Egg donation – an answer to a dream

Who benefits from egg donation?

Egg donation is a solution for people who want to become parents but struggle to conceive due to infertility or circumstance. Ideal donor egg recipients include:

· Women with no or low ovarian reserve.

· Women with poor quality eggs or eggs that fail to fertilise.

· Women with premature ovarian failure.

· Women who have reached menopause or suffer from premature menopause.

· Women with a predisposition to hereditary conditions/abnormalities.

Considering egg donation as a solution? Our list of frequently asked questions should answer any queries you have. You may also want to read more on our website:

www.baby2mom.co.za

Frequently asked questions

What are the chances of success when using a donor egg?

The baby2mom Egg Donation Programme has a success rate of about 48%; however this figure can vary depending on sperm quality and uterine readiness.

Is there a waiting list for donor eggs?

At baby2mom we provide immediate online access to a donor database of hundreds of egg donors, with options to consider elements such as race, physical traits, reproductive information and personality traits. Online access to the donors’ detailed profile is also available immediately.

Is there an age limit to be a donor egg recipient?

South African guidelines for egg donation emphasise that special consideration should be given to couples where the female recipient’s age is greater than 50 years. For this reason some clinics enforce a cut off age of 50.

How long will it take to plan my donor program?

Typically, a two month period is required to plan a donor program. As menstrual cycles can be manipulated, the timing can really be planned to the recipient’s specifications. Usually donor programs are planned within a three month period, but with the consent of all parties, planning can extend beyond this time frame. So after the egg donor’s screening, recipients can be given exact dates to allow appropriate planning arrangements to be made.

What are the costs for egg donation?

In addition to a regular IVF, additional costs for egg donation include screening assessments for the egg donor, ultrasounds for egg donors (this is in addition to the uterine assessment scans performed on the egg recipient), donor donation, possible donor travel costs and donor agency fees.

Do I need to be medically confirmed to receive donor eggs?

To optimise the process for egg donation, women as recipients of donor eggs should have necessary medical tests. Men, whose sperm will be fertilising the eggs, should also have specific tests done. Recipients can submit required medical results to fertility specialists in person or online to confirm that their body is in an optimal space to receive donor eggs.

Do I need to worry about legal requirements/contractual obligations?

No, a professional egg donation agency such as baby2mom will take care of any such details.

Do I need to match my blood group to the egg donors?

No, matching of blood types does not influence the outcome at all. 

Is egg donation governed in South Africa?

Yes, ethical guidelines exist in South Africa to govern the process of egg donation. Baby2mom is a professional egg donation agency that is compliant with the requirements of the South African Society for Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy (SASREG).

Will I meet my egg donor?

No egg donation in South Africa is anonymous and confidential, for this reason South Africa is a highly sought after destination for egg donation worldwide. There is no egg donor registry, so egg donor recipients are fully empowered to keep the decision of egg donation completely confidential. The egg donor will not be able to trace the egg donation.

In keeping with the anonymity, only childhood pictures of the donors, up to the age of 10 are provided. Unfortunately some egg donors do not have access to these, so no pictures will be available.

What screening is carried out on an egg donor?

Full psychological assessments, blood tests and an internal ultrasound are performed. Hormonal blood levels are tested to confirm the egg donors’ suitability to produce good quality eggs, in addition HIV status is also checked. If a recipient elects for a donor to be tested for other aspects these can be undertaken. At baby2mom we do not recruit donors to our database if they have a medical history of/ predisposition to genetic disorders such as club foot, haemophilia, bipolar illness, etc.

How do I select an egg donor?

Refer to the online egg donor database and consider what is important to you. For some recipients physical match is important. Other recipients elect to match personality, interests, academic, religious or other aspects. At the end of the day this is a personal decision and recipients are encouraged to be guided by their heart to select the right egg donor. Baby2mom is happy to help with recommendations.

Will my child take on my traits with donor eggs?

From conception and throughout life a child witnesses their parents’ behaviour and therefore your own traits and mannerisms will be visible in your child.

Can I breastfeed if I receive donor eggs?

Of course. Other than the recipient’s ovary not producing the egg, all aspects about the pregnancy are the same.

Should I select an egg donor with proven fertility, i.e. a donor who has donated successfully before and/or has children of their own?

A careful screening of the ovarian reserve of the egg donor is more important than their fertility history. It is not necessary to select an egg donor who has a history of fertility, these facts are provided for information only. Every woman is different and every cycle is different. Egg donors may respond differently to artificial stimulation than to natural fertility.

What happens if my egg donor is found not suitable?

The egg donation agency will assist you in finding a new egg donor or you as the recipient can select a new egg donor from the database.

Would my egg donor donate continuously?

No, egg donors donate a maximum of 6 times or to the extent that 6 children are conceived of egg donation.

Why do women become egg donors?

South African woman are beautiful and have grown to understand the need for egg donation and are moved to make a positive difference. Many feel it is a divine calling.

Do egg donors get paid?

No, but egg donors will be compensated for expenses. This is a fixed amount and payable through the fertility clinic.

Can I give my donor additional reimbursements or a gift?

No additional payment may be made to the egg donor (over the above mentioned aspects).

What if I want to send my donor a message?

The agency is happy to facilitate this interaction, as long as it is anonymous.

Why choose baby2mom for professional egg donation services?

· We have been in existence since 2007 and have extensive experience in egg donation programmes.

· Across South Africa we have established relationships with reputable fertility clinics.

· We have worked with egg donor recipients both nationally and worldwide.

· Our advanced egg donor database has a wish list functionality allowing donor recipients to compile a summary of possible preferred donors.

· Our donor database is growing daily.

Contact details

Email: info@baby2mom.co.za

Skype: baby2mom