How soon will I be selected as a donor?
The donor selection process consists of several stages:
- Submission of the application by interested/potential donors
- Review and approval of the application by the IVF Tours Georgia team (2 working days)
- Direct interview with donor coordinators (5 working days)
- Appointment with the ReproART doctor for ultrasound examination to assess the prospective egg donor’s follicular apparatus (1 working day)
How soon will the procedure begin?
The procedure will begin after a donor is selected by a couple.
Information about you will be added to the egg donation database to be accessible to interested couples. IVF Tours Georgia donor coordinators will contact you to launch the egg donation program after the selection of a donor by a couple.
What nationality are is the couple?
No relations are established or information exchanged between the egg donor and the couple as this process is strictly confidential and communication between them is maintained through the IVF Tours Georgia team. This is why the donor has no access to information about the couple’s identity or nationality.
When will I be paid?
კვერცხუჯრედის დონორის კომპენსაცია
Egg donor remuneration
Egg donor remuneration fluctuates between USD 1,000 and 1,500. Once a donor is selected, the donation program is set in motion. After subsequent tests and procedures, egg aspiration, the same as egg retrieval, is scheduled. The donor is remunerated on the day of aspiration or 2-3 working days thereafter.
What procedures does egg donation involve?
Once a donor is selected by a couple, the ReproART Center conducts a detailed medical examination of the donor in line with the center’s internal standards and under the guidance of the ReproART Center’s reproductive medical doctor.
During the egg donation program, the menstrual cycles of the egg donor and the patient are synchronized so that the embryo may be transferred into the future parent’s uterus with a properly prepared endometrium.
Normally, women produce one egg per menstrual cycle. To achieve successful treatment with the help of the latest Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), however, it is recommended to have several eggs which is made possible by administering the latest hormone medications (gonadotropins) that ensure ovarian stimulation with drugs. Ovarian stimulation with medications is also known as controlled ovarian stimulation (COA).
The medications must be taken for a period of 7-13 days with their dosage and exact duration depending on the health, age, weight and other characteristics of the donor. The growth of follicles is monitored through ultrasound and laboratory testing.
The date (day) for follicle removal is scheduled by the doctor depending on their size. To trigger ovulation, medication is administered to the donor and the eggs are removed within 34-36 hours after the final injection.
How painful is the procedure?
The follicle aspiration procedure proper lasts 15-30 minutes with women patients put to sleep using IV anesthesia, this way making egg cell aspiration a painless and safe procedure. After a few hours of rest under the doctor’s supervision following the procedure, the patient is discharged to return to her everyday activities. A follow-up ultrasound test is done a week later and the doctor examines the patient.
How safe is the procedure?
Egg aspiration
As ovarian follicles grow sufficiently enough, follicle aspiration is performed on the donor, a procedure lasting only 15-30 minutes to which patients respond very well. Women patients are put to sleep using IV anesthesia, this way making egg cell aspiration a painless and safe procedure. After a few hours of rest under the doctor’s supervision following the procedure, the patient is discharged to return to her everyday activities. A follow-up ultrasound test is done a week later and the doctor examines the patient.
The blue-ribbon equipment employed at ReproART, along with its American standards and well-trained and experienced personnel, ensure the safety of treatment for donors and couples throughout the egg donation process. The prevention programs and treatment standards observed at the center enable it to avoid conditions in donors and future mothers that may require medications that can worsen or damage their health. To rule out even the slightest possibility of any complications, ReproART conducts a full set of comprehensive testing.
How long does it take to complete the procedure to complete?
After a donor is selected by a couple, ovarian stimulation is performed on her ahead of egg aspiration (retrieval). Prior to aspiration, the patient is examined by different specialists such as a therapist, mammologist, cardiologist, anesthesiologist and others. After the completion of all of the tests and procedures, a date of aspiration is scheduled. These procedures take 1.5-2 months on average after the selection of a donor.
