Donor Egg IVF: Answers to Your Most Common Questions

The use of donor eggs has become increasingly common in recent years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), donor egg IVF accounts for approximately 12% of all IVF cycles in the United States. This percentage has been steadily rising, reflecting both advancements in medical technology and changing societal norms around family building.

As the CEO of Cofertility, every day I talk to individuals and couples seeking information about donor egg IVF. This guide aims to demystify the process and answer the top questions I get about this increasingly common fertility treatment option.

Frequently Asked Questions About Donor Egg IVF

Q1 What is donor egg IVF?!

Donor egg IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) is a fertility treatment where eggs from a donor are combined with sperm to create embryos, which are then transferred to the intended mother's uterus or a gestational carrier. This process offers hope to those who cannot use their own eggs due to various factors such as advanced maternal age, diminished ovarian reserve, or genetic concerns. It's also a vital option for same-sex male couples and single men who wish to become parents, as well as for women who are unable to produce their own eggs for medical reasons.

Q2 Who might consider donor egg IVF?

Donor egg IVF can be an option for:

• Women over 40 with reduced egg quality or quantity
• Women with premature ovarian failure or early menopause
• Same-sex male couples 
• Individuals with a history of unsuccessful IVF cycles using their own eggs
• Those with certain genetic conditions they wish to avoid passing on
• Single men 

Q3: How much does donor egg IVF cost?

The cost of donor egg IVF can vary widely depending on factors such as location, clinic, and whether you're using a fresh or frozen donor egg cycle. For a detailed breakdown of pricing at Cofertility, view our pricing page.

Cofertility also offers an Embryo Guarantee. We're committed to helping your family grow, and if anything outside of your control prevents you from reaching the guaranteed minimum number of blastocyst-stage embryos for your match, we will rematch you at no additional charge until that minimum is met, up to three total matches.

To read more about Cofertility’s Embryo Guarantee, including how it applies to our fresh and frozen egg donation programs, click here.

Q4: How are egg donors screened?

Egg donors undergo extensive screening, including:

• Medical history review
• Physical examination
• Infectious disease testing
• Genetic carrier screening
• Psychological evaluation
• Drug screening

At Cofertility, we ensure all our donors meet the highest standards set by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

Q5: Can I choose the characteristics of my egg donor?

Yes, to varying degrees. You can typically select donors based on physical characteristics, educational background, personal interests, and more. However, it's important to remember that genetics is complex, and a child may or may not inherit specific traits from a donor. Sometimes even biological children look NOTHING like their parents. 

Q6: Will the baby be genetically related to me?

If you're the egg recipient, the baby will not be genetically related to you but will be genetically related to the egg donor and the sperm provider. However, if you carry the pregnancy, you'll still have a biological connection through epigenetics and the gestational bond.

Q7: What's the difference between fresh and frozen donor eggs?

Fresh donor eggs are retrieved and fertilized immediately, requiring synchronization between the donor and recipient's cycles. Frozen donor eggs are eggs that have been previously retrieved, frozen, and stored. Frozen eggs offer more flexibility in timing and can be more cost-effective, while fresh cycles may have slightly higher success rates.

Read more: Cofertility’s Fresh Vs. Frozen Egg Donation Program: Which is Right for Me?

Q8: How many eggs does a donor typically provide?

In Cofertility’s fresh program, the average number of mature eggs a family receives and fertilizes is 12. Some intended parents want to do two egg retrievals with the donor which is definitely possible. We also ask each of our donors whether they are open to a second cycle as part of the initial application — many report that they are!

In Cofertility’s frozen program, you will know how many eggs there are available in advance, with the minimum being 6. 

Q9: Can I meet my egg donor?

At most egg donation agencies, no. But at Cofertility, we believe in the importance of openness and offer options for various levels of contact between donors and recipients, always prioritizing the comfort levels of all parties involved.

You and the donor may choose to meet as part of the match process. Most our match meetings happen over Zoom, with a Member Advocate in the meeting to help facilitate. Other match meetings happen on the phone. Either way, the meeting can be facilitated with or without sharing contact information. Some intended parents choose not to meet but to instead share information about themselves via a letter, slides, or video to their donor. 

Q10: What are the risks of donor egg IVF?

For egg donors, risks are similar to those of standard IVF, including potential side effects from fertility medications and minor risks associated with the egg retrieval procedure. For recipients, risks are primarily related to the embryo transfer and pregnancy itself. Your fertility doctor will discuss all potential risks in detail.

Q11: What are the success rates of donor egg IVF?

Donor egg IVF generally has higher success rates compared to IVF using a woman's own eggs, especially for older women. Success rates can vary but are often around 50-60% per transfer, regardless of the recipient parent’s age.

Read more in IVF Success Rates by Age

The Cofertility difference

At Cofertility, we're committed to making donor egg IVF more accessible and human-centered. Our unique egg sharing program allows women to freeze their eggs for free when donating half of the retrieved eggs to an intended parent. This approach not only makes egg freezing more accessible for our donors but also provides high-quality eggs to those who need them.

We prioritize transparency, ethical practices, and support for all parties involved in the donor egg process. Our team is here to guide you through every step, from selecting a donor to navigating the medical procedures and beyond.

If you have more questions about donor egg IVF or want to explore your options, don't hesitate to reach out. Your path to parenthood is important to us, and we're here to help you navigate it with confidence and care.