How To Get Paid To Donate Your Eggs At Aevitas Fertility Clinic Cape Town
Information about the Aevitas egg donation clinic
Aevitas Fertility Clinic was co-founded 35 years ago by the ‘pioneer of test tube babies’, Professor Thinus Kruger. Aevitas is a private hospital with two branches in the Western Cape of South Africa, George and Windhoek. Aevitas has two facilities under its umbrella: Aevitas Egg Bank and Aevitas Sperm Bank.
Other services offered by Aevitas Fertility Clinic
As advertised on the website, here is a list of what else Aevitas is known for:
- Fertility treatment, e.g. IVF
- Sperm quality assessment, e.g. semen analysis
- Evidence-based treatment and continuous research of conditions affecting fertility, such as PCOS and endometriosis
- Endoscopic surgery to treat conditions affecting fertility, e.g. endometriosis
- Fertility preservation, e.g. egg freezing
Aevitas Fertility Clinic Donor Eligibility
The requirements of an egg donor
Aevitas has a requirement list similar to that of many other fertility clinics. It includes:
- Being between the ages of 19 and 32 years old
- Having a matric certificate (minimum)
- Having a BMI of less than 30
- Being a non-smoker
- Not having any drug addictions or abusing alcohol
As you can see, it is a standard list of requirements.
Medical Assessment/Screening
Aevitas will conduct a screening to test candidates for infectious diseases such as HIV, Chlamydia, and hepatitis, to name a few. The website has a list of ‘minimum’ screening tests that will be done. On top of getting tested for infectious diseases, you can expect the following: blood test, fertility test, and an overall physical test/health check-up.
A psychological test will also be done as part of this screening. This is a norm with other fertility clinics. Aevitas will conduct a psychological test to ensure that the prospective donor is mentally prepared for the next steps and is healthy and of sound mind in general.
Additional testing may include genetic tests, psychometric tests and a criminal check.
How does it work?
Consultations and medical evaluations
The above-mentioned medical screening outlines all the medical tests that the donor will undergo. This is standard procedure to ensure that the donor is healthy.
Self-administered medication
Also known as ‘stimulation’, Aevitas qualified fertility nurses will guide the donor on how to administer these hormonal injections for up to 10 days before the egg retrieval procedure can take place. These injections are to stimulate the follicle growth of the egg.
During this process, the donor will have to visit Aevitas to have a trans-vaginal scan up to 3 times in order to monitor the follicle growth.
The egg retrieval process at Aevitas clinic
This procedure takes place in the Aevitas in-clinic theatres. While the procedure is being conducted, you will receive a very light dose of anaesthesia. Using a transvaginal ultrasound and a fine needle (a catheter is inserted; the light suctioning is what helps the eggs to come), the doctor retrieves the eggs. They say that the procedure is painless and quick (completed in 15 minutes).
Afterwards, you stay at the clinic for 2 hours in the recovery ward. The website says that the clinic treats you to a cup of tea and a sandwich while you wait. Afterwards, the clinic will discharge you, but someone needs to come and fetch you from the clinic.
Payment for egg donation
How much do you get paid to donate your eggs?
Aevitas provides successful egg donors with a compensation of R7000. You receive compensation on the day of the egg retrieval.
Bonus: you will be flown to Cape Town if you don’t live there for the egg retrieval. It is unclear if the clinic will cover the accommodation costs.
How to apply?
Aevitas Fertility Clinic application process
The Aevitas website nicely outlines the entire process. It is as follows:
- Step 1 – Initial Application and Consent: As a prospective egg donor, you will reach out to Aevitas to communicate your interest in becoming an egg donor. After that, the clinic will forward you the necessary instructions and forms.
- Step 2 – Screening: This part of the process is detailed above. Aevitas will also provide more information about this step once you are contacted.
- Step 3 – Stimulation: Also detailed above. Read more about this step under ‘self-administered medication’. It is essentially about hormonal injections that you need to be injected with.
- Step 4 – Egg Collection: Also known as ‘the egg retrieval process’ (see before). This step involves harvesting the donor’s eggs. Don’t worry; it’s quick,nand no incisions/cuts are made. You also get paid afterwards.
Most asked questions
How long does the entire donation process take?
As we can see, there are a lot of tests and screening procedures that take place. With that said, Aevitas says that it can be done between 2 – 5 weeks. This may vary due to the donor’s cycle length and other external factors.
Where will I donate?
The procedure will be done at the Aevitas Fertility Clinic, which is based in Cape Town. However, you can still apply if you’re from other cities. Aevitas will direct you to a clinic in your town (if it is available) where the screening will done. For the actual egg collection, you will be flown to Cape Town.
What are some potential side effects?
Aevitas is quite transparent with what may occur after the egg retrieval process. These include bloating, cramping, fatigue, nausea and headaches. These symptoms are common ones that some women experience during their cycle. However, the hormonal injections and egg retrieval procedure may intensify and heighten some of these feelings. Still, Aevitas ensures that it is all very normal and that there is nothing to be worried about as these are only possible side effects – you are not guaranteed to feel any of them.
More Information about Egg Donation
Donor Profile
Aevitas does not mention the donor profile; other than that, they are entirely anonymous. I checked the available donor profiles on the website. The profile includes a photograph of the donor as a child, their age, race, physical measurements, hair and eye colour (even texture is provided), the donor’s highest qualification, occupation and an ‘about me’ section.
If you were thinking about donating your eggs, you now know what you can expect to give and receive from Aevitas Fertility Clinic. All the best in making an informed decision!
