The use of donor eggs in IVF procedures and other infertility treatments is becoming increasingly common, especially among women above the age of 40.
In this short piece, we will briefly explain where to find donor eggs, the requirements to become an egg donor, why IVF with a donor egg might be preferred and what this process of this fertility treatment is?
A fertility centre with access to an excellent egg donor program may provide hopeful parents the best possible chance of taking home a healthy baby.
IVF with a donor egg might be the preferred treatment in the following cases:
- Premature ovarian failure. A condition in which menopause has started much earlier than the normal period, usually before the age of 40.
- Diminished ovarian reserve. When the quality of eggs has been diminished due to various factors including age and disease amongst others. Previous history of failure with IVF due to quality of eggs may result in attempting with a carefully vetted donor egg.
- Genetic conditions. If there are a risk of passing on genetically transmitted diseases to your child.
Egg Donor Requirements
Reliable donor egg clinics throughout Europe and beyond will conduct a strict vetting process to identify if a woman is a preferred candidate for egg donation.
Any egg donor applicant will go through comprehensive medical, physical, legal and psychological screening to evaluate their candidacy.
Successful egg donors are generally made up of healthy young women between ages 21 – 30.
Egg Donation Process
A successful egg donor will initially be provided a hormone injection with the aim to induce ovulation of multiple eggs. Women naturally release one egg a month, the injections however will enable several eggs to mature at the same time.
Once the donors’ eggs reach maturity, its retrieval is scheduled. The egg donor is sedated and a fertility doctor uses an ultrasound-guided needle to insert into each mature follicle and to retrieve each egg.
The fertility clinic will usually attempt to fertilise several eggs in a laboratory using the recipient partner’s sperm or selected donor sperm. This procedure is known as in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
A resulting embryo (fertilised egg) is then transferred into the recipient’s uterus. During the fresh transfer cycle, the egg donor and the recipient’s cycles are synchronised using medication.
Frozen Egg Transfer
Sometimes a frozen transfer is also carried out in which embryos are stored, frozen and typically transferred at a later date.
If the IVF procedure is successful, the embryo will implant into the uterine lining and develop into a healthy baby.
At Sago IVF Centre, we especially understand and are experienced in the challenges posed of getting pregnant after 40. We are privileged to have access to an extensive and reliable donor egg database that allow us to offer IVF treatment using donor eggs where required.
For further information about IVF using donor eggs, you can speak to one of our trained Patient Coordinators now.
