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Question: What is egg donation?
Answer: Egg donation is a highly successful infertility treatment available to women with poor or absent ovarian function. The process involves the use of in vitro fertilization of eggs from a donor and sperm from the recipient couple. One or two of the resultant embryos (blastocysts) are placed in the uterus of the recipient woman who has undergone preparation of the lining of the uterus with use of estrogen and progesterone. Any remaining quality embryos are cryopreserved for the couple’s future use.
Question: Who should consider being a recipient of an egg donation?
Answer: Candidates for ovum donation include women who have experienced failed IVF cycles related to compromised egg quality, declining ovarian function must often related to advancing age, are menopausal, have been born without ovaries or have had them surgically removed, or have undergone cancer therapy. Recipients are married couples that meet medical and psychological requirements of the Reproductive Resource Center of Greater Kansas City and the guidelines from American Society of Reproductive Medicine. Recipients must be in good physical and emotional health.
Question: How long has the Reproductive Resource Center had a program for Ovum Donation?
Answer: Our program has been in operation since 1993. We have treated over 450 recipient patients through our ovum donation program.
Question: How successful is the Ovum Donation Program at Reproductive Resource Center?
Answer: Since 1993, our ovum donor program has an average “live born” rate of over 50%. Each year, with advancing technology, that rate has continued to increase.
Question: Who are the donors?
Answer: Donors are fertile, healthy women between the ages of 21-33 who have met the medical and psychological requirements of the Reproductive Resource Center of Greater Kansas City and the guidelines from the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. Most often couples request a donor that has been recruited by our office and is anonymous to the couple. Donors may be known to the couple and presented to our office for consideration as a donor. Our screening program includes a medical evaluation of the potential donor’s history, laboratory screening for infectious diseases, genetic screening as indicated, and drug screening. Partners of donors must also complete blood tests for infectious diseases. Our psychological evaluation includes written testing, and a structured clinical interview by a counselor specializing in reproductive issues. This interview includes a detailed social and family history. Married women or women with a long-term male partner must be accompanied by their partner for this interview. Infertility patients are never used as donors. All of this evaluation helps insure that donors and recipients alike are satisfied.
Question: How are anonymous donors matched with the recipient couple?
Answer: You will complete a recipient profile that will include a photo of you and your husband, physiological details, preferences, interests and talents. The ovum donation team will match your requests with a potential donor whose profile will then be presented for your review. You will make the selection of the donor most appropriate for you.
Question: How much information will I receive about a donor?
Answer: The Reproductive Resource Center’s program is an anonymous program designed to insure the couple and donor’s privacy. Photos of the donor are available to the couple as well as a non-identifying profile detailing the donors’ physical characteristics, hobbies, interests and medical history
Question: What is the cost of ovum donation?
Answer: At Reproductive Resource Center, there are two types of donor egg opportunities; anonymous donor or known donor. The average cost for an anonymous ovum donor cycle is about $19,950.00 and $15,000 for a known donor. These estimates include the cost of medication for the donor, screening, recruitment and fee paid to the donor, as well as the cycle fees. Initial consultation fee, screening, etc., are not included in this estimate.
Question: How do I become a recipient?
Answer: Patients may be referred by a physician or by self-referred. After completing an application form, available online at rrc.com, you will be scheduled for a consultation with one of our board certified Reproductive Endocrinologist, Dr. Rodney Lyles or Dr. Celeste Brabec., and our Nurse Practitioner, Marge Vogt, who is the Nurse Coordinator for our program. This consultation will include a thorough evaluation of your medical history and a physical exam with ultrasound of the pelvis. Additionally, the couple will be provided ample time to discuss the medical and psychosocial aspects of ovum donation as a family building option
This is just an abbreviated sample of the most requested information. Please feel free to contact us at Reproductive Resource Center of Greater Kansas City with any question that may help you become more familiar with Ovum Donation as an option for building your family.
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