1. First the donor must complete an application online and be added to our password protected donor database. Intended Parents will look at this database to choose a donor from. Once you are chosen, the process below begins.

2. The first thing that you will receive will be the legal contract. You will have a fertility attorney representing you during this process who will go over everything and explain everything to you. At this time she can also make any necessary changes. The Intended Parents will cover the cost of your attorney for you.

3. The first step is going thru the screening process to assure that you can be a donor. The screening process entails blood tests to test you for STDs, Hormone Levels, and Genetic Diseases. An OB/GYN exam and visit will be conducted where cervical cultures will taken to test for Ureaplasma, STDs, and a Pap may be done. A transvaginal ultrasound will be conducted to assure that your ovaries, cervix, uterus, etc. look good and healthy. You will have a psychological screening. You may be asked to have a drug test. All of these screenings will be conducted promptly at a local clinic near you unless the Intended Parents are using a clinic that requires you to travel to them. If this is the case, we will arrange for you to travel for 1-2 days to have these tests completed. The Intended Parents are responsible for these travel expenses.

4. Once you have passed all screening tests and have signed the legal contract, you will begin the donation process. You will begin injectible medication. About 1 week after the start of injections, the donor will have a period. She will then go in for another transvaginal ultrasound and then will begin follicle stimulation hormone, which will encourage the eggs to begin growing. This medication is usually taken for 7-12 days. During this time, the donor will be closely watched to determine when she may be ready for retrieval.

5. When the physician determines that it is time for the retrieval the donor will be given instructions to be given the HCG injection. This injection prepares the donors ovaries to release the follicles. This shot should be given at an exact time as instructed by the physician. Timing is extremely important!!

6. The retrieval is scheduled for 36-40 hours after the HCG injection is given. During the retrieval, the donor will usually be under light anesthesia via an IV and the eggs are retrieved from the donor's ovaries via a "vacuuming procedure." Basically, a small needle is inserted through the vaginal wall into the ovaries and the eggs are vacuumed from each follicle. While under anesthesia, the donor will not feel anything during the procedure. The entire procedure itself takes only 15-30 minutes.

7. After the eggs are retrieved, they are combined with the Intended Father's sperm and later implanted into the Intended Mother's uterus.

8. The donor will usually stay in the doctor's office for 1-2 hours to recover and then is released and sent home. She will not be able to drive so a companion will be necessary. She will likely go home and rest for the remainder of the day. She may experience some mild cramping or light bleeding.

9. The donor will receive her compensation as soon as the agency is advised that the donor has completed the retrieval. Usually donors can resume regular activity the next day as long as they don't do strenuous exercise.