INTRODUCTION
Many individuals and couples face challenges when trying to conceive. Advances in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have offered solutions, including in vitro fertilization (IVF). While some can conceive using their own eggs and sperm, others rely on donor sperm or, increasingly, egg donation. Egg donation provides a path to pregnancy for women whose ovaries do not produce healthy eggs.
You might be reading this guide because you saw an advertisement for egg donors or were approached by someone you know about donation. If so, it’s crucial to thoroughly understand the process and its implications before making a decision. Becoming an egg donor is a significant choice that requires careful consideration.
This guide aims to provide prospective egg donors with unbiased information. It highlights important issues to consider and questions to ask before deciding if egg donation is right for you. It is adapted from a guidebook created by the New York State Task Force on Life and the Law, an expert body established in 1985 to address ethical and policy issues arising from medical advancements. This task force, comprising experts in law, medicine, ethics, and related fields, developed this resource after extensive research and interviews to ensure potential donors are fully informed.
WHO CAN BECOME AN EGG DONOR?
Not every woman can donate eggs. While specific program criteria vary, certain standards are generally consistent. Some rules are legally mandated, while others are designed to maximize pregnancy success and ensure safety for both the donor and the recipient.
Age is a primary factor. Egg donors are typically required to be between 21 and 35 years old. The lower age limit ensures legal contract capacity, while the upper limit is based on the understanding that older women may respond less effectively to fertility medications. Furthermore, eggs from older women have a higher chance of chromosomal abnormalities, potentially lowering pregnancy rates and increasing the risk of birth defects.
Some programs prefer donors who have previously given birth or successfully donated eggs. This preference is based on the belief that these women are more likely to be fertile, and their prior experience may offer insights into their emotional preparedness for egg donation.
WHAT DOES EGG DONATION INVOLVE?
The process of becoming an egg donor involves several steps, starting with application and screening. If you apply to become an egg donor, you will undergo multiple medical evaluations. These typically include:
- Physical and Gynecological Exam: A comprehensive health assessment.
- Medical and Family History Review: To identify any potential genetic or health risks.
- Blood and Urine Tests: To screen for general health and infectious diseases.
- Psychological Evaluation: To assess emotional and psychological readiness.
- Discussion of Rights and Responsibilities: A consultation with a program representative to clarify expectations and legal aspects.
Donation proceeds only if you are accepted, matched with a recipient, and provide informed consent.
Using donated eggs involves in vitro fertilization (IVF). The process for the egg donor includes:
- Ovarian Stimulation: You will take fertility medications, often through injection, to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs. This process requires frequent medical monitoring.
- Egg Retrieval: A minor surgical procedure is performed to remove the eggs from your ovaries. This concludes your medical involvement in the cycle.
After egg retrieval, your eggs are taken to the clinic’s laboratory for fertilization with sperm from the intended father. If fertilization is successful and embryos develop, one or more embryos are transferred to the recipient’s uterus. If pregnancy occurs and a child is born, the recipient will be the child’s birth mother and legal mother, even though the child is genetically related to you.
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT ADS FOR EGG DONORS?
When responding to ads for egg donors, it’s essential to understand who is behind the advertisement. Many reputable infertility programs advertise directly to recruit egg donors for their patients. These programs typically manage all aspects of the process, including screening, matching, and medical procedures.
However, some ads are placed by egg brokers or agencies. These entities recruit donors but may not provide medical services themselves. If you contact a broker, clarify their role and responsibilities. Key questions to ask include:
- Who conducts the screening process?
- Will an infertility program repeat screening tests?
- Who is responsible for medical expenses?
- What happens in case of complications?
- How is your personal information handled?
Occasionally, ads, purportedly from specific couples, offer substantial compensation to donors with particular traits like height, athletic ability, or educational background. Be cautious of these ads. Sometimes, no actual couple is involved, and the ads are designed by brokers to build a database of potential donors. Your application information might be used in their advertising or on websites to attract recipients unless you explicitly deny permission. You might receive follow-up calls offering lower fees for other recipients, and your application information might become available online.
Remember that advertisements are designed to attract you to become an egg donor. Do not depend solely on ad details for process information. Always carefully review educational materials and consent forms provided by the program or clinic. Ask thorough questions to ensure you fully understand the process before making your decision.
HOW ARE EGG DONORS SELECTED?