How often will I have to visit the doctor?
After the inception of the program, the donor is expected to visit the center for tests and appointments with different specialists (therapist, mammologist, cardiologist, anesthesiologist and others). There are 3-4 visits expected between the beginning of preparatory procedures and the day of egg aspiration.
Will I be able to have children of my own after donation?
Given that the procedure is safe and every step throughout the program is taken under doctor supervision, it is only natural that the program will have no adverse effect on your reproductive health.
What can prevent me from being remunerated?
If a donor completes all of the examinations and tests, the process of stimulation is launched and, based on the doctor’s conclusions, it has been decided that the donor’s ovaries do not respond to stimulation, the doctor terminates the procedure, making aspiration impossible and for which reason the donor will not be remunerated. In addition, if the donor consents to program participation and starts testing and examinations, but subsequently violates contractual obligations in the process by dropping out of the program, she will no longer be eligible for remuneration. Moreover, she will be obligated to cover losses and pay a monetary fine.
Is my remuneration paid via bank transfer or in cash?
Donor remuneration can be paid via bank transfer or in cash. The program manager will coordinate this issue with the donor prior to the beginning of the program. The remuneration amount may be transferred to the donor’s bank account or paid in cash after signing a relevant document.
How many eggs are retrieved?
After the completion of egg simulation, a date is set for egg aspiration during which the doctor will retrieve as many eggs as your ovaries will have generated by that moment. Accordingly, no set number of eggs is specified.
Is the couple aware of my identity?
Information about the donor and potential parents is confidential. The couple selects a donor based solely on a completed questionnaire and photographs. Thus, the couple is unaware of the donor’s name or personal information. Similarly, the donor is unaware of the couple’s identity.
If I am selected, where do I visit the doctor?
Our agency cooperates with the ReproART Georgian-American Center for Reproductive Medicine. Every procedure necessary to implement the donation program is carried out at the ReproART Center.
Frequently asked questions from the surrogate mother
How is a surrogate mother selected?
The selection of a surrogate mother consists of several stages:
- Submission of the application by interested/potential surrogate mothers
- Review and approval of the application by the IVF Tours Georgia team (2 working days)
- Direct interview with surrogacy coordinators (5 working days)
- Appointment with the ReproART doctor for ultrasound examination to assess the prospective surrogate mother’s uterus (1 working day)
After the completion of these stages, your information will be added to the surrogacy database to be accessible to interested couples. IVF Tours Georgia surrogacy and donor coordinators will contact you to launch the surrogacy program after the selection of a donor by a couple.
Where will I give birth?
The maternity hospital and obstetrician are selected by the couple on the recommendation of the ReproART reproductive endocrinologist.
Can I travel abroad to give birth?
This and similar details are coordinated between the couple and the surrogate mother prior to the beginning of the program. Naturally, childbirth is possible abroad if it serves the best interests of both parties.
Can the couple visit me during pregnancy?
According to the agreement signed and notarized prior to embryo transfer, the couple has a right to visit the surrogate mother and check on her living conditions. It should be noted, however, that it is their right, not obligation.
Where do I see the doctor during pregnancy?
Our agency cooperates with the ReproART Georgian-American Center for Reproductive Medicine. From the beginning of the program until the 35th week of pregnancy, the surrogate mother reports for appointments and consultations to the ReproART Center. Her ultrasound tests are performed at a medical facility recommended by the ReproART obstetrician/reproductive endocrinologist. If necessary, private doctor may send her to another medical institution too. After the 35th week, the surrogate mother is referred to the obstetrician/gynecologist or a doctor scheduled to deliver her baby. The obstetrician and maternity hospital are selected by the couple based on the recommendation of the ReproART obstetrician/gynecologist and reproductive medical doctor.
How will I be paid my monthly remuneration?
