How to choose Egg Donation over IVF?

Make your peace with your heart and Science

Fertility specialists face the noble task of guiding brave women through one of the most personal and challenging journeys of their lives: the path to motherhood. A particularly tough decision arises when, after multiple unsuccessful IVF cycles, the possibility of egg donation must be considered. 

Understanding IVF

IVF is often recommended for many women or couples facing fertility issues. However, its success depends on various factors, including the woman's age and egg quality. As women age, the quality and quantity of their eggs decline, leading to potential IVF failures. At Vida Fertility, each case is carefully evaluated to understand the underlying causes of these failures.

For patients, this is a time of deep reflection, where hope intertwines with fear, and the desire to become a mother may require relinquishing a genetic link to their future child. Dr. Spies, medical director of Vida Fertility, explains: "At this delicate crossroads, my role is to provide not only medical expertise but also empathetic support, understanding that each woman is unique in her journey towards motherhood."

Assessing the Ovarian Reserve

A critical stage in any assisted reproductive journey is assessing the ovarian reserve. In women with low ovarian reserve or poor egg quality, IVF cycles may not be successful. At Vida Fertility, specialists conduct a series of tests to determine the quantity and quality of eggs in a woman's ovaries. 

These tests, combined with a clinical assessment of factors such as the woman's age, medical, and reproductive history, allow Vida Fertility specialists to offer accurate and personalised counselling. Understanding ovarian reserve is crucial not only to determine the likelihood of IVF success but also to identify those for whom egg donation may be the most promising path to motherhood. "If the results suggest a low probability of success, it is our duty as specialists to present alternatives," Dr. Spies adds.

Choosing Egg Donation

Egg donation becomes a viable option when a woman's own egg reserve does not offer a realistic chance of pregnancy. Egg donation not only increases pregnancy success rates in cases of poor egg quality but also allows women to experience pregnancy and childbirth. Advanced technology and donor selection methods ensure the compatibility and health of donated eggs.

Dr. Spies comments: "This choice is not an easy one. It involves giving up the genetic connection to the future child, a significant step that requires consideration and emotional support. It is what we call 'genetic grief' in our field. At Vida Fertility, we support women and couples who make this decision with all the necessary information and support."

An emotional and intimate decision

The decision to transition from IVF to egg donation is both medical and emotional. For some women, it represents accepting a biological reality and embarking on a new journey towards motherhood. The desire to become a mother remains central, but the path to that goal may take a different direction. Some women may never accept this path to motherhood, which is equally respectable. Whatever decision a woman makes for herself is always the right one.