Once you’ve decided to move forward with egg donation as a means of growing your family, you can get started finding for the right clinic for your needs — and, of course, the right donor!
While choosing an egg donor may seem daunting, the process doesn’t need to be stressful. Below are three key points to keep in mind as you begin searching for an egg donor.
1. Decide what qualities are most important to you in an egg donor.
Some intended parents start out with a lengthy list of attributes they want their egg donor to possess, only to end up frustrated and stressed when they can’t find someone who meets all of their criteria.
Focus on a few key qualities— maybe you’d like a donor who shares a passion for the arts, someone who has a solid educational background, or someone who resembles you. Try not to get too hung up on minutiae, unless you’re okay with the process potentially taking a very long time. Remember, your potential child will be largely influenced by your family and the way you raise them!
2. Carefully consider potential donors’ medical and genetic history.
While personality, interests, and appearance may all be important to you, it’s crucial to consider potential donors’ medical and genetic history as well. Carefully review their records with your clinic, and don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions along the way.
How does the potential donor’s medical and genetic history mesh with your own? You’ll want to ensure that your future potential child is as healthy as possible and not at risk for hereditary diseases, so be sure to spend time assessing all possibilities and possible complications.
3. Does the egg donor want to remain anonymous?
If an egg donor wants to remain anonymous, no identifying information will be shared with the intended parents. This is by far the most common setup, though semi-anonymous (or semi-open) and open arrangements do exist.
In the case of a semi-open setup, only a small amount of information is shared with the intended parents. This may include first names, locations, and so on. In the case of open arrangements, friends or family of the intended parent(s) serve as the donor.
Confirm that you and any donors you’re considering are on the same page to ensure as smooth and seamless a process as possible.
Learn More
To learn more about the key factors you should consider when searching for the right egg donor, or to schedule a consultation, reach out to the dedicated team at Fertility Solutions today.