In doing my research for ways to make money, I kept running across the process of egg donation. Since it is only available for those young women between the ages of 18-31, many of us would be left out of the loop. However, if you qualified, you could be paid a lot of money to donate your eggs. So I set out to learn more about the process, as well as how many thousands of dollars egg donors get paid.
In the interest of full disclosure, this is one avenue I haven’t tried, but the potential money seemed too lucrative to not at least look into the process. Many people, however, view this service as a way to not only earn money but to actually help others become parents in the process.
Ultimately the egg donation cycle consists of a company, often a fertility clinic, taking donor eggs from chosen females and inserting them into the recipient’s uterus through In vitro fertilization. Financial compensation varies across the United States. Clinics in New York City and Los Angeles vary in compensation as well as just different companies within individual states.
Do You Fit the Initial Profile to Become a Paid Egg Donor? The Requirements for Potential Donors:
Egg donor requirements vary from one egg donation program to another. Each company has their own set of criteria and expectations. Below is a fairly comprehensive list, but keep in mind, that not all items apply across the board.
Most have a rigorous screening process that each donor applicant must go through to determine eligibility.
Age: 18-31
Body Mass Index: 18-21
Immediate Disqualifications of Donor Applicants based on initial screening:
Age: above 32 (Some only go to 29) or below 18 (some only begin at 21)
Having traveled to a place with infectious diseases (such as Zika)
Not in general good health
Any drug or tobacco use
Current sexually transmitted infections
Initial Screening Process and Application Process for Prospective Egg Donors:
Fill out an online application
Psychological screening and/or psychological evaluation
Medical history and/or physical examination
Gynecological exam
Family history
Blood work
Fill out consent forms (As with all medical procedures, there may be some medical risks in the egg retrieval process but they are considered very low.)
Assigned an egg donor coordinator
Create a bio on yourself specifying any identifying information and demographics such as your ethnic background
Put in an egg donor database
Once you have been accepted into the program, the potential egg recipients are able to view your profile.
The Egg Donation Process:
Varies from one egg donor program to another
While there may be some variance from one company to the next, the overall egg retrieval procedure is similar.
Medical screening
Transvaginal ultrasound– on the 2nd or 3rd day of your period.
Blood tests
Begin birth control pills to prevent ovulation. If already on birth control, the nurse or nurse practitioners will tell you when to restart them.
Near the end of your birth control pill prescription, you will come back to our clinic for another ultrasound and more blood tests. This step helps ensure that the pills worked properly and that all of your egg follicles are the same size.
Injections of fertility medications -series of fertility drugs for ovarian egg follicle stimulation
During the 10-12 days of injections– 4-5 ultrasounds and blood tests.
Receive a ‘trigger shot’ of human chorionic gonadotropin
Egg retrieval will take place 36 hours after the trigger shot.
Types of Donor Cycles
Synchronous donor cycles(also known as the fresh egg donor cycle) take live eggs and immediately insert them into the recipient’s uterus
Asynchronous donor cycles (also known as frozen egg donor cycles) cryogenically freeze the eggs and are inserted at a chosen time
Paid Egg Donor Compensation During the Process:
Travel expenses for potential egg donors (paid by recipient couple with some companies)
Travel expenses for a family member or other support person during the egg donor process (paid for by the intended parents)
Any medical expenses incurred.
Paid Egg Donor Financial Compensation
Compensation seems to vary greatly but seems to range from $5,000 to $10,000 for most first-time donors. Typical repeat donors can earn more.
High-demand applicants, however, can earn up to $50,000 for their embryo transfer. At this time, there is demand for specific ethnicities, but not enough donors.
Possible Side Effects from Birth Control Pills:
- Breast tenderness
- Mood swings
- Nausea
- Increased appetite/ possible weight gain
- Oily skin
- Acne
- Spotting at unexpected times
- Changes in libido
- Fatigue
- Swelling
- Headaches
- Thromboembolism (blood clot – a rare but serious side effect)
Possible side effects from the Follicle Stimulator
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Mood swings
- Tiredness
- Bloating
- Fast heart rate
- Diarrhea
- Flu-like symptoms
- Nausea
- Thirst
- Flatulance
- Acne
- Breast tenderness
- Vaginal bleeding
- Dizziness
- Vaginal discharge
- Sleepiness
- Nervousness
- Light-headedness
- Itching
Other Possible Side Effects
- Abdominal pain
- Injection site reaction
- Vomiting
- Water weight gain
- Depression
- Breast tenderness/swelling
- Injection site reaction
In very rare cases, ovarian stimulation or ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome can occur, but that is less likely to happen currently than in the past thanks to new medication used.
While little to no pain is expected from the procedure, most places use sedation. That means you would have to have a ride home from the clinic as well as need to take it easy for the rest of the day.
You should be back to normal activities within a few days. You will resume your regular menstrual cycle a few weeks later.
Other Alternatives to Becoming a Paid Egg Donor:
A gestational surrogate will carry a baby for an intended mother. The paternal semen is introduced through In Vitro fertilization, not sexual intercourse. At the conclusion of the live birth, the surrogate mother is well compensated for their generous gift.
A potential egg donor can store their own eggs, also, either for their own use in the future or for others.
Things to Keep in Mind for Any and All Paid Egg Donors:
Egg donation and any compensation that comes from it is considered taxable income and must be reported to the Internal Revenue Service.
Are You Considering Becoming a Paid Egg Donor
Ultimately, no one but you can decide if this option is the right one for you. The purpose of this article is only to provide information, not try to convince you one way or another.
There is no denying, however, that there are a lot of people out there that are looking for fertility options. This can be seen, if by nothing else, just by the sheer volume of companies providing fertility services.
Becoming a paid egg donor is definitely a way to begin building a financial nest egg while also providing a much-needed service for people that are desperately looking for help.
Who Are We?
Earn While You Roam is an online blog that looks for strategies and tips for making money. We love to travel, so we are always looking for ways to make money while we are on the road, so we can stay on the road.
While being a paid egg donor will require you to stay in one place for several weeks, the payout vs the time seems to be very high.
If you are looking for other ways to make money online, check out our other posts. To learn more about us, click HERE. And to keep up with our travels, you can click HERE.
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Do you have more ideas for great ways to earn money online? Please drop us a comment and let us know! We are always looking for more ways to bring in the money so we can share them with our readers.
