Learn About The Egg Donation Process

Egg donation is an innovative fertility treatment that helps couples who cannot conceive through regular In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) or who have a need for donor eggs due to other reasons – such as not wanting to reproduce a hereditary disease. Thanks to the generosity of special people who have viable eggs and become egg donors, infertile persons are able to enjoy the privilege of becoming parents.

In 1978, the world's first successful IVF programme was completed and in 1984, the first successful egg donation treatment was performed in Australia. 2 years later, the first successful South African egg donation procedure was conducted. South Africa is a sort after destination for egg donations due to the reputation of high quality fertility clinics and egg donation agencies such as baby2mom, as well as strong ethical and professional guidelines.

Locate your perfect egg donor match now, or contact us for more info to become a recipient.

Who Needs Donor Eggs

  • Woman with premature ovarian failure
  • Woman in early menopause
  • Woman who have poor quality eggs
  • Woman who have a genetic predisposition to genetic diseases/abnormalities
  • Woman who cannot procreate with their own eggs for unknown reasons
  • The single greatest reason for egg donation is advanced maternal age.
Egg Donors Should Be:
  • Healthy women aged between 18 and 34
  • Within a healthy BMI
  • Able to commit to an anonymous egg donation programme

Register to become an egg donor or read for more information about becoming an egg donor.

How the Egg Donation Procedure Works

There are essentially 5 phases in the egg donation procedure these include selection, menstrual synchronisation, suppression of the donor cycle, stimulation of donor ovulation and embryo transfer. For egg donors – there is another phase – being egg donor application.

PHASE 1: Selection – This involves matching the donor to recipient requirements. The recipient will choose a suitable donor profile, complete the required committment documentation and egg donor wil undergo medical and psychological screening. The recipient needs to provide requested medical information to her recipient to optimise the chance of pregnancy.

PHASE 2: Synchronisation – Menstrual cycles of the donor and recipient are co-ordinated using a low dosage prescription birth control pill

PHASE 3: Suppression – Through the use of daily injections the donor’s natural ovulation is supressed

PHASE 4: Stimulation – Hormone treatment is prescribed to stimulate the production of multiple donor eggs. The donor’s health and egg production is carefully monitored

PHASE 5: Embryo Transfer – Once the donor’s eggs have developed sufficiently, they are extracted by a minor procedure that lasts 20-30 minutes and is performed under sedation or anaesthetic. The eggs are fertilised and then transferred to the recipient

SA Egg Donation

Congratulations on taking the first step, we hope these details will assist you in your decision to proceed with an egg donation programme or prompt you to browse our website for additional information about egg donation.

Fertility Clinics in South Africa

baby2mom egg donation agency was started in June 2007 to help couples with fertility problems. We have grown into an international egg donor agency, simplifying egg donation programmes for local and international recipients through South African fertility clinics. We work with all fertility clinics throughout South Africa with experience and expertise in egg donation.

Confidentiality

Egg recipients are the legal parents with full rights and responsibilities. baby2mom and the fertility clinic are bound by the SASREG code of conduct. So as the recipient, you decide whether to share information about the egg donation conception with your child(ren), friends or family

Egg Donors Screening and Profiles

All egg donors undergo an extensive screening process to ensure that the donor meets stringent physical, psychological and medical requirements. The screening includes:

  • Initial screening by the agency
  • Psychological evaluation by a psychologist
  • Initial blood hormone tests and ultrasound
  • Internal medical scan and result analysis by the fertility specialist

These tests ensure the donors are giving recipients the very best chance of conception. There is no waiting period for egg donors but donor screening will happen again prior to any new donation to ensure the donor is still suitable.

A donor profile that includes medical information, behavioural traits, family background etc. is available for recipient review.

International Recipient Treatment

We have streamlined the process for international recipients to limit the number of days in South Africa. Once all medicals have been completed, electronic communications guide recipients on a range of topics such as medical protocols, prescriptions, etc. The egg retrieval, fertilisation and embryo transfer to the recipient is coordinated by the fertility clinic. The time required may vary from five to ten days.

Number of Embryos Transferred

Multiple eggs are extracted from the donor, but usually two embryos are transferred to the recipient to improve the chances of pregnancy. In some instances, three embryos are transferred with the written consent of recipient and in consultation with the fertility specialist. New guidelines are pointing to only transferring one embryo to optimise the chances of a healthy single pregnancy.

Frozen Donor Egg Programme

Embryos can be frozen on the day of the embryo transfer depending on the quality and viability. The benefits include:
  • If the embryo transfer is unsuccessful another IVF programme with frozen embryos will be a fraction of the price reduce rate
  • If your attempt is successful, recipients can produce siblings with the same gene material from the same gene pool

Success Rate

Many variables affect the success of an egg donation programme such as the egg quality, sperm quality and readiness of uterus to accept a pregnancy. Even if all these circumstance are positive the results may still be negative for unknown reasons. Our success rate is around 48%, which is comparable to the industry average. If another agency or egg donor clinic quotes higher stats, be sure to do your due diligence and consider all the additional information first.

We wish you a successful treatment and send you, your partner and little one loads of love and blessings.

Egg Donation Worldwide

In Canada, egg donors receive a gift, the value of which is determined prior to the egg donation process. In the USA, different legislation prohibits the financial motivation for egg donors. In some parts of Europe, egg donation is completely restricted.

In the UK, children conceived of egg donation can find out non-identifying information about their egg donor when they reach 16. When the offspring reach 18, they are able to establish identifying information of their egg donor. Egg donors can claim a reimbursement of expenses incurred up to GBP55.19 per day and a maximum of GBP 250 per egg donation cycle.

In Australia, egg donors may not be paid and different states have different laws for egg donor registries. E.g. in Victoria, a registry is maintained with details of donors and children, so the egg donors know how many children have been born from their donations. Donor children can also trace their genetic parents at the age of 18.

Egg Donation Costs

baby2mom is the longest running egg donation agent in South Africa. Our agency fee is a professional fee built on years of experience, expert services, and love and support. In addition there are medical fees and a donation, and possible travel and additional costs. Our agency fee includes:

  • Recruiting potential donors
  • Supporting and facilitating donor screening and participation
  • Availability to recipient, donor and fertility clinic throughout the process
  • Documenting and storing egg donation procedure records
  • Liaising with fertility clinic
  • Professional support for all parties through the process

*Reference is also made to our required terms and conditions.

All costs associated with the treatment, screening, travel (if required), medication, are for the recipient's account. baby2mom works with fertility clinics throughout South Africa and we can provide recommendations and contact details for some of the best clinics.

Actual prices will be quoted at the time. Estimated costs range from R53 000 to over R100 000 for medical costs and donor donation.