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.