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!

[Leala20]

@Cleozeta the clinic told me I need to go through July cycle and I should be ready to start with August so I presume it’s about medication. I haven’t received any details yet. Good luck with the tests this week. Are you doing any specific ones? I haven’t been asked yet so just waiting to hear I guess.

[Cleozeta]

We had our tests on Thursday. It was just the standard pre treatment ones, so scan, semen analysis and blood tests. They said I should hear back with full results early next week. Hopefully then we can plan treatment.
Have you not had your tests yet?

[TheGlitterFairy]

Hi everyone - checking in to see how things are for all?

We're still waiting here for the surgery I need before we can move forward with the next round and FET. Would be good to get a timeframe for the surgery but seems unforthcoming at the moment. Decided to get myself into shape for when the time comes and have been doing couch to 5k - and up to 25 min runs now! Hopefully this will all help prepare me for things to come!

[Tryingtofigurethingsout]

Hi Glitter, good to hear how you're getting on. Doing Couch to 5K sounds like a really positive thing that will help prepare you well mentally and emotionally, as well as physically for what's ahead. I'm doing well, thank you. I'm 21 weeks and 2 days, and I have to say that the second trimester is proving a much better experience than the first so far! I've got a lot more energy back and hardly any sickness at all now, but mainly it just felt like a huge milestone to get past the point we've reached before. We had our 20-wk scan yesterday, and I'm relieved to say that all is well! And it was amazing to be able to have my husband there too, as restrictions were finally lifted at the start of this week . I hope everyone else is doing well, I'm thinking of you all and wishing all the best.

[TheGlitterFairy]

Hi Trying and thanks! I thought it was a good goal to have mentally and physically! And oddly enough, I was then contacted yesterday about a date for surgery and it's in a few weeks time so all good news!

Wow - that seems to have gone fast! So pleased to hear that you're doing well and not feeling as ill as you were in the first trimester! Sure it was great to get to the 20 week mark and have the scan - well done! Amazing news that all is well! Also amazing your husband was able to be present for the scan too

[Tryingtofigurethingsout]

Great news that you now have a date for surgery! I'm sure it'll feel good to get the ball rolling again. Let us know how everything goes

[Namechange21212121]

Hi all,
I hope I can join the thread - I’m 29 and have been diagnosed with POI. They have said that there is a small chance of success with IVF but much higher chance with ED.
DP and I would like to go abroad for this (I have Spanish/Greek features anyway) but other than being told the NHS can’t help me, I have no other information.
I’m not sure I want to risk going through IVF with my own eggs to be heartbroken. My Dad isn’t genetically linked to me but he’s my Dad all the same. Families are made with love, not DNA imo.
Any information/insights/help would be so gratefully received; reading your thread already has given me so much comfort. C x

[Tryingtofigurethingsout]

Hi @Namechange21212121, welcome . I would definitely check out the Donor Conception Network (www.dcnetwork.org) for more info. They're really helpful and supportive. And I found that, although it's a bit overwhelming when you first start researching this subject, making decisions along the way helps narrow down where to look for treatment. So, for example, if you want an anonymous donor, going abroad is an option, but if you want a donor whose identity your child would be able to find out later, you might choose to stay in the UK. Hope this helps and good luck with everything!

[TheGlitterFairy]

Hi Namechange21212121 - welcome to the thread.

Trying has great advice as above. There are some frozen egg banks / clinics in the UK with donors who are from all over - there's one at great portland street and I think one in Manchester too, or of course there's the "fresh" alternative too, with agencies such as Altrui whereby they match a donor to you - though this can be quick/ long depending on your features!

I think there was a lady further up the thread who had good success with a clinic in Spain - which is a popular one too, though not sure about the logistics with that and the UK travel situation at the moment, but I think that they can partner with a clinic in the UK, so you have most of your treatment here then go over there for the actual transfer.

