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Fertility Blog

Fertility Blog by Illume Fertility

Everything you need to know about reproductive health, fertility testing, fertility treatment (like IUI and IVF) and how to navigate fertility challenges.

Donor Conception | Egg Retrieval | Egg Donor

By: Kirsten Hennigan, NP
February 4th, 2026

Becoming an egg donor is a meaningful decision that can help someone build the family they've been dreaming of. Before you apply, here's a brief overview of what you should expect. From matching to egg retrieval, the entire process takes about 6–11 weeks. Screening takes 4–8 weeks (medical exams, genetic testing, psychological evaluation), followed by a 2–3 week donation cycle with 5–8 monitoring appointments at our Connecticut clinic. Compensation ($15,000 per donation cycle) is provided after egg retrieval. Read on to learn more and see if you're eligible to donate.

LGBTQ+ Family Building | Surrogacy | IVF | Egg Donor | Patient Stories | Pregnancy & Infant Loss

By: Sierra Dehmler
September 29th, 2025

From a long-distance relationship to building their family across continents, Alo and Javi’s journey shows the power of resilience and connection. Their story highlights both the challenges of international surrogacy and the joy of finally welcoming your first baby.

Donor Conception | IVF | Egg Donor | Affording Care

Using an egg donor to grow your family is a deeply personal decision—and a significant financial investment. The total amount you will pay can vary widely, depending on whether you opt for a fresh or frozen egg donor cycle, work with an agency, and other factors.

Donor Conception | Sperm Donor | Egg Donor

By: Sierra Dehmler
March 21st, 2025

Considering using an egg or sperm donor to help build your family? Here's what you should know about the various types of donor arrangements, the pros and cons of directed (known) versus nonidentified (anonymous) donors, and the legal implications of your decision.

Unexplained Infertility | Donor Conception | IVF | Egg Donor | Patient Stories

By: Sierra Dehmler
February 14th, 2025

Considering egg donation as a method of building your family? Wondering how the process actually works? In this story, Rebecca shares why she and her husband chose to pursue egg donor IVF, the challenges they encountered, and how it led them to parenthood.

LGBTQ+ Family Building | Surrogacy | Egg Donor | Patient Stories

By: Sierra Dehmler
July 24th, 2024

One of the most beautiful parts about family building is that no two stories are exactly alike. There are so many different paths to parenthood: in vitro fertilization (IVF), surrogacy, adoption, donor conception, and others. In this story, two dads share the surrogacy experience from start to finish - in their own words.

LGBTQ+ Family Building | Surrogacy | Egg Donor | Affording Care

By: Sierra Dehmler
July 23rd, 2024

Looking for help navigating your surrogacy journey? Our detailed guide offers a comprehensive collection of financial support resources, LGBTQ-friendly organizations and charities, peer networks, personal stories, and much more.

LGBTQ+ Family Building | Surrogacy | Donor Conception | Egg Donor

By: Mark P. Leondires, M.D.
April 24th, 2024

Last updated August 15, 2025 Choosing an egg donor is one of the first big decisions you'll need to make as a dad-to-be pursuing surrogacy. In this guide, we provide a comprehensive overview of the emotional, medical, and legal aspects to help you navigate the process of finding an ideal egg donor.