How Does IVF with Donor Eggs Work?
Egg donation is a fantastic option for patients to expand their families. But how does IVF work with egg donation? Learn about how an IVF cycle using donor eggs varies from a traditional IVF cycle, and explore why egg donation at our Encino, CA, and Bakersfield, CA, fertility center may be the right choice to help you reach your dreams of parenthood.
Why Do Patients Turn to Egg Donation?
There are many reasons why our patients turn to egg donation to help them expand their families, including:
- Premature Menopause
- Diminished Ovarian Reserve
- Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
- Natural Menopause
- Same-Sex Male Couples
- Single Men
How Does IVF with Egg Donation Work?
The first step to IVF using donor eggs is selecting a donor. In some cases, patients have a trusted friend or family member who wishes to donate eggs. However, we also partner with trusted agencies to match patients with screened egg donors. Same-sex couples will also need to choose a surrogate.
Once you choose an egg donor, there are a few extra steps in the IVF process.
- The mother or surrogate and egg donor will begin medication. This is done to synchronize their cycles with ovulation.
- The mother or surrogate will not undergo egg retrieval. Instead, the egg donor will undergo this procedure. During this procedure, we will carefully collect the eggs from the egg donor’s ovaries. These are then sent to our lab.
- Using the father’s sperm or donor sperm, our fertility specialist will fertilize the donated eggs. Like traditional IVF, we will carefully monitor the fertilized eggs for embryonic development.
- About five days later, the mother will return to our clinic. We will then transfer the selected number of embryos into her uterus for further growth and development.
- About two weeks later, the mother will then take a pregnancy test to determine if the embryo has implanted. Once a pregnancy is confirmed, you will be released to your OBGYN to continue your pregnancy.
What Are the Success Rates of IVF Using Donor Eggs?
Your success rate will depend on a number of factors. However, the chance of a donor egg producing a viable embryo is about 80%. Factors that may impact your chance of pregnancy using IVF and a donor egg include:
- Mother and donor age
- Quality of eggs
- Sperm quality
- Health of the mother
- And more
Does an Egg Donor Impact Costs?
Yes. Using an egg donor will increase the costs associated with your IVF treatment because the egg donor is compensated for her time and effort. We offer in-house financing and work with most insurance providers to help make your IVF treatment more affordable.
Get Started on Your Journey to Parenthood
Advancements in assisted reproductive technology has allowed more people than ever to achieve their dreams of expanding their families. Egg donation also means that more women are able to experience pregnancy and carry a baby. IVF using donor eggs also allows same-sex male couples to become parents. If you have more questions about IVF using egg donors, or if you are wondering if it is right for you, get started by contacting our doctors at Los Angeles Reproductive Center today.