For many people looking to build a family, achieving pregnancy with their own eggs may not always be an option. Using an egg donor can raise many questions, unknowns and considerations. That’s why at Repromed, we’ve established our donor program supported by our donon team who are here to guide you at every step.
Types of egg donors
There are 3 different ways to access donor eggs:
Known egg donors
A known donor could be a sister, relative, or friend willing to undergo IVF to donate their eggs to you. This offers several benefits:
- You know the genetic origin of the egg.
- You may be able to start treatment more quickly.
If you find a donor through advertising, an online forum, or another source, and the donor is now known to you, they are also considered a ‘known’ egg donor.
Clinic recruited egg donors
At Repromed, we welcome clinic-recruited egg donors and recognise the incredible gift that egg donation represents. However, altruistic egg donors are rare, and the number of clinic-recruited egg donors available is limited. If you are interested in accessing a clinic-recruited egg donor through Repromed, please reach out to our donor team. They can guide you on the likelihood of securing an egg donation through this program.
Overseas egg donors
Repromed overseas egg donors come from a range of backgrounds and circumstances. They may be single or in a relationship, and most have proven fertility, meaning they have given birth to at least one healthy child. Our overseas egg donors donate altruistically or ‘gift’ their eggs to individuals or couples who require the assistance of an egg donor to have a child.
Who can Become an Egg Donor?
Every egg donor in our program must meet specific criteria which is important information for egg donor recipients, especially when using a known egg donor. Below are the criteria that all egg donors must fulfil:
- Be aged between 21-38 years
- Consent to the release of identifying information to any future donor-conceived children (from 18 years old)
- Agree to comply will all relevant laws
- Undertake infectious and genetic screening tests
- Undergo counselling
- Provide a genetic family medical history
- Understand their egg donations are selfless (act of generosity, they will not be paid)
Costs of Receiving a Donated Egg
As your fertility treatment costs are tailored to your specific requirements, the cost of using donor eggs will vary depending on your needs. Prior to joining the Repromed Donor Program, our team will provide you with details of costs specific to your treatment needs following your discussions with your Fertility Doctor.
Are Donor Eggs Right for me?
There are many reasons and situations why people need an egg donor.
Same sex relationships
Same-sex male couples use donor eggs to conceive children biologically related to one partner, fulfilling their desire for a family and create a genetic connection with their child. In these instance a surrogate is also required.
Couples experiencing infertility
When there is evidence that the egg provider in a couple may be experiencing infertility, using donor eggs offers a chance to still achieve a pregnancy and biological parenthood for the male partner.
People affected by genetic diseases
When there is evidence that the egg provider in a couple may be experiencing infertility, using donor eggs offers a chance to still achieve a pregnancy and biological parenthood for the male partner.
Premature Ovarian Failure
When the female partner is experiencing premature ovarian failure and therefore unable to provide eggs for insemination, using an egg donor allows the couple to still achieve a pregnancy and biological parenthood for the male partner.
Legal considerations of using donated eggs
- Donors do not remain anonymous. Under many state laws a person born from donation has the right to obtain identifying information (like name, date of birth and address) about their donor once they are 18 years old or from a younger age if the child proves sufficient maturity or if their parent(s) apply and the donor consents.
- Donors consent to being registered with the South Australian Donor Conception Registry, which is only accessed by donor conceived children once they are 18 years old.
- Egg donors are allowed to find out if any children have been born from their donations.
- Donors can receive non-identifying information about children born from their donation – including the gender of the child and any birth abnormalities.
- Egg donors have no financial or legal responsibility for children conceived.
- Egg donors are not paid for their donation. In Australia, becoming a sperm donor is a selfless act – which means one of the main motivating factors is to help other people. It is illegal to profit from a sperm donation but you can be reimbursed for certain costs involved.