Reproducing with Help from a Third Party — Donor Egg IVF and Gestational Surrogacy

Donor egg IVF is helpful when a woman is unable to produce eggs, either because she lacks ovaries or suffers from premature menopause. Gestational surrogacy can help couples expand their family when the woman is unable to carry a pregnancy to term because of a problem with the uterus.

At Palmetto Fertility Center, our caring professionals can advise you on whether one of these techniques can help you expand your family. We are also experienced in working with agencies that coordinate egg donors and gestational carriers.

• Donor Egg IVF
• Gestational Surrogacy

Donor Egg IVF

In donor egg IVF, oocytes (eggs) from a donor patient are used. These eggs are fertilized, and the resulting embryos are placed into the uterus of the recipient patient. Donor eggs may be obtained anonymously through an egg donor, or obtained from a family member or friend (a process called “known egg donation”).

When is donor egg IVF useful?

Donor egg IVF is appropriate when a woman's own eggs are not present — because she has had premature menopause or her ovaries have been surgically removed. Donor egg IVF is also indicated for patients whose eggs are not capable of being fertilized. This can happen when there is diminished ovarian reserve or poor egg quality.

The Palmetto Fertility Center has a list of available egg donors in our program. We also use egg donor agencies from around the country in order to find the best egg donor for a recipient couple. In general, donor egg IVF provides the highest pregnancy rate of any fertility treatment.

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Gestational Surrogacy

In IVF, the couple's embryos are typically placed back in to the female partner's uterus to establish a pregnancy. However, the embryos may be placed into a second woman (a gestational carrier), who carries the pregnancy if it becomes established. After delivery, the baby or babies are reunited with the rearing parents. 

When is gestational surrogacy useful?

Gestational carrier treatment is useful in times when a female has no uterus, a congenitally deformed uterus, a uterus that is unable to support a pregnancy, or another medical condition that precludes her from successfully carrying a pregnancy. In such situations, she is still capable of becoming a genetic mother.

In these cases, the female partner, or “genetic mother,” undergoes IVF and her eggs are removed from her ovaries. They are fertilized with the sperm from her male partner, and the resulting embryos are transferred to the uterus of the gestational carrier.

The gestational carrier may be a sister or family member of the couple, or she may be a paid gestational carrier if a family member is not available. We can assist patients in finding a gestational surrogacy agency that will locate the right surrogate for the recipient couple and take care of the legalities that surround this type of treatment.

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Donor Egg IVF and Gestational Surrogacy at Palmetto Fertility Center

Both donor egg IVF and gestational surrogacy can help a woman achieve a successful pregnancy with help from a third party. If you think that one of these techniques may be right for you, please contact Palmetto Fertility Center for more information, or to schedule an appointment.

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