If you respond to an egg donor advertisement, the program might conduct an initial phone interview or send you an application. Based on your initial responses, they may decide not to proceed with your application.
If the program deems you a potential candidate, you will be invited to the next stage of the selection process, which includes medical and psychological screening. It is crucial that the program staff thoroughly explain the procedures and risks involved in egg donation before you undergo screening. This allows you to make an informed decision about proceeding. Regardless of whether you continue with donation, you are entitled to access your medical screening results. Do not provide written consent to donate eggs before completing the screening process.
General Medical Screening: This includes a physical exam, including a pelvic exam, and blood tests to check hormone levels. Ultrasound, using sound waves to visualize pelvic organs, will be used to examine your uterus and ovaries. These tests may reveal pre-existing health issues. If any are found, inquire about treatment options, either through the program or another healthcare provider.
You will need to complete a detailed medical and psychological history for yourself and your close blood relatives. This includes questions about lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol, and drug use (prescription and illegal). Many programs conduct random drug tests during screening and the donation cycle.
Infectious Disease Screening: Transferring blood or tissue carries the risk of transmitting infections. Egg donors are screened for various infections to protect recipients.
During the pelvic exam, a cervical swab will be taken to test for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Blood tests will screen for syphilis, hepatitis B and C, and HTLV-1.
HIV testing is mandatory in New York State for egg donors. You will need to provide written consent after receiving information about the test, its implications, and confidentiality protocols.
Programs must not accept donors at high risk for HIV or other infections. New York State regulations prohibit egg donation if you have injected drugs or engaged in prostitution within the past five years. You are also ineligible if you have been diagnosed with syphilis or received acupuncture, tattoos, or body piercings without confirmed sterile procedures within the last year. Having multiple sexual partners in the last six months also disqualifies you. The program may also require HIV testing for your sexual partner(s).
Before undergoing infectious disease screening, ensure you understand the tests, how results are communicated, and what resources are available if you test positive for an infection. Seeking treatment is crucial for your health and future fertility.
Screening for Inherited Disease: Programs aim to minimize the risk of genetic disorders in children born from donated eggs. You will be required to provide a comprehensive medical history, including information about your biological parents, grandparents, siblings, and their health. This may involve working with a genetic counselor to identify:
- Birth defects requiring surgery or causing medical issues (e.g., cleft lip, spina bifida, heart defects).
- Specific genetic disorders (e.g., Huntington’s disease, hemophilia, Tay-Sachs disease, sickle cell anemia).
- Inherited diseases relevant to the recipient’s family history.
- Major medical problems, surgeries, intellectual disabilities, or psychiatric conditions in your family.
For deceased blood relatives, you’ll need to provide their age and cause of death. Some common diseases like cancer and heart disease, especially at younger ages, have genetic components.
If you lack access to this family health information (e.g., if you are adopted or family members are unable to provide it), you may not be eligible to donate.
Some programs perform extensive genetic testing on all donors, while others select tests based on individual factors or legal requirements. Testing may target genes prevalent in the donor or recipient’s ethnic background, address specific recipient family concerns, or investigate issues raised by your family history.
Genetic tests typically involve a blood sample. However, they can reveal complex information that you may need help understanding. For example, you might discover you carry a gene increasing your breast cancer risk or posing disease risks to future children. Genetic test results could also affect your insurance eligibility. Before genetic testing, clarify:
- Will you receive your results?
- Is genetic counseling available? If not, will the program provide a referral?
- Who else will receive your results (e.g., your doctor, insurance company)?
- How might results impact future insurance coverage?
Psychological Screening: Egg donation involves navigating complex ethical, emotional, and social issues. Psychological screening is designed to help you evaluate your motivations and emotional readiness.
You should have opportunities to ask questions and express concerns. Typically, you will meet with a mental health professional to discuss your life circumstances, support system, feelings about donation, and related issues. Many programs also use psychological tests.
Another goal of psychological screening is to assess your ability to comply with the demanding requirements of egg donation. Non-compliance can endanger your health and compromise the procedure’s success. Programs also aim to minimize the risk of donor regret, psychological distress, or trauma.
Before committing to donation, consider how you will feel about donating your eggs and the possibility of genetically related children. Discuss these issues with your partner, family, or a trusted friend.
