN, MNSc
9101 Kanis Rd., Suite 300
Little Rock, AR 72205

One of the IVF physicians will review the donor applicant records. After review of the medical history forms, if the physician feels the applicant meets the criteria for our donor egg program the screening process will continue. This includes the following:

• Proof of private health insurance
• Initial visit with the Nurse Coordinator
• Instructions by the nurse on how to administer the fertility drugs the donor will take during the active cycle.
• Complete a physical exam with the physician. This will include a pelvic exam, pelvic ultrasound, cervical cultures and lab work that includes screening for sexually transmitted diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS.
• If the donor is sexually active, her partner will also need to be screened for hepatitis and AIDS.
• A psychological evaluation of the potential donor.
• Review and sign consent forms

Upon completion of this screening process, the physician will review all of the medical and psychological test results and make a final recommendation regarding the suitability of the donor applicant.

The following briefly describes the process you will be asked to undergo during your active egg donor cycle:

• The fertility drugs are injected subcutaneously into the abdomen to stimulate the ovaries to develop multiple follicles. This medication is given for approximately 8-10 days.
• Frequent early morning office visits for vaginal ultrasounds and blood tests to monitor the response of your ovaries to the fertility drugs.
• When the ultrasound and blood tests indicate the eggs are mature, you will undergo a minor surgical procedure to retrieve the eggs. The eggs are retrieved transvaginally under ultrasound guidance. This procedure is performed under intravenous (IV) conscious sedation in our office. Hospitalization and general anesthesia are not required. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and is usually done in the morning. You will be sent home 1-2 hours after the procedure.
• The eggs will then be fertilized with the sperm from the husband of the recipient woman.
• You can expect that you will start a period approximately 2 weeks after the eggs are retrieved.

After a completed cycle, the donor will receive financial compensation for her participation in the donor egg program. The amount of the compensation will be discussed with the donor in advance of starting the cycle. There will be no expense to the potential donors. If you are still interested in our program, please complete the donor history forms and return them to us. Once your history has been reviewed you will be contacted by our office.

If you would like more information, you may call us at 501-801-1200 to leave a message in the voicemail system, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.