Donor Egg IVF
Table of Contents
Egg Donation Program at NewLife Fertility – Your Path to Parenthood
At NewLife Fertility, we understand that the road to parenthood can sometimes feel challenging. If you are considering egg donation as part of your fertility journey, we are here to guide you every step of the way. Our Egg Donation Program offers a range of options to help you achieve your dream of having a child, whether you are seeking a known or anonymous donor, or looking for eggs from a regulated egg bank.
Why Egg Donation?
As women age, especially after the age of 35, ovarian function declines, leading to a decrease in egg quality. For some women, this means turning to egg donation to conceive. Egg donation can also be an option for women who face infertility due to medical conditions, failed IVF cycles, or previous cancer treatments.
Egg Donation Program at NewLife – Your Path to Parenthood
At NewLife Fertility, we offer three main options for egg donation to best suit your needs:
1. Known Egg Donor
For women who have a friend, relative, or acquaintance willing to donate their eggs, the Known Egg Donor option provides a more personal experience. If needed, we can also help you connect with an Egg Donor Agency to facilitate the donation.
2. Anonymous Egg Donor
If you prefer an anonymous donor, we provide access to a trusted network of agencies recommended by NewLife Fertility. Our dedicated third-party coordinator will assist in finding a match and guide you through the process with confidentiality and care.
3. Egg Bank
Our Egg Bank option allows you to access frozen eggs from Canadian-compliant egg banks. These banks adhere to strict Health Canada regulations, ensuring that all donors meet rigorous medical and ethical standards. Embryos created from these eggs are then transferred to NewLife Fertility for implantation into your uterus.
Who Uses Donor Eggs?
Donor eggs can benefit individuals and couples facing various fertility challenges, including:
- Women of advanced reproductive age
- Same-sex male couples
- Women who are carriers of genetic diseases
- Women with egg-factor infertility
- Women who’ve experienced multiple IVF failures
- Women who’ve undergone cancer treatment
- Women without ovaries
Who Can Become an Egg Donor in Canada?
In Canada, egg donors must be healthy women between the ages of 19 and 33. They undergo thorough screening for communicable diseases and inheritable conditions, and must meet these criteria:
- Non-smoker
- Healthy, with low FSH levels and at least six mature eggs
- Prepared to undergo fertility treatments to stimulate egg production
Steps to Become an Egg Donor
The egg donor at NewLife Fertility must go through a comprehensive screening process:
- Medical history and physical examination
- Testing for infectious diseases
- Screening for inheritable diseases through a family health questionnaire
- Signing of anonymity consent
- Attending a counseling session before donation
Donor Egg Fast Facts
- Donated eggs are used only for IVF cycles.
- For fresh egg donation (from a known donor and anonymous donor), the donor undergoes IVF stimulation to retrieve eggs.
- For frozen egg donation, eggs are retrieved from an egg bank, thawed, fertilized, and the embryos are transferred to the recipient’s uterus.
- The donor’s eggs are fertilized using sperm from the recipient’s partner or a sperm donor.
- Embryos are transferred into the recipient’s uterus for implantation.
Give the Gift of Life and Love
Egg donation is a precious gift for many women who are unable to conceive on their own. By donating your eggs, you are giving someone the opportunity to experience the joy of parenthood. For many couples, egg donation is the last hope after exhausting other fertility treatments. At NewLife Fertility, we recognize the selflessness of egg donors and the incredible impact you have in helping others achieve their dream of becoming parents.
Who Are the Candidates to Receive Donated Eggs?
Our Anonymous and Known Egg Donor Programs allow patients to select either an anonymous donor or a donor they know personally. If you are interested in receiving donated eggs, NewLife will provide you with contact information for agencies that specialize in matching.
Egg Donation Process at NewLife
At NewLife Fertility, we recognize that the egg donation process is a deeply personal journey. Whether you’re using eggs from a known donor, an anonymous donor, or an egg bank, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Below is an overview of the egg donation process, ensuring that you understand what to expect.
1. Meet Your NewLife Physician
The process begins with a consultation with your NewLife physician to discuss your fertility needs and options. This is a crucial step to understand how egg donation can help you achieve your dream of parenthood.
2. Connect with Your Third-Party Coordinator
Once you’ve met with your physician, you’ll be referred to your third-party coordinator. Your coordinator will provide detailed information about your options, help you select a donor, and facilitate the screening process for both you and the donor.
3. Begin the Screening Process
Whether you choose a known or anonymous donor, the screening process is comprehensive and includes medical tests such as blood work, ultrasounds, genetic carrier screening, and more. Both the donor and the recipient undergo this screening to ensure safety and compatibility.
4. Meet with a Fertility Counsellor
A mandatory counselling session is scheduled to support the emotional and legal aspects of using donor eggs. This session provides valuable guidance as you prepare for the journey ahead, helping you navigate donor selection and understand your rights.
5. Finalize the Legal Agreement
Once the donor is medically cleared, a legal agreement is finalized. This agreement ensures that both the donor and the recipient are legally protected and have clear expectations moving forward, whether the donor is known or anonymous.
6. Complete Additional Testing
Before proceeding, recipients undergo genetic carrier screening and a counselling session specific to using third-party gametes. This ensures that all parties involved are fully prepared for the process.
7. Egg Retrieval (Egg Donor)
Once the donor is approved, she will begin fertility medications to stimulate egg production. Once the eggs are ready, they are retrieved for fresh fertilization or frozen for later use. If you are using eggs from an egg bank, they will be shipped directly to the clinic.
8. Embryo Transfer (Patient)
After fertilization, embryos are developed into blastocysts over five days. These embryos are transferred into your uterus (or gestational surrogate) in hopes of achieving a pregnancy. The recipient will be given medications to prepare the uterus for embryo transfer, whether fresh or frozen.
9. Pregnancy Test and Beyond
Approximately 10 to 12 days after the embryo transfer, you’ll return to NewLife for a beta hCG test to detect early pregnancy. If the test is positive, we’ll continue monitoring your pregnancy until a fetal heartbeat is detected. Afterward, you’ll be referred to your family physician or OB/GYN for ongoing care.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does egg donation cost?
The cost of egg donation varies depending on whether you are using a known donor, an anonymous donor, or an egg bank. For specific pricing, please contact us for a consultation. - Can I choose the characteristics of my egg donor?
Yes, if you choose an anonymous egg donor, you will have access to detailed profiles that include the donor’s physical traits, medical history, and other relevant information to help you make an informed decision. - How successful is egg donation?
Success rates for egg donation are generally high, especially when using fresh eggs. However, the success of the procedure also depends on factors like the recipient’s age, overall health, and uterine condition. Our team will discuss the likelihood of success based on your unique situation. - What if I want to know more about my egg donor?
If you choose an anonymous egg donor, you can receive a profile with non-identifiable information. However, if you opt for a known donor, you will have direct communication and a personal relationship with the donor. - How do I start the egg donation process?
If you are interested in donating or receiving eggs, please contact NewLife Fertility to schedule a consultation. Our team will provide you with contact information for egg banks and agencies and offer support to help you make informed decisions throughout the process.
At NewLife Fertility, we are committed to helping you grow your family. Contact us today at +1 905-896-7100 to learn more about our Egg Donation Program and how we can assist you on your journey to parenthood.
