Becoming an egg donor in Canada: a quick guide

If you're interested in becoming an egg donor in Canada, it's important to know your rights and what the process involves. Regardless of your motivation for becoming an egg donor, it's the type of generous act that can change lives. Here is a quick guide to the benefits, risks and law surrounding the egg donation process in Canada.

If you're thinking about donating an egg, it could be for selfless reasons or there could be someone you personally know who needs an egg to start a family.

Regardless of the circumstances, according to Canadian law, you're unable to receive monetary compensation for your egg donation.

Though you can still be reimbursed for certain expenses involved in the egg donating process.

There are approximately 30 fertility clinics across Canada. Getting in touch with your local fertility clinic or speaking to your own doctor is the first step in the egg donating process.

After you've started the process, the next step is to undergo a medical screening.

This screening process involves taking a thorough medical history, family history, and a series of additional questionnaires. This information is designed to help people decide on a donor and keep all parties involved safe.

Unlike donating sperm, donating an egg is a more difficult process. Usually, you produce one egg each month during a normal cycle, but the goal of egg donation is to generate multiple eggs at one time.

To do this, you will need to take medication to stop your normal cycle. Then you will need to take additional medication over the course of 10 days to stimulate production of extra eggs. This medication mimics hormones you naturally produce, but in much higher quantities.

All of the medication administered in this process carries the potential for side effects, including fatigue, sleeplessness, vaginal pain, and hot flashes. There is also the potential for severe complications such as kidney failure or blood clots.

Once your eggs are ready, a doctor will perform a procedure known as transvaginal ovarian aspiration to retrieve them.

Before you donate eggs, be sure that medical staff inform you about all the risks, what measures you can take to protect yourself, and what to expect through each step of the process.

Privacy may be one of your main concerns regarding the egg donation process.

The good news is that Canadian law protects you: you can choose to remain anonymous or share your contact information depending on your personal desire. If you decide to remain anonymous, it's possible to identify yourself at a later date as well.

Ultimately, becoming an egg donor can be a rewarding act for those involved. Donating your eggs is not a simple process, but if you decide to become an egg donor, you'll be giving the gift of life.