Egg Donation at RMA of Connecticut

Human egg donation has played a successful role in assisted reproduction in the United States since the early 1980s. From their inception, egg donation programs like the one at Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut have brought together two groups of women to achieve a successful pregnancy: egg recipients (those who receive eggs) and egg donors (those who donate their eggs).

Egg Recipients

Egg recipients are women who want to conceive, carry and give birth to a child but are unable to do so because of an unresolved medical issue. There are several reasons why this may happen and why a woman may choose to become an egg (oocyte) recipient. Sometimes a woman is unable to conceive because she cannot produce healthy eggs. Other medical or physiological conditions that lead a woman to become an egg recipient include unsuccessful superovulation therapies, the early onset of natural menopause or surgically-induced menopause, and premature ovarian failure and repetitive failures with in vitro fertilization (IVF). Women who carry certain genetic disorders may also want to consider being a donor egg recipient. In all these cases, the Donor Egg Recipient Program at RMACT can help recipients achieve their dream of giving birth to a healthy baby.

Recipients of donated eggs and their partners are screened and tested early on in the egg donation process and must meet certain requirements. Medical and psychological evaluations administered by RMACT help us to educate the recipient about the process and to determine whether egg donation is the best treatment option for them. Egg recipients and their partners are counseled about the donor screening process and the egg donation protocol, including synchronization of cycles and the IVF procedure. Psychological counseling is available to the couple on an ongoing basis throughout the process.

Egg Donors

Egg donors are women who want to help other women become mothers by providing half the genetic material needed – their eggs. These women could be called generous or altruistic, but at RMACT we call them “Dreammakers” because they help make another woman’s dream of experiencing pregnancy and the birth of a healthy baby come true.

About Egg Donation

There are two basic types of egg donors – identified and anonymous – and both are available at RMACT. Identified egg donation uses eggs from a donor who is known to the recipient; she may be a family member, friend, or an egg donor chosen specifically by the recipient through an outside agency. Anonymous egg donation uses eggs donated by a carefully-screened and recruited donor whose identity is not revealed to the recipient. Anonymous egg donors and donors chosen from outside agencies are compensated for their significant commitment of time and effort throughout the donation cycle.

Like egg recipients, egg donors must be screened prior to being accepted into our program. This process includes medical, genetic and psychological evaluations. Potential anonymous egg donors, who must be between the ages of 21 and 32, are screened according to guidelines recommended by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the United States Food and Drug Administration. We require similar screening of identified egg donors.

Egg donor candidates fill out a questionnaire reviewing their medical and family histories and social habits, all of which are subsequently reviewed by the Nurse Manger, Clinical Coordinator and the Medical Director to determine the donor’s suitability and ascertain potential risk for significant medical or genetic disorders. Potential donors also undergo various tests to assure good medical health, including a physical exam by one of our physicians or physician assistants, as well as laboratory and genetic testing.

The potential egg donor and her partner (if applicable) are then invited to meet with our team to learn why women need egg donors, the process used for egg donation, and the emotional, psychosocial, ethical and legal issues that pertain to egg donation. This counseling is important to evaluate the egg donor’s well-being and level of comfort with the unique stresses of being a donor.

Women interested in becoming donors can download a questionnaire from this website, email us, or call (203) 750-7407 for more information about egg donation in CT.

Egg Donor Confidentiality

At RMACT, we take great care to preserve the confidentiality and anonymity (when required) of both the donor and the recipient. Both parties may remain anonymous, if desired, with each agreeing not to seek information about the other.