• So what risks are there?

    There are two things you should be aware of: the main risk is a condition called Ovarian Hyper-Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS), which happens in 1% of In-vitro Fertilisation (IVF) cases. And secondly, on retrieval, there is a tiny chance of infection, or reaction to the anaesthetic, as with any medical procedure. 

    We work with professional Fertility Clinics, where you will have the best possible specialised medical treatment. You are in good hands.

  • Who pays my medical bills?

    Your Recipients pay all medical costs. This is a very big deal for them, emotionally AND financially, and they want you to have the best possible treatment and care.

  • Who Sees My Information? I Don’t Want The World Knowing My Business

    Our secure database is password-protected. You will join our list of Egg Donors, where registered ababySA Recipients (those looking for eggs to start a family) can view your profile. They will not know who you are, but will see a bit about you, physically, as well as relevant details of your medical and family history.

  • Don’t I need ALL my eggs so I can fall pregnant?

    You’re born with about two million eggs. By puberty, only 300,000 immature eggs are left: every month, a group of eggs grow and develop so your body ovulates once each cycle. One egg! The remaining eggs from this group don’t develop fully and are flushed in the menstrual cycle.

    As we age, so the efficiency of ovulation and quality of your egg may reduce; that’s one of the reasons why we have an age limit for Egg Donors.

  • And long-term? Any chance of me damaging my ability to have children?

    Egg donation doesn’t cause infertility. Fertility medication has no proven long-term effects at all.

    You may choose to donate several times and then go on to have children of your own. Or you may have kids first and then donate your eggs.

  • Are we talking surgery here?

    No, no cutting at all. You will be under procedural (conscious) sedation, a medical term for very light anaesthestics or sedatives to minimise pain and discomfort. You’re usually able to speak and respond to the doctors and nurses while they retrieve your eggs vaginally, using a suction needle.

    You will, however, be in specialist medical hands, treated by doctors who specialise in fertility medicine.

  • I’m Worried This May Not Be Legal. Is Egg Donation Legal In South Africa?

    Yes, the National Health Act of 2003 (regulations about artificial fertilisation and related matters) confirms it’s all completely above board. It is true that there are some places in the world where you may not donate eggs; that’s why  a large number of international Recipients who visit South Africa to use our service.

  • Does it take a lot of time to donate?

    Not too bad, but it does take some commitment from you.

    After you’re chosen, there will be an appointment with the doctors at your clinic (about an  hour). Also, an hour, once-off, with a psychologist. And during the actual procedure, you’ll have to visit the clinic three to four times (over a two-week period) for ultrasounds, checkups and to coordinate your cycle with the recipient mother.

    You’ll also have to take a day off for egg retrieval, which happens during the normal work week. We can arrange a sick note, if you need it.

  • My Kids Will Be Out There. Won’t That Be Strange For Me?

    Unfertilised eggs are discarded by your body with your normal menstrual cycle. And to make a child, you also need an entire swagbag of goodies: sperm; a healthy womb, a mother. There aren’t going to be any of your children running around any where, but there may be children that carry some of your genetic material, loved by parents who have moved mountains to welcome them into their lives!

    An egg donor, surrogate or birth mother is special person who helped to create that child, but they are not that child’s mother.

  • So fertility medicine does exactly what?

    It helps your body to rescue many of the immature eggs (usually around ten) that would otherwise have been lost, so medical professionals can retrieve them for use in an egg donation programme like ababySA. It doesn’t affect any of your eggs that your body will use for future cycles. The fertility medication has no proven long-term bad effects.

  • I’m Thinking Of Becoming An Egg Donor. Do I Qualify?

    If you’re female (please check!) aged 20 to 34, healthy and from a healthy family, you could be a very special person: you could donate a few of your eggs to people (Recipients) who need them to start their own family.

    We welcome Egg Donors of any ethnic background. The usual disclaimers apply: addicts or heavy smokers are a no-no.

  • Will I get paid?

    The South African Medical Ethics committee have recommended R7,000 to the Egg Donor per donation cycle (depending on which Clinic runs the program) as an inconvenience allowance for the time and energy you expend in gifting your eggs, to help parents with their dream of having children. The compensation is paid in cash, by the clinic, on the day of the egg retrieval, after the procedure.

    Eggs are not sold, they are gifted and no price can be put on that gift.

    Your recipient parents will never forget you.

Become A Donor

8 things Egg Donors need to know

Your Recipient parents will never forget you. So, we’ve prepared 8 key points that we believe are important for you to consider, before you decide to join ababySA. 

