Luciano Nardo (NOW-fertility) in conversation with Cassie Destino (IVF Support UAE)
What are the most common reasons for needing IVF with donor eggs?
The most common reasons are an age-related decline in the quality and quantity of a woman’s own eggs, or a low ovarian reserve irrespective of age. She may have had stimulation of her own ovaries previously which resulted in either a failed stimulation or in insufficient good quality eggs being produced.
A smaller percentage of women seek treatment with donor eggs because they have a genetic disease which they don’t want to pass on to their offspring, but these numbers are decreasing now due to the availability of PGT-A testing which is able to isolate genetically normal embryos.
Where is IVF with donor eggs available?
Fertility clinics can only carry out treatment using donated gametes in countries where it is permitted by law. In NOW-fertility’s case, it is available at our partner clinics in the UK, Spain, Italy, Greece and Poland. Since it is not legal in the UAE or elsewhere in the Middle East, patients from these regions will need to consider options overseas for their treatment.
Are there any differences between countries?
There are differences in legislation depending on which European country you choose. In the UK donors are not anonymous even if they are unknown to the recipients, because they have to be registered with the regulatory body (HFEA) and can be traced by a child born from the donation once they reach 18. In Spain, Greece, Italy and Poland, donors are anonymous and not registered with any regulatory body. Different countries also have differing age limits for treatment – for example in Spain it is 50, in Greece 54 and in Poland there is no specific age limit provided the prospective patient meets some health-related criteria.
What are the steps involved in choosing a donor?
Prospective recipients of donor eggs and their partner (if applicable) complete a characteristics form. It is personal preference which physical characteristics, and other factors such as level of education, the recipients would like in a donor, but other aspects, such as the very strict medical and genetic screening process that the donors must undergo, are compulsory. Recipients can be genetically matched with a donor if they so choose.
Getting started with NOW-fertility
Starting treatment with donor eggs is seamless but process based to ensure that it remains within a strict legal framework. Patients first of all meet online with a team of specialists – the fertility consultant, nurse and care coordinator responsible for their care. The team recommend the most appropriate clinic from our network of partner clinics and will make all the necessary arrangements for screening and tests. They also assist in the donor selection process and recommend that the patient undergoes counselling with a specialist fertility counsellor to ensure they are fully aware of all the implications of the treatment. Patients can usually expect to start their treatment within around 4 weeks from the time of initial consultation.
All monitoring for the cycle can be done within the home country and patients only need to travel overseas to visit the clinic for a minimal period of time, usually around 7 days maximum.
If you are ready to start your IVF with donor eggs journey, please contact us here.
Published by NOW-fertility’s Communication Department.
Communication Manager: Annette Eckersley
E: annetteeckersley@now-fertility.com
This information was correct at the time of publishing and may not reflect our current practices, prices or regulations
