Using egg donor vs embryo donor

Jzyla · January 2015

Hi guys,

I've been trying to lurk here on and off throughout our journey and I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction. Google isn't helping - as most of you 3rd party rep ladies know. We have been genetically tested but are not pursuing immunological testing. Our last test was DNA fragmentation testing for DH - showed he is totally fine. Our clinic is leaning towards this being an issue of eggs, based on their observations of our embryo development in our failed IVFs. We had no eggs/embryos left to genetically test. Anyways, so we are pretty sure it's just me - but not guaranteed.

This is our last shot, so we want the best odds - which is why embryo donation is still on the table. We are looking at either egg donation or embryo donation (preferably anonymous) - both of which we'd have to go to the US for (we're in Canada). I'm wondering if anyone can tell me the general costs and success rates of each? I know they vary by clinic, but my brain is absolutely melting searching and contacting clinic after clinic. From what I understand Embryo donation is less expensive, but lower success rates. I also have no idea how to determine how many 'chances' you would get - if you get more eggs/embryos than you need for one transfer. I've looked at the amazing wishing on a snowflake blog, but haven't found a good comparison of embryo donation vs egg donation.

I hope this isn't the stupidest most basic question. I promise I'll contribute and give support here once I have the knowledge to do so!
TIA

refeek1 · January 2015

Hi! I haven't looked into embryo adoption (yet), so I don't know the costs associated with that. We chose donor eggs and upfront it cost us about $35,000 (including donor meds, attorney, etc). Each FET we've done has cost us about $3500. We are in California.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

ETA: Not sure of the success rates, we haven't had success yet! I have 2 more FET's and then we will need to make more decisions.

Josiecat · January 2015

Hello! Check your private messages

Jzyla · January 2015

Just attempting to expand this question (rather than make a whole new post) - is there any specific resource or message board for exploring our international egg/embryo donation options? Or anyone who wants to share information on their own journey outside of North America for 3rd party reproduction? I appreciate any information offered!

IRR · January 2015

Hi Jzyla,

We looked into international surrogacy before a close family friend offered to be a surrogate for us. In the US DE and IFV costs with our lawyer fees, pysch testing etc. were about $30-$35K. If you are planning on carrying yourself it should be a little less since I don't think you would need lawyers or a psych evaluation or social worker. DE IMO allows you to pick a young donor. If you want to keep costs down some programs have shared donors, or you may even be able to just get previously frozen eggs. DE get expensive if you use an agency since the agency takes their "share". We used our clinics Donor base and felt it was the most cost effective for us to share our DE. We had to make sure 3 people were on the same cycle, but we were guaranteed 10 eggs, which only resulted in 3 embryos, but for us, that was all we needed. Our clinic also has an embryo adoption option, but I am not sure of their costs, and I know you would need to pay for a homestudy like you were adopting first, which depending on the agency would be another $2-3K.

I know if you travel to Mexico, things are a lot less there. You can google DE programs internationally and you should get some hits. If not, let me know and I will see if I can look through some of our notes about it. GL.

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Using egg donor vs embryo donor

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