Who Can Be An Egg Donor?
You have to be fit and healthy and aged between 21-35. It is important that your periods are normal as this indicates that hormone levels will be within the normal range. Your Body Mass Index (BMI) level must not exceed 30. BMI Chart You should not have any personal history of transmissible infection and there must be no personal or family history of inheritable disorders.
The Initial Steps
Completing the Registration Form and GP consent form
If you decide that you are willing to consider being an egg donor then the first step is to complete a registration form which we will send you.
If any questions arise whilst completing the form, please do not hesitate to contact us or write your remarks in the space provided and we will call you to discuss them when we receive your details.
We will also need your permission to write to your GP. We will enclose a 'Consent to Disclose' Form which enables us to establish that there is no medical reason why you cannot donate your eggs. A copy of your signed form will then be sent to your GP with an accompanying letter from Bridge.
The Next Step
The Bridge egg donation team will look at your registration forms to confirm that there are no obvious medical reasons why you should not be able to donate. We will call you to discuss the next step which will be a blood test.
Initial Blood test
Blood tests are essential to find out whether you are suitable as an egg donor. You will be initially tested for a hormone called FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone), LH (Luteinising Hormone) and Oestradiol (E2). This will need to be carried out between Day 2 - 5 of your period (preferably Day 3).
If you are currently taking the Oral Contraceptive pill or equivalent contraceptive devices such as Mirena Coil or implant, you need to stop using it. The blood test should be performed on the second subsequent period bleed after stopping. Please use other barrier methods of contraception methods while you are preparing for treatment.
If you do not live close to London, or it is inconvenient to visit the centre at this specific time, we will send you a pathology pack that is very easy to use and comes with instructions. You can take this pack to any facility that can take blood i.e. a nurse at your local surgery. If there is a monetary charge for this procedure then please obtain an invoice and forward this to us and we will reimburse you directly. If your GP surgery can bill us directly, as they will have our initial contact letter with your details, then we will make direct payment to them.
Alternatively, you can visit Bridge if you are near London and see one of the nurses who will be able to take a blood sample from you.
Once we have the FSH, LH and Oestradiol blood results and the letter back from your GP, we will call and invite you to come for your next appointment - the Initial Consultation.
Bridge is licensed by the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority to perform IVF, microsurgical fertilisations and treatments using donated eggs and sperm and to store genetic material.
The Bridge Centre Limited, One St Thomas Street, London, SE1 9RY Tel: 020 7403 3363 Fax: 020 7403 8552
Registered in England no: 2042977 Registered office: One St Thomas Street, London, Se1 9RY