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Egg Donation in Southern California - Overview

Egg donation is IVF treatment that may be an option for women who lack ovaries, who have diminished function of the ovaries due to a cancerous ovary cyst, ovary cancer or other ovary disease. Others take this infertility treatment option because of either a genetic disease or a family history of genetic disease. During the process of egg donation the eggs from the ovaries of a woman with normally functioning ovaries are retrieved. These donated eggs are then fertilized in a laboratory setting through IVF (in vitro fertilization) with sperm from the egg recipient's partner. The resulting embryos are then transferred to the uterus of the woman desiring a baby. If pregnancy is established, the egg recipient becomes the gestational mother and experiences the joy of pregnancy and childbirth.

San Diego Fertility Center, located in Southern California, has a highly professional egg donation program that meets the highest standards and criteria set by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

The Solution

Egg donation has proven to be an exceptionally successful treatment option for women with compromised egg or embryo quality or for women whose ovaries respond poorly to fertility medications. Egg donation has also proved to be an effective treatment for women who have had multiple IVF cycles and failed to achieve a pregnancy.

Getting Started

If you feel you might be an egg donor candidate, the first step is to contact us and schedule a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Hummel or Dr. Kettel. He will thoroughly review your fertility tests and personal situation and advise you on the appropriateness of egg donation. During your consultation, Dr. Hummel or Dr. Kettel will also explain what is involved with the process, including egg donor selection, the evaluation cycle, the real cycle, success rates, and costs.

The Evaluation Cycle

This is a "trial run" performed prior to your actual egg donor cycle in which the proper dosages of estrogen and progesterone that your body requires are determined. The evaluation cycle is used to assess the best method to prepare your uterine lining in order to receive the embryos. You will take Estrace (an oral, natural estrogen), gradually increasing your dosage over a period of 10-14 days. Your blood estrogen level will be evaluated every few days, and an ultrasound will be done to look at the thickening of your uterine lining. The evaluation cycle will take 4-6 weeks. Once it is over, your physician will know how best to prepare the lining of your uterus for the fertilization cycle.

The Donation Cycle

You will start your estrogen prior to your egg donor is starting her medication. You will need to have periodic blood testing and ultrasounds to assure perfect readiness for your embryos. On the day your donor's eggs are retrieved, a sperm specimen will be needed from your partner to fertilize the eggs. Generally, you will begin Progesterone on that day. Approximately five days later the embryos are transferred to your uterus. After twelve days, you will have a pregnancy test. If it is positive, you will need to continue the estrogen and progesterone for two more months. At that time the baby's placenta will produce the appropriate pregnancy hormones, and no more medication is necessary. View a sample calendar.

Take a look at our treatment overview and our suggestions on how to choose an egg donor.

IMPORTANT: In order to use the donors listed in our database, you have to become an established patient at the San Diego Fertility Center