For women who have a decreased number or quality of eggs, or for those whose ovaries are no longer functioning, using oocytes from an egg donor may be an option. The use of younger eggs is highly successful in obtaining a pregnancy. Typically the use of donated eggs is less expensive than adoption with the added benefit of giving the woman the chance to be pregnant and provide genetic continuity on one side of the family.

WHAT IS EGG DONATION?

Egg donation is the use of oocytes from a donor who has undergone stimulation for in vitro fertilization and produced more eggs than she can use. The donated oocytes are fertilized with sperm, usually from the recipient’s partner. After fertilization the resulting embryos are monitored for several days. At that time the recipient comes to the lab for the transfer procedure similar to that used for IVF. Usually between one and three embryos are transferred to the recipient via a small catheter through the cervix and into the uterus (womb). Once she becomes pregnant, the recipient is treated with progesterone and estrogen through the first trimester of her pregnancy.

WHAT ARE THE AGE LIMITATIONS FOR RECIPIENT AND DONOR?

We will help women up to the age of 50 who wish to become pregnant with the use of donated eggs. We accept eggs from donors who are less than 35 and preferably less than 30 years old.

DO YOU HAVE AN EGG DONATION PROGRAM AT LIFESOUCE?

LifeSource has a small egg donation program. We are looking for egg donors. Those interested should contact Virginia IVF and Andrology Center (www.vaivf.com). Donors are screened on a continuing basis at the Center. We also work with other institutes providing donated eggs.