Programs should offer counseling and support throughout the decision-making and donation process. Independent counseling can also be beneficial. The program should be able to refer you to a counselor specializing in infertility treatment issues. Counseling is meant to empower your informed decision, not to persuade you or make you conform to program demands.
Most donors find the process challenging, regardless of motivation. Utilize counseling services offered by the program and identify a strong support person in your life.
Religious perspectives on egg and sperm donation vary. If these views are important to you, consult a religious advisor before deciding.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommends against egg donation for women who:
- Have a serious psychological disorder.
- Abuse drugs or alcohol or have a family history of substance abuse.
- Currently use psychoactive medications.
- Experience significant life stress.
- Are in an unstable marriage or relationship.
- Have a history of physical or sexual abuse without professional treatment.
- Lack the mental capacity to understand the process.
Inform the program if close blood relatives have serious psychiatric disorders, as some conditions can be inherited.
WHAT IF I AM NOT ACCEPTED?
Rejection from an egg donation program can be emotionally challenging. Sometimes, the decision is made to protect your health or because the program determines you may find the process too demanding emotionally or time-wise. In other cases, it might simply mean a suitable recipient match hasn’t been found.
To prevent donors from dwelling on rejection reasons, some programs do not provide specific feedback. If this is the policy of the program you are applying to, ensure you are comfortable with this before proceeding with screening.
WHO WILL USE MY EGGS?
Egg donation is a treatment for women who do not produce sufficient healthy eggs but are otherwise capable of carrying a pregnancy. This can include women with ovarian dysfunction, early menopause, age-related decline in egg quality, or those who have had poor outcomes with standard IVF using their own eggs.
Less commonly, women choose donor eggs due to a heightened risk of inherited disease in their offspring. Even if the woman is healthy, she and her partner might both carry a gene for the same disease, creating a risk for their child. Egg donation from a non-carrier eliminates this risk.
The recipient profile depends on program policies. Most often, donor eggs are used by women in their late 30s or 40s trying to conceive. Donor eggs are rarely used by women under 36. Programs have varying upper age limits for recipients, with some treating women over 50.
Many programs also treat unmarried women seeking pregnancy without a male partner, who require both donor sperm and donor eggs. Some programs may match a single donor with multiple recipients.
If you have specific concerns about who might receive your eggs, discuss them with the program before agreeing to donate. Some programs allow donors to place restrictions on egg use, but no program can guarantee exactly how your eggs will be used.
WILL THE RECIPIENT KNOW WHO I AM?
Most egg donation programs maintain donor confidentiality, often referred to as “anonymous donation.” In these programs, recipients receive significant information about the donor but no identifying information, and donor and recipient never meet or know each other’s names. However, some programs offer more open arrangements:
- Donors willing to be identified later: These donors consent to be contacted by the child once they reach a certain age (e.g., 18).
- Donors willing to meet recipients: Programs facilitate meetings between donors and recipients for mutual introductions and question-asking.
- Donors who want ongoing relationships with recipients: Programs help donors maintain contact with recipients, ranging from occasional updates to a more involved role as a “family friend.”
- Donors who already know recipients: Recipients might approach programs after already asking a friend or relative to donate.
No single arrangement is universally ideal. Each type presents unique considerations during and after the donation.
HOW ARE DONORS MATCHED WITH RECIPIENTS?
In “anonymous” donation programs, staff typically match recipients with donors who share similar physical characteristics, such as ethnicity, height, build, skin tone, eye and hair color, and hair texture. Once a potential match is identified, the recipient receives donor information and decides whether to proceed or wait for another donor.
Some programs provide recipients with profiles of several potential donors, allowing them to select their preferred match. Donors may be asked to take intelligence tests or provide additional information like essays, childhood photos, or transcripts, which are then shared with potential recipients. Other programs avoid this type of information, arguing that it overemphasizes genetics in determining complex traits.
WHAT IF SOMEONE ASKS ME TO DONATE?
Some women donate eggs to help a known recipient, such as a relative or friend. These are termed “known donors.”
Even if someone you know asks you to donate, it doesn’t automatically mean you can. In New York State, “known” donors must undergo the same screening process as “anonymous” donors. Programs also ensure you are not feeling pressured due to emotional or financial ties to the recipient. For instance, donating to a boss or parent may not be permitted. To prevent risks of inherited disease, donation to a close blood relative of the intended father is prohibited.
