FAQ

Question 1

Will I need to take time off work to donate?

Accepted Answer

We'll do whatever we can to make sure your donation isn't too disruptive. During the short monitoring stage, we'll need you to attend the clinic on specific days, but the appointments won't take long and can be scheduled to suit you where possible. It will be necessary to take the day off of work on the day of your egg collection. Sometimes, donors feel more comfortable if they also take the next day off after their egg collection, but this is generally not necessary. In reality, you should only have to visit the clinic around six times, but we'll give you as much support as possible to make sure your visits are convenient and stress-free.

Question 2

Will donating my eggs affect my own fertility?

Accepted Answer

No, not at all – and it can give you an insight into your own fertility potential! Women are born with all the egg cells they are ever going to have, between 1 and 2 million. By the time you’re in your 30s, you’ll have around 75,000 eggs left and each month you lose up to 1,000 eggs in a natural cycle, even though only one egg is naturally matured for fertilisation. This means that the eggs we collect during your donation would either have been ovulated or absorbed by your body, and if you donate eggs, you’ll still have thousands of eggs left. Many of our donors even donate more than once.

Question 3

Does egg donation hurt?

Accepted Answer

No, you shouldn't feel any pain. You may feel some discomfort, and of course different people respond differently to medical procedures, but our clinical teams work incredibly hard to keep you as comfortable as possible throughout your donation. In the UK, there is a shortage of egg donors of all ethnicities, and many more eggs are needed to help women and couples to achieve their dream of having a baby. If you think you could give the gift of life or have any further questions or concerns regarding egg donation at Care Fertility, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Question 4

How long does the egg donation process take?

Accepted Answer

The egg donation process usually takes around 2 to 3 months from your first enquiry to egg collection. This gives enough time for your initial checks, screening tests, counselling, consent forms, clinic appointments and the donation cycle itself. The treatment stage is similar to the first part of IVF, where medication is used to stimulate your ovaries before your eggs are collected.

Question 5

How old do I need to be to donate eggs?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, you need to be between 18 and 35 to donate your eggs in the UK.

Question 6

How many times can I donate eggs?

Accepted Answer

You can donate eggs more than once, as long as it is safe and appropriate for you. In the UK, eggs from one donor can be used to create children for up to 10 families, not including the donor’s own family. Your clinic will talk this through with you before donation, including what it could mean for you and any donor-conceived children in the future.

Question 7

Is egg donation anonymous in the UK?

Accepted Answer

No, egg donation is not anonymous in the UK. People conceived using donated eggs can ask for non-identifying information about their donor when they turn 16, and identifying information, including the donor’s name, date of birth and last known address, when they turn 18.

Question 8

How many times will I have to visit a Care Fertility clinic?

Accepted Answer

This will vary slightly from person to person but you will usually visit the clinic between 5-7 times. You will need to visit the clinic for your scans and blood tests, in between these appointments at the clinic, you’ll also have a number of virtual (either telephone or video call) appointments with our lovely donation team. Depending on your availability, we could bring you through to donation in as little as 12 weeks from your application.

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