Some couples are unable to have a child because the female partner is unable to produce eggs (due to various reasons) and no number of drugs can stimulate her to do so. These women may be able to carry and give birth to a child if another woman donates eggs to her.
IVF with egg donation or egg recipient treatment is a form of fertility treatment used by women who are unable, for whatever reason, to use their own eggs to have a child.
Egg donors are usually women aged under 35 years who have completed their own family.
What does the entire procedure involve?
Egg recipients will be given drugs to ensure that the lining of the womb is ready for the embryos. This is like taking a mild form of the pill. When the eggs are collected from the donor, your partner will provide sperm that will be used to fertilise the eggs. About five days later, a fertilised egg, called an embryo will be placed into your womb. Next, a pregnancy test will be done two weeks later.
What are the legal implications?
Legally, donating eggs is similar to donating blood or sperm. Once the eggs have been donated and the embryos resulting from fertilisation of the eggs have been used for treatment, the donor has no legal rights to or responsibilities for the embryos or children which result from them. The recipient of the egg will be the legal parent of the child that may result.
References:
- https://www.uhcw.nhs.uk/ivf/egg-donation/
- https://www.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk/services/fertility-treatment/egg-recipient-treatment/