Donation Process
Once a woman is a confirmed egg donor, the process of synchronizing both donor and recipient’s cycles will begin. A donor receives medication that will stimulate her ovaries to produce multiple egg-containing follicles. The patient (recipient) prepares her uterus by taking estrogen tablets or by applying estrogen patches and, once ovulation is triggered in the donor, will also take progesterone.
After the donor’s eggs have matured, a needle retrieves them (through the guidance of an ultrasound). The eggs are then fertilized in Penn's state-of-the-art laboratory and will incubate for two to five days. After incubation, the eggs are transferred to the recipient's uterus in a simple outpatient procedure. A pregnancy test is performed 9 to 12 days after the transfer.
Egg Donation and Pregnancy Q&A Session
Need an appointment? Request one online 24 hours/day, 7 days/week or call 800-789-PENN (7366) to speak to a referral counselor.
