Donor egg question

[ChrisL]

OK so DH and i are starting to contemplate getting back to see the RE. I have had ongoing issues with the quality of the eggs i produce. So... could anyone explain to me how exactly donor eggs work? I'm sure its an extra cost but what else is involved?

Any help would be appreciated. We haven't decided to make the appt with the RE but figured i would try to get some info first. I'm not sure i'm actually fond of the idea either yet but its a thought.

[dolcib]

Hi there: donor egg cycles vary in cost. You can do a shared cycle where you share the eggs retrieved with other recipients or a cycle where you are the only recipient. It is much like an IVF cycle in that you use a suppresant first (typically lupron and BCPs) and after that, use medication to build up uterine lining. You have frequent blood work and ultra sounds throughout the cycle. Most REs work with either in house donors or agencies that find donors. Most are fairly selective (for example our donor had both medical and psychological testing). Most donors are anonymous but there are plenty of people here who use known donors either friends or relatives. There are clinics (REs) that offer shared risk programs that if you don't have a live birth, you get a percentage or 100% of your money back.
Hope this helps!
Gabrielle

[rjc0704]

Gab is right, lots of options out there to consider. Agencies are expensive, but usually give you adult photos, whereas clinics are less expensive, have their own pools of annonomous donors and most have pics age 12 and under. Once you select a donor, you both go on BCPs for a month and they alter the start dates of the Lupron to suppress and synch your cycles. Then the donor stims for several weeks while you build your lining. Donor has ER and the eggs are fertilized and they transfer the eggs into you day 3 or day 5 after fertilization. Day 5 typically have nearly double the success rates as a 3 day transfer, but unfortunately, you lose more embies along the way and don't have many if any to freeze.