Egg Donation
Egg donation is the process of selecting and retrieving eggs, or donor oocytes, from an egg donor and placing them into the recipient’s uterus during IVF treatment. Intended parents can choose an egg donor candidate based on a variety of criteria. Once a donor is chosen, she will take fertility medications to produce multiple eggs for retrieval to be used in conjunction with IVF.
When Is an Egg Donor Recommended?
Egg donation is a fertility treatment used for women who have a healthy uterus but no eggs or poor quality eggs that have not been responsive to fertility medications and IVF treatment. If there are male factor considerations as well, such as low sperm count or motility, egg donation can be used in combination with ICSI.
The Donor Egg Bank Program at Fertility Solutions: Fertility Solutions is proud to be the exclusive regional provider for Fairfax Egg Bank in Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Click here to learn more.
Egg Donation — Getting Started
If you believe that egg donation is right for your family, the first step toward finding an egg donor is to schedule a consultation. During your consultation, you will meet with one of our board-certified fertility specialists, who will help you craft an affordable and effective fertility treatment plan. Our financial counselors are available to walk you through our payment plans & insurance options.
Egg Donation — Related Topics
Egg donation is commonly used in combination with IVF (Egg Donor IVF). Learn more about other advanced IVF treatments:
View more infertility treatments
Egg Donation Process
Finding an egg donor can be a difficult and challenging process. At Fertility Solutions, we have the expertise to guide you through fertility treatment options and provide compassionate care as we help you grow your family:
Step 1 — Finding an Egg Donor
Choosing your egg donor is a very personal process. There are many dimensions to consider, including personality, intelligence, physical appearance, ethnicity and more. Most couples or individuals will identify a donor through one of several egg donation agencies. Fertility Solutions can also help a patient identify their own egg donor, such as a family member or friend. With the help of our fertility specialists, we are confident you will find a suitable donor.
Step 2 — Legalities
Once an egg donor has been chosen, a contract will be drawn up by an attorney who specializes in fertility law within your geographic region. We can recommend skilled fertility lawyers in your area.
Step 3 — Fertility Medications to prepare the endometrial (uterine) lining
You with take medications (estrogen and progesterone) to prepare your endometrial lining for an embryo transfer. If the egg donor is undergoing an IVF cycle to produce fresh eggs to make your embryos, she will take fertility medications to produce several mature eggs for retrieval. The eggs would then be inseminated or injected with sperm. If frozen donor eggs are selected, then our fertility laboratory will receive the frozen eggs and thaw them to be fertilized with ICSI at the appropriate time. The resulting embryos are monitored and the highest quality one is selected for your embryo transfer!
Step 4 — Follow-Up
The next two weeks after your embryo transfer involve a lot of waiting and checkup visits with your fertility specialist. Afterward, a blood test is given to determine whether you are pregnant. With expert treatment, attentive care and just a little luck, you will have a positive result. Then it is time to start planning for the new addition to your family!
Schedule a Consultation: Egg Donation