IVF with an egg donor
People who do not have healthy eggs or who experience multiple unsuccessful IVF cycles may choose to pursue IVF using healthy eggs donated by another person. Deciding to move forward with donor eggs can be a significant shift if you were initially planning to conceive using your own eggs, yet it can also be a source of hope for many patients. We understand the emotional toll that this process and decision can take, and it's important to know that your fertility plan happens on your timeline when you are ready.
Choosing an egg donor
Once you have decided to use an egg donor, the next step is selecting a donor. Reproductive Partners Medical Group has partnered with a number of trusted egg donor agencies and egg banks so that we can support your process every step of the way. The selection process for an egg donor is very similar to sperm donor selection. You are able to select an egg donor or banked donor eggs based on a number of personal criteria. You also have the option of working with a known egg donor.
What are donor services?
Using a donor’s eggs is an option for patients who may have no or limited success using their own eggs. This includes women of advanced reproductive age or those with a low egg supply, ovarian insufficiency, or a history of several unsuccessful treatment cycles using their own eggs. For same sex male couples, single males, and people without the ability to gestate, egg donation with a gestational carrier can provide a path to parenthood.
The process involves fertilizing fresh or frozen donor eggs via IVF, then placing one embryo into the uterus of the person carrying the pregnancy. The person who gestates the pregnancy needs hormonal support in early pregnancy, but can have a successful pregnancy, delivery, and can breastfeed the baby. We know that deciding on egg donation can be an emotionally challenging step in many ways, and we are here to support you throughout your journey.
Is using an egg donor right for me?
There are many different reasons a patient may opt to use donated eggs to achieve pregnancy. For gay male couples or single men it will be an essential step in the process along with partnering with a gestational carrier (surrogate). Heterosexual couples, single women and any person assigned female at birth may choose to use an egg donor if they are unable to conceive using their own eggs.
Some reasons why you may not be able to conceive using your own eggs could include:
- Ovarian failure
- Poor follicle development
- Damaged ovaries due to chemotherapy or radiation
- Carrier of a genetic or chromosomal disease abnormality that could result in an unhealthy child or recurrent pregnancy losses.
- Egg quantity and quality has diminished significantly, often due to age
- Absent ovaries due to surgery
- Post-operative transgender person without ovaries or with whom egg retrieval is no longer possible or doesn’t result in viable embryos or successful IVF
- Male sex at birth
Egg donor success with Fertility Centers of Orange County
Success rates for donor egg IVF can be 3 to 10 times higher than traditional IVF
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Paying for donor eggs
Though coverage for fertility care varies widely by insurance plan, the good news is that you have options. We are committed to guiding you through your insurance benefits, out-of-pocket expenses, and other financing options every step of the way.
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Many same-sex male couples use donated eggs to build a family. Using donor eggs can also be an option for patients with limited success rates using their own eggs, or anyone who is a carrier of a genetic or chromosomal abnormality. We understand that in this scenario, using donated eggs can be a difficult and emotional step to take and we are here to support you in your decision.
Given the rising popularity of at-home DNA testing, anonymity can no longer be guaranteed in the egg donation process. We now consider egg donors to be “directed” or “non-directed”. Examples of directed egg donors are friends or family members who volunteer to donate their eggs to a specific person or couple. Most other donations are non-directed, but the amount of information you know about the donor may vary.
When donor-conceived children become adults, they may want to know more about their genetic origins. Some state laws provide a mechanism for donor-conceived children to learn the identity of their egg donor when they reach the age of 18. Because egg and sperm donation are so common, there are plenty of resources and support available for families navigating these sensitive issues. Your care team can support you in navigating egg bank anonymity, so be sure to talk to them about any concerns. Your care team can support you in navigating egg bank anonymity, so be sure to talk to them about any concerns.