Bringing dreams to life: Why women become surrogates and egg donors

For most couples and individuals who visit our Newport Beach fertility clinic, nothing matters more than starting or building their families. In some cases, using an egg donor or surrogate provides the best odds for success. Often, patients wonder why women become surrogates and egg donors. Robert Anderson MD and Don Royster MD, our fertility experts, believe various reasons can motivate women to make such a selfless choice.

Egg donors and surrogates help would-be parents build their families

At Southern California Center for Reproductive Medicine, we believe every family building journey is beautiful. When infertility struggles stand in the way of parenthood, egg donors and surrogates can provide the bridge needed to help our patients and their partners achieve their goals. There are several situations in which our fertility specialists might recommend considering gestational surrogacy or egg donation to have a baby.

• Women who have low ovarian reserve or egg quality issues
• Advanced maternal age
• Same-sex male couples or single men who want to become fathers
• Severe medical conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes or heart disease, that make pregnancy risky
• Female patients who cannot physically carry a pregnancy due to physical abnormalities or a prior hysterectomy

Reaping the rewards of such a generous gift

Although a woman who becomes an egg donor or surrogate typically receives monetary compensation, most women choose this path because they want to help a deserving couple or individual welcome a healthy baby into the world. Surrogates and donors fully understand what they are doing for someone else. To understand why women become surrogates and egg donors, there are several motivations that factor in.

• A deep sense of altruism
• Enjoyment of the pregnancy experience
• Financial stability
• Personal fulfillment

How to become an egg donor or surrogate

Women who want to become an egg donor or surrogate go through a rigorous screening process. Typically, potential donors and surrogates will answer questions during an initial interview, submit to blood work and a drug screening, pass a psychological evaluation, and undergo genetic testing. Surrogate candidates must have given birth to at least one biological child before becoming a surrogate. Once the screening process is complete, the donor or surrogate’s details are listed with a trusted agency for review by prospective parents.

Surrogates and egg donors deliver unimaginable joy to the families they assist. If you would like to discuss the steps to become an egg donor or surrogate, we are here to answer any questions and aid you in the decision-making process. Call our office to schedule a consultation appointment with one of our Newport Beach fertility clinic doctors.