
What sets An Eggceptional Match apart?
Since 2002, An Eggceptional Match has been honored to assist in the creation of families. We provide comprehensive support throughout each stage of the journey, ensuring that you are fully informed, guided, and cared for every step of the way. At AEM, our commitment extends beyond service — we treat every individual with the respect and compassion of family.
What books would An Eggceptional Match recommend?
For a curated list of helpful resources, please visit www.donatedeggs.com/books. Please note that these materials are intended to provide additional support and should not be considered a substitute for medical treatment or professional therapy.
Do I have to be married to work with a Gestational Carrier or Egg Donor?
An Eggceptional Match adheres to a strict non-discrimination policy, working with clients of all races, sexual orientations, ages, marital statuses, and religious backgrounds. As fertility clinic policies and assisted reproductive laws differ by state, we will ensure that you are referred to a qualified, experienced reproductive attorney licensed in your state.
How long does it take to be matched?
An Eggceptional Match is a full-service, boutique agency that specializes in custom matching. While a match may be found within a few weeks, it can sometimes take a few months, and in some cases, a match may not be achieved. The success of a thoughtful, custom match depends on various factors, including personalities, location, fees, insurance coverage, and alignment of moral and ethical beliefs. While we understand your eagerness to begin your journey, our priority is to ensure the best possible match, taking into account the desires and needs of all parties involved.
Does An Eggceptional Match coordinate cycles out of state?
AEM facilitates matches between intended parents and egg donors, as well as gestational carriers (also known as surrogates), both within the United States and internationally.
Is there a dedicated emergency contact number available for 24/7 assistance?
We offer an after-hours contact number; however, in the event of a true medical emergency, we recommend contacting your fertility doctor or dialing 911 for immediate assistance.
Is financing available for intended parents?
Financing programs for IVF are available online through RESOLVE and other sources. Additionally, you may inquire about payment plans or cash payment options directly with your IVF clinic. Please note that participation may vary by clinic.
If our insurance does not cover egg or sperm retrieval, will we be required to pay out of pocket? What is the typical cost for this procedure?
Fees can vary significantly between clinics. For an accurate estimate, please reach out to your clinic directly.
Does the agency apply different fees depending on whether we pay by cash, check, or credit card?
No, your escrow estimate is tailored to your specific journey, and the method of payment will not impact the total cost.
Which expenses related to my journey are eligible for tax deductions?
We are not tax professionals – we recommend consulting with a tax expert to address your specific tax needs. A general guideline is that infertility treatments for the taxpayer, their spouse, or their dependent may be eligible for itemization. For further details, please refer to visit IRS Publication 502
Has the agency been involved in any lawsuits or legal disputes?
No.
What steps can I expect with my egg donor journey?
AEM will be here to support you throughout the egg donation process as each journey is unique. You are welcome to review our process flow for a detailed overview here.
What type of donations are there?
Anonymous: No identifying information will be shared between the parties in this type of donation and no direct contact will take place. While there is no way to guarantee complete anonymity given current technology, we make every effort to protect the identities of all parties involved. Please be aware that, the “Donor-conceived Persons and Families of Donor-conceived Persons Protection Act” requires reproductive tissue banks collect and verify donors’ medical histories, providing this information to recipients prior to procedures, and granting donor-conceived persons access to identifying information about their donors upon reaching adulthood.
Semi-open/semi-known: In this type of donation, only the first names of the parties involved will be shared. An Eggceptional Match may also arrange a meeting via video call through the agency. Please note that once your names are disclosed, AEM can no longer guarantee complete anonymity.
Open: In this type of donation, each party will receive the demographic information of the other parties. This may be for the purpose of fostering a relationship or bond, providing annual updates, or sharing future medical information.
How are egg donors selected?
An Eggceptional Match conducts a thorough review of each applicant prior to approval. We disqualify women with a medical and/or social history that makes them ineligible for donation. We seek healthy women between the ages of 19 and 33 who do not have a history of genetic abnormalities that could be passed on to the offspring.