As a known donor, prepare for potential relationship changes. Consider how your relationship with the recipient might evolve, what the child and family will be told, and how you feel about being an “aunt” or “family friend” to your genetic child.
Even if pregnancy doesn’t occur, known egg donation can significantly impact the donor-recipient relationship.
Counseling sessions, both jointly and separately with the known donor, recipient, and their partners, are valuable and often required.
WHAT IS THE EGG DONATION PROCESS?
Here are the standard steps in the egg donation process and associated risks:
Stopping your normal cycle: You may be prescribed medication for one or more weeks to temporarily suppress your ovaries’ natural function.
This makes it easier to control your response to fertility drugs. A doctor or nurse will administer an injection or instruct you on daily self-injections.
The risks: Medications can cause side effects such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, fatigue, sleep disturbances, body aches, mood changes, breast tenderness, headaches, and/or vision problems.
Stimulating egg production: In a typical menstrual cycle, one egg matures and is released from a follicle on the ovary during ovulation. In egg donation, the goal is to retrieve multiple mature eggs. You will receive medications to stimulate your ovaries to develop more eggs than usual, termed “controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.” These medications, similar to natural hormones but at higher doses, are administered via injection (subcutaneous or intramuscular). Treatment typically begins on a specific cycle day and lasts about ten days. You will be trained on self-injection techniques. If you cannot reliably self-inject, you’ll need someone to administer them for you.
The risks: Injection site reactions like soreness, redness, or mild bruising are possible. You may experience mood swings, breast tenderness, enlarged ovaries, and mild fluid retention. Occasionally, medications cause excessive hyperstimulation, leading to Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). Mild OHSS can cause abdominal pain, pressure, and bloating, usually resolving after menstruation. Moderate OHSS requires careful monitoring, rest, and pain management. Severe OHSS, though rare, can lead to serious complications like blood clots, kidney failure, fluid accumulation in the lungs, and shock, sometimes requiring hospitalization and potentially becoming life-threatening. In rare cases, ovary removal may be necessary. OHSS risk decreases after egg retrieval.
If OHSS signs appear before egg retrieval, the doctor may halt hormone medication, canceling the cycle.
Continuing fertility drugs after deciding against egg retrieval increases OHSS risk. Rarely, an enlarged ovary can twist, cutting off blood supply, a painful condition requiring immediate surgery and possible ovary removal. Allergic reactions to fertility drugs are also rare.
Pregnancy is possible during the cycle if unprotected intercourse occurs, either due to premature egg release or incomplete egg retrieval. This could result in multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.). Abstinence or barrier contraception is essential. Discuss intercourse restrictions with your doctor during the donation cycle.
Long-term fertility drug risks are not fully understood. Some studies suggest a possible link to increased ovarian cancer risk later in life, while others don’t. Currently, no definitive link is established.
Monitoring your progress: Frequent blood tests and ultrasound exams are needed throughout the donation cycle to monitor egg development and your response to hormones. Medication dosages are adjusted based on these tests. Ultrasound exams involve inserting a vaginal probe (similar to a tampon applicator) for visualizing ovarian follicles.
When eggs are mature, a final injection of another medication prepares them for retrieval, administered shortly before the procedure.
The risks: Blood draws can cause minor discomfort and bruising. Ultrasound exams may be slightly uncomfortable but are considered low-risk.
Removing the eggs: Eggs are retrieved via transvaginal ovarian aspiration, a minor surgical procedure. An ultrasound probe is inserted into the vagina, and a thin needle attached to the probe is guided into each follicle. Suction is used to extract the egg and follicular fluid. Pain relief, sedation, or anesthesia is administered during the 30-minute procedure. Post-retrieval, you will recover for a few hours before discharge and require someone to drive you home. Rest is needed for the remainder of the day, and restricted activity may be necessary for several days afterward.
The risks: Bleeding can occur after needle insertion into the ovary. Rarely, damage to the bowel, bladder, or blood vessels may occur. Severe internal bleeding or pelvic organ damage, though unlikely, might necessitate major abdominal surgery.
Antibiotics may be given to prevent infection, which, if it occurs, could impact your future fertility. Discuss medication risks with your doctor.
Follow-up care: Clear instructions for seeking medical attention should be provided. Some programs schedule follow-up check-ups and counseling sessions.
