Learning you can’t conceive naturally can be devastating. It can feel as if it’s robbing you of the very personal experiences of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood. Feelings of failure and deep disappointment are common and understandable, but your reaction to the situation doesn’t have to end there.
Those wishing to explore alternative paths to parenthood like donor eggs can consult with trusted and reliable professionals like those at Donor Egg Bank USA (Donoreggbankusa.com) to learn more about how they can help you build your family.
Good candidates for donor eggs
There are several reasons why your eggs may be compromised and it’s these same conditions that may make you a good candidate for donor eggs.
Diminished ovarian reserve
It’s a known fact the quality of a woman’s eggs naturally diminishes with age. This decline is known as diminished ovarian reserve and has a direct impact on a woman’s ability to conceive. In fact, it’s a primary reason for the increase in infertility rates as women age.
A woman is at her most fertile in her late teens and this lasts until her late 20s. The decline in fertility starts as early as 34. As years go by, the decline increases. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, fertility declines so much by age 45 that getting pregnant naturally is unlikely for most of these women.
Premature ovarian failure (POF)
Premature ovarian failure, also known as primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), happens when a woman’s ovaries stop working properly before she’s 40.
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, POI isn’t the same as premature menopause. With premature menopause, your periods stop before age 40, making natural conception impossible. With POI, occasional periods are still possible, as is natural conception (although the chances of pregnancy are very slim).
Other indications donor eggs might be a good option
- When traditional IVF has failed repeatedly for you in the past
- You carry genetically transmitted diseases you don’t want to pass on to your child
- You’ve undergone natural or surgical menopause
Fresh or frozen donor eggs?
You’ve decided on using donor eggs to get pregnant.
Great!
The next question is whether you should use fresh or frozen donor eggs.
While it’s true fresh eggs used to provide a slightly better chance of pregnancy, current frozen donor egg success rates are comparable to fresh. Additionally, there are undeniable benefits to using frozen donor eggs over fresh eggs.
The frozen donor egg cycle process is both shorter and less complicated than its fresh counterpart. For example, if you choose fresh donor eggs, your cycle must be synchronized with your donor’s cycle. That takes time and can involve complications that may delay or cancel the cycle altogether. On the other hand, frozen donor eggs are ready to use as soon as your body’s ready to receive them.
Using frozen donor eggs from a donor egg bank further simplifies the process because your donor is no longer involved in the process. In fact, donors are screened for a multitude of physical, mental, and psychological conditions before being accepted as candidates for egg donation. A fresh egg donor – such as a relative or friend – must undergo similar screening prior to their donation, which may add 3 to 6 months or more to the process.
Further, frozen donor eggs are more affordable than fresh donor eggs. The overall cost of one fresh cycle is closer to $25,000 and can go as high as $40,000. In contrast, an egg lot of 5 to 8 frozen donor eggs can cost as low as $14,500 and, if selecting a bundled financial plan, the cost of an entire frozen cycle process can be significantly reduced.
Choosing your donor
Choosing your donor is a very personal affair. You’ll often have your own physical, psychological, and intellectual preferences. Your donor choice is a very important part of the process, so take your time to consider it carefully. Thankfully, egg banks like Donor Egg Bank USA offer a large database featuring donors of various ethnicities and backgrounds to give you the best chance of finding the right donor for you.
Becoming a parent with donor eggs
Infertility is no longer an insurmountable problem, especially when it comes to your egg quality or quantity. Your fertility clinic and donor egg bank can help you conceive and have the child you’ve always wanted.
