Information About Donor Recipients
Over the past several years, there has been an expansion in knowledge and technological advances that have allowed infertile couples to achieve pregnancies. Today it is possible for woman to become pregnant even after the time their ovaries are incapable of producing eggs. Patients (recipients) who can benefit from the donation of oocytes (eggs) from a healthy, fertile donor are those who lack ovarian function secondary to ovarian failure, chemotherapy, radiation treatment, genetic diseases, and women who have resistance to ovarian stimulation due to severe diminished ovarian reserve. In the past, these women would simply have no alternative to become pregnant.
Now an oocyte donor can receive ovarian stimulation with medications and have these eggs retrieved, mixed with the recipient's partner's sperm in the laboratory, and the resulting embryos are transferred to the recipient. At Fertility C.A.R.E., we are pleased to offer hope with Fertility C.A.R.E's R.E.A.C.H. Program (Reproductive Egg Assistance Center for Hope). Learn more about our program:
- About the R.E.A.C.H. Egg Assistant Program
- How Do I Know if I Qualify As a Recipient?
- What Is The Process For Receiving Donated Eggs?
- How Am I Matched Up With A Donor And What Type Of Information will I Receive About The Donor?
- What screening tests are performed on egg donors?
- View our Donor Database
Reproductive Egg Assistance Center for Hope (R.E.A.C.H.): The Gift of Life
Many women are blessed with the miracle of having their own child. A small percentage of women, due to ovarian dysfunction, are unable to experience the joy of a pregnancy due to ovarian dysfunction.
The Fertility C.A.R.E. Reproductive Egg Assistance Center for Hope or R.E.A.C.H. provides the opportunity for women with ovarian problems to receive eggs generously donated by other healthy women. Through Assisted Reproductive Technology or A.R.T., a donating woman receives medication to stimulate her ovaries, and then provides her eggs through a minor procedure while under sedation. After fertilization in the laboratory, the recipient woman receives a select number of embryos into her uterus for a potential pregnancy.
How Do I Know if I Qualify As a Recipient?
- Women under the age of 50. (Women over age 50 will be considered on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the IVF team.)
- No significant health issues
What is the process for receiving donated eggs?
The process of an egg recipient cycle is begun with the recipient using medications to control their menstrual cycle, if applicable. This will be followed by estrogen patches for several days to stimulate the uterine lining to grow and prepare to receive the embryo. After determining by vaginal ultrasound that the recipient's uterine lining has grown to the appropriate thickness, she begins using progesterone vaginal gel. The embryo transfer takes place 3-5 days later by the physician gently placing them into the uterus using a soft pliable catheter under ultrasound guidance. A pregnancy test is performed approximately ten days later.
How Am I Matched Up With A Donor And What Type Of Information Will I Receive About The Donor?
The egg donation matching process is very personal and is often based on similarities in appearance, common blood type, ethnicity, and the personality of the donor, all contingent on the discretion of the recipient. The physician and IVF nurse coordinator will help facilitate the process. Donors and recipients can be either anonymous or known (such as with one family member donating for another).
What screening tests are performed on donors?
- Ultrasound monitoring and blood hormone testing is necessary 5-6 days prior to egg retrieval.
- Blood screening for egg donors are required for infectious disease, including HIV and blood type.
- A prospective egg donor will meet with one of our doctors at Fertility C.A.R.E for an interview, review medical records, physical exam, explanation of procedures and associated risks.
- Mental Health Counselor or psychologist will meet with a prospective egg donor and partner for an interview and to allow an opportunity to discuss all aspects of egg donation.