Egg & Embryo Recipients
Our egg recipient programme allows us to offer treatment to couples where the female partner is unable to produce eggs or where those that are produced are unlikely to result in the birth of a healthy child. This could be due to a variety of reasons such as
- Premature menopause
- Previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- Chromosomal abnormalities
- Previous IVF attempts resulting in
- failed or poor stimulation
- poor egg or embryo quality.
Waiting List
Unfortunately the demand for egg donation is greater than the availability of suitable donor eggs, so recipients may need to wait several years for treatment. If they feel it is right for them, recipients may recruit their own donors.
The Donors
Many of our egg donors are women who have had their own children and experienced the joy they bring. Some have not had children but may have in the future, and some have friends or relatives who have experienced infertility, but all wish to help others to have their own children. All potential donors meet with the unit counsellor to discuss the implications, for themselves and their family, of their being a donor, before they are accepted for treatment. They must be between 18 and 35 years of age and are required to undergo screening for hereditary or infective diseases before acceptance as donors. This screening is not infallible and there is no guarantee that all potential problems will be detected.
Treatment using donated embryos
Occasionally stored embryos no longer required by the couple who created them are donated for treatment by others. Embryos may also be created specifically for a couple using donated eggs and donated sperm.
For full information about our Donation Programme see 'A Gift of Life' (PI-DO-0023).