An egg donor may be needed if a couple cannot achieve pregnancy through other fertility procedures such as in vitro fertilization. Even though it may not be the first choice of treatment in most cases, the use of an egg donor has the highest success rate of all fertility treatments.
Research studies suggest that a woman with fertility problems in her late 30s or 40s can boost her chances of getting pregnant using a donor egg from a healthy young female by as much as 43.4% in each cycle.
You might need a donor egg under the following conditions:
- Premature ovarian failure, a condition in which, a woman undergoes cessation of ovarian function very early in life (before reaching 40 years of age).
- Diminished ovarian reserve, which means the eggs are of suboptimal quality.
- A high risk of genetically transmitted disease being passed on to the child
- A history of failure with IVF
How the Egg Donation works:
A prospective egg donor goes through extensive evaluation which includes checking medical history, tests for genetic disorders or diseases, and educational background. According to the recommendation of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the egg donor should be under the age of 34.
The mother-to-be will be given a course of hormonal treatments to prepare her womb to receive the donor eggs. The donor will also be treated with hormones to stimulate superovulation aka controlled ovarian hyperstimulation to release more than one egg during mensuration. At the appropriate time, the donor eggs will be retrieved and fertilized. The fertilized egg is then implanted into the womb of the mother. Hormone therapy may be continued for about 10 weeks thereafter to ensure healthy growth and development of the baby.
Being a recipient of egg donation gives you the possibility of carrying a child and giving birth despite being infertile. Speak to your doctor or a fertility specialist if you think you might be a candidate for this procedure.
ReproMed Fertility Center offers personalized fertility treatments in four convenient locations in the Dallas metroplex and one in Tyler. Please contact us at (214) 827-8777 for all appointments and information.