If you're considering becoming an egg donor, you may be wondering about the number of eggs needed for donation. Are you born with all your eggs, or does your body make more eggs over your lifetime?

HOW MANY EGGS ARE IN YOUR OVARIES?

Females have around 300,000 eggs in their ovaries when they reach puberty, even though they are born with one to two million immature eggs. Many of those eggs are lost before puberty through a natural process called ovarian follicle atresia.

Of those eggs left at puberty, it is estimated that a woman may lose as many as a thousand eggs per month over her fertile years. Of the roughly 400 follicles that will reach ovulation over the course of a woman’s fertility, a woman can expect 20 follicles to mature each month with just one egg being released.

DOES THE QUALITY OF EGGS IN YOUR OVARIES DECREASE OVER TIME?

Science goes on to tell us that only the best quality eggs will be released and that, over time, the overall quality of these eggs begins to diminish as menopause approaches. This is commonly believed to be the reason women of an advanced maternal age may have difficulty achieving pregnancy with their own eggs. 

DO WOMEN PRODUCE MORE EGGS OVER TIME?

Women may be able to produce new eggs during their lifetimes, according to research. The theory is based around the existence of stem cells found within the ovaries of female mice in a 2004 study. In 2012, a study conducted by scientists from Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Edinburgh and published in PLOS Genetics  found that stem cells inside of a human female’s ovaries are capable of dividing and generating new oocytes, which then become new eggs.

While the research is still in its infancy and has only been conducted on mice at this point, it suggests that fertility and egg development may continue long after birth.

HOW MANY EGGS ARE DONATED AT ONCE?

Whether or not your body produces more eggs, only 10 to 20 eggs are donated during egg retrieval. Donors usually have ample eggs to donate and use for their own family building. Learn more about what to expect during your egg donation journey on our Egg Donation Process page.

GET STARTED

If you're considering becoming an egg donor, but you haven't taken that next step, we're here to help. To learn more about becoming an egg donor with Growing Generations contact us online or apply today.  

When a surrogate learns she is being considered to carry for a VIP client, she generally has a lot of questions. More often than not, she also may have a few assumptions about these potential intended parents. Considering VIP or celebrity surrogacy can be exciting and challenging, and we're here to provide helpful information about what to expect.

WHO ARE VIP INTENDED PARENTS?

Perhaps the most common first thought is, “Is it someone famous?” While it can be true that you are about to be asked to carry for a celebrity, it could also be the case that the profile you’re about to receive is that of an everyday person. Not all VIP profiles are of celebrities, and not all famous intended parents will wind up as VIP clients.

The one thing that all VIP cases have in common is that they are all a bit outside of the box. Every VIP is different and has different requirements.

HOW TO BE A SURROGATE FOR A VIP OR CELEBRITY

Be open to additional privacy concerns.

In general, a VIP client will be one with needs that fall beyond standard protocol. These clients are often leaders in their fields. While you may not recognize their faces, others in their industries would. To protect their privacy, they’re often seeking additional confidentiality requirements in their surrogacy agreement.

Desired constraints of VIP clients can range from very strict to nonexistent. Some VIP clients will request that no photos be taken and that no names or identifying information be shared with anyone (sometimes including your own family members).

Be prepared for a different birth experience.

Many clients from Asia, specifically China, will seek out a VIP relationship and journey. In these situations they may ask a Client Service Coordinator to attend the birth in order to translate between the intended parents and the surrogate.

Expect less personal information.

Finally, if you choose to consider a VIP client, know that you may not receive a traditional profile of the couple. These clients are not required to fill out our typical intake profile. In place of the traditional questionnaire with photos, you may receive a simple letter from the IPs instead. This letter is like a profile, containing a few photos of the intended parents and introducing you to their lives in their own words.

Be prepared for additional, specific surrogate requirements.

Many VIP clients seek a surrogate with a clean pregnancy history, a low BMI, healthy lifestyle, and a clean personal, legal, and medical background. Often these clients are looking for women who have college degrees, are established in their fields, or are active in their communities.

Carrying for a VIP couple can be challenging, but it can also be exciting. If you have additional questions about what it means to carry for a VIP client, do not hesitate to reach out to your Surrogate Specialist at any time. If you or someone you know is considering becoming a surrogate, use our online application to get started.

During your initial consultations you will be asked to consider and decide on any potential tests you’d like to have completed on your developing embryos. Most tests are performed after creation of the embryo and prior to their transfer into your surrogate’s uterus. These tests can highlight a number of things from sex of the fetus to presence of any potential genetic disorders. 

Understanding the different types of tests available is a bit like eating a bowl of alphabet soup; they’re all abbreviated and occasionally medical professionals can forget that this may be your first experience to these tests. Perhaps the most often confused tests are the Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) and Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening (PGS). Both tests require a biopsy be completed on your embryo on day 5 or 6. Here’s a look at how these two very similar tests differ. 

PGD 

This test represents the more exhaustive screening option as it screens for specific diseases. This test is often recommended for couples with a family history of genetic diseases or the knowledge that at least one contributor is a carrier for specific diseases. The test is able to identify a battery of genetic diseases including: 

• Cystic Fibrosis

• Huntington’s Disease

• Tay Sachs

• Hemophilia

• Muscular Dystrophy

• Sickle Cell Anemia

• Spinal Muscular Atrophy

• Muscular Dystrophy

• Marfan’s Syndrome

PGS 

PGS looks specifically at chromosomal numbers. A typical, healthy embryo should have 46 pairs of chromosomes. This test will identify if there are fewer or greater chromosomes that what is considered ideal. Abnormalities in chromosomal numbers can lead to failure to implant, increased odds of miscarriage, and genetic disorders including Downs Syndrome. This test is recommended for those wanting to attempt only single embryo transfers as a way to aid in the selection of the best embryo for transfer. 

