Egg Donation

As a woman enters her early 40s, the success rates of in vitro fertilization tend to decrease. If success with IVF is unlikely, there exists the possibility of utilizing an egg donor. Simple hormonal treatments can allow a woman's womb to carry a donated egg that has been fertilized with her husband's sperm. Pregnancy rates correspond to the rates of the younger woman who has donated the egg.

Egg donors are usually women under the age of 30 whose social, medical and genetic histories have been rigorously screened by a donor clinic. The donor may be a family member, such as a sister; often, however, donors remain anonymous. Anonymous donors are usually paid for their services. There are other costs for treatment and medications required for egg retrieval.

Primary descriptions of egg donors by clinics normally relate to physical appearance - such as, height, weight, color of eyes and hair. Further details of possible donors are provided after a couple has paid a fee to the clinic; additional tests may be carried out at the request of the potential recipient; for example, a genetic blood test may be requested for, say, cystic fibrosis.