Egg Donation

Not every woman is able to use her own eggs to achieve pregnancy. In some cases, severely reduced ovarian reserve, premature ovarian insufficiency, certain genetic conditions, ovarian surgery, chemotherapy, or other medical treatments may make using a woman’s own eggs impossible or significantly reduce the chance of success.

In these circumstances, egg donation may provide a valuable opportunity to experience pregnancy and motherhood.

In this treatment, donated eggs are obtained after the required medical and legal evaluations. The eggs are fertilized with the husband’s sperm, and the resulting embryo is transferred into the recipient’s uterus. From that point onward, the pregnancy develops inside the recipient mother’s body, and the embryo grows in her uterus.

At Taban Fertility Center, egg donation treatment is planned only after a comprehensive medical assessment and in accordance with applicable legal, ethical, and religious requirements.

How does egg donation treatment work?

After the couple’s medical condition has been fully evaluated, egg donation may be recommended if the physician determines that it is an appropriate treatment option.

Eggs are obtained from a donor who has undergone an evaluation of her general health, medical history, and other required examinations.

The donated eggs are fertilized in the laboratory using the husband’s sperm. The resulting embryos are then cultured and monitored for several days by the embryology team.

After the most suitable embryo has been selected, it is transferred into the recipient’s uterus. If implantation occurs, the pregnancy continues in the recipient mother’s body in the same way as other pregnancies.

Who may need egg donation?

Severely reduced ovarian reserve

In some women, the number or quality of the available eggs is so limited that the chance of pregnancy using their own eggs becomes very low.

Premature ovarian insufficiency

When ovarian function declines or stops earlier than expected, egg donation may be considered as one of the available treatment options.

Certain genetic conditions

If there is a significant risk of transmitting a serious genetic condition through the woman’s eggs, the physician may discuss egg donation as a possible treatment option.

Repeated treatment without obtaining suitable eggs

Some patients undergo several treatment cycles without obtaining eggs of sufficient quality for successful fertilization or embryo development. After a complete evaluation, egg donation may be considered.

Loss or impairment of ovarian function

Ovarian surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and certain diseases may significantly affect ovarian function and the ability to produce usable eggs.

Who may become an egg donor?

Egg donation is accepted only from women who meet the required health and medical criteria.

Before being approved, the potential donor undergoes an evaluation that may include:

General health assessment

Medical and reproductive history

Family history

Screening for certain inherited conditions

Required laboratory tests

Other examinations specified by the medical team and applicable regulations

These evaluations are intended to improve treatment safety for the recipient and support embryo formation under the most appropriate possible conditions.

Acceptance of a donor is determined by the treatment team and is subject to the center’s policies and applicable regulations.

What is the recipient mother’s role in the pregnancy?

Pregnancy involves much more than the initial formation of an embryo.

After embryo transfer, the embryo implants and develops inside the recipient mother’s uterus. Throughout pregnancy, her body provides the environment in which the embryo grows, receives nourishment, and develops.

The recipient mother experiences the entire pregnancy, gives birth, and begins caring for her child from the first moments of life.

Many women who conceive through egg donation describe the experience of pregnancy and the emotional bond with their child as deeply meaningful and similar to that experienced by other mothers.

It is important to understand that the genetic contribution of the egg comes from the donor, while the pregnancy and birth are experienced by the recipient mother.

Do underlying medical conditions or medications matter?

Yes.

Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disorders, blood-clotting conditions, autoimmune diseases, or uterine abnormalities may affect treatment planning or the preparation of the uterus.

The physician should also be informed about:

All medications and supplements

Previous surgeries

Chronic medical conditions

Previous fertility treatments

Any history that may affect pregnancy safety

This information helps the medical team prepare the most appropriate and safest treatment plan.

No prescribed medication should be stopped or changed without consulting the physician.

Important Information

Egg donation does not reduce the chance of pregnancy simply because the egg is donated

For women who cannot use their own eggs, egg donation may provide an appropriate opportunity to experience pregnancy. However, the chance of success varies and cannot be guaranteed.

Uterine health remains important

Even when donated eggs are used, the condition of the uterus and the preparation of the uterine lining play an important role in embryo implantation and treatment outcome.

Donor selection is based on medical evaluation

A donor is accepted only after completing the required assessments and receiving approval from the treatment team in accordance with the center’s procedures.

Egg donation is not suitable for every patient

This treatment is recommended only when a complete medical evaluation indicates that it is an appropriate option for the recipient.