About
Egg donation is a voluntary service that can offer a solution to women who want to have children but can't. We also run an egg sharing programme where you can share your eggs with women who need them in exchange for your own free IVF treatment. The whole egg donation process takes about a month.
Need to know
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What happens icon plus
You and your donor will be given medication to synchronise your menstrual cycles. If you are non-menopausal, you may need to take the oral contraceptive pill. You will also need to take medication to prepare the lining of your womb for embryo transfer. The donor's eggs will be fertilised using IVF or ICSI using either sperm from your partner or from a donor. When the embryos have started to develop, they will be transferred to your womb. This procedure usually only takes around 20 minutes and should feel similar to a cervical smear test. Occasionally, the embryo transfer needs to be carried out under general anaesthetic. -
How to prepare icon plus
You will be seen by a counsellor on your first visit to discuss the ethical, legal and social aspects of using donor eggs. Before treatment, all female patients (donor and recipient) will need to have a series of screening tests. We will explain these to you and let you know what's involved. You will also need to fill in various consent forms. If you're looking for a donor, you will need to go on a waiting list. How long you will need to wait depends on your ethnicity. You will be matched with a donor based on physical characteristics. If you already have a donor, you can start treatment when both you and your donor are ready. -
Afterwards icon plus
Most women leave the hospital straight after the procedure. You won't need to rest after the transfer and you should be able to go about your day as usual. You may need to take hormones daily until a pregnancy test is carried out, usually around nine to twelve days after the embryos are transferred. If the tests results are positive, you'll need to continue taking the same hormones for 12 to 14 weeks.
Celebrating 30 years of The Lister Fertility Clinic
To celebrate The Lister Fertility Clinic turning 30, Dr James Nicopoullos, Dr Marie Wren and Dr Yau Thum talk about the history of the clinic and how they continue to use the latest techniques in fertility treatment. We also meet three former patients of the clinic and hear their stories.
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.