Embryo Donation in Canada

[kellym]

Hello,

I am 34 and have been through 4 failed IVF cycles. My doctor is running some tests but believes that our problem lies in the fact that our embryos are chomosonally abnormal.

I am starting to think that we may have to use an embryo donor. Any information about this would be great.

Thanks!

[Babyb]

Kelly, do you mean embryo donor or egg donor? If the problem lies in your eggs, you can get an egg donor and fertilize with the sperm of your dh (this is what I have been doing -- I carry a genetic mutation). You should probably go through an egg donor agency (unless you have a friend willing to donate). Be prepared, the costs are very expensive. Donors range from $5,000 up. Then you have to pay the agency a fee (usually $5000-10,000 on the very high end), lawyers fees for both sides (about $850-1,200), insurance for you and the donor ($400), meds and all expenses for the donor plus you. It is really hard -- I can't lie. You get hit with double (if not more) the price going this route, but for us, it is worth it (even though our first donor didn't get us pregnant to our great surprise, we are trying YET again with a new donor. It is breaking us financially). If I can't see myself in my baby, I'd like to at least be able to see my dh.

Embryo donation would be significantly cheaper I'd imagine. In fact. I see that their are couples on this forum who are looking to donate their embryos. Would you consider this option?

[Babyb]

Kelly, do you mean embryo donor or egg donor? If the problem lies in your eggs, you can get an egg donor and fertilize with the sperm of your dh (this is what I have been doing -- I carry a genetic mutation). You should probably go through an egg donor agency (unless you have a friend willing to donate). Be prepared, the costs are very expensive. Donors range from $5,000 up. Then you have to pay the agency a fee (usually $5000-10,000 on the very high end), lawyers fees for both sides (about $850-1,200), insurance for you and the donor ($400), meds and all expenses for the donor plus you. It is really hard -- I can't lie. You get hit with double (if not more) the price going this route, but for us, it is worth it (even though our first donor didn't get us pregnant to our great surprise, we are trying YET again with a new donor. It is breaking us financially). If I can't see myself in my baby, I'd like to at least be able to see my dh.

Embryo donation would be significantly cheaper I'd imagine. In fact. I see that their are couples on this forum who are looking to donate their embryos. Would you consider this option?

[kellym]

Hi,
At this point we do not now whether the problem with our embryos lies with my eggs or my husband's sperm. So, I figured there is no point in using either my eggs or my husbands sperm if we don't know which one is causing the problem.
So, embryo donation is the route we'd like to take. I don't know where you are from but in Canada there is legislation around the use of donor embryos - i.e. they cannot be for profit. But I am not sure of any real life examples of women who have had am embryo donor in Canada. I have an appointment with my RE at the beginning of June and will discuss the issue with her.
Thanks! Good luck with your next round!

[kellym]

Hi,
At this point we do not now whether the problem with our embryos lies with my eggs or my husband's sperm. So, I figured there is no point in using either my eggs or my husbands sperm if we don't know which one is causing the problem.
How did you find out that you carry a genetic mutation?
So, embryo donation is the route we'd like to take unless we get more information. I don't know where you are from but in Canada there is legislation around the use of donor embryos - i.e. they cannot be for profit. But I am not sure of any real life examples of women who have had am embryo donor in Canada. I have an appointment with my RE at the beginning of June and will discuss the issue with her.
Thanks! Good luck with your next round!

[Babyb]

I'm in Los Angeles. Have you searched this forum? There are women willing to donate (not for profit) their embryos. You might wish to check it out. I think they were asking questions to make sure they received worthwhile recipients (e.g., how would you respond if your child were disabled). Good luck.

[Nightlight Snowflake]

I know the Snowflake program should be able to help you find a match for embryo donation or adoption. Their phone is 888-933-2237 and website is www.embryo-donation.ca