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First Time or Repeat Egg Donor - Which Is Best?

Posted in Finding An Egg Donor on July 1, 2016
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We are often asked which is better: a first-time egg donor or a repeat egg donor. The short answer is one is not better than the other. There is no difference in success rates between using a first time egg donor and a repeat egg donor. Donors of all kinds have to go through the same egg donation process, though there are unique considerations for each type of egg donor candidate.

Repeat egg donors

Why did my doctor recommend a repeat egg donor?

There are pros to choosing a repeat egg donor that your doctor is aware of. Your fertility team has information about how her cycles have gone in the past, which is appealing.

  • Record of previous responses to stimulation and/or positive pregnancy.
  • Your egg donor was able to follow through with the protocol and make it to retrieval, all reassuring data to have before heading into a cycle. What your doctor is focused on is science, not the financial, emotional or issues of human nature. A repeat donor can be a great choice if you can find someone that you like, who is available to travel to your clinic and is can cycle when you are ready to cycle. She'll often have had her genetic and fertility testing completed and will understand the process and how she will respond to the medications.

Here are a few drawbacks to a repeat donor that you may encounter:

  • Repeat donors are in high demand
  • Their fees are higher
  • Finding a repeat donor who you like and is available can be challenging
  • Waiting for your turn to work with the repeat donor of your dreams can fall through. Being an egg donor is not a walk in the park it is not unusual for donors to decide they don’t want to do a future cycle when it’s your turn

First-time egg donors

Here are a few reasons to also look at first time donors:

  • Every egg donor was a first time donor at some time
  • First time egg donors are excited about the process and the possibility of helping you
  • First time egg donor fees are usually significantly lower than a repeat donor
  • First time egg donors can be tested for ovarian reserve prior to you committing to work with them
  • First time egg donors may be open to doing an exclusive donation arrangement with your family

We always recommend that intended parents look at both first time donors egg donors as well as repeat donors. It is hard enough to find candidates that feel “familiar” you don’t want to eliminate the majority of candidates because they have never done this before it may even be a plus when creating your family.

Interested in building your family with Donor Concierge? Schedule your free consultation today.

Donor Concierge Blog

Welcome to Gail's Blog! Gail launched Donor Concierge in 2006 to provide intended parents with greater choice when searching for an egg donor or surrogate. Our Blog retains her voice, and our company retains her philosophy & ethics. We invite you to learn about finding an egg donor, finding a surrogate mother and the fascinating world of fertility.

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