We Got The Lowdown On Egg Donation: The Hottest Topic In Fertility

Egg donation is a hot topic these days, but how much do we know about what it actually entails?

We chatted to Eilis McCarthy, a fertility nurse specialist and Egg Donation Coordinator at the Cork Fertility Centre:

What is it?

Egg Donation involves a woman donating eggs (oocytes) to help another woman become pregnant. The donor is usually aged between 21 and 37 years-old with normal ovarian function, and has ideally completed their family.

Who's it for?

The woman receiving the eggs is usually in a situation where it's extremely unlikely she can become pregnant with her own eggs. This can be due to premature menopause, ovarian failure, surgical removal of ovaries for health reasons or infertility caused by chemotherapy. More often some women may have a degree of ovarian function but may have responded very  poorly to IVF treatment.

Another major reason women might require egg donation treatment is advancing age. We are born with our lifetime supply of eggs. As we age, these deteriorate in number and quality. This process usually speeds up after a woman turns 35 and there is a sharp decline from age 37. From age 41 onwards, there is a very pronounced decline and we see a lot of people in this age group seeking information on egg donation treatment.

So, what's involved?

The procedure involves both the donor and the recipient going through treatment at the same time. In a controlled environment, the donor’s ovaries will be stimulated to generate eggs, which can then be retrieved by the fertility expert. Sperm from the partner of the woman receiving the eggs will be used to fertilise the donated eggs. The woman’s body is then prepared to receive the fertilised egg. In most cases, the treatment offers a high chance of pregnancy.

Both donors and recipients must be screened before the procedure for HIV, Hepatitis B and C. The donor will be screened initially and then again at 120 days before the procedure. They'll also have genetic screening.

Is egg donation available in Ireland?

In Ireland, due to the absence of legislation, egg donation is altruistic, meaning women donating their eggs can only be reimbursed for medical and travel expenses incurred during screening and the treatment cycle. Many other countries pay egg donors, and so have a supply of potential egg donors readily available.

In Ireland, it's also difficult to find anonymous egg donors, which is why couples who need the treatment tend to travel abroad. But many couples in Ireland have already sourced an egg donor, or may have a relative who wants to donate for them. This can also be accommodated at Cork Fertility Centre.

Thinking of going abroad? 

For anyone contemplating going abroad for egg donation treatments, there are a number of things to be aware of, including the success rate of the treating clinic. Most IVF and fertility centres in Ireland should have an egg donation coordinator or specialist who can advise you on clinics to access abroad.

Cork Fertility Centre have partnered with Shady Grove Fertility in the US, which has the largest donor egg programme in the United States since 2010.

With all donor egg treatment, counselling is mandatory for both the donor and the recipient. Counselling is provided by the clinic as is part of the treatment. It is necessary because there are usually a lot of questions and worries, which couples tend not to consider until they are going through the process. Counselling is very helpful in bringing these to the surface and exploring these considerations before planning treatment.

Eilis McCarthy is a fertility nurse specialist and midwife who established the Egg Donation programme at Cork Fertility Centre in 2006. Eilis coordinates the programme and manages all support services for couples travelling abroad for egg donation treatment, corkfertilitycentre.com for more.