Egg donor clinic recommendations/ success stories?

[TheGlitterFairy]

Hi, after an unsuccessful 4th round of IVF - cancelled over the weekend due to my low ovarian reserve/ poor response, DH and I are looking to move to DE.

I’ve been scouring the boards looking for info on the best places to go, and know that anonymous donor vs non anonymous is probably the starting point for the discussion but I’d be grateful if anyone could share their story and/ or if anyone would be able to recommend the clinic they used?

I’ve seen lots written about IVI Spain/ Alicante and clinics in Cyprus too - and have been looking at egg donation friends. Equally, my clinic in London offer this too so lots of info but great to hear from others.

Thanks in advance!

Hello TheGlitterFairy, I just joined mumsnet tonight as I felt I couldn't without being a Mum. I am also after four failed IVF's and after giving up now for nearly 2 years we have decided to give donor eggs a go. Nervous and concerned we will ever get a donor but want to try in the UK. I think that it is better to be open and honest if we are successful and our child can trace their biological mother - which I think is likely. I feel it is right to be able to. It makes it harder to find donors though. that is why there are more abroad.
We are in Berkshire and have used Oxford Fertility before but want to try somewhere new - Woking. London has way way more choice but is hard if you don't live there. Lots of the London clinics are also quite new. Have you looked on the HFEA website. It really is very useful. Where did you have your IVF?

Hi IdeRuben - sorry to hear that you’ve had 4 failed attempts also. Hard work isn’t it. We’re leaning towards a UK donor too for the same reasons. Based in London - our clinic teams up with an agency called Altrui (who seem amazing) - they work to find a donor then your donor has their treatment at your clinic.
CRGH have an egg bank, so is all ready to go - no waiting to find a donor. I’m not clear on whether the donors are only from the UK, so will be making an appt to speak to them and see what’s what.
Have you been to your new clinic to discuss?

@TheGlitterFairy - so sorry to hear about your cycle. I recognize your name from the January-February thread. I was cycling then too (though not an active contributor).

In a similar situation to you. Multiple cycle failures in the UK. I have rubbish eggs and husband doesn't have brilliant sperm. Last cycle 10 eggs, 5 mature, I fertilised, only to sit there and do nothing on day 2.

I am looking into DE abroad - I know a couple who used a clinic in Prague and were happy with the result. I've sent off an initial query and waiting for a response.

From my research Prague/Poland seem to be the cheapest with very good success rate, followed by Spain and Greece.

Good luck with the rest of your journey x

Hello TheGlitterFairy and InvisibleMe, thank you for your info. I have searched and looked up about Altrui but I don't think they cover any clinics near me. I have just sent for info from Nuffield Health Woking and will go there and see what they say. They have good stats but don't know about how readily they will have donors so will have to talk with them to find out. Good luck with all your decisions. I last cycled 2 years ago and could not face doing it again. Sorry you are now there. It is so disappointing. Take some time to recover and grieve. xxx

Hi sorry for all of you having such a tough time. I'm afraid I'm not answering the questions you've posed Glitter but I've done quite a lot of research because I've been completely obsessing since January about the right way forward for my family. My husband have had over 3 years of secondary infertility and after failed cycles last year I accept that it is too late for a successful pregnancy with my own eggs.

Through my obsessive research I concluded that if I were to go abroad I'd either go to IB Alicante where they have a Guarantee Programme- it is expensive but they seem like an excellent clinic and of course if it doesn't work you get your money back. Or I'd do most of the early treatment at Lister but then transfer at the same clinic (IB) through Assured Fertility's Guarantee Programme. Or I'd pay much less at Reprofit, Brno on the off chance it would work straight away. I'd also consider New Life and EmbryoLab Greece. The clinics abroad look excellent and even my consultant in the UK was blown away by Alicante which I think he visited recently.