I think it's great to look at all of the available options and then make a choice from there, whatever that might be! And each individual has to do whats right for them/ their partner.

Hope this helps and good luck!

[Cutesbabasmummy]

@Namechange21212121 welcome to the board! I have a 5 and a half year old son conceived using donor eggs with IVI Alicante. He looks very much like his Daddy although he tans easily in the sun! Please pm me if you would like to chat x

[TheGlitterFairy]

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing?

We've FINALLY seen some movement in our case; surgery is now complete and all ok! Coordination appt for FET complete and now waiting for next cycle so we can get going!

Feeling nervous as well as excited after all of this time and trying to channel positive vibes!!

[Tryingtofigurethingsout]

@TheGlitterFairy That's fantastic news! Really pleased for you and keeping everything crossed for this cycle . Let us know how you get on. All's well here: I'm 26 weeks now, and I can confirm the second trimester has felt a LOT better than the first! Currently busy trying to sort a few things around the house as well as arrange my maternity cover at work ...

[TheGlitterFairy]

@tryingtofigurethingsout thanks! I'm relieved it's all over with and we can finally finally move forward again! Seems surreal! Thanks for your best wishes and positive vibes - really appreciate that!

Amazing you're now 26 weeks! The time seems to have gone quickly (perhaps not for you!) very exciting and pleased that you're still feeling well in this trimester too! Hope that all goes well with the house and sorting work out too!

Keep me posted too on how you're getting on with things!

ooh - was going to ask if there's anyone on the thread who has had to use the intramuscular injections for progesterone? I've agreed this with my consultant this time (previously used the sub cutaneous Lubion) so these ones are new to me and TOTALLY freaking me out already. Which is madness given the surgery and all that I've done in the last couple of years on this quest! If anyone has any advice, please do share!!

[TheGlitterFairy]

Just checking in to see how people are?

Happy to say that 20 months after I started this thread, we FINAAAAAAAAAAAALY started the treatment cycle!! YES! Injection of prostap at the clinic to downreg and back in a couple of weeks for the suppression scan. Fingers crossed to all that your treatment is able to move forward!

@Tryingtofigurethingsout hope you're all set for your mat leave etc now? Hope you're still well!

[Tryingtofigurethingsout]

Great news @TheGlitterFairy, that's great to hear! Keeping everything crossed that all goes well for you. I'm keeping well, thanks. Have recruited my mat cover, so that's a weight off. I'm 31.5 wks now and feel absolutely enormous, but lucky to be staying healthy and happy so far

[TheGlitterFairy]

Hello all, hope things are moving forward for everyone?
@Tryingtofigurethingsout fantastic that you’re all sorted out with maternity cover now and can just focus on you and baby! Wishing you well for your new chapter!! Do let us know how you and baby are!

Things moving forward slowly here for us. Baseline scan showed I wasn’t quite as suppressed as I need to be so have another scan later this week. Hoping that after this point (which will be 3 weeks!) we’ll be able to move to the next stage of building the lining up!! Fingers crossed 🤞

[Tryingtofigurethingsout]

Keeping fingers crossed for you, @TheGlitterFairy, let us know how it goes.

All ok this end, thanks. A slight complication in that I've developed polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) over the last few weeks, but baby is fine and they're taking very good care of us. I'm 34 wks now, so not too long left

[TheGlitterFairy]

@Tryingtofigurethingsout thanks! So, second scan last week was all good! I had a blood test to confirm I was down regged which predictably took all day for the results to come back but all good and I stared the estradiol tablets last week to build the lining up. 8mg/ day until Thursday then increases to 12mg/ day. I have another scan on Friday to see how it’s doing to hopefully is increasing! Have read that vit E can help with building it too so eating sunflower 🌻 seeds which are apparently high in this!

