Egg donor FAQs

Normally a recipient is looking for a donor with similar physical characteristics to themselves - most commonly skin colour, hair colour and eye colour. To help recipients make a decision, we ask our donors to provide information about their physical features and other characteristics like occupation, educational background, interests and skills.

According to UK regulations, an egg donor can help create up to 10 families. The decision to donate multiple times should be discussed between you and your consultant.

If you do not fit the criteria to take part in the programme, our team of consultants and counsellors will be available to support you whatever the outcome. We can also provide your GP with a full set of your results.

The decision to become a donor is always within your control and you can change your mind at any time in the programme until the embryo transfer.

According to UK law, you will not be named on a birth certificate and the recipient will be the legal parent of any resulting children. You will not have any legal, financial or parental obligations towards any child born through your donation.

Donating your eggs will not affect your fertility. As with any surgical procedure there may be some short term risks involved which may include Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). Studies show that OHSS can happen in 0.5% to 3% of all IVF cycles. However only 1-2% are severe. This will be discussed with your consultant and you will be carefully monitored to avoid any risk of overstimulation.

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) regulations require all donors and recipients to remain anonymous to each other. At the age of 18 anyone born as the result of egg donation has the right to identifying information about the donor including their full name, last known address and date of birth. Donors must provide this information to the HFEA (via the clinic) at the time of donation.

You can donate and freeze some eggs for your own use by taking part in our Freeze and Share programme. This programme allows you to freeze your eggs free of charge in exchange for donating half of the eggs collected from your treatment to a women who needs donor eggs to have a baby.

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