Using Donor Eggs
We understand that accessing fertility treatment can be an emotional and overwhelming journey, and using an egg donor as part of your treatment can add an additional layer of complexity. Our extensive range of treatments and services are delivered by a team of Fertility Specialists, Scientists, Fertility Nurses, Fertility and Genetic Counsellors, Day Surgery Nurses, and the Donor and Surrogacy Coordinators who are all leaders in their fields.
At Monash IVF, we’re here to support our patients through our egg donor program so that they too can achieve their dreams of having a family.
We’re proud to have been involved in the conception of the world’s first baby through egg donation in 1983. And we’ve never looked back.
Are donor eggs right for me?
Donor eggs may be the best option to help you create or grow your family. This may be because of:
- Premature ovarian failure (menopause)
- Unexplained and repeated miscarriage
- Advanced maternal age
- Genetic issues
- Infertility after treatment for cancer or other serious illness
- Unsuccessful IVF treatment cycles
If you’re thinking about using donor eggs, we suggest you start by talking to your Fertility Doctor or Specialist. They can discuss what options may be best for you.
Types of egg donors
Monash IVF patients have the option to use three different types of egg donors depending on their individual circumstances and preferences. These include:
The steps involved with accessing donor eggs
All patient journeys and experiences vary, and our expert team of Donor Coordinators will guide each patient on what steps they need to take to access donor eggs for treatment. The following provides an outline of some of the steps involved.
- Consultation with a Monash IVF Doctor or Specialist
- Preliminary Investigations
- Mandatory Donor Implications Counselling Session(s)
- Completion of Consents
- Donor Review and Selection (if choosing a clinic-recruited donor)
- Donor Allocation and Payment of Associated Fees
- Nurse Interview and Cycle Preparation
How we recruit clinic-recruited egg donors
Monash IVF requires that all clinic-recruited egg donor candidates go through a screening process to see if they can donate. To be eligible to donate egg as a clinic-recruited donor for Monash IVF donors must:
- Be prepared to provide an altruistic donation and agree not to seek or accept any payment or valuable consideration in return for their donation.
- Be willing and able to provide a detailed personal and family medical history and any relevant updates which become available to them in future.
- Attend a clinical evaluation with a Monash IVF Fertility Doctor to review their health and suitability to donate.
- Participate in donor implications counselling with their partners (if applicable).
- Be prepared to undertake screening tests including infectious disease and genetic screening prior to their donation and post-quarantine infectious disease screening at the completion of quarantine periods.
- Understand and accept that identifying information about them will be shared with any person born as a result of treatment using their donated gametes if requested.
- Understand that Monash IVF cannot accept restrictions being placed on clinic-recruited donations that could be considered discriminatory.
- Provide written consent to the use of their donation, including acknowledgment by their partners (if applicable).
Choosing a clinic-recruited egg donor
When making the decision to undertake treatment with a clinic-recruited egg donor you will be provided with access to the donor’s non-identifying profile which includes information including their:
- Medical and genetic family history
- Nationality
- Height and build
- Skin colour, eye colour, and hair colour
- Occupation
- Education
- Interests and hobbies
- Reason for donating
You may not choose to select a donor from those available to you at a particular time. The availability of donors does change regularly so you may wish to wait for further donors to become available or consider using a different type of egg donor.
The number of local clinic-recruited egg donors who are available is limited as altruistic egg donors are rare. If you would like to access a clinic-recruited egg donor through Monash IVF’s local program, please contact our donor teams who will be able to provide you with more information about the availability of these donors.
How much does it cost to use an egg donor?
In addition to the cost of your treatment cycle, there are additional fees associated with using donor eggs in your treatment. These costs include program registration and donor egg reservation fees. Donor egg reservation fees are payable to cover the cost of obtaining the donor eggs to be used in your treatment.
Fees will vary depending on the type of donor you choose, and the costs associated with obtaining the donor's eggs. For example, accessing overseas donor eggs will incur a shipping fee.
Please contact our donor team to get more detailed information about the options available to you and any associated costs.
How to get started
If you want to take the next step and speak with someone about using donor eggs, a thorough discussion with your Monash IVF Fertility Doctor or Specialist is a great place to start.
Rest assured - your fertility specialist will help you select the very best treatment option for you.
Our experienced Donor Coordinators are also available to answer any questions you may have aboutthe donor egg options available to you.
At Monash IVF, we understand that many of our patients are keen to start trying for a baby without any unnecessary delays. That’s why we provide you with access to egg donors as soon as you’re ready to proceed with treatment.
Do you know someone who is thinking about donating eggs? Or want more information for someone who's thinking of donating to you? Visit our Become an egg donor page.
Start your fertility journey
Wherever you are on your journey, one of our supportive nurse enquiry team can help you understand your options and take the next step. These conversations are free and informative.