Many programs do not offer extensive follow-up, and donors may experience a sense of letdown after the intensive process concludes.
Many women worry about reduced future fertility from donating eggs. In the absence of complications, egg donation should not impair later fertility. However, serious complications like bleeding, infection, or ovary loss could compromise future conception ability.
WILL DONATING EGGS AFFECT MY EVERYDAY LIFE?
Egg donation is a significant time commitment. The donation cycle involves medication for approximately three weeks and multiple program visits for blood tests and ultrasounds.
You are responsible for managing your work or school schedule to accommodate donation demands. Some donors find it challenging to maintain normal routines, affecting school/work performance and family responsibilities.
During the donation cycle, alcohol, smoking, and illegal drug use are prohibited. Prescription and non-prescription medications require prior approval. If sexually active, you must abstain from unprotected intercourse during specified cycle weeks.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE DONATED EGGS?
It’s crucial to understand the potential outcomes for your donated eggs:
- No embryo formation: Sperm issues, egg quality, or lab problems may prevent embryo development. Unfertilized or immature eggs may be discarded as medical waste or used in research.
- Pregnancy failure or miscarriage: Even with embryo formation and transfer, pregnancy may not occur or may end in miscarriage. Egg donation cycles often do not result in live births.
- Multiple pregnancy: Recipients and doctors decide on the number of embryos to transfer. Multiple pregnancies (twins or more) carry higher risks of complications, including miscarriage, premature birth, and infant death. Multifetal pregnancy reduction may be considered in high-order multiple pregnancies to improve outcomes for the remaining fetuses.
- Excess embryos: More embryos may develop than can be safely transferred. These can be frozen for later use. A genetic child could be born months or years after your donation.
- Eggs for multiple recipients: Your eggs may be used by more than one recipient. Pregnancies may occur now or in the future, or no pregnancies may result.
- Unused frozen embryos: The original recipient may never use frozen embryos. The program may ask the recipient to decide among options: embryo donation to another couple, donation to research, indefinite freezing, or destruction.
Once you donate your eggs, their fate is determined by the recipient. You have no control over their future use.
WHAT IS INFORMED CONSENT?
Informed consent is essential in medical treatment, including egg donation. It’s more than just signing a form; it’s a process ensuring you fully understand and agree to the medical procedures. Before consent, the physician providing your care should meet with you to answer your questions. You should also have access to nurses, social workers, or counselors to discuss concerns or doubts.
Before consenting to egg donation procedures, you should understand:
- Details of each procedure.
- Whether each procedure is:
- Generally accepted as effective and safe by fertility specialists (even if extensive research is lacking).
- New, innovative, and not broadly accepted in the field.
- The program’s experience level with each procedure, including staff training.
- Risks of all medications and procedures, and protocols for managing complications.
You have the right to change your mind and cannot be forced to undergo procedures against your will. Many programs allow donors to withdraw consent at any point before egg retrieval. Before consenting, clarify the program’s policy on consent withdrawal.
ARE THERE OTHER LEGAL AND FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS?
Contracts: You will likely be asked to sign contracts with the program and/or recipient. These contracts outline your responsibilities, as well as those of the recipient and program. Contracts are legally binding agreements, distinct from consent forms.
Do not sign any contract before completing the informed consent process and fully understanding its terms. Some programs may require you to meet with a program lawyer to discuss the contract. Remember, these lawyers represent the program’s interests, not yours. Seeking independent legal advice before signing is recommended.
Confidentiality: Programs and brokers collect extensive personal information during application and screening. To donate, you must consent to sharing some information with potential recipients. In anonymous donation, your name and identifying information should not be disclosed to the recipient.
Before sharing information with an agency or broker, inquire about all potential uses of your data. Only proceed if you are comfortable with their practices.
If your egg donation leads to a birth, state regulations mandate that programs keep certain information about you on file. Some of this information may be accessible to the child in the future. Current regulations in New York State prevent the release of information that could identify you to the child without your permission. However, confidentiality laws and regulations are subject to change. Programs also cannot guarantee absolute protection against unauthorized discovery of confidential information.
Clarify under what circumstances, if any, the program might contact you in the future. Do they contact past donors for research participation? Would you be contacted if a child develops an inherited disease or needs a bone marrow transplant?
