DONOR    EGG    PROGRAM

Family Fertility Center has a successful egg donation program available to couples previously thought to be infertile.

   What is Egg Donation?

Egg donation is when a young woman donates her healthy eggs to a woman (recipient) who is unable to conceive due to poor egg quality or absence of ovaries.  Many women with poor egg quality have reduction or cessation of ovarian function due to premature menopause or delay in childbearing (advanced maternal age).  Others have recovered from cancer with no ovarian function after chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

   Egg Donors

Egg donors are typically between the ages of 21 and 33 years of age.   Recipients may choose one of our available anonymous donors or use a known donor, such as a sister, niece or friend. Egg donor candidates must be non-smokers, in good health, and have a healthy weight/height ratio.  Screening includes a psychological consultation, comprehensive physical examination, and thorough medical and family histories.

   The Selection Process

To maintain privacy and confidentiality, anonymous egg donors and recipient couples do not meet.  However, anonymous donors may provide childhood photos, educational background, personality profile and professional career.  Dr. Lee will help match egg donors and recipients based on many factors including physical characteristics, ethnicity, and education.  After a donor is selected, she undergoes further blood testing to screen for genetic and infectious diseases.  Egg donors are given an honorarium for egg donation as compensation for the time and effort during the process.

   Recipients

Couples interested in the egg donation program begin with an initial consultation with Dr. Lee, who will carefully listen to concerns, answer questions and explain the egg donation process.  Next, she will ascertain the woman¡¯s ability to safely tolerate pregnancy, labor and delivery.  Recipient couples complete testing for infectious diseases, genetic diseases, and other diagnostic testing.  Couples can consult with a psychologist who is familiar with issues facing couples seeking third-party reproduction services.

   The Process:

Egg donation is done in conjunction with in vitro fertilization (IVF).

1. The egg donor will take medications to stimulate her ovary to produce eggs
2. The egg donor will undergo ultrasounds and blood work to monitor her ovaries and hormones.
3. The eggs are removed from the ovaries of the donor while she is under sedation.
4. In the laboratory, the eggs are inseminated with the sperm from the recipient¡¯s husband or from a sperm donor
5. Embryos are transferred into the recipient¡¯s uterus, which has been prepared using hormones to help establish and sustain pregnancy.
6. Extra embryos, if available, may be frozen for future use.

   Our Program

The Family Fertility Center¡¯s successful egg donation program offers infertile couples a list of egg donors who are available for immediate matching.  Currently, there is no waiting list, and treatment can begin at your earliest convenience.  Dr. Lee and her specially-trained staff are sensitive to the issues involved with egg donation and will guide both the recipient couple and egg donor through the process with sensitivity and discretion.   For more information about the egg donor program, call 610-868-8600.