Surrogacy or egg donation are great options. However, we highly recommend doing your research before making your final decision. The key is to understand which option is right for you.
If you are reading this article, then it’s likely that you have already made up your mind to help someone start a family. That’s fantastic! But now that you have made the decision, you may be asking yourself “how do I do that?” and that is the very first question everyone should ask themselves.
Below, you’ll find a detailed description and overview of both surrogacy and egg donation from surrogacy agency – San Diego, including benefits, drawbacks, and requirements of each, to help you make an informed decision before you begin the application process.
How Are the Requirements Different?
Before you begin to weigh the compensation and benefits of surrogacy and egg donation it is important to understand the requirements for each. This will save you a lot of time if you don’t qualify for one of the options.
Here are the basic requirements that you must meet to become a Surrogate Mother at Reproductive Sciences Medical Center
- You must be between the ages of 21 and 37.
- Your BMI must be under 32.
- Have given birth before and should be raising your child.
- Be a US citizen.
- Have no criminal record.
- Agree to medical and psychological screenings.
- You must be free from any drug use
- Be a non–smoker and should be living in a non–smoking home.
- Be a resident of CA, NV, OR, TX, CO, WA or IL
Here are the basic requirements that you must meet to become an egg donor at Reproductive Sciences Medical Center, San Diego – Egg Donation Program.
- You must be between the ages of 19 and 29
- Must Have a BMI of less than 28.
- A healthy lifestyle.
- You must not have any reproductive disorders.
- You must be free from any drug use.
- Must be a non–smoker and should be living in a non–smoking home.
- Agree to take injectable medications.
- Agree to medical and psychological screenings.
- Be willing to undergo an outpatient procedure for egg retrieval.
- Able to follow a doctor’s instructions.
Surrogate Mother requirements are inherently more stringent than that of becoming an egg donor. That’s because becoming a Surrogate requires you to, in a sense, donate your body, whereas, in the process of egg donation, you only require to donate your eggs. Your lifestyle becomes much more relevant with surrogacy so it is important that you lead a healthy lifestyle during your pregnancy.
However, with egg donation, your ability to follow an injectable medication regimen and adhere to doctor’s orders is especially important. Doing so will ensure a successful egg retrieval. Your personal health and traits will be closely observed because the Intended Parents will want to make sure that you can provide healthy and viable eggs that meet their needs. It is also important that you don’t have any genetic diseases.
Surrogacy also requires you to be a U.S. citizen while egg donors from all around the world are accepted at our fertility agency.
What Are The Benefits And Drawbacks?
If you meet the requirements to become both an egg donor and Surrogate, then you should consider the benefits and drawbacks that come with each option. The biggest difference between becoming a Surrogate Mother and an egg donor is that surrogacy requires a longer commitment. With surrogacy, you truly are donating your entire body for a full nine months of pregnancy. If this sounds overwhelming, then maybe egg donation might be the right choice your you. Although, some women find donating their eggs to someone else to be a greater sacrifice than temporarily donating their bodies along with their time.
Another important thing to consider before finalizing the option that is right for you is the amount of compensation you will receive. At Reproductive Sciences Medical Center, our first-time Surrogate Mothers are generously compensated for their time. Experienced Surrogates earn even more for their second journey. Our compensation structure ensures that Surrogates receive payment of an absolute fixed amount. While compensation for egg donation at Reproductive Sciences Medical Center, San Diego varies depending on a few factors, including high-demand traits.
Do You Have To Be In Your 20s To Become a Surrogate?
Unlike egg donors, Surrogates can be a little older. At Reproductive Sciences Medical Center, our Surrogates can be 37 years old. Egg donors are required to be younger because egg quality is known to decrease after your 20s.
What If You Want to Be a Surrogate And An Egg Donor?
If you find that you’re one of the lucky ones who are willing and able to become both, as long as you meet the requirements for both surrogacy as well as egg donation, the answer is “Yes.” But you can’t do both at the same time though. You may become a Surrogate after you have completed your egg donation or vice versa but you cannot become both a Surrogate and egg donor at the same time. There are a variety of factors making it impossible to do so. With egg donation you are given hormones to increase the production of eggs. But, as a Surrogate you are doing the opposite. Also, Surrogates usually do not use their own eggs, unless she is related to one of the Intended Parents.
There are also some other key differences between being an egg donor and a Surrogate that you may not be aware of.
Egg Donation is:
- Usually anonymous
- possible even if haven’t had children
- A shorter time commitment (usually a few months)
- Your genetic material
- For individuals, same sex couples, or someone who can carry her own child, but doesn’t have any viable eggs
Being a Surrogate is:
- Being matched with known Intended Parents
- Having had your own child as a requirement
- A 12–18-month long commitment
- In some cases, no way being genetically related to the baby
- For Intended Parents who cannot get pregnant on their own
Egg Donors and Surrogates do have some similarities. They both must be physically and mentally healthy, nonsmokers, not using prescription or recreational drugs and willing to make a huge commitment to helping someone build their family.
Apply to Become a Surrogate or an Egg Donor Today!
After reviewing all the requirements, benefits and drawbacks, if you are ready to become an egg donor, you can do so here or become a Surrogate by applying below.
