Egg Donation
Considering egg donation on your path to motherhood? This curated resource list supports women exploring this option. While we've researched these resources carefully, this is not an explicit endorsement of any individual, organization, or their content.
Understanding the Egg Donation Process
Creating a Family – Egg Donation Guide
A nonprofit offering judgment-free education on third-party reproduction. Covers emotional, ethical, and legal aspects of egg donation in an accessible way.
Website: https://creatingafamily.org
Donor Concierge
Helps intended parents find egg donors from multiple databases. Offers tailored support and education throughout the process.
Website: https://www.donorconcierge.com
FertilityIQ – Egg Donation Deep Dives
Offers real reviews of doctors and clinics, with entire courses on donor egg IVF from people who've been through it.
Website: https://www.fertilityiq.com
Top Donor Agencies
Donor Egg Bank USA
Specializes in frozen donor eggs with a large database of pre-screened donors. Offers guarantees and partners with over 150 fertility clinics nationwide.
Website: https://www.donoreggbankusa.com
The World Egg Bank
Known for transparency and detailed donor profiles. Features in-house egg retrieval center for quality control and offers international shipping options.
Website: https://www.theworldeggbank.com
Egg Donor America
Features fresh and frozen donor eggs with a high-touch matching process. Offers wide donor diversity and is open to all family structures.
Website: https://www.eggdonoramerica.com
Circle Egg Donation
LGBTQ+ friendly agency with a strong ethical track record and emotional support services. Provides transparent pricing and legal coordination.
Website: https://www.circleeggdonation.com
Legal & Ethical Guidance
Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA)
Find a reproductive lawyer to ensure your legal rights are clear—especially important for known donors or international donors.
Website: https://adoptionart.org
SEEDS – Society for Ethics in Egg Donation & Surrogacy
Focused on promoting ethical standards and transparency in third-party reproduction.
Website: https://seedsethics.org
Community Support
Parents Via Egg Donation (PVED)
An amazing nonprofit that offers private forums, resources by family type (single, LGBTQ+, couples), and support through selection, retrieval, and parenting.
Website: https://www.pved.org
Online Support Groups
Facebook Groups
- Egg Donor Parents Support Group
- Single Mothers by Egg Donation
- LGBTQ+ Families via Egg Donation
Instagram Accounts
- @mybeautifulblunder (mom via egg donor)
- @chasingcreation (infertility & egg donation paths)
- Search #eggdonorjourney or #donoreggivf for more personal stories
Mental Health Resources
Psychological Counseling
ASRM recommends counseling for all intended parents and donors. Find a therapist familiar with third-party reproduction through the PSI Directory.
Website: https://psidirectory.com
Recommended Reading
- "Let's Talk About Egg Donation" by Marna Gatlin & Carole LieberWilkins - A thorough, heartfelt guide written by experts and parents.
- "Three Makes Baby" by Jana Rupnow - Great for processing the emotional side of using a donor and for learning how to talk to your future child about it.
- "Finding Our Families" by Wendy Kramer - A broader look at donor-conceived identity and stories from donor-conceived individuals.
Podcasts
- The Egg Whisperer Show – Fertility topics from a trusted OB/GYN
- Three Makes Baby Podcast – Deep dives into donor family dynamics
- Fertility Cafe – Covers various aspects of family building
Questions to Consider
As you explore egg donation, consider:
- What characteristics are most important to you in an egg donor?
- Would you prefer a known, semi-known, or anonymous donor arrangement?
- How do you feel about potential contact between your child and the donor in the future?
- What are your preferences regarding fresh versus frozen donor eggs?
- How will you approach discussing donor conception with your child as they grow?
The egg donation journey offers a pathway to motherhood that has helped countless women build the families they've dreamed of. Though the process involves medical, emotional, and legal complexities, the resources here can help you navigate each step with confidence and clarity. Remember that many women have walked this path before you and found joy and fulfillment in their donor-conceived families.
"Biology doesn't make a family. Love does. By choosing egg donation, you're not choosing second best—you're choosing a different route to the same destination: a child to love with all your heart."
- Cheri Bergeron, Mission: Motherhood