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In vitro fertilisation (IVF) with donor eggs enables you to grow your family when facing fertility challenges. If you can’t use your own eggs, donor eggs can be a viable option.

At the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine, we want you to discover our different approaches to fertility treatment so you can feel confident on your fertility journey. This guide walks you through the IVF with donor eggs process, explaining how donor eggs are selected and exploring the success rates.

Why would donor eggs be needed for IVF?

You may choose to undergo IVF with donor eggs for many reasons.

For example, you might have had an early menopause or have pre-menopausal ovarian insufficiency, meaning your ovaries stop functioning correctly. Other reasons can include a high risk of passing on a genetic condition or disease and fertility affected by surgical or medical treatment.

If you cannot produce high-quality eggs for IVF, BCRM can help by offering the chance to continue with fertility treatment using donor eggs.

How are IVF donor eggs selected?

At BCRM, our egg donors must meet numerous requirements to donate their eggs for our fertility treatments.

They must meet the following conditions:

  • Be 18 to 34 years old

  • Have a body mass index (BMI) of 19 to 33

  • Be a non-smoker and non-vaper

  • Have no serious hereditary family diseases

  • Undergo thorough screening and counselling

These criteria ensure we only receive high-quality eggs for use in fertility treatments, helping support your chances of becoming pregnant.

Types of egg donors

The three types of egg donors are:


  • Known donors – women who donate their eggs to people they know, such as family members or friends

  • Altruistic donors – those who donate their eggs to women who they do not know

  • Egg sharers – women who donate their eggs as part of their IVF treatment to help with costs


Our donors are altruistic donors, meaning they are donors who donate to women they do not know and they themselves do not gain in any way.

We do also treat women who want to use a Known Donor – women who donate their eggs for someone they know, such as a family member or friend.

Can I choose my egg donor?

We recruit our egg donors and thoroughly screen them. However, you might like your donor to match characteristics similar to yours.

We’ll discuss these traits during a thorough consultation and do our best to find a donor that matches your requirements.

Do egg donors have legal rights to the children?

In the UK, egg donors have no legal rights over any child born, so you do not have to worry about potential repercussions if you fall pregnant from donor eggs and give birth to your child.

Are there any risks of using donor eggs in IVF?

The risks associated with using donor eggs in IVF are minimal because we screen all potential donors.

Although general IVF risks remain, such as multiple pregnancies, we take every precaution at BCRM to minimise them, no matter which fertility treatment you choose.

How is IVF carried out with donor eggs?

Our process of IVF with donor eggs is thorough, giving you certainty that it is the correct decision for your specific needs.

First, you’ll meet our specialist egg donation team. During the comprehensive consultation, they will discuss your medical history and perform blood tests and potentially an ultrasound scan.

We’ll explore your potential fertility treatments and explain your possible next steps. You’ll have time to ask any questions about IVF with donor eggs.

At BCRM, we offer counselling with highly trained counsellors. They’ll discuss the implications of using donor eggs so you can be 100% certain you want to do it.

Once you’re confident about deciding to use donor eggs, we’ll collect and fertilise them in our laboratory with your partner’s or donor’s sperm. We’ll monitor the embryos’ development and freeze them until you decide the right time to thaw and use them.

Before we implant the embryos, we’ll monitor your womb with an ultrasound scan to determine the best time for the transfer. Once we have a date, we’ll thaw the eggs on the day of your transfer.

First, our fertility specialist will insert a speculum into your vagina and pass the embryo through a thin tube directly into your womb to give it the best chance of implantation. Some women feel no pain during this procedure. Others feel mild discomfort, but generally, it’s a pain-free fertility treatment.

Success rates of IVF with donor eggs

Success rates of IVF with donor eggs can vary for many reasons, but BCRM has the best success rates for IVF in South West England and Wales.

The national average for IVF with donor eggs in women under 38 is 34.6% of treatments leading to successful insemination. However, our success rate is 48.9%, highlighting our dedication to providing the best fertility services.

If you’re over 38, the success rates for IVF with donor eggs decrease slightly. However, the success rate at BCRM for IVF with donor eggs in women over 38 is double the national average. We’re committed to helping you start or grow your family, and our success rates reflect our expertise.

Learn more about our success rates.


Can you have IVF with donor eggs over 40?


At BCRM, we recommend having IVF before 40, even with donor eggs, because the younger you are, the higher your chances of falling pregnant with fertility treatment.

If you’re over 40, please contact our team, as we could still support your fertility journey depending on your situation.

How much does IVF with donor eggs cost?

BCRM’s IVF with donor eggs starts from £8,100. Several factors can influence this cost, such as how many rounds of IVF you have. For an exact price based on your circumstances, contact our team and we’ll happily discuss our pricing further.

Read our price list for more information.

IVF with donor eggs at the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine

Each person’s fertility differs, so we tailor our treatment to you. Our IVF with donor eggs treatment can provide new hope for couples or women wishing to conceive but who cannot use their eggs.

Our team will guide you through the process throughout, and their compassionate, expert-led care will ensure you receive the correct fertility treatment for your needs.

If you want to start or grow your family using donor eggs, do not hesitate to contact us. We’re here to provide all the information and support you need throughout the process. We can help you take the next step towards building your family.