What is egg donation?
If a woman cannot become pregnant using her own eggs, either by sexual intercourse, artificial insemination or IVF, she may choose to use eggs donated by another woman. The donated egg is then fertilized by the sperm of a male partner or sperm donor. The resulting embryo is then placed into the recipient’s uterus.
Egg donation is also an option for women who have a genetic disorder they don’t want to pass along to their offspring. Since it is possible to carry a genetic disorder but not have the associated disease, women who are at risk of carrying a disorder may consider egg donation. Genetic testing for the presence of a disorder can be conducted at any point during a woman’s fertility journey. Women should discuss testing options with a physician.
Who should consider egg donation?
Egg donation gives hope to aspiring parents who thought they could never achieve pregnancy otherwise. There are many reasons individuals and couples choose donor eggs for their family-building journeys, including:
- Passing a genetic disorder to a child
- Being unresponsive to previous IVF hormone treatments
- Having poor ovarian reserve
- Needing chemotherapy, radiation, or other life-saving treatments that can impact fertility
- Unexplained infertility
- Gay male couples
- Single aspiring fathers
How egg donation works
At RSC New Jersey, we guide patients through every step of the egg donation process and help them explore all available options for growing their families. An egg donor may be a known donor, such as a sister, cousin, or close friend, or an anonymous donor matched through an egg donation agency or egg bank.
Some recipients choose a known donor because of the genetic connection and personal relationship involved. When using a known donor, both the donor and the intended parents must receive psychological evaluations and independent legal counseling. These important steps help everyone involved navigate the emotional and legal considerations that may arise, both during the process and in the future.
Many intended parents also choose to find an egg donor through an agency or egg bank. Agencies typically allow recipients to search for a donor based on specific traits, preferences, or shared backgrounds. Donor qualifications are carefully screened, with most agencies requiring donors to be between 21 and 32 years old, in good health, and often pursuing or holding a college degree. Recipients are usually provided with detailed medical histories, family backgrounds, and photos of the donor at various stages of life.
With frozen donor eggs, eggs have already been retrieved and cryopreserved, ready for use. These donors undergo the same rigorous medical and psychological screening as fresh donors. Frozen donor eggs can often offer more convenience, faster timelines, and potentially lower costs compared to fresh cycles.
Once a donor is selected, both the donor and the intended mother (or gestational carrier) will take medications to synchronize their cycles — a process similar to IVF treatment. Timing is key to ensure that the recipient’s uterus is ready for embryo transfer when the donor’s eggs are retrieved and fertilized.
After the eggs are retrieved, they are fertilized with sperm in the IVF lab. The resulting embryos are monitored closely for several days, and the highest quality embryos are selected for transfer.
Fresh vs. Frozen Donor Eggs
Both fresh and frozen donor eggs offer similar pregnancy success rates, typically ranging from 55% to 63%. However, costs, insurance coverage, and timelines may vary between the two options. Frozen donor eggs are often more affordable and provide greater flexibility when it comes to scheduling.
RSC New Jersey partners with several trusted agencies for anonymous fresh egg donation, as well as leading frozen egg banks like MyEggBank and Fairfax Egg Bank. Our team can help connect you with these resources and assist throughout the selection process.
Understanding the Risks of Egg Donation
Egg donation is generally safe, but like all fertility treatments, it carries some medical risks. These may include rare side effects from the fertility medications used to stimulate egg production, as well as temporary abdominal discomfort after the egg retrieval procedure.
Beyond the medical considerations, egg donation also involves important emotional and psychological factors. Donor conception can raise questions about genetics, identity, and future family conversations. Counseling is highly recommended for both donors and recipients to help address these complex issues. RSC New Jersey can connect you with mental health professionals who specialize in donor-related counseling and support.