Sorry to hear about the excess amniotic fluid - good to hear that they’re taking care of you and that baby is ok. I don’t really know much about that. Is it likely you’ll have a C section earlier or will you be able to go full term? Hope that you’re feeling ok 😘

[zelda81]

Hi @TheGlitterFairy I’m new to mumsnet, have been reading your journey on here and hope you don’t mind me joining the thread. Sounds like it’s been a long road for you.

I’ve been TTC for 4 years now, 1 natural mc, 3 IUI cycles, 3 ICSI cycles with OE and now we’re just starting our first DE cycle with an altruistic donor through Nurture Fertility (Nottingham).
I’m due to start down reg injections (Buserelin) on Monday. Trying not to get my hopes up but I’m so excited to be moving forward again.

[TheGlitterFairy]

Hi @zelda81 thanks for joining and welcome!

Sounds as though you’ve been on a long journey too with the various cycles that you’ve been through. Very sorry to hear about your mc.

Very exciting to be starting your DE cycle though! Understand not wanting to get carried away with it for the sake of your own sanity.

Are you aiming for a fresh transfer or do you have frozen embryos already?

Update on the appt I had earlier today - all is looking good with the lining; it’s now 9.1mm and we’re booked in for a transfer next Friday. Can’t quite believe that we’re almost at that stage and have been in shock all day. I start the progesterone injections on Sunday and also a blood thinning injection too that I’d forgotten about. Double needles for the double embryos being transferred. Praying they thaw out ok now!!! It’s going to be another long week I think!!

[zelda81]

@TheGlitterFairy exciting that you have a date booked in and that your lining is nice and thick.
Ours is a fresh cycle and I’m the second recipient of 2, so at the moment all 3 of us are starting to down reg then I expect the transfer will be sometime in December, probably with the 2ww over Xmas!

Our big decision at the moment is whether to take Prednisolone or not. I had it on my last cycle cos I have elevated NK cells, but they are avoiding giving it now due to Covid, because it lowers your immune system. They said I can choose to take it but I’d have to shield for 12 weeks! I don’t know if there’s more or the same chance of my body rejecting the embryo with a donor egg. Need to do some research...

[TheGlitterFairy]

@zelda81 thanks! Very excited about Friday though it seems a long week to get to that point. The progesterone injections I’m finding a bit bleak though perhaps mind over matter. First one seemed to be relatively ok and then the 2nd yesterday left a hard lump. Argh. Any tips gratefully received!!

Wow! So the donor is donating to you and another? That’s incredible. How did your buserelin injection go yesterday? Good to be moving forward again with things. I know what you mean about trying not to get hopes up too much - easier said than done I think.

What did you decide to do about the predisolone? I guess as we’re heading into lockdown again for a month that we’re unable to be out and about too much anyway. I’ve been pleased to be wfh while this round has been going on!!

[TheGlitterFairy]

Hello - just an update here. We had the embryo transfer on Friday and not have one on board and fingers very much crossed!!

We’d been due to have 2 transferred but received a call to say one looked fantastic and the other didn’t look too good after the thaw. After various discussions about whether to thaw the last remaining blast, we decided to go with the one that looked great and give it the best chance possible.

DH is now doing the progesterone ass injections as I was getting v stressed about it so that’s a relief!

And so we now wait until test day on the 17th. It’s only been 2 days and feels a lifetime already!!

[zelda81]

I bet it does @TheGlitterFairy but great need you have a quality egg transferred. I have everything crossed for you.
The Buserelin injections are going fine for me, no side effects so far. We’ve decided not to use prednisolone this time and see what happens. We know there is a risk but I’m hopeful we might get some frozen embryos this time round so if I do miscarry or if it fails to implant on this cycle, we can hopefully try again straight away.

[Wishywashy12]

Hi. I’m new to the chat! Would be interested in suggestions for DE clinics in UK. We had a successful round with Marques Barcelona a couple of years ago but with current COVID travel restrictions and that I’m late 40s we’re keen to try in UK. Any advice gratefully received. Thanks