Once you’ve satisfied yourself with the process, please register with us. An online, secure form will magically appear and you can tell us some basic information about yourself. Our cyber-imps have a look and – as long as you fit the basic requirements – we’ll ask you to commit by filling out a detailed application that gives enough information for prospective parents to decide your eggs and genetics fit their profile! Egg Donation is a gift of giving, of sheer generosity of spirit, and to take part is to gift the miracle of life. There’s more detail here

1. WHY ARE EGG DONORS NEEDED?

1. WHY ARE EGG DONORS NEEDED?

Couples (or singles) may want a child, but can’t fall pregnant using their own eggs. There are many medical reasons why this happens, such as premature ovarian failure, no ovaries, early menopause, age- induced ovulatory dysfunction and advanced endometriosis. Women may carry undesirable genetic traits, or have had their eggs damaged by exposure to auto immune diseases. Or cancer treatment may harm remaining eggs.


2. HOW DOES AN EGG DONOR HELP?

2. HOW DOES AN EGG DONOR HELP?

Often, after repeated in-vitro fertilization procedures and repeated pregnancy loss, a couple will choose to use the male sperm to fertilise a donated egg. In this way their child carries half of their genetic material and the woman gets to experience being pregnant and everything that goes with it! An Egg Donor provides her eggs to help these couples realise their dreams of a family.


3. WHAT ARE THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS?

3. WHAT ARE THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS?

If you’re female with an email, aged 20 to 33, of any race, healthy and from a healthy family, you can do it! You should also have a regular Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 29 and a regular menstrual cycle. Check your BMI here!


4. ARE THERE SHARED GENETICS?

4. ARE THERE SHARED GENETICS?

We will match you anonymously with recipients who want a child, but can’t fall pregnant using their own eggs. There are many medical reasons why this happens, but after repeated in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures and repeated pregnancy loss, a couple may choose to use the male sperm to fertilise a donated egg so that their child carries half of their genetic material.


5. GIFT A WISH OF LOVE AND HOPE

5. GIFT A WISH OF LOVE AND HOPE

All Recipients have some things in common: they’ve been through years of infertility treatments; they’ve spent many thousands of Rands and have endured many disappointments. And you can help them become parents, you can gift the wish of love and hope!


6. WITH WHO WILL YOU WORK?

6. WITH WHO WILL YOU WORK?

We work with the best, result-driven Clinics in South Africa, who recognise the tremendous gift made by you, our Egg Donor. We assist in matching you to the perfect parent. When you are chosen, you will start the Egg Donation process. You in good hands: the Clinics are all run by Medical Specialists who are passionate about Reproductive Medicine. We all want to be sure that you are absolutely ready to enter our program.


7. CAN I BE IDENTIFIED?

7. CAN I BE IDENTIFIED?

It’s completely anonymous: our secure database is password-protected. You will join our list of possible egg donors, where registered ababySA Recipients (those looking for eggs to start a family) can view your profile. They will not know your identity, but will see a bit about you, physically, as well as relevant details of your medical and family history. Your name will be a pseudonym and pictures of you are only of toddler-age and less.

We are a completely anonymous egg donor agency! Confidential or identifying information will not be shared with anyone, ever. Never. Ever.


8. WILL IT COST ME ANYTHING?

8. WILL IT COST ME ANYTHING?

Your Recipients pay all medical and associated costs; this is a very big deal for them, emotionally AND financially, and they want you to have the best possible treatment and care. The South African Medical Ethics committee currently recommend R7,000 compensation to the Egg Donor per donation cycle, as an inconvenience allowance for the time and energy you expend in gifting your eggs, to help parents with their dream of having children. The compensation is paid in cash, by your clinic, on the day of the egg retrieval, after the procedure. You may be asked to travel for your donation. If so, all expenses (such as airline tickets, hotel, transport and a nominal daily allowance) will be paid by your Recipient.

 

This may just be the greatest thing you ever do!

The cost to you is time, and bearing the weight of a wish of love and of hope. Your eggs are not sold, they are gifted and no price can be put on that gift. 

More Questions

  • Zeta

    “I want to help woman reach their dream of bearing children and experiencing the joy of motherhood.”

  • Fundiswa

    “I hope that you are able to find someone to give you the gift you are looking for. I would be so happy and grateful to help you achieve this.”

  • Chandi

    “Let’s us raise this generation and build this nation with love and passion. May God be with you. I love you both.”

  • Sumiko

    “I thrive on helping other people and would love to help you realise the dream of having your own family.”

  • Precious

    “My goal in life is to make people happy – this is just another way of doing that.”

  • Joyce

    “You have been too awesome! Thank you for your support, I would do this again, no questions asked. Your ethics and kindness will take you far.”

  • Samantha

    “Thank you so much, you are an amazing woman and it’s a pleasure working with u. I am also happy I was able to donate such a wonderful gift.”

  • Buhle

    “Thank you so much for everything, I appreciate working with you and everyone you introduced me to. I just hope and wish my recipients are successful.”

  • Roxanne

    “I have only received excellent service from ababySA.”