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Intended Parents

Choosing an Egg Donor By Ethnicity and Heritage

Choosing an egg donor is a deeply personal decision, and for many intended parents pursuing surrogacy and IVF, ethnicity can play an important role in the selection process.

Whether you’re looking to find a donor who shares your cultural background or wish to honor specific genetic traits, understanding how to approach this aspect of the journey is essential.

Contact us online if you need help finding egg donor profiles. We can connect you with fertility clinics that are nearby to help you start the process.

Can You Choose the Ethnicity of Your Egg Donor?

Yes, you can choose the ethnicity of your egg donor.

Heritage and culture are foundational elements to a person’s identity.

If growing up in a household that proudly passed on the cultural practices of where your ancestors are from helped shape the person you are today, you may want the same for your child.

Why does egg donor ethnicity matter?

Beyond your personal preferences, egg donor ethnicity could be important when considering cultural, physical characteristics and health conditions that may impact some ethnic groups more than others.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, for example, saw higher percentages of blood pressure, diabetes and stroke in African Americans vs. Caucasians.

KFF, an independent source for health policy research, found that Caucasians had a higher percentage of adults with mental health issues than Hispanics, African Americans, Asians or American Indian or Alaska Native.

Certain ethnic groups that have high rates of any of these medical diagnoses could impact your decision making, and that’s just health conditions.

Learn more about how to find an egg donor

Some even allow you to look for donors with specific ethnicities.

How to Choose an Egg Donor by Ethnicity and Heritage

Egg donor profiles can help you make your decision by showing you information about the donor like:

  • Personal history

  • Education

  • Occupation

  • Medical history

  • Motivation for donating

  • Family health and genetic history

    If choosing an egg donor from a particular nationality is something that’s important to you, professionals like donor egg banks, fertility clinics and donor egg agencies work with egg donors of all different backgrounds.

    Here are some examples of different ethnicities you can choose and why: 

    Asian

    With a population of just under 5 billion on the continent, there are Asian egg donors from all different types of cultures, from religious to commercial.

    East and Southeast Asia Egg Donors

    The Chinese New Year is celebrated annually, one of the country’s most important holidays that’s led to similar celebrations in other Asian countries. Maybe you had family traditions growing up to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Finding a Chinese egg donor that values not only the holiday but other aspects of their heritage is absolutely possible.

    Buddhism is a primary religion of Japan. If being raised in a Buddhist household helped shape who you are today, you can choose a Japanese egg donor that practices Buddhism.

    South Korea has professional sports leagues for soccer, baseball, basketball, volleyball and e-sports. If sports are one of your hobbies and interests, there are Korean egg donors that have athletic backgrounds from playing to coaching.

    Maybe you grew up in a community with members from your home county. With memories of Filipino cuisine like Sinigang or Lumpia, you may want your child to experience authentic Filipino food.

    Thailand has a big focus on family dynamic. It’s not uncommon for several generations to live together. If you value family cohesion and closeness based on memories from your past or just your current values today, you can find Filipino egg donors.

    If you grew up speaking Vietnamese in your household, you may want to pass that part of your heritage on to your child. You can find Vietnamese egg donors that are authentic speakers.

    Bubble tea, or Boba, originated in Taiwan. Your reason for wanting a Taiwanese egg donor could be as simple as remembering the first time you tried Boba and got hooked.

    Central and South Asia Egg Donors

    • Indian Egg Donor: As the birthplace of Hinduism and Buddhism, you may have been raised in a religious household. Maybe you just have great memories of celebrating cultural events like Diwali or Holi. Whatever reason you have of fond memories of Indian culture, you can find an Indian egg donor.  
    • Pakistani Egg Donors: Spoken word is a great way to stay connected to your cultural upbringing. If you spoke some of the languages in Pakistan like Pashto or Urdo, you may want to speak those languages with your child which can lead you to choosing a south Asian egg donor.
    • Punjabi Egg Donors: You could be looking for a Punjabi egg donorif you were raised in Pakistan or India. You may have fond memories of Bhangra music or your relationship with religion.
    • Nepalese Egg Donors: Like most countries, Nepal has a cuisine its most famous for. If you still have fond memories of Chaatamari or Dal Bhat,that could lead you to wanting to find a Nepalese egg donor so you can bond over the foods Nepal is most know for.

    West Asian and Middle East Egg Donors

    • Turkish Egg Donor: It could be fond memories of baklava at home growing up, or getting a döner kebab while out with your family. Finding a Turkish egg donor can ensure you are able to pass some of that tradition down to your child.
    • Armenian Egg Donor: As the first country to officially adopt Christianity as its state religion all the way back in 301 A.D., Armenia has deep ties to religion. If religion is important to you, an Armenian egg donor may have a religious upbringing and background.
    • Iranian Egg Donor: 30.1% of land in Iran is used for agricultural purposes. Your family or ancestors could have used their land for that purpose, or maybe it’s something you practice in your current life. A predisposition to agriculture could lead you to wanting to find an Iranian egg donor.
    • Israeli Egg Donors: If you’re of Israeli descent, you may want an Israeli egg donor that practices Judaism. You could want to teach your child Hebrew or pass on Jewish traditions that are important to you.

