Why share eggs?
With relatively limited NHS funding for IVF available nationally, many couples with fertility problems cannot afford to pay for the treatment that they need. Egg sharing provides IVF treatment for infertile couples who are prepared to share some of their eggs. At CARE we have drastically reduced the cost of IVF for such couples. Please visit our fees and finance pages for further details.
Why do we need donor eggs?
Some women are unable to produce their own eggs. This might be because they have gone through the menopause early as young as 20. Some of our patients have had chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer which has left them infertile. Unless a donor comes forward we are unable to help them. Other women have genetic conditions which they do not want to pass on to their children and seek donor eggs to ensure that this doesn't happen.
Who can share eggs?
You must be under 36 years of age, with an FSH (blood hormone level) of less than 8. You should have no serious genetic problems or a history of ovarian disease or surgery.
"My friend told me about CAREs egg share scheme. We were on the NHS waiting list for IVF There was no way we could afford to go private. It all seems a long time ago now but our little girl is here because we got on to the egg share treatment. She is everything to us and we really hope that the woman I donated to is a mum as well. I needed IVF anyway so giving a few eggs to someone else was easy in fact I think its the best thing Ive ever done"
"I am just writing out invites to my daughters birthday party. But 3 years ago our lives were very different. After many failed IVF treatments we were desperate. We were out of money and felt defeated when the doctor said we had to have egg donation. But what a transformation sleepless nights, toddler tantrums wonderful. There are no words to express the gratitude we feel to the wonderful woman who gave eggs to us she is priceless"
Is it anonymous?
Yes - donor and recipient never meet.
Could any child ever trace me?
Since April 2005, any child born from donated eggs or sperm may, at age 18, request and be given identifying information about their donor. This change will not be retrospective and individuals who have donated eggs or sperm before April 2005 will not be identified.
What is involved?
Egg sharers go through a standard IVF treatment. However, there are extra blood tests to screen for disorders such as Cystic Fibrosis. When you reach the stage of egg collection, the eggs are shared equally between the egg sharer and the recipient.
What is the next step?
CARE have a great deal of experience with egg sharing and our dedicated egg donation teams will be happy to see you to discuss the procedure in more detail. Please contact your nearest CARE centre and we can send out information or make an appointment for you to come and see us.
| CARE Manchester | 0161 2493040 | |
| CARE Northampton | 01604 601606 | |
| CARE Nottingham | 0115 9671670 | |
| CARE Sheffield | 0114 2589716 |
