Egg donation
The donation of eggs (oocytes) is a generous gift to people who, because they are not able to produce their own viable eggs, may only achieve a pregnancy by using eggs from another woman.
While the donation of eggs is relatively recent there are many families created as a result of this generous gift who are enjoying their lives together.
Donating eggs is an act of kindness and generosity which brings great happiness to the recipient family.
Who requires donor eggs?
Women whose ovaries have stopped producing eggs (ovarian failure), produce poor quality eggs, or women who do not have ovaries will require donor eggs to achieve a pregnancy.
Donor eggs may also be used by women with genetic disorders that may affect a child. Women who have had treatment, such as chemotherapy, which stops the functioning of their ovaries, may also need donor eggs.
Egg donors are also used by women who have a low chance of pregnancy using their own eggs because of their age. Gay male couples (and single men) will need a surrogate - this may be in conjunction with an egg donor (gestational surrogacy), or using the surrogate's own egg (traditional surrogacy).
Who are the donors?
Donors may come to the clinic in one of two ways.
‘Clinic recruited’ women may have seen advertising and offered to be a donor for a couple on the clinic list. These donors will be between 21 and 35 years old. Some people choose to do their own advertising via a clinic to ensure they have first choice of any respondents.
Alternatively, people bring their own donor to the clinic. This is often a faster way of accessing donor treatment. It is possible for a personal donor to be older than 35 as long as donor and recipient accept the issues involved.