In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an assisted reproductive technology that involves fertilizing an egg with sperm outside the uterus in a lab setting. This fertility treatment is used to help people with a variety of infertility struggles who wish to grow their family.
First Fertility locations across the United States also offer IVF with the use of an egg donor for those who may not be able to produce their own eggs, have low ovarian reserve, or have other egg quality factors impacting their ability to conceive.
Can I Use an Egg Donor With IVF?
IVF is a fertility option available for many people, including those who may need an egg donor in order to grow their family. Both heterosexual couples and LGBTQ+ couples may require an egg donation for IVF, and the reproductive endocrinologists at First Fertility locations can help.
Local and state laws may impact egg donation and surrogacy options. We encourage couples and fertility centers to learn more about the laws in their area. Our fertility specialists and staff can also help patients navigate family-building laws in their area.
Whether individuals or couples require an egg donor for the IVF process or not, they will undergo fertility testing at our location. This gives our fertility specialist important information about the causes of that individual’s infertility, and the fertility specialist can create a personalized treatment plan based on the information from the fertility testing.
Who Can Be an Egg Donor?
There are two primary methods of egg donation: identified egg donation and non-directed egg donation. An identified egg donation is from someone the patient knows, while a non-directed donation is anonymous. Non-directed egg donations may be cryopreserved in an egg bank, ready to go to those who need them. If already donated, the egg is thawed and fertilized in the lab as part of the IVF process when the time is right. First Fertility centers do not offer identified egg donation.
All of the First Fertility locations can recommend reputable egg donor agencies for securing donor eggs. Some practices in our network, such as the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services, InVia Fertility, Fertility Specialists of Texas, and MCRM Fertility, also have in-house donor egg programs where we can facilitate the entire process.
In order to be an egg donor, a woman must undergo rigorous physical and psychological screenings to determine if they are a good fit for egg donation, including meeting criteria such as:
- Donors must be non-smokers and not use drugs.
- Donors must have a BMI (body mass index) of 29 or lower.
- Donors must be currently working toward their own goals.
- Donors must be between 21 and 32 years old.
Donors must complete a questionnaire about medical and family history and social habits. Donors must also complete counseling before or during the donation process. Patients who are using donor eggs or any form of third party reproduction (donor sperm, donor eggs and gestational carrier) must also complete counseling before and during the process.
IVF Process With Egg Donation
The IVF process typically begins with controlled ovarian stimulation. However, if someone is using donor eggs, the process may start with the donor selection process. If the donor has not already done so, they will undergo controlled ovarian stimulation to develop and mature several eggs, which are retrieved during an egg retrieval procedure.
If the eggs have been donated previously and are stored in cryopreservation, those eggs will be thawed for fertilization with sperm provided by a donor or future parent.
The embryos will be monitored as they develop for five days. Then, the best 5-day embryo will be chosen for transfer into the uterus. The transfer is an in-office procedure under light sedation. Depending on local and state laws, a future parent can carry the pregnancy in her uterus, or a gestational carrier can.
Learn More About Egg Donation and IVF Today
Egg donation and IVF can work together to help patients grow their families. Fertility centers in the First Fertility network can offer both IVF and egg donation as options for those who need personalized fertility treatments to build their families. Learn more about our egg donation program and IVF by contacting First Fertility today.
