Egg-Sharers agree to provide 50% of their retrieved eggs to a matched recipient(s). Occasionally, not enough eggs are produced to share (ideally a minimum of eight eggs). In this case, the sharer has the option of using all of the eggs with no further commitment to the programme. When an uneven number of eggs are collected the sharer will receive the extra egg. Clinics would normally replace only 2 embryos.
If the Egg-Sharer produces fewer eggs than the minimum needed for sharing, she could choose to go ahead, using all the eggs herself. If the IVF cycle is abandoned because of poor ovarian response, it is unlikely that the sharer will be accepted into the scheme again.
If your first cycle is not successful, you will be invited for a consultation to discuss further treatment options. If you had responded well and produced a sufficient number of eggs and good quality embryos, the clinic might offer further cycles up to a maximum of three cycles.
In accordance with the HFE Act 1990, the Egg-Sharer may withdraw or vary her consent up to the time an embryo containing her gametes is used in treatment. If the Egg-Sharer produced a sufficient number of eggs to share with the recipient but then decided to withdraw consent, she is responsible for the full cost of the IVF cycle.
The Egg-Sharer and recipient will remain anonymous to each other. Every care is taken to ensure that this confidentiality is not compromised. Generally, the sharer will not receive any information about the outcome of the treatment of the recipient. Clinics will, however, endeavour to adhere to requests regarding any potential couple receiving her eggs. In an anonymous egg sharing agreement, the clinic can release non identifying outcome information to the donor only where:
- egg recipient and her partner/husband treated together have consented in writing to this information being released, and
- the donor has consented in writing to this information to be released to her, and
- appropriate counselling has been given to all parties involved in the egg sharing arrangement.
The HFEA Code of Practice permits a maximum of 10 live birth events (twins or triplets count as one) as a result of donations from any one gamete donor.
It may take 8-10 weeks of preparation from the time of initial consultation before the Egg-Share is allowed to commence treatment. We would advise you to inform your General Practitioner of your intention to become an Egg-Sharer. The London Women’s Clinic may seek your General Practitioner’s views regarding fitness or suitability to donate eggs.
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