EGG DONATION

EGG DONATION

It took several years for egg donation to become a widely-accepted method, but now it is a rather common solution for infertile couples to conceive a child. Egg donation, however, does pose several moral dilemmas. IVF with donor eggs is a fertility treatment that has been available since the mid 1980’s.

Success rates with egg donation are high, particularly compared to pregnancy rates in women with poor egg quality and quantity. Research has also proven that the method has no adverse effect to the relationship between mother, father and child despite the lack of genetic link between mother and child.

Donor egg IVF

In many Western countries, the children are allowed – after adulthood – access to all data, including the identity of the donor of the egg. The latter is not permitted in Greece, unless there are health reasons, so the child can access the files but still anonymously. Donor egg IVF opens up a world of possibilities for women who have struggled to conceive: women with primary ovarian failure, menopausal, either naturally or as a result of surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, women that have undergone repeated failed attempts at IVF or with a genetic disorder which could be passed on to their child. Egg donation treatment involves fertilizing the donor eggs with sperm from the recipient’s partner and transferring the resulting embryos into the recipient’s womb.

Egg donation in Greece

At Medimall IVF Clinic, we are pleased to provide the procedure of egg donation, which is permitted in our country and is lawful under Greek law. Egg donation is anonymous, voluntary and free. The primary benefit to every woman who donates eggs should be the altruistic aspect of helping another person or couple achieve pregnancy. According to Greek law, egg donors should be between 18 and 35 years old, and are selected following strict medical screening. You can find all the information on the test donors are submitted to below. The age limit for women undergoing IVF treatment is 50 years old.

Egg donation program

Our egg donation program uses both fresh and frozen ova and the recipients have the opportunity to choose between the fresh and frozen oocytes. In addition, the selection of oocytes used takes into account the characteristics of the donor, so that they come from a woman with similar features. In case of fresh egg selection, you should consider that all information concerning donor characteristics and testing will be disclosed to you after the embryo transfer. Egg donation has proved to be very successful, either using fresh or frozen eggs, with success rates up to 75% for embryo transfers per treatment cycle, and up to 65% for clinical pregnancies.

According to Greek law, up to two embryos can be transferred, whereas you will be informed about the number and quality of your embryos on the very day of embryo transfer.

Our doctors and biologists will talk in detail with you and advise you on the number of embryos they believe should be transferred, in accordance with your medical history of previous IVF attempts and the possibility of a multiple pregnancy.

You could also consult your gynecologist about the number of embryos he believes it would be best to transfer.

All IVF candidates should be aware that the law allows for any remaining, good quality embryos that are not transferred, one of the following:

To be frozen. Freezing time can be up to five years. During this period, the embryos can be used in one IVF cycle if the recipient has not yet become pregnant or the couple wants to have another child.

The embryos can be destroyed.

They can be donated to another couple.

They can be donated to the fertility clinic for research.

After 5 years, the couple not wishing to keep the embryos could select options number two, three or four.

Practical information on egg donation at Medimall IVF Clinic

Recipients participate in preliminary screening procedures, including review of gynecological records and transvaginal ultrasound. You can ask our doctors any questions you may have, and discuss with them all your queries. If you live abroad and it is not possible to visit our center, all the above-mentioned tests can be conducted by your personal gynecologist in conjunction with our center coordinator. We strongly recommend the semen analysis of your partner to be done in our clinic.

Additionally, you will be asked by the doctors or our coordinator to fill out and send us all necessary consent forms, copies of identity or your passport, and any other legally required document. You are more than welcome to send us your photos in order to get to know your features. You would also specify the desired dates you wish to undergo the procedure. Bear in mind that you will need to be available for one week (from Monday morning to Saturday afternoon). We could then integrate you in our clinic’s IVF egg donation program.

Your partner should also be available to provide semen sample at the clinic right before the IVF cycle. The frozen sperm is intended for exclusive use of his partner. In this case, you will need to be available for a period of four days, from Wednesday morning to Saturday afternoon.

You will be asked to follow a specific treatment in order to prepare your uterus and your endometrium for embryo transfer. You will need to visit for two weeks after the beginning of the endometrial preparation.

In the meantime, you will need to make all necessary preparations for your trip to Athens, your return home, as well as arrange for your stay in a hotel in Athens until the day the process is completed.

Medimall IVF Clinic staff will provide you with a full and detailed plan once your treatment is set. It is important that all communication concerning the program is conducted through our doctors and/or our coordinator at ivf@medimall.gr and we will get back to you.

Donor testing

Complete blood analysis

Cardiovascular examination

Blood type

Rhesus factor

Hemoglobin electrophoresis

Hepatitis B (HBsAg)

Hepatitis C (HCV)

HIV I-II (AIDS)

RPR (syphilis)

Karyotype test

PCR for CTRF (85% of known mutations) (Cystic Fibrosis)

PCR for 35 Delg relating to hereditary hearing loss

Chlamydia (Urine)

Psychological examination

The recipient and the partner must be submitted to the following tests: