What Are the Success Rates for Pregnancies Using Donor Eggs?

For many couples who knock on our door, the journey to parenthood has been filled with challenges. Their dream of starting a family often goes from hope and anticipation to desperation and despair. After years of trying, they finally decide to consider medical interventions, like IVF, only to realise another hurdle: age affects a woman’s ovaries and ability to fall pregnant.

As we age, our fertility naturally decreases. For those who have been trying to conceive for a long time, it’s an especially discouraging reality. At Nurture, we love bringing joy back to those future parents’ hearts – a mission that would be impossible without our dedicated egg donors.

Understanding Age-Related Fertility Drop

Our bodies are marvels, but they also follow natural rhythms. As women age, our fertility gradually declines. This isn’t a reflection of our overall health or the depth of our desire to become mothers; it’s simply biology. By the time we reach our late 30s and early 40s, conceiving naturally becomes more difficult. Donor eggs offer a beautiful and selfless solution.

The Role of Egg Donors

Egg donors are typically younger women between the age of 19 – 32, with optimum ovarian function and egg quality. One of the key advantages of donor eggs is that the age of the egg donor – not the recipient – determines the egg quality. Therefore, the chance of a successful pregnancy automatically increases when using a donor egg.

Donors undergo rigorous screening to ensure they have high fertility potential. This screening process doesn’t stop there; it includes medical evaluations, family history and psychological assessments to ensure the safety and suitability of the donor eggs. At Nurture, we prioritise donors’ well-being to ensure optimal reproductive health and genetic integrity, increasing the chances of successful pregnancies for recipients.

Success Rates with Donor Eggs

So, what kind of success rates can you expect with donor egg IVF? Research reveals highly encouraging odds. Data from leading fertility experts shows that across all ages, women who battle with conceiving have much higher chances of having a healthy baby when they use donated eggs.

For those under age 35, the odds of taking home a precious newborn double when using donor eggs. From the late 30s through the early 40s, the increase is even more dramatic – donor eggs can triple or even quadruple the chances of realising your dreams of parenthood!

For women over 43, the chances of getting pregnant and delivering a healthy baby with their own eggs are extremely low: only around 4% of women succeed. However, donor eggs completely change the picture with a pregnancy rate of between to 60% – 70%.

Choosing the Right Clinic

The statistics make it clear – exploring donor egg treatment gives women in every age group a significantly renewed chance at the family they’ve been hoping for. Of course, not all donor egg IVF programs are equal. When exploring this path, you’ll want to select a clinic with a proven track record of success, robust donor screening practices, and a caring, supportive environment.

Emotional Considerations

Trying to conceive for years can take a tremendous emotional toll. You’ve likely explored numerous fertility treatments, tracked countless cycles, and felt the deep disappointment of negative pregnancy tests month after month. While not without its challenges, choosing IVF with a donated egg can rekindle your ultimate hope of carrying a pregnancy, giving birth to a baby and experiencing those first miraculous moments of motherhood.

Support and Guidance

As you contemplate your next steps, be kind to yourself. You’ve already shown immense strength, and whatever you decide, that strength will carry you forward. At Nurture, we understand the complexities and feelings involved for future mothers who have chosen egg donation as an avenue to parenthood. Our team is seasoned infertility veterans; many of us have been where you are now. We’re dedicated to being on your side every step of the way. If you are ready to embark on this journey of receiving an egg from a donor, reach out to us today.

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Tertia

Tertia Albertyn is the founder of Nurture - South Africa’s longest-running and most successful Egg Donation Program. An accomplished speaker and an award-winning published author, as well as an ex-infertility patient herself, she is highly regarded in South Africa and internationally for the work she does in infertility. Tertia was instrumental in establishing the first FDA-approved frozen donor egg bank in Africa. Tertia has an MBA from the University of Cape Town and lives in Cape Town, South Africa with her husband and three children.