Choosing to undergo IVF with egg donation is an emotional decision for anyone hoping to start a family. If you’re considering egg donation, you may feel overwhelmed, anxious, or uncertain about the process. However, you’re not alone – many people in Australia choose egg donation to achieve their dream of parenthood.
In this blog, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the egg donation process, answer common questions, and help you understand what to expect at every step.
What Is Egg Donation?
Egg donation is a fertility treatment that allows women to become pregnant using eggs from a donor. It is typically used by individuals or couples who are unable to conceive with their own eggs due to infertility, age, or genetic conditions.
The donor’s eggs are carefully collected and transported to the recipient’s IVF clinic. Once there, they are fertilised in a lab with the partner’s or donor’s sperm, creating embryos. These embryos are then transferred to the recipient’s uterus through treatment with her fertility specialist.
The Egg Donation Process
Step 1: Choose your clinic
The first step is to connect with a fertility clinic affiliated with Central Egg Bank. Discover our associated clinics here. If your clinic isn’t currently listed as one of our partners on our website, please let us know, and we’ll happily contact your clinic.
Step 2: Counselling
Counselling for you and your partner (if applicable) is mandated by Australian legislation. This counselling is usually arranged by your fertility clinic. Here, you can discuss the implications of using donor eggs and talk through your feelings.
Step 3: Register for the Central Egg Bank portal
Your fertility clinic will give you a link to register with the Central Egg Bank portal, an online platform where you can access all our available donor profiles. Here, you can explore detailed information about potential donors, including their physical and academic attributes, hobbies, and personality traits.
If you haven’t yet registered with a fertility clinic, you can register as a ‘guest account’ via our website inquiry form.
Step 4: Selecting your egg donor
We offer a diverse pool of egg donors from Ukraine. We work closely with fertility clinics across Australia to provide you with access to a global pool of high-quality, pre-screened donors.
Our donors are carefully selected women who have preferably completed their own families or have at least one child and are aged between 25 and 31. All our donors undergo comprehensive screening, including health and genetic tests, to ensure the best possible outcomes for recipients while safeguarding the health of our donors. We feel a deep sense of responsibility to both our recipients and our donors, providing the same level of care and support to each.
Step 5: Egg shipment
Your donor eggs will be transported safely from Ukraine to Australia under our careful coordination. Shipping occurs approximately every six weeks. We work with specialised couriers who are trained in handling biological specimens with care and are fully qualified embryologists.
Step 6: Warming cycle and embryo transfer
Once the eggs arrive at your fertility clinic in Australia, your clinic will plan the eggs’ warming cycle and prepare for your embryo transfer. First, the frozen eggs will be warmed and fertilised with your partner’s or donor’s sperm to create embryos. Then, the healthiest embryo is transferred and placed in your uterus, where it will hopefully implant and develop into a pregnancy.
Step 7: Pregnancy test and follow-up
Approximately two weeks after the embryo transfer, you will undergo a pregnancy test to determine whether the treatment was successful. If the test is positive, additional tests and scans will be conducted to monitor the progress of the pregnancy.
What to Expect After the Procedure
It’s normal to feel a mixture of emotions as you await the pregnancy test results. During this time, it’s important to take care of yourself by getting plenty of rest, eating well, and managing stress. It’s also important to follow the instructions of your medical team and continue to take any medicine they give you.
Your IVF clinic will offer counselling services if you need support during this time.
What Happens If the Embryo Transfer is Unsuccessful?
If your first embryo transfer is unsuccessful and you have frozen embryos, you can plan your next transfer. Depending on the program you choose, our embryo guarantees provide the reassurance of having more than one embryo available, giving you the best possible chance to grow your family.
We are committed to helping you achieve your goal and will be there if you have any questions.
What If I Want to Use the Same Donor For Future Treatments?
Many recipients choose to use the same donor for future IVF cycles. We can contact your donor and ask if she will be happy and available to return for another cycle. We have many cases of wonderful donors who were delighted to donate more eggs to help recipients have genetic siblings.
Central Egg Bank understands that the journey to parenthood can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to provide clear information, caring support, and a tailored approach to help guide you. Whether you’re just beginning your IVF journey or already in the process, our team is dedicated to helping you make informed decisions.
If you have any questions or are ready to take the next step toward growing your family, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you with expertise, care, and compassion as you embark on this life-changing journey.
