When an individual or couple has completed their family and if they still have embryos in storage, they can donate them to others who cannot conceive independently.
Donated embryos are a viable option for those unable to use their own sperm and eggs to create a baby. For some couples and individuals, this gives them a better chance of having a family than using donor sperm and/or eggs.
Donating your remaining embryos is a selfless choice that could help another couple, or individual realise their dreams of starting a family. But it’s a choice that requires careful consideration to ensure that it’s right for you.
In Victoria, it’s a legislative requirement that all embryo donors and recipients undergo counselling to discuss the implications of donation and ensure that you’re making an informed decision. Donors are required to attend a group information session and at least two counselling appointments.
All donors are required to undergo screening blood tests and genetic screening. They will also need to complete a genetic and health questionnaire. The embryos themselves will be required to undergo a quarantine period of three months before they can be transferred into the uterus of the recipient.
If you are a clinic-recruited donor, you will be notified once your embryos are ready for allocation to ensure that you still wish to proceed. If so, your non-identifying profile will be offered to potential recipients, and you’ll be notified once you’ve been selected.
The decision to use donor embryos can be highly emotional and several considerations need to be taken into account to ensure that it’s the right choice for you and your family.
In Victoria, it’s a legislative requirement that all embryo donors and recipients undergo counselling to discuss the implications of donation and ensure that you’re making an informed decision. Recipients are required to attend at least two counselling appointments; however, more can be scheduled if desired.
There is currently a waitlist of people wishing to use donated embryos. At Create Fertility, recipients are placed on the waitlist after referral by their fertility specialist. You can generally expect to be on the waitlist for at least 18 to 24 months (this may vary depending on the availability of embryos).
If using a clinic recruited donor, you will be notified once your chosen embryos have been cleared for allocation and use.
From a medical perspective, embryo donation is a relatively simple option because the embryos are already frozen, and the procedure is the same as having an IVF thaw cycle.
Women or individuals who are allocated donor embryos may continue to use them up until their 51st birthday, however, Create Fertility will not allocate embryos to anyone over the age of 45.
The donation process for clinic-recruited embryo donors is slightly different to what is outlined above. If you would like to learn more about this, please feel free to contact our team at Create Fertility.
If you have a partner, it's crucial that they are included in the decision, understand the process and the after-effects of using donor embryos. At Create Fertility, we require both you and your partner to attend counselling sessions. During this time, you both have the opportunity to discuss the ins and outs, ask questions, and understand the long and short-term implications involved to ensure you both have a full appreciation of what it means to use an embryo donor.
The fertility journey can be an emotional rollercoaster. It's important to consider how using an embryo donor can affect you emotionally, as well as your partner and family. Some of these feelings include elation, gratitude, worry, grief, and accomplishment. To finally be able to create a family of your own is a wonderful gift and a lifelong commitment.
There are some legislative requirements to be aware of as set out under the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 2008. Embryos from a single donor can be used by a maximum of 10 different couples or individuals – 9 if the donors have biological children of their own. This doesn't, however, limit the number of children that can be born to each couple or individual using embryos produced by the same donors. The Department of Human Services must provide written approval for donor embryos to be imported into or exported out of Victoria. If using a known embryo donor, we strongly suggest you seek legal advice to navigate expectations, boundaries, and the involvement of the donors and all other interested parties before proceeding.
It's important to note that, in Victoria, donating embryos is an altruistic act, and it is illegal to pay a donor to donate.
If you would like more information regarding using donated embryos, please contact our Donor Coordinator on 03 9873 6789 or via email to donation@createfertility.com.au.
For further information, visit the Department of Human Services website, which can be found via this link.
If you have been advised that donor embryos are likely the only way that you will be able to conceive and carry a pregnancy, we understand that this can be an incredibly emotional and challenging time. The compassionate team at Create Fertility is here to help by providing guidance and answering your questions.
Likewise, if you have undergone treatment at Create Fertility to complete your family and have remaining embryos that you would like to donate to another couple or individual in a similar situation, please reach out.
Everyone’s fertility journey is different – book an appointment with our team today to learn more about your options.
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