EGG DONATION
this is an IVF process where a donor donates her eggs to another woman, which are then fertilised with her partner’s sperm.
the fertilized eggs are transferred to the woman’s uterus
in which cases egg donation is indicated:
- when the woman is of advanced reproductive age (usually over 44 years old)
- in early menopause or premature ovarian failure
- history of poor egg quality
carries a genetic disorder that should not be passed on to the child
- the donors are between 18 and 35 years old
- they are genetically screened as well as for sexually transmitted diseases
- based on their adequate ovarian activity
- a full personal and family history is taken
- they are assessed by a psychologist
the basic external characteristics and other criteria are taken into consideration in order to have a match:
- height,
- hair color
- eye color
- skin color
- face shape
- age and origin
- blood group, Rhesus
the donor can be anonymous, open ID or her identity can be revealed after the child reaches the age of 18 at the child’s request
in any case, the donor does not know the recipient.
the couple discusses the characteristics they wish for their donor and then join the donation programe list after completing the appropriate consent forms for the procedure
once a suitable donor is found, there is a choice between transferring fresh embryos or cryopreserved embryos:
in case of cryopreserved embryos
as soon as the donor has her menstruation, her stimulation starts.
then egg collection and fertilisation with the sperm of the recipient’s partner follow.
embryos are frozen 5- 6 days later
once the woman wishes to proceed with embryo transfer, we start preparing her endometrium from 2nd day of the cycle
on day 10 of the cycle, an ultrasound scan is performed to check the endometrial thickness and determine the day of embryo transfer after starting progesterone for 5-6 days
the embryo transfer window is within day 16 to 21 of her cycle
embryo transfer of cryopreserved embryos can also be performed in a natural cycle. Once the woman has ovulated, embryo transfer is scheduled 5-6 days later
in case of fresh embryos
the recipient should be synchronized with the donor
the recipient is required to take an injection on day 21η of her cycle (to stop her next natural cycle for this period)
then the donor’s cycle is expected
once the donor starts stimulation, then the recipient starts preparing the endometrium with medication
on the day of the donor’s egg collection, the recipient starts taking progesterone and the embryo transfer will take place 3 or 5 days later
in either case, the partner can either give a sperm sample on the day of the donor’s egg collection or have a sample frozen in advance
the odds are about the same
the choice depends on the background of each woman/couple
there is also the possibility for both options depending on the needs of the couple
there is the possibility for the couple to choose cryopreserved oocytes from foreign banks (within the EU) to be sent to the clinic and then we can proceed with the creation of their embryos
greek legislation allows the transfer of up to 2 embryos at a time with egg donation process
any additional embryos that may occur, they are cryopreserved and the couple can use them in the future
- the couple’s criteria for choosing the right donor
- the written consent forms by the couple
- tests for infectious diseases (HIV 1-2, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, C) in the last 6 months by both partners