There are many decisions and choices to make when considering egg donation, but one of the most significant ones is whether to have treatment in the UK or abroad or indeed whether you are able to identify a known donor. At Fertility Plus we provide both UK and overseas based donation options to our patients through our close partnerships with donor clinics in the UK and across the world and we offer treatment for those fortunate enough to have a known egg donor.
Whilst choosing a country and clinic is a personal choice there are some considerations which should be taken into account which may make a location more suitable:
Fertility Plus offers egg donation services in the UK, providing eggs from registered UK donors in compliance with HFEA guidelines.
Choosing a UK-based donation streamlines logistical processes by eliminating the need for travel. However, due to high demand, securing an egg donation may entail a waiting period of approximately 6-8 weeks or longer.
In accordance with the HFEA code all donors and recipients must remain anonymous to each other. However regulations on anonymity introduced in 2005 now mean that all children conceived as a result of egg donation have the right at the age of 18 to identifying information about the donor (full name, last known address, date of birth.
We appreciate that for some people the time to acquire a donor egg in the UK is longer than they ideally would like to wait. Over the years we have created close working relationships with leading IVF / egg donor clinics across the world to enable a faster donor service for those patients who prefer not to wait. Invariably using a donor clinic from abroad mainly utilises fresh eggs and cycles are timed accordingly for optimal transfer.
We use services across a variety of countries enables a broad variety of demographics available for our patients.
Overseas donation services can be more cost effective but there are travel charges to consider as an addition.
Altruistic egg donors are donors who either are a known relative or friend who wishes to be an egg donor.
These women summon a huge amount of courage to come forward to be a donor where the identity is not withheld.
A known donor eliminates any fear of the unknown as the recipient has an idea of the physical attributes, interests, emotional status and health of the donor. Also, in the case of a relative the genetic characteristics are shared. However there are important considerations that should be taken in account; will the birth of a child change the relationship? In the future will a friendship be put at strain? What will the child be told? If the donor is not given payment, how would she feel? How does the donor feel knowing that the child shares her genes?
The donor and the recipient will need to be investigated . The couple and the donor, with her partner, would need 3-4 sessions of counselling before they can be considered for egg donation. The donor will need an initial appointment to discuss the treatment with the consultant.