Donor Eggs Can Help With IVF
In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is one of the most effective methods of treating infertility. About 2% of births happen due to IVF every year. This number will only increase as the procedure becomes cheaper and more accessible. For some women with ovarian failure or medical conditions, an egg donor is the best solution. Donor eggs have a high success rate, especially since the donors are usually younger women with healthy eggs. Luckily, fertility clinics can help with the egg donor process.
Understanding the IVF process
IVF is a complex process where eggs are moved from a woman’s ovaries after taking hormone medication. From there, the clinic combines those eggs with a sperm sample to create embryos. The embryos are then transplanted into the woman’s uterus to develop into a live baby. Most cases of IVF require 2 or 3 transplant cycles before a successful pregnancy. There is a range of additional techniques like intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) that improve the success rate of IVF.
How egg donors work
In the past, the egg donor process happened live. The egg donor would take hormone medication to synchronize with the recipient’s mother. The doctor would extract these eggs and continue the IVF process. Today, women can access frozen eggs from an egg bank. Known as oocyte cryopreservation, women can donate eggs at any time which are frozen for future use. These women are medically assessed and provide the highest quality eggs possible. Almost all egg donor cases today now happen using this process.
Types of donor programs
There are a few ways to acquire donor eggs. Using an egg bank is the most popular and convenient method. These banks allow intended mothers to choose the best donor. From there, the egg is thawed and prepared for IVF or ICSI. Some women prefer a donor from the family to have a genetic tie to the child. Others come to the fertility clinic with an egg from a donor agency or may prefer an unknown donor.
Donor egg warranty programs
The egg donor process could be one of the most expensive of all IVF techniques. Frozen eggs are cheaper. Fresh donor eggs can cost twice the price. Some fertility clinics have a range of programs in place to help hopeful parents. For instance, some clinics provide refundable plans for unsuccessful frozen or fresh egg donors. Other programs allow the recipient to choose one or more donors to maximize the success rate without added costs. Speak with the clinic about any available options or programs to make IVF with egg donation as smooth as possible.
What you should know about donor eggs
Because donor eggs usually come from young women with high fertility, IVF with donor eggs has high success rates. However, the success rates depend on the overall health of the intended mother and father. There are cases where several cycles can fail. Donor eggs are also not covered by insurance, although some companies provide female employees egg freezing grants. Overall, egg donation is a complex process that requires patience and support.
Get help with IVF and egg donation today
For women struggling with infertility, IVF is a viable option. Some need additional support through egg donation. The fertility clinic will provide frozen egg options through donor banks, or the patient may have a known donor. Rest assured, the clinic will help patients every step of the way. If IVF is proving unsuccessful, speak to the doctor or clinic about egg donation.