Parental rights and responsibilities: Once eggs are retrieved, you relinquish control over them and bear no responsibility for pregnancy outcomes. Signed documents should clearly state that the recipient assumes legal and financial responsibility for any resulting children, regardless of their health. Request to see the documents the recipient will also sign.
While the intent is for the recipient to be the legal parent, this is a relatively new legal area, and state laws may not explicitly address it. Programs cannot guarantee legal outcomes in case of disputes or future legal changes. However, it is highly unlikely you would be able to claim legal motherhood of a child born from your donation.
Payments: Most fertility programs offer compensation to egg donors for their time, effort, and discomfort. This is not payment for the eggs themselves and should not be contingent on the outcome.
If a cycle is canceled before egg retrieval, some programs offer partial compensation, often based on treatment days completed. After egg retrieval, you should receive the full agreed-upon amount regardless of egg quantity or quality.
Before agreement, understand payment logistics: direct payment from the recipient or via the program? Is the program holding funds before the cycle begins? Is there compensation for screened but unselected donors? What is the payment if a cycle is canceled pre-retrieval?
The IRS requires you to pay taxes on egg donation compensation. Programs must report payments, and you should receive Form 1099 for tax filing. Confirm if the program handles IRS reporting and tax withholding.
Typically, there is no financial compensation for known egg donation to relatives or friends. If you arrange payment outside the program, the program cannot protect you if issues arise.
Expenses: Consider your potential out-of-pocket costs, including lost work time, transportation, childcare, and other expenses. Determine what records you need to keep and if you will be reimbursed by the program or recipient.
Insurance: In most cases, medical expenses related to the donation process are covered by the program or recipient. Ensure this is explicitly stated in writing before proceeding.
Some programs require donors to have their own health insurance. Clarify under what circumstances your insurance would be billed. Typically, planned expenses are not billed to your insurance, but complications might be.
Some programs won’t accept uninsured donors, while others offer short-term insurance to cover potential complications. If insurance is offered, clarify:
- Who pays the premium?
- Coverage duration? What about long-term complications or problems arising months after donation?
- How to access care under the policy? Can you see your own doctor, or must you return to the program first?
If no insurance is offered, obtain a written agreement detailing how complication-related bills will be paid. General statements like “program covers all expenses” may have limitations. Are there payment caps? If the recipient is responsible, is it your or the program’s responsibility to collect payment? What about later problems, inability to work, or need for special care?
Before starting a cycle, you may be asked to sign a waiver releasing the program from liability for medical malpractice, pain and suffering, or other complication-related expenses. Consult with an attorney before signing such waivers. Even with a waiver, you may still be able to sue for medical expenses, pain, suffering, and other costs resulting from program negligence. In case of injury or complications and program unhelpfulness, seek legal counsel.
CAN I DONATE MORE THAN ONCE?
There are no strict limits on repeat egg donations, but programs may restrict them for several reasons. The long-term effects on a woman’s health and fertility are not fully understood. Programs are often cautious about repeated exposure to the process for healthy women.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine and state health departments mandate limits on the number of children born from a single donor. This limit is necessary because all children from one donor are genetic half-siblings, raising concerns about potential unaware consanguinity if they meet later in life and have children.
Due to screening costs, some programs ask donors to commit to multiple donations upfront. Consider this carefully. You cannot predict your reaction to medications, procedure difficulty, or emotional responses to creating genetic offspring.
Avoid signing consent for more than one egg donation cycle at a time. Even with a multi-cycle agreement, you cannot be forced to donate multiple times. However, it is reasonable for programs or recipients to inquire about your willingness to donate again. Recipients may see you as an ideal match and hope for future donations if pregnancy is unsuccessful or to conceive siblings for a child born from your eggs.
GLOSSARY
ART (assisted reproductive technology) – Treatments involving surgical egg removal from ovaries and combining them with sperm to aid pregnancy.
Canceled cycle – An ART cycle stopped after ovarian stimulation but before egg retrieval.
Egg – Female reproductive cell, also called oocyte.
Egg retrieval – Procedure to collect eggs from ovarian follicles.
Embryo transfer – Placement of embryos into the uterus via the cervix after IVF.
Fertilization – Sperm penetration of the egg, combining genetic material to form an embryo.
Follicle – Ovarian structure containing a developing egg.
