Types of Egg Donation

Whether you are an Egg Donor or Recipient Parents, we know that determining the type of egg donation with which you are comfortable is an important and personal decision.  Our staff has first-hand knowledge of the pros and cons surrounding the different types of egg donation relationships, and we are happy to discuss our own personal experiences with you.

Many Recipient Parents and Egg Donors choose an Closed Egg Donation arrangement because they are most comfortable with this type of arrangement.

In the case of an Closed Egg Donation arrangement, the Recipient Parent(s) will typically choose an Egg Donor who has similar physical and personal characteristics or perhaps particular traits that are appealing.

The Egg Donor’s identity will be kept confidential; any information identifying her will not be given to the Recipient(s). The Recipient(s) will be able to view all pertinent information including medical and genetic history, physical description, photographs of the potential Donor, and photographs of her child(ren) if she’s willing to share them.

This is alternative offers somewhat of a middle-ground solution in choosing closed vs. open egg donation. Oftentimes, Recipient Parents do not feel comfortable with closed donation because they would prefer to have the option of contacting the woman who shared her genetics with their child(ren). Additionally, many Recipient Parents do not feel comfortable with a totally open donation.

In a semi-open Egg Donation arrangement, the Recipient Parent(s) will be provided with the Egg Donor’s profile information, but do not necessarily know her last name, address, and other detailed information. Similarly, the Egg Donor will be given basic information about the Recipient Parents, but will not necessarily know more specific information as she would in an open donation situation. In a semi-open Egg Donation, the Egg Donor will most likely be informed about the results of the egg retrieval and whether or not a pregnancy occurs.

The benefit to semi-known vs. closed Egg Donation arrangements is that enough general information is exchanged so that the Recipient Parent(s) and their Egg Donor know each other on a basic level, and can contact each other if they have any questions or concerns in the future. The Recipient(s) and the Egg Donor may decide to contact each other, but there will not necessarily be a commitment to stay in touch after the egg donation has occurred.

In an open Egg Donation arrangement, all parties have agreed to completely disclose information about each other, including last names, addresses, occupations, and other identifying details. The Recipient Parent(s) and the Egg Donor are mutually interested in maintaining contact—potentially throughout the life of the child/ren born via the donation.

The Recipient Parent(s) and the Egg Donor will sometimes decide to meet in person before the egg retrieval takes place, and if not possible due to logistics (location or scheduling conflicts) there will at least be conversations via email and/or telephone.

In an open Egg Donation arrangement, it is most important that all parties have discussed their long-term expectations of the relationship. For example, the Donor and Recipient Parent(s) should discuss who they plan to tell and when. Additionally, and even more importantly, everyone must be on the same page in regards to what the Donor’s future relationship will be with the child(ren).

There are certainly many issues to consider when choosing an open Egg Donation arrangement, but this option can be a wonderfully positive experience for the Recipient Parent/s, the Egg Donor, and any future children that may result.