Parenthood can be a remarkable adventure, but for some, it comes with unique challenges. If you feel you’ve come to the end of your journey with other fertility treatments, egg donation could be the helping hand you’ve been searching for.
At CentraLIVF, we specialise in creating families in Australia through egg donation. We do this by offering donor egg programs that allow you to stay in Australia while accessing our premium egg donation program – with no waitlist. Contact us to start your egg donation journey.
In this blog, we’ll explore what egg donation in Australia is and how our process at CentraLIVF can help you start or expand your beautiful family.
What is egg donation?
Egg donation allows one woman to help another have a baby by donating her donor eggs. The egg donor undergoes a stimulation process. After her eggs are carefully collected, they are transported to the recipient’s IVF clinic. There, they are fertilised in a lab with either the partner’s sperm or donor sperm, creating embryos. These embryos are then transferred to the recipient’s uterus through treatment with her fertility specialist.
To put it simply, egg donation offers hope to individuals or couples facing fertility challenges by allowing them to begin or expand their families. Egg donation in Australia allows people to undergo fertility treatment in their own country and the comfort of a familiar, trusted environment.
Who uses egg donation?
Many women find themselves unable to fall pregnant using their own eggs for a variety of reasons – such as medical conditions, genetic concerns, or previous unsuccessful IVF attempts.
As women enter their early 30s, their fertility gradually decreases. This decline accelerates after the age of 35. By the time they reach 40, the likelihood of conceiving in each monthly cycle drops to approximately 5%.
Individuals who choose to use egg donation include:
- Women with no ovaries or ovarian insufficiency due to ovarian failure.
- Women who are experiencing premature menopause.
- Women with fertility issues resulting from medical treatments – like chemotherapy.
- Women who have tried IVF many times and found that their eggs were of poor quality.
- Same-sex couples.
At CentraLIVF, we don’t discriminate or judge your reasons for choosing egg donation – we’re here to guide you through each step with empathy and expertise.
Who are the egg donors?
Egg donors play a pivotal role in assisted reproduction – that’s why they’re chosen with care. They also undergo rigorous infection screening and psychological evaluations.
Based in Ukraine, our donors are carefully selected women who have preferably completed their own families – or have at least one child – and are aged between 25–31
years. Each potential donor undergoes thorough medical and psychological evaluations to ensure their suitability for donation.
Our strict screening process includes reviewing their medical history, a physical examination, and genetic screening. Additionally, mandatory counselling is provided to all donors to ensure informed consent, guaranteeing the safety and well-being of our donors and recipients.
Egg donation Australia: How does it work?
Step 1: Choose your clinic
Begin your egg donation journey by connecting with a local fertility clinic affiliated with CentraLIVF. Discover our associated clinics here.
If your clinic isn’t currently listed as one of our partners on our website, please let us know, and we’ll be happy to directly contact your clinic to explore the possibility of a partnership. This will streamline the process and avoid any disruptions, allowing you to continue receiving seamless care from your current clinic and its staff.
These fertility clinics serve as the initial point of contact and will provide you with all the guidance you need to prepare for the process. Our extensive network allows CentraLIVF to connect you to a clinic that meets your unique needs.
Step 2: Counselling
You (and your partner, if you have one) must attend counselling sessions at your fertility clinic as mandated by Australian legislation. These sessions are an opportunity to discuss the implications of using donor eggs and make informed decisions regarding your new chapter in life.
Both you and the donor will speak with a counsellor separately at least twice. During these talks, you’ll both be asked to sign some consent forms.
Step 3: Financial preparation
As you progress, it’s essential to prepare financially for the journey ahead.
Many people take out loans or access their superannuation. Early access to super funds requires meeting specific conditions like severe financial hardship or compassionate grounds. Thankfully, fertility treatments are one of the common reasons for early super-release – however, the process can take some time.
Accessing your super for egg donation in Australia involves:
- Determining your eligibility.
- Contacting the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to request early release of your super.
- Applying to your super fund.
Our team will support you in any way we can during this time so you can enjoy a smooth transition towards your treatment.
Read Egg Donor Australia: Cost And Fees
Step 4: CentraLIVF portal registration
Once all requirements are met, the fertility clinic will give you a link to register with the CentraLIVF portal, an online platform where you can access all our available donor profiles. Here, you can explore detailed information about potential donors, including their physical and academic attributes, hobbies, and personality traits.
With filtering options available, you can tailor your search based on specific preferences, such as hair and eye colour or qualifications. Our dedicated team, led by professionals like Smadar or Amy, will assist you in navigating the portal and finding the perfect match.
Step 5: Donor selection
Now is the time to choose your donor from our screened pool of candidates. Our thorough evaluation ensures our donors’ safety and suitability, giving you peace of mind as you select your ideal match.
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices to six possible options, you’ll be able to view current photos of the donors. This will give you a glimpse of the person your baby might look like. You can repeat this process as many times as you like until you find the right match.
Step 6: Egg shipment
Now that you’ve chosen your egg donor and the frozen eggs are ready, we’ll coordinate their safe transport from Ukraine to Australia. Shipping occurs approximately every six weeks. This ensures that your clinic will receive your precious cargo in a timely manner.
We use specialised couriers from Babysteps Couriers, who are not only trained in handling biological specimens with care but are also fully qualified embryologists. This guarantees that your eggs will arrive at your local fertility clinic safe and sound.
Step 7: Implantation and monitoring
Once your fertility clinic in Australia has received the donor eggs, you can start the implantation procedure as recommended by your fertility specialist. This is where the excitement begins!
Afterwards, CentraLIVF will closely monitor the quality and progress of your treatment and provide ongoing support. We’re focused on helping you every step of the way so that you can fulfil your dream of becoming a parent.
At CentraLIVF, we’re committed to guiding you through this life-changing experience with expertise, compassion, and unwavering support. If you’re ready to take the next step towards building your family, we’re here to help. Contact us to embark on your journey towards parenthood.
