Oocyte Donation
At Eva IVF & Women’s Centre, we believe that every woman deserves the chance to experience motherhood. If you are struggling with infertility due to poor egg quality, premature ovarian failure, or genetic conditions, Oocyte Donation (Egg Donation) can be a life-changing fertility solution. This guide is specifically designed for individuals and couples considering egg donation. We’ll walk you through the process, success rates, pre-treatment preparation, and post-treatment care to help you make an informed decision.
What is Oocyte Donation and Who Needs It?
Oocyte donation is a fertility treatment where a healthy egg from a donor is fertilized with the recipient’s partner’s sperm (or donor sperm) and then implanted into the recipient’s uterus. This allows women who cannot produce viable eggs to experience pregnancy and childbirth.
Who Should Consider Oocyte Donation?
✔ Women with premature ovarian failure (early menopause)
✔ Women with poor egg quality due to age (over 40 years)
✔ Women with genetic disorders that could be passed to the child
✔ Women who have undergone chemotherapy or radiation affecting ovarian function
✔ Couples who have had repeated IVF failures due to egg quality issues
💡 Egg donation allows you to experience pregnancy and childbirth, even if your own eggs are not viable.
Step-by-Step Oocyte Donation Process
1. Selecting an Egg Donor
✔ Donors are typically young women (under 30) with high ovarian reserve.
✔ The recipient can choose an anonymous or known donor.
2. Synchronizing the Recipient’s Cycle
✔ The recipient takes estrogen and progesterone to prepare the uterus for embryo implantation.
3. Egg Retrieval from the Donor & Fertilization
✔ Retrieved eggs are fertilized with the partner’s sperm (or donor sperm) in the lab.
✔ The resulting embryos are monitored for 3-5 days to ensure healthy development.
4. Embryo Transfer into the Recipient’s Uterus
✔ The recipient continues progesterone and estrogen medications to support implantation.
✔ A pregnancy test is done 12-14 days later to confirm success.
💡 Excess embryos can be frozen for future attempts (Frozen Embryo Transfer – FET).
Success Rates of Oocyte Donation
What Do Studies Show?
Oocyte donation has some of the highest IVF success rates, as donor eggs come from young, healthy women.
✔ Pregnancy rate per cycle: 55-70%
✔ Live birth rate per cycle: 50-60%
✔ Higher success than traditional IVF for women over 40
💡 Success rates depend on the recipient’s uterine health and overall medical condition.
How to Prepare for Oocyte Donation?
✔ Follow a Healthy Diet – Protein, Folic Acid, Iron, and Omega-3-rich foods
✔ Take Prenatal Supplements – Vitamin D, CoQ10, and Progesterone Support
✔ Maintain a Healthy Weight – Avoid being underweight/overweight
✔ Quit Smoking, Alcohol & Limit Caffeine – Improves implantation success
✔ Reduce Stress with Yoga, Meditation, or Therapy
💡 Start these habits 2-3 months before embryo transfer for the best results.
What to Do After Embryo Transfer?
✔ Rest for 24-48 hours after the transfer – Avoid stress & excessive movement.
✔ Avoid Heavy Exercise, Lifting, or Sexual Intercourse – Allow the embryo to implant.
✔ Eat Implantation-Friendly Foods – Avocado, Nuts, Whole Grains, Leafy Greens.
✔ Stay Hydrated & Take All Medications as Directed.
✔ Monitor Symptoms – Mild cramping or spotting is normal, but report any severe pain.
When to Take a Pregnancy Test?
✔ DO NOT take a home test early – It can lead to false positives or negatives.
✔ Beta hCG blood test is done 12-14 days after transfer to confirm pregnancy.
Benefits of Oocyte Donation
🌟 Increases Pregnancy Chances in Women Over 40
🌟 Gives Women with Premature Ovarian Failure the Opportunity to Conceive
🌟 Allows Couples to Avoid Passing Genetic Disorders to Their Child
🌟 Offers a Higher Success Rate than Traditional IVF with Own Eggs