However I also concluded that I probably wouldn't go abroad as I'd prefer ID release for future child. I was considering egg share but like you I didn't really want to go back to my old clinic. Then I also looked at Altrui and New Life. I've spoke to both Alison at Altrui and Anna at New Life. Both agencies seem very good options and while more expensive to pay for an agency it might work out cheaper in the end as you are more likely to receive more eggs and often from proven donors. Also I get the impression that both women get to know their donors properly.

New Life you don't have to pay until they find you a match and I think that Anna is very concerned for her donor's welfare however Alison seems very professional and ethical too and puts a lot of time into matching which could be important for families in the long run. I don't know anyone who has used these agencies personally though. In fact I don't know anyone in my position.

Would it matter if your clinic wasn't so close IdeRuben if you are a recipient and just having transfers rather than collections too? I don't know how difficult it is for you with work commitments/ other logistics?

Maybe you are right totalnamechanger about not necessarily needing to be so close. I just get anxious about having to get into London, which might seem mad but there are so many in there. Your info and research is fantastic, thank you. I am interested in your perspective about Altrui and New Life. Some of the prices quoted at some clinic seem very variable CRGH in London quotes £10-15,000 fro frozen donor eggs which seems expensive compared to others and makes the price of services like Altrui etc seem better but still limited to certain clinics. I have just asked GP to refer me to Nuffield Woking - they seem to have very good stats - to see what they say but I am not committing to them as yet. Thanks for all the advice. I will let you know what I decide as I go along!

We were with the Institute of Reproductive Science in Oxford for many years and only when it started working as a satellite clinic with IVI Alicante using a donor egg did we achieve our first viable pregnancy. My AMH was stupidly low at 0.57 and we spent (from memory) about £52k on treatment.

IVI and Oxford managed to succeed in our first donor cycle.

To put it into context I was 21 when we started trying and our child was born when I was a few months away from turning 40.

I gather the IRS is no longer connected to IVI Alicante now though but I would still recommend them. They put the UK system to shame with the different screenings of donor material and hygiene/cleanliness.

Sorry to hear of the miserable experiences. It’s so hard.

I'm so pleased that it worked in the end 18 years. Of course it shouldn't take that long if it can happen in any way. That time must really have taken its toll emotionally as well as financially.

The general (this is mostly through reading threads and looking at official clinic stats which I appreciate isn't scientific) picture I get is that the European clinics often have better outcomes for the price. It might be that (ironically) British clinics go through more checks and hurdles before they can proceed with new techniques meaning that it costs more than European clinics, slows them down in innovation- and sends many people abroad!

IdeRuben I can see why the convenience is important if you worry about the additional stress of travelling (this is someone who chose a clinic across the road ) but I wouldn't choose based on distance again. Particularly not with DE where I wouldn't have as many procedures. For example I'm considering Manchester Fertility as they have a 3 cycle 70% guarantee program and don't use any egg sharers for that. Manchester is nowhere near me. It would be quicker to go to Allicante! If however you really think that the travel would cause a lot of stress and you don't want to add a hotel stay to the costs then there could well be excellent clinics near you.

I'd be cautious about frozen eggs- I don't think that the outcomes are brilliant. Frozen embryos, yes, but not eggs.

Hi InvisableMe thanks for joining the thread. So sorry to hear that you've had a hard start to the year with it all too. We had a cycle last year whereby we had 3 embryos frozen and none of them survived the thaw ahead of the planned FET; not exactly the same as you had this cycle but just so upsetting when you go through all of that and then nothing happens.
Positive news that you've decided to move forward with ED and have made some initial enquiries overseas. I hope they come back to you soon and you can start to progress x

IdeRuben did you hear back from Nuffield Woking yet? I hope they can provide some answers for you and you can make a plan to move forward.

totalnamechanger - thanks for joining the thread and for all of your info. It's hard to come to terms with and be honest with the fact that your own eggs aren't viable - for whatever the reason. I feel my head is around it a bit more than when I originally posted (my stress headache has gone at least!) but it's of course - not what anyone wants to hear.

