The egg donor medical cycle is outlined below:

Suppression and Ovarian Stimulation for the Egg Donor

Before the egg donor cycle begins, your doctor may have you take birth control pills or estrace (a low dose of estrogen) in order to suppress your natural cycle and ensure you are ready to begin the egg donor stimulation cycle at the ideal time.

During ovarian stimulation, egg donors are monitored closely through blood tests and ultrasound, ensuring that the ovaries are responding well and not going into hyperstimulation.

Triggering Ovulation and Egg Retrieval for the Egg Donor

When the donor’s eggs have sufficiently developed, the donor will be instructed to trigger ovulation with a self-injection. Eggs are retrieved in a short in-office procedure, called egg retrieval. Using an aspiration needle, guided by ultrasound, eggs are transvaginally retrieved. Donors are required to rest the remainder of the day after the retrieval, but may resume normal activity the following day.

Post-Retrieval Checkup for the Donor

The donor will be required to undergo a post-retrieval checkup to ensure proper recovery. The egg donor stimulation cycle will take 10-14 days to complete, followed by a post-retrieval ultrasound approximately two weeks after the egg retrieval.