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IVF vs Donor Eggs

It’s common for hopeful parents to have questions about the difference between IVF and donor eggs. IVF with your own eggs and a cycle with donor eggs have many similarities and differences. Our Dallas IVF center explains what these treatments look like and discusses their pregnancy success rates.

Comparing treatments using IVF and donor eggs

The process of IVF using your own eggs involves multiple steps. You begin by taking injectable medications for ovarian stimulation. You then undergo an outpatient egg retrieval procedure at our Dallas IVF center. Our embryologists then fertilize your eggs in the laboratory using sperm from your partner or your chosen sperm donor. Finally, you return to our center for an embryo transfer procedure.

When combining IVF and donor eggs, the process is a little bit different. You will first select an egg donor who is a healthy, young woman. She will undergo ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval because she will be providing the eggs for the IVF cycle. Alternatively, you may choose to use eggs that have already been retrieved and frozen at an egg bank.

Our embryologists will fertilize these eggs in the lab and you will undergo the embryo transfer.

Success rates for IVF and IVF with donor eggs

IVF is one of the most effective fertility treatments available, but its success rates depend on a woman’s age, reproductive health and other factors. For example, in the United States, the average live birth rate per IVF cycle is as follows.

  • Women under 35 have a 41-43% chance of having a baby.
  • Women 35 to 37 have a 33-36% chance of having a baby.
  • Women 38 to 40 have a 23-27% chance of having a baby.
  • Women over 40 have a 13-18% chance of having a baby.

Because IVF with donor eggs utilizes eggs from a healthy woman in her 20s, the success rates are even higher. As a result, a woman in her 40s will have IVF success rates comparable to a healthy woman in her 20s.

Should you consider IVF and donor eggs?

Before deciding which treatment is right for you, you should speak with a doctor at our Dallas IVF center. He or she can perform diagnostic fertility testing and review your medical background to determine which treatment will give you the best chance of having a baby.

Generally, our fertility specialists will recommend IVF with donor eggs to women who have low egg quality or quantity. This can be due to age, certain medical treatments and fertility issues.

If you have questions about whether you should pursue IVF with your own eggs or donor eggs, contact us to schedule an appointment. Our Dallas IVF center is happy to guide you through this important decision.