Donor Eggs 2

For many of our patients and couples, not being able to conceive is a challenging obstacle. At Elite IVF Solutions, we offer “Third-Party Reproduction” solutions for those individuals and couples who may benefit from donor assistance.

 “Third-Party Reproduction,” according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, refers to the use of eggs, sperm or embryos that have been donated by a third person (donor) to enable an infertile individual or couple to become parent(s). The use of donor eggs, sperm or embryos can then be used in ART (assisted reproductive technology) procedures such as IUI and IVF. “Third-Party Reproduction” also includes surrogacy with a gestational carrier.

Egg Donation

Why do I need an egg donor?

 Some women are unable to conceive because they cannot produce healthy eggs. Our ovum (egg) donor program can help women who otherwise would not be able to conceive by providing this missing link- healthy eggs. Egg donation was started in the 1980’s and over the past 40 years has grown exponentially in popularity because of excellent success rates.

 There are a number of indications for a using an egg donor including:

• Natural menopause
• Surgically induced menopause
• Premature ovarian failure
• Poor quality eggs
• Women who carry genetic abnormalities

Our team has been involved with egg donation since 1991 and has previously established some of the largest programs in the country. We have helped many women conceive with eggs donated by both identified (known) and anonymous donors.

Who are egg donors?

 Known egg donation uses eggs donated by a specific person: a sister, relative, or friend.

 Anonymous egg donation uses eggs donated anonymously from women recruited specifically for egg donation or from women undergoing an IVF cycle who are willing to donate excess eggs. Donors donate because they want to give this very special gift but are also compensated for each completed cycle.

 Before donors are accepted into the program, they undergo various medical and psychological evaluations. We screen all egg donors according to guidelines recommended by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). Potential donors must be between the ages of 19 and 32 and non-smokers. Candidates fill out a medical questionnaire reviewing their medical, family history and social habits, all of which are reviewed by us to determine the donor's acceptability and ascertain potential risk for significant medical or genetic disorders.

 The potential donor and her partner (if applicable) are then invited to meet with us to learn about why women need an egg donor, the process, and the emotional, psychosocial, ethical and legal issues that pertain to egg donation. It is important to evaluate the donor's well-being and level of comfort to cope with the stress of being a donor.

 If the egg donor feels comfortable with the process, she will undergo various tests to assure good medical health. These tests include:

• Sexually transmitted diseases testing
• Toxicology testing
• Carrier status testing for genetic disorders

How can we find the right egg donor?

 Elite IVF Solutions has a number of close relationships with very successful egg donor agencies around the country. We also have a number of local donors that know of our philosophy at EIS and wish to donate. We all take a comprehensive approach to the screening process and historically around 40% of ovum donors that are screened and tested actually become available for you to choose.

 A screening process includes a meeting with Dr. Lindheim who reviews with all donor candidates:

1. Their medical and family history
2. Why one is going to be an egg donor
3. Legal aspects and ethical aspects
4. What the process entails
5. Time commitment
6. Potential risks

Legal and Ethical issues are also discussed in great detail. With respect to legal issues, all donors are aware that they have no rights, commitments, or obligations attached to the donation process. Ethical issues pertaining to oocyte and embryo disposition are also discussed.

Fresh eggs or frozen?

 Until 2005, the process of egg donation required that the recipient’s menstrual cycle be synchronized with the donor’s cycle. This requirement was critical for success because the recipient’s uterine lining needed to be in synchrony with the fresh developing embryos in the laboratory. Otherwise, implantation would not occur. This “fresh” embryo transfer is still successful and used occasionally, but there is now another, more commonly-used option. We now have the scientific knowledge to freeze eggs. Eggs are more difficult to freeze and thaw than sperm because they contain a great deal of water which can crystallize and fracture the egg. A technique called vitrification is now used in our laboratory to freeze and thaw eggs with great success. The success rate using frozen eggs is comparable the use of fresh eggs but has advantages. The advantages can be not having to wait for the right donor to be found, potentially proven success already with a cohort of eggs and potential cost savings. While this decision may seem daunting, our staff is available to discuss the pros and cons with you in detail. Either way it is a choice between two good options.

How successful is Egg Donation?

 Very successful. Elite programs like ours will have delivery rates above 65%. That is, for every fresh egg donation cycle you start you would have a greater than 60% chance to deliver a baby in our program. The national average delivery rate for egg donation is approximately 50% as published by the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technologies.

How do I choose a donor?

 Elite IVF Solutions offers patients and couples the option of known or anonymous egg donation. Known egg donation is reserved for those individuals or couples who select a family member or friend to be their egg donor. Anonymous egg donation is when the donor is initially unknown to the patient or intended couple. Most times, egg donation starts as anonymous but the recipient couples and the donor may choose to meet before final selection. Our donor selection is diverse and all egg donors have been thoroughly screened and educated on the process of egg donation. We follow the guidelines set forth by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) as well as FDA regulations for egg donation and egg donor compensation. Most young women who choose to apply to become an egg donor are not selected. Donor applicants are between the ages of 19-32 and must be very healthy. We select only those women as donors who truly want to help others have a child and have passed appropriate physical, genetic and psychological screening.

 We are affiliated with several qualified egg donor agencies where egg donors can be selected. In most cases eggs are already cryopreserved and a set number can be purchased.

How do most people feel about Egg Donation?

 Egg donation is now widely accepted. Thousands of egg donation cycles are performed each year in the US and more than ten thousand worldwide. In certain areas in the US, each kindergarten class has at least one child born through egg donation. Couples have repeatedly told us that they love their child born through egg donation as much as imaginable. Many families have had their first child without infertility therapy and their second child through egg donation.

How do I get started?

The first step is to meet with Dr. Lindheim to discuss your individual situation. He will answer your questions and perform an ultrasound to do an initial evaluation of your uterus.  This will be followed by a water ultrasound or an X-ray test called a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) to further evaluate your uterus. Once your uterus is evaluated to be capable of carrying a pregnancy and your medical examination and blood tests are normal, you are all set to look for your donor. We will guide you each step of the way. Many couples start the process of donor selection as they are undergoing their screening tests. From the time you select a donor it is usually about two months before your embryo transfer.

How does the Egg Donation cycle work?

Protocols for donor egg cycles vary, depending on the recipient’s diagnosis and clinical status.  Medications can include birth control pills (OCPs), leuprolide acetate (Lupron), estrogen and progesterone. Dr. Lindheim will tailor your protocol according to your individual clinical needs. Fresh donor cycles require a great deal of coordination between the menstrual cycles of the donor and the recipient; frozen donor cycles are much easier to schedule and implement. Once the donor eggs are available – either from a donor egg bank or a fresh egg retrieval – the eggs are inseminated with your sperm choice. 

Once the eggs are fertilized, they will begin to develop as embryos. The embryo transfer procedure will occur approximately five days following fertilization. You very well may have additional embryos that can be cryopreserved. You will know whether you are pregnant or not within 10 days after the embryo transfer.

Costs

The costs of a fresh egg donation cycle are somewhat higher than for a regular IVF cycle because there are three patients involved (recipient, male partner and donor). Additionally, the donor receives compensation for her time. Costs for a frozen donor egg cycle include the purchase price of the donor eggs from an agency added to the cost of a “modified” IVF cycle (reduced cost since there is minimal monitoring prior to the embryo transfer).  Ask our office for the most up to date estimated costs.

Philosophy

We believe that egg donation is an incredible therapy to allow a couple to have a family even when the female partner has no viable oocytes. Egg donation has revolutionized the treatment of infertility in the last twenty years. We would be honored to help you decide if egg donation is best for you.