A Journey Towards Parenthood

The path to parenthood is unique for every individual or couple. IVF with donor eggs is an assisted reproductive technique that numerous patients and intended parents opt for, offering them the opportunity to embark on the fulfilling journey of parenthood.

What is IVF with Donor Eggs?

IVF with donor eggs involves using donated eggs in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle rather than sourcing eggs from the female partner. The overall procedure closely resembles a standard IVF cycle, with the primary distinction being the utilization of donor eggs. During this process, donated eggs are combined with the male partner’s sperm to create embryos, subsequently transferred into the female partner’s uterus. Donor eggs can be sourced from either altruistic donors or individuals participating in our Egg Sharing Scheme.

How Does IVF with Donor Egg Treatment Work?

Once you and your consultant mutually agree that proceeding with IVF using donor eggs is the best course of action, you will fill out a matching form and engage in a counseling session. This session aims to explore the implications of utilizing donated eggs in your treatment. 

Additionally, you’ll undergo additional treatment screening blood tests. Once these stages are complete, you’ll be placed on the waiting list for donor eggs. Please contact the center for an estimate of the current waiting times for receiving donor eggs. When your name reaches the top of the waiting list, a nurse coordinator will contact you with details of a potential donor. If you are content with the match and wish to proceed, your treatment will be planned accordingly. In the event that you do not wish to proceed with the proposed donor, your name will remain at the top of the waiting list for the next suitable match. 

Our egg donation program involves stimulating the donor’s ovaries with drugs typically used in an IVF cycle. Simultaneously, we prepare the lining of your uterus using tablets to ensure it is ready to receive embryos. The eggs from the donor are collected and then combined with the male partner’s sperm, and the mixture is transferred to an incubator to facilitate fertilization. 

In cases of poor sperm quality, a procedure called ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) may be required, where a single sperm is injected into each egg. For more information about ICSI, please refer to the ICSI Treatment page. An embryologist will contact you the day after the donor eggs and sperm have been combined to provide information on the success of fertilization. The embryologists will continue to keep you informed in the following days, advising on the number of embryos formed, whether any are suitable for freezing, and confirming the day and time of the embryo transfer into the female partner. 

Depending on the development of your embryos, the embryo transfer is typically completed within the next 5 days.