What is the timescale from starting to completion of a donor egg cycle?

The timetable is usually 4-6 months from initial consultation. It is dependent on donor recruitment and a number of other factors.

Are there donors available and what information is made available to us?

Yes, there are donors available. Non-identifying, generic type information is provided on them through the Sims IVF online portal. This information includes hair colour, eye colour, blood group and a brief summary of physical attributes and personality characteristics.

Is there independent verification of the samples during this treatment?

As with any fertility treatment involving sperm and eggs there are established clinical and laboratory systems for verification. These principles of good laboratory practice apply both in Ireland and in Europe.

What are the overall clinical pregnancy rates?

The success rates of the Sims IVF EDE Programme exceed the European average at over 60% Clinical Pregnancy Rate per transfer. Over half of our patients have embryos frozen which provides additional chances for achieving pregnancy.

Can you tell us about the development of the European programme?

Couples in Western Europe are generally older when they have children. This increases the need for egg donation – there is higher recipient demand and it also reduces the number of suitable donors. The converse applies in Eastern Europe where couples have children more often in their twenties. This explains why we are working with an established and highly reputable Ukrainian IVF clinic – Intersono IVF Clinic.

Are the European Egg donors paid?

Donors are compensated for expenses incurred and for their time and inconvenience as well as the risks of the procedures involved in donating eggs.

Then why do they donate?

For similar reasons why Irish and other European women donate – altruism plays a significant part. This is particularly the case for our donors who all have children of their own and they therefore understand the pleasure that children and family life can bring.

What led you to choose the clinic you are working with in Eastern Europe?

We chose a modern, leading edge IVF facility similar to our own clinic. We ascertained that we could work well with the team there, and that they already had an existing donor programme and suitable egg donors available.

Can you tell us about the donors who have been recruited for the European Programme?

They are generally in their twenties and are of proven fertility. They are screened according to internationally recognised standards – including the EU Tissue and Cells Directive.

Can you tell me about infectious screening of the donors?

There is a triple testing process in place for all donors. This involves screening at three separate points during the donation process for HIV, Hepatitis B and C. In addition the donors are screened for Hepatitis A, Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Syphilis. Whilst not infectious, all donors are also screened for Cystic Fibrosis and Karyotyped.

How does this programme compare to programmes in Europe?

There are a number of specific benefits to this programme. Firstly there is less travel involved for recipients which helps to reduce the stress and the expense of treatment.

Secondly, all donors are of proven fertility, which is often not the case in other programmes.

Thirdly, you get to select your own donor and unlike many other European programmes, that split the eggs from one donor between two or more recipients, ours is a one-to-one donation, where all eggs retrieved in a cycle are allocated to one commissioning recipient couple.We have also incorporated Blastocyst culture and transfer to further improve the results and we conduct DNA Fragmentation testing in our laboratory at Sims IVF in Dublin.

Finally, with regard to costs, the overall cost of the programme is all inclusive and also covers a further embryo transfer in the event that your first transfer is negative and where there are surplus embryos frozen.

If this treatment does take place in Ireland, there will presumably not be a fresh embryo transfer. Will this factor reduce the chance of success for us?

No. The first transfer is a fresh Blastocyst transfer following thawing of the fertilised eggs with any surviving surplus blastocysts frozen for future use. This should not impact the chances of success for you.

If I am interested in considering this programme what is the next step?

Contact Sims IVF. There are full contact details on the back of this Guide. You will immediately be referred to our Egg Donation Co-ordinators who will schedule an initial appointment with one of our Consultants.