After pregnancy is confirmed and the initial ultrasound test is scheduled, the surrogate mother will receive her remuneration on the same date every month by wire transfer to her previously indicated bank account number and according to the notarized agreement.
When will my remuneration be wired to my bank account?
Besides monthly payments received by the surrogate mother, the final remuneration amount will be deposited to her bank account on the day of childbirth. In the case of international transfers, this process may take 2-3 working days.
When giving birth, will I be placed in a single-bed hospital room?
Given that confidentiality must be scrupulously observed, the surrogate mother will be placed in a single-bed hospital room so that she will have no contact with other patients.
Whom should I contact in case of stomach pain?
Through the 35th week of pregnancy, the surrogate mother can contact the program manager (the agency’s representative) and the ReproART doctor at any moment during the day or night. After the 35th week, she can contact the program manager and the obstetrician/gynecologist for the maternity hospital.
Do I have to pay for my medications?
All expenses related to pregnancy are covered by the couple.
If the couple refuses the infant, will the child stay with me?
Although no such incident has ever been recorded in our practice, it still may happen in which case the infant does not remain with the surrogate mother under any circumstances. Instead, the child will be transferred to a special social residential institution for children.
Will I receive additional remuneration if I give birth to twins?
Additional remuneration for twins is USD 1,000.
Is the surrogate mother expected to breastfeed the infant?
Immediately after birth, the infant receives formula feeding. After childbirth, the surrogate mothers are prohibited from having any contact with the child, including breastfeeding.
What requirements must a surrogate mother must meet?
Those interested in becoming surrogate mothers must be adults 18 to 35 years of age who have biological children of their own.
Frequently asked questions from parents
How is a surrogate mother selected?
If the reproductive medicine doctor recommends a couple to employ an egg donor’s help to have children of their own, the couple teams up with the IVF Tours Georgia personal managers to select an egg donor from the IVF Tours Georgia database.
Just fill out and e-mail our application to receive your special passcode for accessing the surrogacy and donation database.
May we have direct contact with the surrogate mother during pregnancy?
This issue is regulated between both parties prior to the selection of a surrogate mother. With consent from both parties in place, a relevant provision will be included in the notarized agreement signed by the couple and the surrogate mother prior to the launch of the program.
How do we pay the surrogate mother?
The amount must be wired to the bank account indicated by the surrogate mother. With consent from both parties, remuneration may be paid in cash with a relevant document signed.
Is the surrogate mother allowed to have any contact with the infant after childbirth?
After childbirth, the surrogate mother is prohibited from having any contact with the infant except in those cases when the couple has no objections.
Who is in charge of informing the surrogate mother about doctor’s visits and timely medication administration?
The ReproART doctor will keep the surrogate mother updated on her doctor’s visits and schedule of medication administration. However, if the couple so wishes — if they are unable to supervise the surrogate mother’s pregnancy throughout the 9 months — the agency assumes the responsibility for monitoring the surrogate mother’s pregnancy over the 9 months, reminding her of her upcoming doctor’s visits and ultrasound tests and, if necessary, referring her to different specialists while managing her pregnancy until childbirth.
How can I check on the surrogate mother’s way of life during pregnancy?
The potential parents are entitled to visit the surrogate mother and check up on her living conditions.
Is it possible to receive information about the surrogate mother’s health from the agency instead of contacting her?
The potential parents are allowed to refrain from having contact with the surrogate mother and, instead, turn to the agency for information about her health during pregnancy
Where will the surrogate mother give birth?
The maternity hospital is selected by the couple based on the recommendation of the obstetrician/gynecologist and the reproductive medical doctor
Are the future parents allowed to attend the childbirth?
The future parents are allowed to attend the childbirth if they wish to do so.
Are the future parents allowed to request a C-section?
If the report by the obstetrician/gynecologist recommends a C-section and the future parents wish to have this operation performed, they must consult the surrogate mother. If she agrees to a C-section, the couple must pay her additional remuneration in line with the agreement.