Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is egg donation?
Egg donation is a fertility treatment in which donated eggs from a screened donor are fertilized with sperm in the laboratory to create embryos. The resulting embryo(s) can then be transferred to the recipient’s uterus, allowing her to experience pregnancy and childbirth.
2. Who may consider egg donation treatment?
Egg donation may be considered for women with diminished ovarian reserve, premature ovarian insufficiency, age-related decline in egg quality, previous unsuccessful IVF treatment or certain genetic or medical conditions affecting ovarian function. Your fertility specialist will assess your individual circumstances to determine whether egg donation may be appropriate for you.
3. How are egg donors screened?
Egg donors undergo a screening process that may include a review of their medical and family history, infectious disease testing, fertility and gynecological assessment, and genetic screening where appropriate. Donor screening requirements may vary according to applicable medical and regulatory guidelines.
4. How does the egg donation process work?
The process generally involves selecting a suitable donor, preparing the recipient’s uterus, stimulating the donor’s ovaries and retrieving the eggs, followed by fertilization with sperm in the laboratory. The resulting embryo(s) are then transferred to the recipient’s uterus according to the treatment plan.
5. How do I choose an egg donor?
Our fertility team will guide you through the donor selection process with sensitivity and confidentiality. Depending on the applicable guidelines and donor program, matching may consider factors such as blood group, physical characteristics and other relevant non-identifying information.