This is my personal experience and reflections from donating eggs in San Diego, California. Before finding the right agency, I actually spent a lot of time researching different egg donation programs online and sent applications to several agencies. But honestly, most of them never replied—or worse, some coordinators made discouraging comments about my height or education background, which was really disheartening.
That’s why meeting Global Egg Donor felt so refreshing. Their positive attitude and warm communication made me feel genuinely respected and supported from the start.
At the beginning, they asked me to fill out an online form to get a better idea of my background and suitability for the program. The requirements for egg donors in the U.S. are quite strict. Even though I was almost 28 years old, they told me that my education, career, and facial features were strong points. They also mentioned that intended parents’ preferences vary a lot—sometimes what matters most is the overall impression, not just one factor.
After completing the forms, I was thrilled to learn that I had passed the initial screening! From there, I officially entered the egg bank evaluation process, marking the start of my U.S. egg donation journey.
First, on the third day of your menstrual cycle, you’ll undergo a vaginal ultrasound to check your antral follicle count (AFC). If the number is below 10, it may mean you’re not eligible for donation, since the potential egg retrieval count could be too low. During this scan, the OB-GYN will also check for any ovarian cysts or abnormalities. If everything looks good, the doctor will record your ultrasound results for submission.
Next comes a blood test to measure your AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) level and other reproductive hormones. I remember feeling really nervous about this part because my periods are often irregular, and I worried my AMH might be too low.
But honestly, once you pass this stage, everything else becomes much easier. This step is the most important part of the entire qualification process—get through it, and the rest of the journey flows smoothly!
[U.S. Egg Donation Medical Screening Process]
1. Saliva DNA Test:
This step involves spitting into a small container and mailing the sample to a genetic testing lab in the U.S. for DNA analysis. The report is extremely detailed and helps identify whether you carry any recessive genetic traits. In my case, I did test positive for a few rare ones, but the doctor explained that it’s only an issue if the intended father carries the same genes—otherwise, it poses no risk. The results usually take about two weeks. It’s a very simple process, but surprisingly, many applicants don’t pass this stage due to genetic carrier findings.
2. Chromosome Karyotype Analysis:
This test checks your chromosome pairs to make sure there are no abnormalities that could affect pregnancy outcomes—such as a higher risk for conditions like Down syndrome. Everyone has 23 pairs of chromosomes, and the report visually shows whether each pair looks normal.
Once your karyotype results are normal, the clinic will proceed with screenings for STDs, hepatitis B, and other infectious diseases. If everything looks good after these checks—you’re officially cleared to travel to the U.S. for egg donation!
Once all the tests were approved, it was finally time to fly to the U.S. for my egg donation!
I was super excited—it was my first time traveling to the United States! The U.S. fertility center handled everything for me: they booked my flight, arranged the accommodation, and even provided a Chinese-speaking staff member to pick me up at the airport, which made me feel so much more at ease—especially since I don’t speak English well.
When I arrived and settled into the housing they arranged, I was pleasantly surprised. It was exactly as they described—a spacious, clean American-style home. Although the bathroom was shared, the schedule worked out perfectly, so I never had to bump into the other girl staying there. The room itself was huge—there was even a ping-pong table in the common area! It really made me feel comfortable and well taken care of from day one.
After arriving in the U.S., I still had to complete some final pre-donation checkups before the procedure.
The day after I landed, LuanLove’s staff took me to the fertility center to officially check in. I filled out the U.S. clinic forms and consent documents, confirmed that all my records were correct, and received a daily meal allowance of $50 USD. Then the American doctor performed another ultrasound scan to check my follicles.
I don’t know why, but somehow everything in English just felt so high-tech! The doctor and nurses were extremely friendly, explaining the entire process in detail. Most of the staff there also spoke Chinese, which made me feel completely at ease.
Later, when I went back to pick up the ovulation injection (trigger shot), the nurse patiently taught me how to inject it—about three fingers below the navel. They reminded me when to take medication, when to come back for follow-ups, and when to take the final trigger shot before retrieval. After the injections, my lower abdomen felt a bit bloated, but that’s perfectly normal.
During those days, I even had time to explore! I went to Disneyland and Los Angeles, just making sure to bring my medication and injections with me. Honestly, San Diego’s sunny California weather made the whole trip feel like a mini-vacation. Just remember to use Uber and a translation app—you’ll be fine getting around. And yes, the California beaches were absolutely gorgeous… full of friendly people, sun, and great vibes!
When it was finally time for the egg retrieval, I was nervous at first. The nurses reassured me everything would be fine. After changing into a surgical gown and removing undergarments, I went into the procedure room. The anesthesiologist chatted with me for a bit, gave me the anesthesia, and I quickly drifted off to sleep.
When I woke up, it was all done! The whole procedure only took about 30 minutes. I did feel a mild soreness in my lower abdomen, but the nurse gave me painkillers and something to eat to help me recover.
I asked about my results, and the doctor said they retrieved 36 eggs, with 28 of them mature—a great outcome! Don’t forget to request your retrieval report, in case you decide to donate again in the future. They also provided me with anti-inflammatory medicine, pain relief, stomach medicine, and antibiotics.
The compensation (nutritional allowance) was wired to my Taiwanese USD account the next day.
Overall, my experience was wonderful. The LuanLove team was polite, caring, and always available through WeChat if I had any questions. Afterward, I didn’t have any major discomfort—just mild bloating for a couple of days. The doctor advised me to drink plenty of high-protein fluids and get enough rest to recover smoothly.