    Black and African Egg Donors

    Although Black and African American are often used interchangeably, Black is a broad ethnic and racial term that often refers to people of African descent worldwide.

    African American is more specific to people of African descent, descendants of enslaved Africans who were brought to the U.S.

    Looking at a Black or African American egg donor profiles can give you insight into their heritage for things that are important to you such as celebrating Juneteenth or Kwanzaa or keeping their culture alive by eating region specific foods such as Kushari from Egypt or Doro Wat from Ethiopia.

    Having an egg donor of Black or African American descent can allow you to raise a child who feels naturally connected to their culture.

    Hispanic and Latina Egg Donors

    Although Hispanic and Latina are often used interchangeably, there is a difference.

    Hispanic refers more to the language, like Spanish speaking countries of Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Columbia and more. If the country speaks Spanish, its people are generally considered Hispanic.

    Latina or Latino refers more to geography, as in where you are from. This could be any of the Latin America countries from Brazil to Mexico to Barbados.

    Familial closeness is a key tenant of Hispanic families. If family relationships are important to you, a Hispanic egg donor may be right for your journey.

    Choosing a Cuban egg donor can help you pass on a shared love for music, dance, and cuisine, all pieces to the pie of what can help make a connection to this heritage.

    Do you celebrate traditional holidays like Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián or enjoying dancing to the unique styles of Bomba and Plena music? A Puerto Rican egg donor can help ensure these traditions stay a part of the child’s life, helping to provide a connection to Puerto Rican identity and pride.

    A Brazilian egg donor can give you the opportunity to pass on the diverse heritage of Brazil. Community, family and celebration are central to their identity, just look at their Carnival of Brazil that marks the beginning of Lent or their love for soccer. A donor with Brazilian roots offers a meaningful way to share this culture with your child.

    With music superstars like Shakira and Juanes, music is a big part of the culture in Columbia. You can find a Latina egg donor that shares your love for the joy that comes from where you grew up. 

    Native American Egg Donors

    A Native American egg donor could be right for your situation if some of your interests are rooted in nature, storytelling, spirituality and community.

    Native American’s pass down their heritage through ceremonies like the Powwow and Sun Dance and choosing a Native American egg donor can give you and your child a meaningful connection to indigenous identity.

    That indigenous identity can be from any one of the 574 federally recognized Native American and Alaska Native tribes and entities. Just like the states in this country vary in languages spoken, religions practiced and traditions celebrated, you can find an egg donor that has the same heritage.

    Pacific Islander Egg Donors

    • Polynesian Egg Donor: Polynesia, and the Pacific Islands in general, place a strong emphasis on family ties in their culture. Pacific islander egg donors can help you pass down your appreciation for where you came from  
    • Hawaiian Egg Donor: As Hawaii is technically part of Polynesia, a U.S. state and a Polynesian Island,Hawaii places huge cultural importance around respect for ‘ohana’ or ‘family’ too. By choosing a Hawaiian egg donor, you can keep those family ties strong while celebrating the Pacific Island rooted culture through Hawaii related events like Luau feasts and the hula dance.

    European Egg Donors

    Ireland has a culture steeped in literary royalty, from Oscar Wilde to James Joyce and Samuel Beckett. Choosing an Irish egg donor can help you pass on your love for the arts. 

    It could have been home cooked, authentic Italian meals or visiting cultural icons like the Colosseum or the Leaning Tower of Pisa growing up that lead you to searching for an Italian egg donor. No matter what your reason is, you can find one help you pass on some of that identity to your child.

    Another European country that has a rich culture of history, from the Acropolis to the Temple of Apollo. You may want a Greek egg donor for that, or to help pass on the enjoyment some of their other iconic cultural exports like gyros, Plato, Socrates and saganaki, to name a few.

    Whether you have ties to Norway, Sweden or Denmark, you could want a Scandinavian egg donor because of its culture known for its high quality of life and education.

    A Czech egg donor can allow you to connect to your child through their cultural traditions, craftsmanship and an appreciation for history. Easter is celebrated with pomlázka and folk music while traditional cuisine includes dishes like svíčková and koláče.

    Independence is important to Polish children and if that’s something that you enjoyed about the Polish culture, you could look for a Polish egg donor. You could also want to pass on your love for pierogis, barszcz and other food staples.

    From famous cultural exports like Oktoberfest and bratwurst to pretzels and sauerkraut, you may want a German egg donor to help your child stay connected with their German roots.

    From a history filled with the arts from painting from Rembrandt and Van Gogh to celebrating Kings Day with street festivals and traditional foods like Stroopwafels and Haring, there is plenty of cultural history in the Netherlands that a Dutch egg donor can help you stay connected to with your child.

    Biracial and Multiracial Egg Donors

    Whether it’s a biracial egg donor or mixed race egg donor, choosing an egg donor with a background like that can help honor and celebrate a blend of cultural heritages.

    It could help your child embrace the diversity while acknowledging the resilience that comes with multiple backgrounds, knowing they are combining unique traditions, languages and customs.

    A biracial or multiracial donor can provide a meaningful connection to a wide-ranging cultural identity.

    Find out more about the costs of using an egg donor

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