Thanks for all of the info on clinic overseas - a friend of a friend - I've now discovered went to a clinic in Alicante - think it was the one you've mentioned. Her consultant recommended it and she now has twins and is delighted with everything! Worked the first time round for her though I understand she'd had a couple of failed cycles in the UK with OE.

DH and I are of a mind also that we think we will go with a UK donor for the reasons you've mentioned yourself. Appreciate that isn't the right thing for everyone though and of course people need to make their own choices for their family!

I'm not adverse to going back to my old clinic - our consultant there is fantastic and it was his suggestion to look at all of the options - with them, other options at other clinics and overseas too so we can make an informed decision. I suspect that we will end up working with him again. Feel as though he's invested a lot of time in us - and us him. Besides which, it will mean not having to rehash the whole sorry experience to someone else!

Have you a clinic in mind for your potential treatment here if you go with Altrui or New Life? I've been in email contact with Alison at Altrui - so good to see you've had a good experience with her so far. I've not looked at New Life so thanks for this - I'll do some research!

Good point about frozen eggs vs embryos too. We're looking and have a "mini appt" at CRGH to get some info on their egg bank; I was aware that thawing eggs is "harder" than embryos so something to think about.

18yearsoftrying thanks for detailing your experience - really appreciate it and everyone on here. So pleased to hear that you have a child now after all of that time, money (!) and effort. It's so hard emotionally. My AMH is ridiculously low also due to some surgery a few years back to remove some (3) ovarian cysts. We thought that the quality hadn't been affected (just quantity) but the last 18 months has seen a prominent decline with - as mentioned, the cancelled cycle a couple of weeks ago.

So pleased that it worked out for you with DE - this gives me hope!!

Thanks all - really appreciate your responses...

It's good to have this thread, Glitter I know there has been an incredibly informative and long-running donor conception thread but most of the posters ended up getting pregnant and leaving! Encouraging

I understand the stress headache. I think I had one this morning!
It's a complicated thing to take in, from a practical, financial, ethical and emotional basis. Very difficult to process. I'm really sorry that this has happened to you. It's not fair.

My understanding is that Alison from Altrui's starting point is as a former fertility nurse. She seems to have a solid research background too. Anna I think has both her children through DE. Different motivations but both are invested (and not just financially) in getting it right for the women they work with. If I went down this route I'd probably use Guys. If I didn't go through Altrui/ New Life I'd probably use the Manchester Fertility Guarantee. We're still trying to iron out whether this is feasible. We're not sure how our respective families would react (cultural issues in the mix!)

Anyway I'd like to stick around for a while while this is being mulled over by my husband and me (and possibly extended family ) if you don't mind?

Hi OP! We have the same story as 18years. We used IRS now Oxford Fertility with IVI Alicante and got our BFP on our second cycle using a day 5 frozen embryo. We've just come home from a great holiday at Center Parcs with our gorgeous 4 year old son. I would highly recommend IVI Alicante. They are easy to get to and their services are top notch. X

Thanks totalnamechanger I saw the other large/ long thread and saw that most have dropped off as they’re now pregnant/ have had a baby! Very encouraging!!

It’s pretty hard to get your head around. Our consultant first mentioned it last summer but tbh we weren’t in a place to think about it then and wanted to be sure we’d done all we could with me so we had no regrets about any of it!!
Hope your stress headache has gone now? It’s tough - trying to do all of this/ try and “get over” the disappointment of things not working with you and then getting on with all of the research!

I’ve just been looking at New Life and the Manchester clinic too - both look interesting and NL works with some great clinics!

We’ve an appt in a few week at CRGH to find more info about their egg bank and Altrui offer info evenings which would be interesting to attend. May help to narrow it down as to who to use.

