Donor Embryos

For some couples and individuals, donor embryos may give them a better chance of having a family than using donor sperm or eggs. Our embryo donor program has helped many couples achieve pregnancy – couples who may have had multiple fertility treatment cycles without success.

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Who can be an embryo donor?

If you’ve had IVF treatment but now feel your family is complete, you can choose to donate your remaining embryos to someone else - either directly to someone you know, or anonymously through QFG's donor program. Donating embryos is often preferred to disposing of embryos, however it is a decision that requires thought and consideration, and we’re here to help you choose what’s best for you.

What's involved in donating embryos?

As an embryo donor, you are required to:

  • undergo counselling with one of our experienced Fertility Counsellors
  • complete a series of blood tests to screen for infectious diseases and chromosomal abnormalities
  • complete a comprehensive social, physical and medical profile
  • sign a lifestyle declaration
  • sign a consent form agreeing to the release of identifiable information when and if a child born from your embryo turns 18 and requests details of your identity

If you choose to donate embryos anonymously, your identity is not revealed to the recipients of any embryos you choose to donate, however it may be requested by any resulting children once they turn 18 years old.

Can using a donated embryo help me?

If you have experienced repeated failed IVF cycles, or other fertility treatments have been unsuccessful (or are likely to be unsuccessful due to a number of factors) your Fertility Specialist may suggest using a donated embryo as an option.

What is involved in using donated embryos?

Following an initial counselling session with one of our donation coordinators, we can put you on our anonymous donor embryo registration list.

When embryos are available, our donor team will contact you for an appointment with one of our psychologists to discuss the social, legal and emotional implications of being a recipient of donor embryos. You are given non-identifying information about the donor, and time to decide whether you wish to proceed. We also ask you to sign a consent form and your Fertility Specialist will organise screening blood tests. If you accept the offer, the embryos will be allocated to you and treatment may commence.

Your treatment will be what is known as a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET), a simple procedure that does not need an anaesthetic. The timing is arranged by your Fertility Specialist as part of a natural cycle, or in a hormone replacement cycle. Many women describe this procedure as similar to a pap smear.

If you already know someone willing to donate an embryo to you, you will not need to be placed on the registration list. Once we have completed the relevant screening and testing process, treatment can begin straight away.

How much does it cost to use a donor embryo?

A coordination fee of $1020 applies when using a donor embryo, to cover counselling, administration, nursing and donor team appointments. In addition to the coordination fee, you will also need to pay for your frozen embryo transfer procedure.

To find out more about whether a donor embryo may be an option for you, talk to your QFG Fertility Specialist, or call us on 1800 111 483 to speak with an experienced Fertility Advisor.