Thanks to recent advances in reproductive technology, infertile couples have many options to help them build their family. While it's great to have so many choices, the fact is that making a decision as to which choice is right for them can be challenging, and many couples get confused. The choices offered using third party reproduction are especially perplexing, partly because they involve questions of genetic continuity - an issue which can raise a lot of debate and soul-searching.
Patients with ovarian failure now have 2 options: donor egg IVF
( www.drmalpani.com/donoregg.htm) or
embryo adoption ( www.drmalpani.com/embryoadoption.htm).
Many patients find it difficult to decide between egg donation and embryo adoption. The treatment plan is similar and the pregnancy rate with both options is equally high - about 50% per cycle. However, each has its pros and cons.
Embryo adoption is less expensive ; and easier to do because we are using frozen embryos. There is no waiting list involved and the treatment can be done whenever you are ready. However, both the eggs and sperm will be coming from unknown young people, so you will be providing no genetic contribution to the baby.
Egg donation is more expensive; and it takes us 2-3 months to arrange this, as we need to find an egg donor for you; to synchronise her cycle with yours; and to superovulate her for you. With egg donation, the sperm used will be yours.
In summary, if providing your genetic contribution is important, then egg donation is a better idea. If not, then embryo adoption is better.
A 61-year-old woman gave birth to her own grandchild using an egg donated by her daughter, a clinic in Japan has said.
ReplyDeleteThe surrogate mother is believed to be oldest woman to have given birth in Japan. http://infertilityuk.wordpress.com/2009/09/23/egg-donation/