Question 1

When can we begin viewing available egg donor profiles?

Accepted Answer

After your initial consultation with our team, you'll receive access to our secure donor database. Based on your stated preferences—such as ethnicity, education, or physical characteristics—we may also send you curated PDF profiles to help you get started.

Question 2

Can we place a temporary hold on a donor while making our decision?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you're strongly considering a particular donor, we can reserve her profile for a short period while you finalize your choice. A formal match is made once you sign our retainer agreement.

Question 3

How do we choose the most suitable egg donor?

Accepted Answer

During your consultation, we'll guide you through a detailed review of your preferences and priorities. Our experienced team will then present you with compatible donor profiles based on criteria such as background, personality, and reproductive history.

Question 4

Are Ivy League or highly educated egg donors available?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ivy Surrogacy offers access to academically accomplished donors, including Ivy League, Stanford, and other top-tier graduates. These donors are in high demand, and early inquiry is advised.

Question 5

Can intended parents from outside the U.S. select a donor through your agency?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. We work with international intended parents and provide full support with donor matching, legal coordination, and medical arrangements. We have extensive experience supporting international intended parents throughout the egg donation journey.

Question 6

Can we see a donor's previous cycle results if she has donated before?

Accepted Answer

Yes—if a donor has completed previous egg donation cycles, we can share relevant outcome information as available and permitted. This may include the number of eggs retrieved, number of embryos created, and in some cases, the number of embryos that reached the blastocyst stage and passed PGT-A screening. While every cycle can vary, a strong history of healthy embryo development may help you feel more confident in your decision. All shared data complies with medical privacy regulations and is provided solely for matching purposes.

Question 7

What kind of screening do egg donors complete before moving forward?

Accepted Answer

Once you've officially matched with a donor but before contracts are signed, she will undergo a full series of evaluations. These include hormone testing, infectious disease screening, pelvic ultrasound, drug testing, psychological assessment, and—if not previously completed—genetic carrier screening. Only after passing all screenings does the process proceed to the legal and medical stages.

Question 8

What happens once the donor passes all her medical evaluations?

Accepted Answer

After medical and psychological clearance, we proceed with legal agreements. Once contracts are signed, your donor starts a monitored medication cycle, preparing for egg retrieval.

Question 9

Can irregular menstrual cycles affect the donation timeline?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The process is sensitive to the donor's natural cycle, so irregularities may cause scheduling adjustments. We plan around this to ensure safety and optimal outcomes.

Question 10

What if the donor doesn't respond well to stimulation medications?

Accepted Answer

In rare cases, if the donor's body doesn't respond adequately, the cycle may be canceled. We'll work closely with you to review options and potentially rematch with another donor.

Question 11

Will the donor undergo genetic testing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Genetic carrier screening is typically required unless the donor has completed it in a prior cycle. Once results are available, they are usually reviewed by your IVF doctor to assess genetic compatibility with the sperm source and determine whether any additional counseling or testing is needed.

Question 12

Can we evaluate an egg donor's ovarian reserve before proceeding with the cycle?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Once you've selected an egg donor and matched with her, she will undergo hormone testing—including AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) levels and antral follicle count (AFC) via ultrasound—as part of her medical screening. These tests help estimate her ovarian reserve and the likely number of eggs she may produce. However, while they can predict egg quantity, they do not assess egg quality.

Question 13

Can we assess the egg quality of a donor before the egg retrieval?

Accepted Answer

There is currently no direct test to evaluate egg quality before retrieval. True egg quality is typically revealed through how well the eggs fertilize, develop into blastocysts, and how many embryos pass PGT-A screening. However, if you're considering an experienced egg donor, her past donation records can offer valuable insight. For example, a history of producing multiple PGT-A normal blastocysts is a strong indicator of high egg quality—even though results can vary slightly between cycles. Our team will share available information about a donor's prior outcomes (if any) to help you make an informed decision.

Question 14

Will there be any surprise charges during the process?

Accepted Answer

No. We provide a detailed cost breakdown before you commit. While minor adjustments may occur, our estimates are transparent and accurate.

Question 15

Are legal and psychological evaluations included in the fee?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The cost of legal contracts and the donor's psychological screening are already factored into your total estimate—no separate billing is required for these services.

Question 16

Does health insurance cover any egg donation expenses?

Accepted Answer

Generally, these services are not covered by standard health insurance. However, some employers offer fertility benefits through third-party platforms such as Carrot, Progyny, or WINFertility. We recommend checking with your HR department to explore available coverage options.

Question 17

What legal steps are involved in the egg donation process?

Accepted Answer

After your donor passes screening, both parties work with independent attorneys to draft and finalize a legal agreement. These contracts define all rights and obligations and must be signed before medications begin.

Question 18

Who provides legal representation during this process?

Accepted Answer

Intended parents and donors are each represented by separate reproductive law attorneys. Ivy Surrogacy coordinates these services as part of the overall process to ensure compliance and protection for all parties.

Question 19

Can the donor change her mind after contracts are signed?

Accepted Answer

Once contracts are signed, the donor is legally obligated to proceed—unless unforeseen medical issues arise. This protects your investment and ensures a clear framework for moving forward.

Question 20

Are we protected from future legal claims from the donor?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The legal contract clearly states that the donor relinquishes all parental rights, ensuring you have full legal parentage of any embryos or children resulting from the donation.

Question 21

How many eggs can we expect from an egg donation cycle?

Accepted Answer

In a fresh egg donation cycle, all eggs retrieved during the procedure are designated for the intended parents, unless otherwise arranged. Unlike egg banks where only a fixed number of frozen eggs are purchased, fresh cycles often yield significantly more. Most donors produce between 15 and 30 mature eggs per retrieval, depending on factors like age and ovarian response. Your IVF clinic will monitor the donor closely throughout the stimulation phase to ensure optimal outcomes.

Question 22

What happens after the eggs are retrieved from the donor?

Accepted Answer

The eggs are fertilized in your IVF clinic's lab using the intended parent's or donor sperm. Resulting embryos can be cultured and optionally tested via PGT-A before being transferred or frozen.

Question 23

Do we need to freeze the eggs after retrieval?

Accepted Answer

Fresh fertilization is preferred whenever possible. We recommend providing sperm on or before the egg retrieval day so that the eggs can be fertilized immediately without needing to be frozen. However, if timing or logistics require it, the eggs can be safely frozen for future use.

Question 24

Can we genetically test the embryos after fertilization?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) is an option that many intended parents choose to evaluate chromosomal normalcy prior to embryo transfer.

Question 25

Can we use frozen sperm for fertilization?

Accepted Answer

Yes, frozen sperm can be used successfully. Your IVF clinic will assess its quality before fertilization. We recommend that the intended father freeze his sperm directly at the U.S. IVF clinic whenever possible. For international intended parents who are unable to travel, it's also possible to freeze sperm at a local clinic or laboratory and ship it to the U.S.—but certain requirements must be met. Specifically, U.S. regulations require the sperm provider to complete FDA infectious disease testing within a defined time window prior to collection. Additionally, the sperm must be legally permitted to be exported by the local customs authority.

Question 26

How many embryos are usually created from a fresh cycle?

Accepted Answer

The number of embryos you can expect from a fresh egg donation cycle varies based on both quantity and quality of the retrieved eggs, as well as sperm quality and laboratory conditions. While many donors produce 15 to 30 eggs, not all of them may be mature or genetically viable. On average, 60% to 80% of mature eggs fertilize successfully. Of those, a portion will continue developing to the blastocyst stage. It's typical to see 4 to 8 PGT-A normal embryos from a high-yield cycle, though this can vary significantly.

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