How much will the egg donation process cost?
Several factors can influence the cost of your cycle such as egg donor location and her compensation request. Please visit our Donor Egg Program (Intended Parents) page to view the Fees and Payment Schedule or call our office directly.
What types of rules/laws are in place to protect us?
Egg donation is governed by a combination of federal and state laws, as well as ethical guidelines, to protect all parties involved. An Eggceptional Match will refer you to legal counsel that is licensed in the state that you intend to perform your medical treatment.
What if the agency cancels the cycle because of poor performance?
The agency does not make this decision as this would be determined by your fertility doctor. You will be responsible for all charges related to your cycle up until the point of cancellation. Agency fees will be based on your position in the cycle at the time of cancellation.
Does the agency adhere to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine Guidelines for Oocyte Donation?
AEM strives to follow the guidelines set forth by the ASRM, however, your clinical team will be able to provide the best course of action based on the specifics of your journey.
What steps can I expect with my surrogacy journey?
AEM is here to support you throughout your surrogacy journey as we recognize that each journey is Eggceptional in its own special ways. We invite you to review our process flow for a comprehensive overview here.
Does the GC undergo a psychological screening before being placed on any prospective lists? Who performs this screening?
Our experienced GC’s have been screened, however, all testing must be completed and/or updated according to your clinic’s policies. This may be done by in-house staff at your fertility clinic or outsourced to a licensed social worker or a Ph.D. specialized in our field. First-time carriers will not be screened until they are chosen as most clinics will determine who they want to use for screening and will require screening at the time of the cycle.
Does the GC’s religious preference or cultural beliefs have an effect on choosing us as IPs?
Yes, it could as you will also need to be selected by the gestational carrier you are interested in. This is equally her journey – she will have thoughts and input regarding the relationship.
What if our gestational carrier does not become pregnant with the first embryo transfer?
It is common for the Gestational Carrier Agreement (GCA) to be drafted reflecting a negotiated number of transfer attempts within a 12 to 18-month period.
If the GC is in another state, will we receive the results, especially from ultrasounds?
Yes, the clinic will send the results directly to you, your GC, and the agency. AEM will also ensure all parties are updated as information becomes available.
What type of legal contract is necessary to protect both myself and the gestational carrier?
Your Gestational Carrier Agreement will be tailored specifically for gestational surrogacy in the state where the birth will occur. It will include all information pertaining to finances, the birth plan, as well as all expectations of the parties participating. In Colorado, a Pre-Birth Order (PBO) will legally establish the parent(s) of the child before delivery.
What is included in a legal contract that a we would sign?
This is a very lengthy and detailed document that your attorney will draft and review with you prior to finalization and filing. It typically covers issues such as parental rights, compensation, medical procedures, health requirements, and the handling of potential complications during the pregnancy.
What happens if the GC changes her mind before or during the process? Do we have anything to protect us legally?
Since we do not arrange traditional surrogacy (where the baby has a biological link to the GC) you are more protected. Your rights and responsibilities, as well as those of the GC, will be outlined in the Gestational Carrier Agreement, notarized before being filed in the birth state. Additionally, all GCs undergo thorough medical and psychological screening by your clinical team before approval for embryo transfer.
What protections are in place if the gestational carrier smokes, drinks, or gets into an abusive situation that could harm herself or the baby?
Everyone begins a surrogacy journey with the best intentions. Contractually, it’s essential to address any potential concerns with your Gestational Carrier Agreement (GCA). While legal protection is important, clear communication and maintaining a healthy relationship with your carrier are key to ensuring everyone stays aligned throughout the process.
Will we have to adopt our baby once its born since I did not deliver my baby?
Colorado allows for a Pre-Birth Order (PBO) to be filed between 16-20 weeks gestation. In other states, this process varies depending on the county, statute and/or the judge. Your attorney will be able to best advise you.
