Donor Tissue Counseling
Although IVF and assisted reproductive technologies have made tremendous advancements, we still rely on having sufficient numbers of healthy eggs. Sometimes we find that despite the best protocols and efforts, there are not enough good-quality eggs. In these cases, donor eggs (usually from a healthy individual in their 20s) have been used to help thousands of families achieve their family-building goals. Success rates with donor eggs are around 60% per attempt.
How common is it to use donor eggs?
For over 30 years, egg donation has made parenthood possible for people having difficulty conceiving. In the US alone, there are over 18,000 egg donation cycles every year, and nearly 1 in 10 babies born annually from IVF in the United States were conceived using donor eggs.
But donor eggs don’t have my DNA, is it really my baby?
Yes. While it’s true that donor eggs will have different DNA than the intended carrier, your connection is no less intimate or meaningful. Carrying a pregnancy from donor eggs gives carriers the opportunity to nurture the baby for nine months in utero and have a tremendous influence on how the baby’s DNA is expressed. Recent studies have shown that the time in utero can vastly influence how DNA works for the rest of one’s life. These recurring observations have led to a whole new field of epigenetics, and a field of study regarding “The Fetal Origins of Adult Disease”.
Who donates their eggs, and why do they do it?
Egg donors are bright, motivated, and healthy young adults aged 21-30 who donate their eggs because they want to help other people have families. These individuals go through extensive medical, physical, and psychological screening in line with FDA guidelines. While many people apply to be egg donors each year, only 3% usually qualify.
Spring Fertility’s EggShare Program lets eligible individuals donate eggs while freezing some for their own future use.
How will I find the right donor?
Choosing an egg donor is a personal decision, with many factors to consider. Your timeline and goals will influence whether you turn to an egg bank for frozen eggs or a donor agency with candidates who will provide fresh eggs. We can talk you through how to navigate this and connect you with the best donors and eggs. We’ll support you every step of the way.
*If you’re interested in working with an egg donor, email our team at nest@springfertility.com to learn more