Gestation – Period from conception to birth.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) – ART procedure involving egg removal, fertilization outside the body, and embryo transfer to the uterus.
Miscarriage – Pregnancy loss before 20 weeks of gestation.
Multifetal pregnancy reduction – Procedure to reduce the number of fetuses in a multiple pregnancy to improve outcomes for remaining fetuses.
Oocyte – Female reproductive cell, also called egg.
Ovarian stimulation – Use of drugs to stimulate ovaries to develop follicles and eggs.
Sperm – Male reproductive cell.
Ultrasound – Technique used in ART to visualize ovarian follicles and gestational sac/fetus in the uterus.
Source: CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Reproductive Health
CHECKLIST: BEFORE YOU GIVE CONSENT TO DONATE EGGS
Carefully read informed consent documents. Do not provide written consent to donate eggs unless you have satisfactory answers to all questions:
__ What screening tests will be performed?
__ What are the pros and cons of genetic testing?
__ What procedures and medications are involved in donation?
__ Have they been thoroughly explained?
__ What are the risks of drugs, procedures, and anesthesia?
__ What are the side effects?
__ What information about you will the program keep on file?
__ What are all potential uses of your eggs or resulting embryos?
__ What information about you will the program give to the recipient?
__ What costs might you incur if complications arise?
__ When can you no longer change your mind about donation?
__ What compensation will you receive for a completed cycle or a cycle canceled before retrieval (for various reasons)?
__ Do you fully understand and agree with all conditions?
NEW YORK STATE TASK FORCE ON LIFE AND THE LAW ADVISORY GROUP ON ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
Rev. Msgr. John A. Alesandro, J.C.D., J.D.
Episcopal Vicar
Western Vicariate Diocese of Rockville Centre
Rabbi J. David Bleich, Ph.D.
Professor of Talmud, Yeshiva University
Professor of Jewish Law and Ethics
Benjamin Cardozo School of Law
Owen K. Davis, M.D., F.A.C.O.G
Associate Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Associate Director, In Vitro Fertilization Program
Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Chair of Practice and Membership Committees
Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology
Nancy N. Dubler, LL.B.
Director, Division of Bioethics
Department of Epidemiology and Social Medicine
Montefiore Medical Center/ Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Alan Fleischman, M.D.
Senior Vice President
The New York Academy of Medicine
Cassandra E. Henderson, M.D.
Medical Director, MIC-Women’s Health Services
New York, NY
Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Margaret R. Hollister, J.D.
Director of HelpLine and Educational Services
National RESOLVE
Gordon B. Kuttner, M.D., FACOG, FACS
Assistant Professor & Director
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Surgery & Fertility
Department of Obstetric and Gynecology
University of Miami School of Medicine
Member, Work Group on Assisted Reproductive Technologies,
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Vivian Lewis, M.D.
Director, Reproductive Endocrinology Unit
Associate Professor, Obstetrics-Gynecology
University of Rochester Medical Center
Rochester, NY
Ruth Macklin, Ph.D.
Head, Division of Philosophy and History of Medicine
Department of Epidemiology and Social Medicine
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Kathryn Meyer, J.D.
Chair of the Advisory Group
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Continuum Health Partners, Inc.
Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel
Beth Israel Medical Center New York, NY
Mark V. Sauer, M.D.
Chief, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
New York Presbyterian Hospital
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Columbia University New York, NY
Bonnie Steinbock, Ph.D.
Professor of Philosophy
Chair, Department of Philosophy
University at Albany, State University of New York
Judith Steinberg Turiel, Ed.D.
Author, Beyond Second Opinions
(Berkeley: University of California Press, 1998)
Berkeley, CA
Staff
Dwayne C. Turner, Ph.D., J.D., M.P.H.
Executive Director
New York State Task Force on Life and the Law
John Renehan, J.D.
Counsel
New York State Task Force on Life and the Law
Dana H. C. Lee, J.D.
Former Project Attorney
New York State Task Force on Life and the Law
Carl H. Coleman, J.D.
Associate Professor of Law
Seton Hall University School of Law
Former Executive Director
New York State Task Force on Life and the Law
Susan E. Ince, M.S.
Consultant
Judy Doesschate, J.D.
Division of Legal Affairs
New York State Department of Health
Jeanne V. Linden, M.D., M.P.H.
Director, Blood and Tissue Resources Program
New York State Department of Health