After birth, what is the legal process to establish parental rights? How long does it take, and how long must we stay in the GC’s state before bringing the baby home?
Laws and statues vary by state. In Colorado, your assigned attorney will file a pre-birth order between 16-20 weeks of gestation so that when your child is born your names are already on the birth certificate and you are identified as the legal parent(s). AEM will refer you to appropriate counsel to better guide you on the laws and statutes in your state.
You can take your child home as soon as he or she is discharged from the hospital.
How much is the GC compensated, and when is payment dispersed? Does she set her own compensation, and what determines the amount?
While An Eggceptional Match will guide the carrier on industry standards, the requested compensation is dictated solely by the gestational carrier. Compensation is distributed as the cycle advances and key milestones are achieved. The GC’s base compensation begins only after your clinic confirms two fetal heartbeat ultrasounds.
Your GC’s funds will be dispersed by the third-party escrow in accordance with your Gestational Carrier Agreement.
Can you guarantee a fixed cost for our gestational carrier journey?
No, each individual journey is different and comes with “variable expenses”. While we can’t guarantee a fixed price, we provide a detailed overview of variable expenses for your review within our fee structure.
Can the cost be lessened/reduced at all?
The cost varies based on the GC you select, her insurance coverage, travel expenses, and variable reimbursements.
Can certain items be removed from the fee list if they are deemed not needed or necessary?
The fee schedule is a comprehensive list of potential expenditures to help meet your budgetary needs. The Gestational Carrier Agreement will outline the total estimated cost, along with a detailed breakdown of all approved expenses.
Does the agency recommend an escrow service?
AEM has a close working relationship with SeedTrust escrow, however, we remain open to working with any established and reputable escrow company.
If we pay for the GC expenses does the agency provide an itemized list of expenses? Do we get this list before paying anything?
The agreed upon fee schedule provides a comprehensive list of variable expenditures in order to help you financially prepare for your journey. The third-party escrow holder will also distribute an itemized statement reflecting any payments released from your escrow.
Are the fees refundable if we change our mind, or if the GC backs out of the agreement?
Fees for the agency, GC, attorneys, escrow, and others accumulate as the cycle progresses. Once disbursed, they are non-refundable.
Your Agency Fees may be transferred to another GC if you decide to choose an alternative candidate from our program prior to legal clearance. However, there may be additional fees to interview, screen, and re-match you with a new candidate.
Why is it more expensive for a 2nd or 3rd time GC, rather than a first time GC?
The experienced GC will be able to complete the cycle with prior knowledge and understanding, which in turn lends more confidence to the carrier and less stress to all involved in the process. In some cases, an experienced carrier will already have maternity clothes and a psychological screening completed that can be reused to save money for the intended parent(s). They have also proved themselves to be responsible and emotionally stable women who can fulfill their obligations without additional concern.
What expenses does the GC’s insurance cover, relieving us of financial responsibility? Why is it crucial for the GC to have surrogacy coverage in their policy? In what ways does this benefit us financially?
What is covered largely depends on the type of insurance the GC has. You will be responsible for any increase in premiums related to maternity benefits, including co-payments and deductibles. The insurance will only apply once an ongoing pregnancy is confirmed, with all treatments leading up to that point remaining the responsibility of the Intended Parent(s).
While a GC with her own insurance can save you money on monthly premiums throughout the pregnancy, it is rare to find policies without clear exclusions.
What type of medical coverage for the carrier does the agency provide and what are the terms?
AEM will refer you to an unbiased third-party specialist to review the insurance policy of your chosen carrier to determine policy eligibility for a surrogacy cycle. If the GC has a clear exclusion or is uninsured, the broker will assist you and your chosen GC in securing a policy to be used during the pregnancy and delivery. This coverage will not take effect until a confirmed pregnancy has been established by the clinic. You will be responsible for all out-of-pocket expenses until this milestone has been met.