I NEED A DONOR
How does it work?
Egg donor IVF is a specialised form of assisted reproduction that enables women to achieve pregnancy through the use of donor eggs. In this process, eggs (oocytes) are sourced from young, healthy women aged between 19 and 32, who undergo a thorough medical and psychological assessment to ensure their suitability.
Once selected, your donor undergoes medical and psychological screening by your clinic and doctor of choice. She is then prescribed medications to stimulate the production of multiple eggs within a single menstrual cycle. These eggs are retrieved through a minor surgical procedure, using
ultrasound guidance, in which a needle is gently inserted through the vagina into the ovary. The retrieved eggs are then taken to a laboratory, where they are either frozen for future use or fertilised immediately with sperm from a partner or a sperm donor. This fertilisation process, known as in vitro fertilisation (IVF), results in embryos that can then be transferred to the recipient’s uterus.
The youth and health of egg donors contribute to high pregnancy success rates, and notably, the recipient’s age does not affect the chances of a successful pregnancy.
In South Africa, egg donation is entirely anonymous, though each recipient is provided with a comprehensive donor profile.
This pathway to parenthood provides an opportunity for people who require egg donation to experience pregnancy and birth with high success rates.
What the clinic will need from you
Once you have chosen a donor, we will inform the clinic of your match. The clinic’s IVF Coordinator will get in touch with you to begin your treatment planning. At this stage, you’ll need to complete some medical investigations. As a guide you may be sent for the following test in preparation of your treatment cycle.
Female Recipient Tests: Blood tests (FSH, HIV I & II, RPR, Hepatitis B & C, Rubella IgG, TSH, Prolactin, Vitamin D, Full Blood Count) a transvaginal pelvic ultrasound, and potentially a hysterosalpingogram (HSG).
Male Partner Tests: Blood tests (HIV I & II, RPR, Hepatitis B & C) and a recent semen analysis.
Your donor undergoes medical and psychological screening by your clinic and doctor of choice. To align your cycle with your donor’s, you may be asked to start on an oral contraceptive pill. Your doctor will also prescribe medications for down-regulation (e.g. Leuprolide acetate or Goserelin) to prevent ovulation and Estradiol tablets to thicken your uterine lining in preparation for embryo transfer.
Once your treatment plan is in place, you will receive all the details, including when to arrive in Cape Town. Expect to stay for at least 12–14 days. The clinic will usually schedule your first appointment around Day 12 of your donor’s stimulation cycle for a uterine lining scan.
Your egg donor will be prescribed medications to stimulate the production of eggs for your egg donation treatment cycle. These eggs are retrieved through a minor surgical procedure, using ultrasound guidance, in which a needle is gently inserted through the vagina into the ovary. The retrieved eggs are then taken to a laboratory, where they are either frozen for future use or fertilised immediately with sperm from your partner or a sperm donor. This fertilisation process, known as in vitro fertilisation (IVF), results in embryos that can then be transferred to your uterus after growing in the laboratory for a few days.
Around Day 14 of your donor’s cycle, her eggs will be retrieved. This date may vary depending on how the donor responds to stimulation. You’ll receive updates on her progress, and your clinic will notify you when the procedure will occur.
TESTIMONIALS
What our recipients are saying:
We had tried another agency before a distant friend had recommended EDSA, as she herself had been successful with their service, so we contacted EDSA and we could not have been happier. Her pleasant and caring approach is just what we needed after our last experience. The fact that I am now pregnant is just the cherry on the top! Thank you for everything, thank you for making our dream come true.
TIMELINE
Contact Us to View Donors
Start by contacting us for the login details to access our secure donor database. Here, you’ll be able to browse through profiles of available egg donors.
Shortlist your Donors
Once you’ve reviewed the profiles, create a shortlist of donors you’re interested in. We’ll confirm their availability before you proceed.
Confirm Your Donor & Complete Paperwork
After choosing your donor, fill in the necessary paperwork and we’ll send your match information to your treating clinic to start planning your journey.
Medical Screening
Once your application is approved, we’ll arrange for you to have a once off appointment with our psychologist.
Synchronising with Your Donor’s Cycle
To align your cycle with your donor’s, you may be asked to start on an oral contraceptive pill. Your doctor will also prescribe medications for down-regulation (e.g. Leuprolide acetate or Goserelin) to prevent ovulation and Estradiol tablets to thicken your uterine lining in preparation for embryo transfer.
Treatment Plan & Travel to Cape Town
Once your treatment plan is in place, you will receive all the details, including when to arrive in Cape Town. Expect to stay for at least 12–14 days. The clinic will usually schedule your first appointment around Day 12 of your donor’s stimulation cycle for a uterine lining scan.
Donor’s Egg Retrieval
Around Day 14 of the donor’s cycle, her eggs will be retrieved. This date may vary depending on how the donor responds to stimulation. You’ll receive updates on her progress, and your clinic will notify you when the procedure will occur.
Fertilisation & Embryo Development
On the day of egg retrieval, your partner will provide a sperm sample for fertilisation (or donor sperm will be used if applicable). The embryos will be cultured in the lab for 3–5 days, and you’ll receive regular updates on their development.
Embryo Transfer
When your embryos are ready, the clinic will tell you when to come in for the embryo transfer procedure. You’ll need to have a full bladder for the abdominal ultrasound that helps guide the embryo placement. A maximum of 2 embryos will be transferred, and any extra high-quality embryos can be frozen for future use.
Pregnancy Test
Ten days after the embryo transfer, you’ll have your first pregnancy test, followed by a second test two days later. Keep in touch with your clinic IVF coordinator for continued support and further treatment planning based on your results.
What I could be financially responsible for:
Payment options
Local patients:
International patients:
Explore Our Donor Profiles
Find the perfect match to start your journey with confidence.
