Is The Path To Parenthood Over?

For a select few that seem to be rising yearly, infertility is a significant challenge. The inability to have children, especially those with a biological link to the parent, was once considered improbable. Thanks to assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), family planning is now possible. Yet, there are some cases where even IVF is not enough to have a successful cycle. Adding donor eggs to the mix may be the best option for women or partners looking to fulfill the dream of parenthood.

Exploring donor eggs

During natural conception, sperm travels up the fallopian tubes to fertilize an egg. These very eggs are what doctors use to create embryos during IVF. There are times when eggs are either unavailable or no longer viable. The alternative is donor eggs, where someone else donates at least 1 egg to create a healthy embryo. The egg is fertilized with the partner or donor sperm. The woman proceeds with the IVF process, including taking hormone medication to prepare the uterine lining. The fertility team will transfer 1 or more embryos to achieve pregnancy. Additional embryos created with donor eggs are cryopreserved for future cycles or family planning.

Who can benefit from donor eggs?

Most IVF cases occur without donors, as the fertility team can extract healthy eggs from the ovaries. However, there are cases where donor eggs may be the best option. For instance, single men using a surrogate or same-sex couples may require donor eggs. Women at an advanced maternal age may have poor-quality eggs. A woman's ovarian reserve declines significantly with age. Donor eggs may be the best option for a healthy pregnancy, especially if previous embryos failed to produce results. Some women may have ovarian damage or had an oophorectomy, which removes the ovaries to treat diseases such as cancer. Other reasons include repeated miscarriages and multiple failed IVF cycles.

Finding your perfect match

Egg donation is a delicate process that involves both the intended parents and a fertility clinic. The couple may get eggs from a known donor, such as a friend or family member. Many donors prefer family members to keep a close genetic link to the child. The other option is an unknown, anonymous donor, often facilitated through a donor agency. While there is no genetic link, the recipient will receive information on the available donors, which will help them make a final decision. Both known and unknown donors go through a range of testing. These tests ensure the eggs are healthy and the donor is of sound mind and body.

Expand your options with donor eggs

Donor eggs open the path to parenthood, which many once believed was closed. Along with high success rates, multiple donor eggs can allow individuals or couples to grow larger families. Strategies like IVF continue to grow in popularity and accuracy. Yet, there are cases where the woman's eggs cannot produce the desired results. With a donor, there is renewed hope and possibilities.