Sorry this is happening to you also. I’m feeling positive this week though and am REALLY grateful that we’re in a position to be even looking at this. Pretty awesome!
Will your family be supportive of the concept? I really hope that they will be for you both. We’ve only mentioned to immediate family while we’re working out which way forward but all have been supportive to date - they have lots of questions though!! 😁 which I guess is reasonable!!!

Yes - feel free to stick around and/ or PM if you’d like!

Hi Cutebabasmummy! Thanks so much for your story and details of who you used!! Another success for IVI Alicante!! Amazing to hear you’ve a gorgeous 4 year old son from your 2nd round! I’m sure this will give us all hope that we can do this also and we’ll get there in the end! Thanks again!! 😘

Hi Glitter have had a busy week at work but now the weekend is approaching so I'm back to filling my head with clinics/ decisions etc. I'm glad you are feeling more positive about it. I can really see why it could be a shock. I'm in my 40s now so can readily accept my egg reserves will be low. Of course many, many women get lucky in their 40s but then others get really, really unlucky much younger with POF. Sometimes I think that this is my fault for not trying for a second shortly after I had my child.

You are right though that it is amazing that science has allowed us to explore avenues which weren't possible a few decades ago.

I have joined the Donor Conception Network to help with these decisions and I have to say that their staff have been really thoughtful, warm and helpful so far. Have you joined? Or anyone else on this thread... IdeRuben 18years, Cutebaba?

Has anyone had any other clinic thoughts/ made any decisions?

I haven't joined. I had a conversation with another mum at playgroup today about my son's origins. Ironically my ovaries are stuffed with good looking eggs but we chose a donor to avoid passing on a genet8c condition that I have. It's a bit of an unknown so they couldn't use pre implantation diagnosis. The other mum.said I was very selfless to use a donor so our son wouldn't suffer but I see it as us getting very lucky to have such a blessing. We will be forever grateful.to.our donor although we will never know who she is.

We used Gennet in Prague but with their sister clinic in London for all the pre checks scans prescription etc... was brill and our 3 year old twins are fighting going to bed right now

Success story from UK here. After 3 failed attempts at IVF and 10 years trying with an AMH of 0.7 we went for DE at CRM London. Successful first time, DD is now 7 and absolutely GORGEOUS.

We wanted UK due to law re. Tracing donors when adults. Plus, we are both blond and blue eyed and very English looking; some most DE children conceived with donors from abroad look non-English.

degger that's pretty offensive! My son definitely does not look non English!

Hello Everyone, I had a busy week and in fact it helped to stop my obsessive thoughts on this subject. I heard from Nuffield Woking and waiting for donor is 12-18 month...ie we don't do donor in reality. I have been more pragmatic and looked again at the clinics. i am getting the sense that either they work with Altrui or New Life. If not they have own frozen bank or nothing at all. SO I am looking at Thames Valley in Maidenhead which is part of the same group as Oxford (where we had all our ICSI's so they can easily get our notes) but are conservative in approach, maybe this is okay is for younger Donor? Or else we will head to London. Any ideas - help would be useful.

When we were woth Oxford the waiting list was 2 - 3 years. As soon as they partnered with IVI Alicante we could pick when we went. Time was ticking for us as we had already waited a year and a half. We got a choice of 2 donors and chose the one who was 23 due to the probability of better eggs.

So deggers gets to express her narrow-minded presumptious unfounded thoughts and I’m the one that gets pulled up?

For anyone reading I just wanted to add my son is from a Greek egg donor and my partner is dark haired too, my son is fair skinned with blonde hair he just has brown eyes like the donor. He looks as English as they come

I'm not sure why saying that a child not looking English is offensive. I don't think it's unusual to want children to have similar colouring as parents? As an OP stayed, that's not their experience either.

Having said that, I appreciate I may have worded it badly, apologies that I seem to have upset people.

I'm not sure why you think you know me 18yrears? But whoever The person you thought I am is, I'm sure she won't be impressed with you trying to 'out' her?

I don't find it offensive you saying that for the record, I'm just sharing my experience of using a non uk donor for anyone reading