decorative circles
egg donor standing in front of a plant wall

Understanding the Egg Donation Cycle at Hatch Fertility

Although a life-affirming experience that helps loving intended parents achieve parenthood, egg donation can also feel overwhelming if it’s your first time donating or you’re nervous. However, you can rest assured that Hatch works with top reproductive endocrinologists in the country to provide you with careful explanations of all medical procedures involved in egg donation. While you’re considering Hatch Fertility's egg donation program, here’s a brief explanation of what to expect.

 

Learn More ➜

Stimulated eggs that aren't extracted for egg donation would naturally pass out of the body during your menstrual cycle.

three egg donors sitting in a field of flowers
decorative circle

The Egg Retrieval Process

When your leading follicles reach 18 - 20 mm (average diameter) in size and the estradiol hormone (E2) level increases, your eggs are ready for harvest. Your eggs will mature after about two weeks of hormones.

The Egg Retrieval Procedure

Once this happens, you'll return to your doctor's office for the egg retrieval procedure, which takes about 30 minutes. Before the procedure, an injection of HCG will be administered, which prepares the egg donor's ovaries to release the eggs. During the egg retrieval procedure, you'll be put under light sedation, and your eggs will be aspirated vaginally with a long needle to remove the possibility of scarring. The eggs are then removed by placing the needle that is attached to an ultrasound probe through the vaginal tissues. This process is called in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Soon after the retrieval, you may go home accompanied by a friend. When you get home, we recommend that you take the rest of the day off work. Upon request, egg donors may be informed about a month after the retrieval if a pregnancy occurred within the recipient's parents and/or gestational carrier.

What to Expect Before, During, and After Egg Retrieval

  • Egg retrieval is a short procedure that is performed under general anesthesia and takes about 10-30 minutes.
  • Your doctor will perform the procedure under ultrasound guidance.
  • You can expect slight pain and cramping for a few days following the procedure.
  • You can return to your normal routine one day after retrieval, with the exception of exercise.

Learn More About Becoming an Egg Donor With Hatch Fertility

You won’t be just a number when you donate eggs through Hatch--we cherish your gift, and you’ll feel valued at every step of the way. As the first egg donation agency in the U.S., we’ve developed best practices and standards that are the envy of the field. You’ll receive full support from knowledgeable, empathetic referred doctors to staff members available to answer any question. Feel secure in knowing you’ll receive the support you need when you need it, from above-and-beyond compensation packages that include thoughtful gifts and personalized touches from our team.

Apply To Be an Egg Donor

decorative circles
intended parents holding their child

Experience the Empowerment of Egg Donation

Embark on the rewarding journey of helping another couple or individual grow their family with the most established egg donation agency in America.

At Hatch, you’ll receive a care coordinator to oversee your experience so that your every need remains met and your every question answered. And with the utmost confidentiality and top compensation, you’ll be able to follow your own dreams, whatever they are. Join the 8,000 women who have trusted Hatch for their egg donation or surrogacy journeys.

decorative circles
egg donor posing for a photo
decorative brush stroke

Embark on Your Personalized Egg Donor Journey

Blog

Stay up-to-date and informed with resources on egg donation, surrogacy and parenthood.