Treatment with donor eggs
Using eggs from a donor can be a good option for patients who are unable to conceive using their own eggs, either naturally or with fertility treatment.
What is treatment with donor eggs?
Treatment with donor eggs is a fertility treatment in which you receive donated eggs to achieve pregnancy. The donor eggs are in a cryopreserved state, and during this treatment, they are warmed and then fertilized with either sperm from your partner or a sperm donor (using both donor eggs and donor sperm is called double donation). This fertilization process can be done using a special laboratory technique called ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) where each egg is individually injected with a single sperm cell.When fertilized, the embryos are cultured in the laboratory where they hopefully develop into blastocysts around day 5. The embryologist transfers one or more of the developed embryos with a catheter guided by a fertility doctor, hopefully implanting itself into the uterus wall and continuing its growth. Hereafter, a pregnancy hopefully occurs, and the treatment is complete. The number of embryos you wish to transfer will typically be decided between you, possibly a partner, and the fertility doctor. If more than one embryo develops sufficiently, the excess embryos can be frozen and stored for another attempt or siblings.
What are the legal implications when using an egg donor?
The law ensures that the egg donor has no legal or moral obligations to the child, and the egg donor will never be considered the legal mother of children conceived with her donations.
When is treatment with donor eggs recommended?
Donor egg treatment is recommended for patients who have:- Medical conditions that have affected fertility
- Age-related decrease in egg quality
- Entered menopause earlier than expected
- Had surgery on the ovaries
- The risk of passing on genetic conditions
Our experienced team is ready to help you determine whether treatment with donor eggs is the right option in your situation. Please be aware that according to Cypriot law, Cryos IVF Clinic can only treat women up to the age of 53.
How to choose an egg donor
When having treatment with donor eggs at Cryos IVF Clinic you can choose an egg donor from Cryos or another egg bank. The choice is yours. At Cryos, you can choose from a wide selection of egg donors of different ethnicities and phenotypes. All our egg donors undergo thorough physical examinations, genetic screening, and psychological evaluation, ensuring you the best possible starting point for your treatment. In our donor search, you can use the available filters to find a donor that matches your needs.Should your child be able to try to contact the donor?
One of the first things to consider when choosing your donor is whether you would like your child to have the opportunity to get identifying information about the donor from Cryos.
If you choose a Non-ID Release Donor, your child will not be able to get identifying information about the donor. If you choose an ID Release Donor, the child will have the opportunity to get information about the donor’s identity from Cryos when he or she turns 18.
Please be aware that according to Cypriot law, nationals of Cyprus can only choose a Non-ID Release Donor.
How much would you like to know about the donor?
Would you like to know as much as possible about the donor, or do you prefer to only know the basics? This consideration will help you to choose between an Extended or Basic Donor Profile. An Extended Profile contains a lot of personal information including baby photos and an audio clip with the donor’s voice. A donor with a Basic Profile only provides you with essential information such as ethnicity, physical characteristics, and education/job.
Choosing an egg donor is a big decision, and you must consider what feels right for you and your future family. You can also see a guide to choosing an egg donor here.
Preparing for your treatment with donor eggs
Blood tests
If a male partner provides own sperm sample for the fertilization, the following tests are mandatory for him in accordance with local laws:
- HIV (anti-HIV 1/2)
- Hepatitis B (anti-HBc, HBsAg)
- Hepatitis C (anti-HCV)
- Syphilis
It is advisable that the patient, who is going to carry the pregnancy, undergoes the same tests before treatment.
Ultrasound scan
An ultrasound scan is necessary to assess normal anatomy and rule out any ovarian cysts, fluid within the fallopian tubes, uterine fibroids, polyps, or other gynecological conditions.Tests and ultrasound scans may be performed at Cryos IVF Clinic or by your own physician or gynecologist in your home country, but the outcome reports must be provided in English to the Cryos IVF Clinic prior to commencing the treatment.
What is the donor egg treatment process?
After an initial consultation and careful consideration of your medical background, our healthcare professionals will customize an IVF treatment plan using donor eggs from your chosen donor. The process will be similar to an IVF procedure with your own eggs, but without the egg retrieval process. Instead, you will have to:
- Choose an egg donor before the treatment
- Order donor eggs in time for your treatment
After your treatment with donor eggs
After having your treatment with donor eggs, you can return to your everyday life. Two weeks later you must have a blood sample taken at our clinic or your general practitioner to see if you are pregnant.
What are the costs of treatment with donor eggs?
The price for treatment with donor eggs (ICSI) is €3,500. You can also choose to have only part of your treatment at Cryos IVF Clinic at a lower price. The cost of donor eggs is not included in the price. Learn more about our treatment prices and the cost of Cryos donor eggs here.
We are here for you
Are you still exploring your options – or are you ready to start your journey with us? Contact us to book a free consultation.