IVF with donor eggs is a highly effective fertility treatment for many patients

Sometimes, patients who visit Texas Fertility Center need a little help from an egg donor and in vitro fertilization (IVF). While many patients first envision that they will conceive using their own eggs or eggs from their partner, this may not always be possible. When this happens, our Austin infertility specialists provide compassionate support and guidance to help patients begin the process of conceiving using IVF with donor eggs.

Who can benefit from egg donation and IVF?

Egg donation can be a highly effective fertility treatment for patients who do not have or cannot use their own eggs. This is because egg donors undergo comprehensive testing and screening to ensure that they can provide healthy eggs.

Our Austin infertility specialists find that the following groups of patients can often become parents using IVF with donor eggs.

• Patients with premature ovarian failure, or early menopause. This occurs when a woman’s ovaries stop producing eggs before age 40.
• Women over age 40. Female fertility declines with age, so women tend to have fewer chromosomally normal eggs by age 40.
• Patients who have missing or non-functional ovaries. This can be due to congenital abnormalities or an injury or illness that happened later in life.
• Women who underwent cancer treatment and did not freeze eggs or embryos. Chemotherapy and radiation can damage the female reproductive system.
• Single men and gay couples. IVF with donor eggs, as well as gestational surrogacy, can help make fatherhood possible.
• Patients who have had multiple miscarriages or IVF cycle failures. Sometimes, these problems can be due to poor egg quality.

How does IVF with donor eggs work?

To start the process of egg donation and IVF, it’s necessary to select an egg donor. This woman can be someone you know (a known donor) or a donor from an egg bank (an anonymous donor). Most patients select an anonymous egg donor who has already undergone intensive physical, psychological and reproductive health screenings.

Once you select a donor, the process will vary depending on whether you‘re getting fresh or frozen eggs. If you’re getting fresh eggs, the donor will take ovarian stimulation medications and undergo an egg retrieval procedure. If you’re using frozen eggs, the donor has already gone through this process.

One of our Austin infertility specialists will prescribe hormonal medications to prepare your uterus (or that of your gestational carrier) for pregnancy. Our embryologists will fertilize the donor eggs with sperm from you or your partner to create embryos. Some patients will then opt for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). Finally, your doctor will perform the embryo transfer and monitor for signs of pregnancy.

Egg donation and IVF can eliminate many barriers to parenthood to help you bring home a healthy baby. Contact us to learn more about this treatment or to schedule an appointment.