Can We Do Both? 

A commonly asked question is if your embryo is able to have both tests completed. The general answer is yes. In patients who carry a single gene mutation, it is not only possible but recommended. Remember that if anyone you encounter during your experience begins to use jargon that is unfamiliar to you, it is perfectly acceptable to stop them and ask for clarification on terminology. These terms are foreign to most and you should not feel any hesitation to ask for explanation. Understanding your options will help you make the best choices possible for your growing family.

A surrogate will frequently be prescribed intramuscular injections of progesterone. These are the injections your surrogate is most likely least looking forward to taking, and if she mentions her injections, these are the medications she is most likely talking about. The hormone is used to help aid in sustaining a pregnancy achieved through IVF and is typically given daily for the first 10 to 12 weeks. The progesterone is mixed in an oil to create an injectable compound for IVF. 

PROGESTERONE IN OIL INJECTION: TYPICAL OILS USED

Several different types of oils can be used for the progesterone element of a surrogate's medical protocol. Here’s a breakdown of the most commonly used oils for this purpose. 

• Ethyl Oleate: You may not be familiar with the oil ethyl oleate. The body creates it from a human fatty acid when ethanol and oleic acid combine. It is, by far, the thinnest of the oil compounds for intramuscular injections, so a smaller gauge needle is used for injections. It is the most often prescribed oil compound.

• Olive Oil: Olive oil is also commonly compounded with progesterone. While it is thicker than ethyl oleate and requires a larger needle, many women report that this blend offers some of the easiest absorption into their muscles.

• Sesame Oil: This is typically a thinner compound than the olive oil blend, making it easier for the muscle to absorb. Better absorption limits the size and sensitivity of lumps that often form at the injection sites. Many of our surrogates tell us that sesame oil results in some of the most manageable injection site tenderness.

• Peanut and Cottonseed Oils: These are the least-used oils. Peanut oil tends to be rather thick, while cottonseed oil is a thinner compound and is reported to cause less intense pain at the injection site. 

Doctors tend to prescribe a certain oil time and time again due to their personal preference. No one oil has been shown to produce a significant benefit across the board when compared to another. While some patients report far less pain with one type of oil versus another, a different woman may report experiencing the exact opposite reaction to the same oil compounds. More important than the oil type is ensuring that the injection sites are properly identified and that injection site tenderness is not the result of an allergic reaction.

PROGESTERONE IN OIL SIDE EFFECTS

The most common side effects include pain and swelling at the injection site, breast tenderness, headache, weight gain or loss, acne, nausea, increased body or facial hair, loss of scalp hair, drowsiness, and dizziness. These typically resolve quickly. Call your doctor if they persist.

Allergic reactions can occur with sesame or peanut oils. If that occurs, you will usually be switched to progesterone in a different oil base, typically ethyl oleate.

Growing Generations is honored to support our surrogates every step of the way.  To learn more about the surrogacy process, including the medical protocol, contact Growing Generations.

Your surrogacy journey will begin with an in-depth screening process. Growing Generations is committed to thoroughly screening potential surrogates, and we're proud of the process we have developed. Although richly rewarding, surrogacy should not be entered into lightly.

STEP 1: THE APPLICATION

The first step is to fill out our online surrogate application. Your replies will be used to help us determine if you meet the minimum qualifications to be a Growing Generations surrogate. We consider a number of specific criteria, including age, state of residence, height, and body mass index. Other determining factors include tobacco use, U.S. citizenship, green card, or visa status and if you or your partner have been convicted of a felony. We ask other questions to gather information about gastric surgery for weight loss, diabetes, and other pregnancy-related diagnoses you may have had in the past.

STEP 2: FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS

If you meet our minimum requirements, you will progress to several follow-up questions. These questions are asked to uncover your current relationship status, preferences on the types of intended parents you’d be willing to work with, medical history, reproductive history/preferences, as well as personal and social history. You’ll also field questions about your psychological history. Finally, we’ll need to know about your travel and child care availability and health insurance.

STEP 3: ONLINE ACCOUNT & FINAL APPLICATION

Once this is submitted and the application is accepted, a Growing Generations’ admissions specialist will contact you within one business day. At that time you’ll be given access to an online portal to complete the final part of your online application. You’ll also be granted access to an online account with Growing Generations where you can read answers to our most frequently asked questions.

The second portion of the application will ask you more in-depth questions. Topics include birth control history, pregnancy, and birth history, your employment and insurance information, and personal health history.

STEP 4: CONSULTATION

Finally, after this leg of your application is approved, your Admissions Specialist will invite you to schedule a phone consultation. During this phone call, you’ll be able to ask questions and we’ll chat a bit about the process.

We will talk more about the phone consultation, as well as about the second half of your surrogate application process, in our next blog post, Surrogate Screening Process: Part 2.

Key takeaways from this article:

• The surrogacy journey begins with a thorough screening process.

• The initial application includes basic info, medical history, and lifestyle habits.

• Criteria include age, BMI, citizenship status, felony convictions, and health diagnoses.

• If minimum requirements are met, follow-up questions focus on personal history, preferences, and availability.

• After acceptance, an admissions specialist will contact the applicant within a business day.

• Access to an online portal is granted to complete the final application parts.

• The next part of the application asks about birth control, employment, and health history.

• Post-approval, an admissions specialist schedules a phone consultation for further queries.

To get started on your own surrogacy journey, contact us online or call us at 323.965.7500.

Updated 2/29/24