Donor services
 Egg donation
For women who have had problems with their ovaries producing eggs, egg
donation is an available treatment option. Egg donation can come from a
friend or relative, or the donor may be anonymous from a
donor bank.
Donors are screened according to guidelines set by the American Society
for Reproductive Medicine. The interested recipient and partner are screened
for any genetic or infectious diseases that would put a potential pregnancy
in danger. These infectious disease tests usually include hepatitis,
gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis and Chlamydia. The genetic tests typically include
sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sach's disease, Rh compatibility
and chromosome screening.
Once a donor is accepted, they are prepped for the IVF cycle. Typically a
woman produces 1 egg during a menstrual cycle. In a donor IVF cycle,
medication is administered to the donor to increase the amount of eggs
produced. Ultrasound and blood hormone levels are monitored to analyze the
progress.
The recipient of the donor egg must have her uterus tested to rule out
any structural defects. She is placed on hormones to synchronize her cycle
with the donor's cycle. Estrogen and progesterone are given to the recipient
by way of vaginal creams, pills or patches. The estrogen and progesterone
prepares the uterus lining for an embryo to implant by thickening the
uterine lining.
When the donor's eggs are ready, an egg retrieval is performed. The eggs
are inseminated with the patient's sperm for fertilization and become
embryos. The embryos are monitored in the laboratory for 3-5 days. Typically
on day 3 or 5, 2-4 embryos are placed with a specialized soft catheter into
the intended mother's uterus. Extra viable embryos are then saved by
cryopreservation.
Sperm donation
Known sperm donors or commercial sperm banks are available for couples when
the male's sperm is the factor of infertility. The donated sperm is
extensively screened for sexually transmitted diseases and genetic
abnormalities. The couple has the option to match up physical characteristics if they choose from sperm received through a sperm bank.
Characteristics are documented regarding the donated sperm.
Surrogate program/host uterus
This option is available to women who have viable eggs, but have
difficulties carrying a child due to a problem with their uterus. Typically
these problems are from uterine damage, malformation, hysterectomy or
oophorectomy, or for medical reasons that would affect a safe pregnancy.
This process involves taking embryos that are created with the patient's
eggs and her partner's sperm and transferring them to another woman to carry
the pregnancy. This combination of eggs and sperm can be from the intended
parents or be from a donor. The surrogate woman carries and delivers the
baby and the child is placed with the intended parents.
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