How Egg Donor Screening Protects Donors and Future Families

Egg donation is a sensitive process for both the donor and the intended parents. It can be particularly challenging for intended parents who have to place their trust in a donor they don't know personally. For this reason, medical, genetic, and psychological screenings are in place, ensuring that everyone involved is healthy and confident as they navigate their egg donation journey.

Egg Donor Eligibility

Aspiring donors must meet specific requirements before they can undergo the screening process. These requirements typically include a minimum and maximum age for donation, being in good physical health with regular monthly menstrual cycles, and having no history of substance abuse or inheritable genetic disorders.

These egg donor requirements are in place to ensure the best outcomes for children conceived using donor eggs. For instance, as a woman's age increases, both the quality and quantity of her eggs decline. Therefore, a donor who exceeds the recommended age for donation is less likely to produce a significant number of healthy eggs.

The Egg Donor Screening Process

If an aspiring donor meets the basic requirements, they can proceed to the application and screening process. This involves multiple steps, including:

• Medical screening: This involves testing for AMH, blood type, infectious diseases, drug use, and general health.
• Genetic screening: During the genetic screening, family history will be assessed to determine potential hereditary diseases or genetic disorders. The testing process includes blood tests for various genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs disease, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and others.
• Psychological screening: The decision to donate eggs is a personal one. The psychological screening ensures the donor fully understands the benefits and risks of egg donation and has proper motivations for becoming a donor.

Start Your Journey Today

Egg donor screenings are a critical part of the egg donation process. They help ensure the short-term and long-term health of the donor while reducing risks and increasing the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy and child for the intended family. If you’re interested in learning more about the egg donor screening process, Egg Bank America is available to answer your questions and guide you through this incredible and fulfilling journey. Contact us today for more information.