Since the recipient in a donor egg IVF cycle is not undergoing ovulation, her cycle must be synched with the egg donor's using medications such as estrogen and progesterone. Drugs like Lupron and Ganirelix block the body's natural production of these hormones and administration of estrogen and progesterone insures normal endometrial development.

The couple arrives at our clinic on the day of egg retrieval. The male provides a semen specimen. Once the eggs are retrieved they are placed in petri dishes and exposed to the sperm. If the semen quality warrants it, individual sperm are injected directly into the eggs through a process known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The inseminated eggs are placed in an incubator where they remain for 3-5 days.

The couple returns to the clinic where the fertility specialist discusses the number and quality of the embryos available for transfer or freezing. Since multiple pregnancies are highly likely with egg donation, we often recommend transferring two embryos to the uterus. The remaining viable embryos can be frozen for future use. The embryos are placed into the recipient mother's uterus using a small catheter in a painless procedure, using sonogram guidance.

We work with numerous agencies to insure that our patients have the widest choice of donors available. Infertility practices that recruit their own donors usually have a much smaller pool of women.

Please contact us for more information on our program; however, if you wish to donate eggs please check with one of the local agencies.