Using donor eggs is a wonderful way to make the dream of growing your family a reality, but the process can be overwhelming. From finding the perfect donor match to navigating medical appointments and procedures, it can be tough emotionally, financially, and logistically.  So what should you expect? Because the donor egg timeline varies, be ready for a journey that requires patience, planning, and a whole lot of love — but we know you can handle it. The donor egg process, step-by-step Finding an agency and matching with an egg donor If you’re thinking about using...

People can grow their families in some remarkable ways, thanks to science. While some families may turn to sperm donation, IVF, or gestational carriers, others find that using donor eggs is the path for them. There are examples of families who turn to donor eggs everywhere. For instance, celebrities like Lance Bass and Barbara Corcoran have opened up about their donor egg journeys. We’ve teamed up with Donor Egg Bank USA™, a leading frozen donor egg bank since 2012, to answer some of your top questions about egg donation, what to expect from a donor egg...

Sometimes, despite multiple attempts at assisted reproductive technology, the recommended next course of action for certain prospective parents is surrogacy. This is a process where a gestational carrier (GC) carries and delivers a child for a couple or individual, known as the intended parent(s) (IP). GCs are impregnated through in-vitro fertilization (IVF), with embryos created from either the intended mother or egg donor and sperm from the intended father or a sperm donor.  Surrogacy can be necessary for a multitude of reasons, including situations where the intended mother doesn’t have a functioning uterus, or a medical...

Starting a family can be pricey, especially if you're using IUI, IVF, or donor gametes, so it helps to plan as much as possible. Donor sperm is an option for all kinds of families, from same-sex couples and those pursuing parenthood on their own, to individuals facing infertility. But how much does donor sperm cost? We’re breaking it all down, plus what else you should know about the process of making your parenthood dream a reality. The cost of donor sperm: What to know The cost of donor sperm can vary widely. The sperm bank you...

Your doctor says you will need donor eggs to conceive. We get it — it’s hardly the answer you wanted to hear during your already arduous fertility journey. Once you’ve taken the time to absorb the news, you’ll probably have tons of questions about what comes next.  That’s where Everie comes in. More than just an egg bank, Everie boasts a team of fertility and donation experts who can answer all the questions about egg donation likely swimming around your head.  To start, there is a spectrum of options for egg donation, from known egg donation to anonymous...

More and more, donor eggs are becoming a normalized part of the fertility conversation. Several celebrities have revealed they needed donor eggs to create their families, and plenty of essays are available that speak candidly about this topic. The reasons why people may need donor eggs to get pregnant vary, but this can be due to age-related fertility decline, genetic risks, or medical conditions like premature ovarian failure or cancer (where the patient is undergoing chemotherapy or radiation). Donor eggs are also a necessity for same-sex male couples or single men who wish to have...

You’ve decided you want to grow your family, and that using a sperm donor is on the path to getting there. Like with any relationship, you may have a list of criteria you’re looking for when it comes to donors.  Beyond the specific details and history of your ideal donor, there are other important considerations like potential communication with donors or your future children’s biological half-siblings and the number of vials available.  Choosing the right sperm donor: 5 things to consider To help you navigate the complex process of selecting a sperm donor, we connected...

Same-sex couples, individuals pursuing parenthood on their own, or couples facing severe male-factor infertility, may consider using donor sperm as an option for growing their family. You can use donor sperm from a vetted sperm bank or someone you already know. Opting for donor sperm from a sperm bank may be the right move for people who want access to well-screened samples and who don’t want to navigate the complexities of leaning on a friend or loved one. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) are two common ways to use donor sperm to...

Adopting a baby in the United States can be expensive. Typically, it can cost anywhere between $15,000 and $70,000, depending on what type of adoption you choose to pursue. There are, however, some ways that hopeful parents can save money when pursuing adoption to grow their family.  The different types of adoption Before we dive into the more affordable vs. less affordable paths when it comes to adoption, we’ll share a brief overview of each option. Choosing the one that is right for you will be the first step of your adoption journey.  Foster care...

I’ve spent the past decade covering reproductive health, and here’s what I’ve noticed during that time: Celebrities have been a real force in the normalization and de-stigmatization of fertility issues.  Every time a star opens up about a miscarriage or tells their fertility story, it moves the mission of removing the shame from these issues forward. And that’s powerful. It’s also complicated. Because while speaking out about reproductive issues and sharing personal stories does so much for the greater good — especially when a person with a big platform does it — no one needs...