We created the Northeast Assisted Fertility Group (NAFG) in 2006 to fill a niche in the third-party reproduction services industry: surrogacy agencies and egg donor agencies in the United States were mostly based on the West Coast, but the need for these services for intended parents was just as great on the East Coast. We started exclusively as a surrogacy agency, but soon received so many inquiries for egg donors that we added the egg donation program almost right away.
The third-party reproduction landscape looks very different now. Northeast Assisted Fertility Group is still going strong because our third-party reproduction services have evolved with the changing times in fertility care and reproductive medicine.
Egg Donation Services
2006–2026: Evolution of the Egg Donation Process
The number of egg donor retrievals has increased from about 15,000 to 25,000 per year (this number does not refer to transfers of donor embryos, which is much higher). Donor eggs are still labor-intensive and expensive to procure. The challenge to decrease costs and increase access remains central to the egg donation process. But the logistics have changed completely.
In 2006, most donor egg recipients received donor eggs through their fertility clinics: fertility clinics would recruit and screen egg donors, and the fresh eggs retrieved would be divided between two recipients. Most transfers were fresh and required cycle synchronization, which was cumbersome and precarious. The fertility clinicians kept tight control of the matching process: they would share the egg donor’s family medical history and some basic biography, but typically did not show current photos.
Improvements in egg freezing technology and IVF advancements changed all this. Now the success rates for frozen eggs, which in the past were lower, approach those for fresh eggs. Nationwide egg banks have taken over independent clinics and agencies. Local egg donor candidates are recruited by large banks that partner with fertility clinics from all over the country. The eggs retrieved are batched into lots that are shipped to various recipients from anywhere in the US as well as to foreign countries. Costs are kept lower through modest donor compensation and pooled resources. Frozen eggs can be thawed and fertilized at any time, eliminating the need for cycle synchronization.
In 2006, independent egg donor agencies such as the Northeast Assisted Fertility Group filled a specialized need within the egg donor agency USA market. Egg donor agencies provided more information and current photos, as well as the opportunity to receive all the eggs retrieved. They also typically offered higher egg donor compensation to recruit more educated and attractive candidates. Our egg donation program’s goals were to offer service and quality that the clinics and even other agencies did not provide.
By 2026, we have devised our own way to continue offering extraordinary service and quality that distinguishes us from the new competition, the large commercial egg banks. We now partner with the best fertility clinics to invest in freezing our most sought-after and successful egg donors. Our egg donor compensation is high to attract the highest quality candidates. We fill a unique need in the egg donation market.
The demand for fresh egg donors has diminished but has not disappeared altogether, and we still offer that option. Some recipients, especially gay male couples, need a larger number of eggs than in a typical frozen batch so they can divide them to fertilize separately. As high-quality fresh donors are even harder to find, we stand out as a fresh donor agency.
Surrogacy in the United States
2006–2026: Growth of Surrogacy Services
Surrogacy has also grown significantly: twenty years ago, there were just over a thousand surrogate births in the US per year and now it is between two and four thousand. It is more accepted and accessible as part of modern assisted reproductive technology (ART). Commercial surrogacy used to be prohibited in some states such Michigan and New York, but they now permit it through new legislation. Fertility clinics do not recruit surrogates, so surrogacy agencies are still necessary. As in 2006, the main challenge is finding qualified surrogates to meet the demand and reduce waiting times. NAFG’s waiting time is about three months, a fraction of what other surrogacy agencies in the US require.
The Northeast Assisted Fertility Group is still a boutique surrogacy agency. Our small size has kept us nimble enough to adapt to changes in technology and respond to the expectations and needs of our clients seeking fertility treatment and surrogacy support. We still prioritize quality and service over costs. After twenty years, our experience has become our greatest asset. The desire for children will never change, and we will be here to help for the next twenty years.
A Legacy of Excellence in Egg Donation and Surrogacy Across the Northeast
For two decades, Northeast Assisted Fertility Group (NAFG) has remained a trusted name in third-party reproduction services, offering personalized support for intended parents navigating surrogacy and egg donation programs in the United States. Our boutique approach ensures attention to detail and a commitment to ethical practices.
If you are exploring egg donation, surrogacy, or third-party reproduction services, our team is here to provide expert guidance with a high level of professionalism and care. Whether you are beginning to research your options or ready to move forward, NAFG offers experienced, compassionate support tailored to your family-building journey and goals.
