At Gift of Parenthood, we cherish our network of esteemed sponsors, like The Guidance Agency. Our grant cycles and monthly giveaways would not be possible without them. They allow us to further our mission of educating, inspiring, and providing financial assistance to those struggling with infertility. The Guidance Agency supported the 2021 Christmas Gift Of A Lifetime Grant, and we would like to share some information about their egg donor services.
The Egg Donor Process At The Guidance Agency
The Guidance Agency is a woman-owned egg donation and surrogacy agency that connects, counsels, and guides families searching for egg donors and surrogates.
If a couple cannot get pregnant using a woman’s eggs for in vitro fertilization (IVF), they may seek out donor eggs. Donor eggs are eggs from another woman that can be fertilized with the intended father’s sperm (or donor sperm), allowing the intended mother to carry a child and give birth. The use of donor eggs is becoming more common, especially among women over 40. In 2018, over 42% of all assisted reproduction techniques using fresh donor eggs resulted in a birth.
Finding the right egg donor is an enormous investment of time and money, which is why Guidance provides future parents with a team of experienced coaches and resources on the financial options available to help them, like grant funds.
Guidance connects future parents with top-quality egg donor services, assists with egg donor matching, custom matching, and cycle planning. Egg donor experts from Guidance guide intended parents throughout the process, so they always feel informed and cared for.
Keep reading to learn more about egg donation, the timeline, costs, contracts, etc.
If you would like to contact Guidance for a consultation, please click the button below.
Egg Donor FAQs
What Is The Egg Donor Process Like?
Guidance partners with over 150 clinics in the U.S. and Canada. The egg donor process involves matching a donor with an intended parent (IP). A “match” occurs when there is a mutual agreement between an IP and a donor. The match is finalized after both parties sign an agency agreement and coordinate the agency fee payment.
How Long Does It Take To Find An Egg Donor?
An average donor cycle takes about 3 months from matching to egg retrieval. Timing is dependent on the clinic’s scheduling, availability, and protocol.
How Do I Find A Donor?
The Guidance database provides the profiles of women who are available to commit to a cycle at a local clinic. There are options for donors to freeze their eggs or to travel for a cycle. Guidance coordinates a complete cycle on a client’s behalf but the location can vary to accommodate specific needs.
In terms of who can be a donor, egg donor candidates must meet certain qualifications. They should ideally be between 18-28 years old with a BMI <30, however, most clinics require donors to be 21. Donora should be in excellent health and have no personal or family history of physical or mental health problems that need chronic treatment. They should be non-smokers, drink rarely, and have a flexible schedule to accommodate a cycle.
How Much Do Egg Donors Cost?
Egg donor pricing varies. A Guidance Match Coordinator can help IPs find donors to accommodate their budget.
Pricing variables include donor history and travel costs. Traveling cycles will require travel and local testing costs, while a local donor will not have these expenses. Additionally, a repeat donor is more likely to request a higher donor fee than a first-timer.
Ultimately, IPs should be prepared for:
- Agency fee ($7,500)
- Donor fee ($3,500-$10,000+)
- Legal fees ($800-$2,500)
- Donor emergency insurance ($380)
- Travel if required ($4,500-$5,500)
- Local monitoring/testing for traveling cycles ($1,000-$2,500)
Medical and medication costs will be discussed with the clinic and medical provider, though Guidance can help coach IPs throughout the process and provide resources for financial assistance.
What Kind Of Contracts Are Required?
In the U.S. contracts between IPs and donors are only required for cycles when the donor is not anonymous. Guidance requires all IPs to have an attorney-drafted and executed contract with their egg donor. They will organize communication with all legal parties. Contracts must be signed before a donor cycle can begin.
Everyone was so helpful. They answered all our questions and assisted us in all parts of the [journey]. They were always there to answer our questions. They really helped us navigate the whole process.
We just welcomed our baby boy into the world. Special thanks to Jenna and Michelle for all their hard work.
Mike & Diane
As a non-profit organization, Gift of Parenthood® is dedicated to taking away the stigma and financial strain of infertility while also offering support, inspiration, and resources to future parents.
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