How many embryos should I expect?

Fresh cycles yield 10–20+ eggs, which can result in multiple embryos depending on fertilization and development. Frozen cohorts provide 6–8 mature eggs, which can result in embryos depending on thawing, fertilization, and development.

Is embryo testing required?

If you are using a surrogate, PGT-A testing is often required. If not, it may still be recommended depending on your clinic’s protocols.

What should I look for in choosing an egg donor?

It is very easy to over-think when choosing your egg donor. There may not be that “perfect” match. The important factors when choosing your egg donor include age, availability, medical history, personality, location, and most important physical characteristics (such as eye, hair and skin color as well as blood type) that match yours and your family’s.

Fresh vs Frozen Egg Donation

At Giving Tree Surrogacy, we understand that when you begin your journey as an Intended Parent, you may need the support of an egg donor.

Our program offers two carefully designed options — Fresh Egg Donation and Frozen Egg Donation — so you can select the approach that aligns with your goals, priorities, and timeline.

1. Fresh Egg Donation

Eggs are retrieved directly from the donor after an ovarian stimulation cycle and are immediately fertilized.

Average Quantity: Typically 10 to 20 eggs, depending on the donor’s response to medication.

Advantages: Potentially higher total number of eggs. All eggs retrieved belong exclusively to the Intended Parent.

Considerations: No guarantee of the number of eggs obtained. Longer process (4–6 months) due to donor synchronization and legal procedures.

2. Frozen Egg Donation

Eggs are retrieved in advance, vitrified, and stored until the Intended Parents are ready to proceed.

Average Quantity: Pre-set cohort of 6 eggs per batch.

Advantages: Immediate availability. Guarantee of 1 or 2 blastocyst-stage embryos (depending on the selected plan).

Reduced emotional and financial risk due to predictable outcomes.

Considerations: Smaller number of eggs compared to fresh cycles. Cohorts of eggs from the same donor may be available to other intended parents.

Cost Comparison

Fresh cycles: $20,000 – $50,000+ (depending on donor compensation and experience).
Frozen cycles: $16,375 – $30,725 (depending on cohort size).

Success & Quality

Advances in vitrification have closed the gap in success rates between fresh and frozen eggs, particularly when embryos are developed to the blastocyst stage.
In both cases, laboratory quality and medical expertise are key to achieving optimal outcomes.

Quick Comparison

Feature	Fresh Egg Donation	Frozen Egg Donation
Time to start	4–6 months	Immediate
Number of eggs	10–20 (variable)	6–12 fixed (depending on cohort size)
Embryo guarantee	No	Yes (1–2 blastocysts, depending on plan)
Estimated cost	$20,000 – $50,000+	$16,375 – $30,725
Scheduling flexibility	Limited	High
Cancellation risk	Low to moderate	Very low

Our Egg Donation Program is designed to offer clear and reliable options.

Whether you choose fresh or frozen eggs, our team will guide you every step of the way to maximize your chances of success and tailor the process to your unique circumstances.

Egg Donation Process with Fresh and Frozen Eggs

We’ve designed our process to provide clarity and support at every stage. From your first consultation to egg retrieval, our experienced team will walk beside you every step of the way.

Step	Fresh Egg Donation	Frozen Egg Donation	Same or Different?
1. Initial Consultation	Yes, to understand goals and preferences	Yes, same purpose	Same
2. Intended Parent Application	Yes	Yes	Same
3. Donor Selection	Choose from fresh donor profiles	Choose from profile of pre-screened donors with frozen egg cohorts (6-12 eggs)	Similar, but selection differs
4. Donor Hold	Yes, up to 5 days while medical records reviewed	Not applicable (donor already medically approved)	Different
5. Agency Retainer & Payment	Yes	Yes	Same (payment structure differs)
6. Medical & Psychological Screening	Performed after matching with donor	Already completed before egg retrieva	Different
7. Medical Clearance	Required before proceeding	Already granted	Different
8. Legal Contract	Signed before cycle begins	No	Different
9. Medication & Synchronization	Required to align donor and recipient cycles	Only recipient preparation needed	Different
10. Monitoring & Support	Monitoring donor cycle and recipient	Monitoring recipient only	Different
11. Egg Retrieval	Required procedure for egg collection	Not required (already completed)	Different
12. Thawing & Fertilization	Thawing not necessary; eggs fertilized once retrieved	Eggs are thawed and fertilized	Frozen only
13. Embryo Transfer	Transfer of embryo(s) to uterus	Transfer of embryo(s) to uterus	Same