Donor egg IVF
If using your own eggs isn’t possible, or previous treatment hasn’t led to a pregnancy, donor egg in vitro fertilisation (IVF) may offer another path to parenthood.
At Bourn Hall, we’ll take the time to understand your circumstances and support you at every step of your fertility treatment journey.
Page Guide
We understand that fertility treatment can be a complex and emotional journey. Our team is dedicated to providing you with all the information and support you need throughout the process.
How it works
What is donor egg IVF?
Donor egg IVF is a fertility treatment that uses eggs donated by another person. The donated egg is fertilised with sperm in a laboratory, and the resulting embryo is transferred to the womb.
The treatment follows many of the same steps as conventional IVF, but with one key difference: instead of using your own eggs, donor egg IVF uses eggs from a carefully screened donor.
While a child conceived through donor egg IVF will not inherit genes from the person carrying the pregnancy, many people find great reassurance in experiencing pregnancy, giving birth and nurturing the early bond that develops as their baby grows.
People choose donor egg IVF for a variety of reasons. For some, it may be because egg quality and quantity naturally decline with age. For others, previous fertility treatment, a medical condition or genetic concerns may influence their decision. In these situations, donor eggs can offer a greater chance of achieving a successful pregnancy.
Your specialist will discuss your individual circumstances and explain whether donor egg IVF may be appropriate for you based on your fertility health and treatment history.
Who is donor egg IVF suitable for?
Donor egg IVF may be suitable if using your own eggs isn’t possible, or if the chances of achieving a pregnancy with your own eggs are low.
People consider IVF with donor eggs for many reasons, including:
- Low ovarian reserve, meaning fewer eggs are available
- Premature ovarian insufficiency, where the ovaries stop working earlier than expected
- Poor egg quality or a low response in previous IVF cycles
- Multiple unsuccessful IVF cycles using your own eggs
- A genetic or inherited condition that could be passed on to a child
- Cancer treatment or medical care that has affected egg supply
- Building a family as a single man or male same-sex couple with a surrogate
If you’re not sure what may be affecting your fertility, fertility testing can help provide a clearer understanding of your ovarian reserve, reproductive health and potential treatment options before you decide on your next step.
Donor egg IVF may also be a possibility for some people after menopause, depending on their health and whether pregnancy can be carried safely. If this applies to you, your fertility specialist will discuss the medical considerations involved and help you understand what may be safe and realistic for you.
Deciding to use a donor can feel like a big step. Our team is here to listen, provide clear information and support you as you explore the path that’s right for you and your future family.
We’ll help you understand your donor options and the factors that may be considered during matching. This may include physical characteristics, ethnicity and other non-identifying information, depending on donor availability.
Donor matching can help you find a donor who feels right for your circumstances, but it isn’t possible to choose or guarantee every trait. Your team will explain what information is available, what can be matched and what may depend on donor availability at the time.
Fresh and frozen donor eggs may be available depending on your treatment plan, donor availability and clinical needs. Your specialist will discuss the differences between these options, including how they may affect treatment timelines and planning.
Every egg donor undergoes thorough screening before their eggs can be used in treatment. This helps protect everyone involved, including you, the donor and any child born through donor egg IVF.
Screening includes health assessments, a review of the donor’s medical and family history, genetic screening and infection screening. Your team will explain what this means, so you can feel reassured that the process is carried out with care.
Before embryo transfer, we’ll help prepare your womb lining to give the embryo the best possible chance of implanting. Your treatment plan may include medication, scans and blood tests, depending on your individual needs.
The donor egg is fertilised with sperm in the laboratory. Our embryology team then carefully monitors embryo development over the following days.
Many people find this stage both hopeful and emotional. We’ll keep you updated on progress and help you understand what happens next.
Embryo transfer is the stage where the embryo is placed into the womb. It’s usually a short, straightforward procedure and doesn’t normally require sedation.
Before the transfer, your specialist will talk you through the process and answer any questions you may have, so you feel as calm and prepared as possible on the day.
After embryo transfer, we’ll let you know when to take your pregnancy test and what to expect during the waiting period. This part of the treatment can be particularly emotional, and we’re here to support you throughout.
Once you receive your result, we’ll discuss the next steps of care with you and make sure you have the knowledge and guidance you need moving forward.
Why choose Bourn Hall for your donor egg IVF?
Choosing donor egg IVF is a deeply personal decision, and it’s important to feel supported by a team you can trust.
At Bourn Hall, you’ll be cared for by fertility specialists with decades of experience in IVF and donor-assisted treatment. We’ll take the time to understand your circumstances, explain your options clearly and help you feel prepared for each stage of treatment.
When you choose Bourn Hall, you’ll benefit from:
- Personalised treatment planning based on your fertility health and family-building goals
- Guidance through donor matching and selection
- Thorough donor screening in line with UK fertility regulations
- Access to counselling and emotional support before, during and after treatment
- Clear information about success rates, costs and treatment options
- A compassionate team who will support you with care, understanding and honesty throughout your treatment
Whatever has brought you to consider donor egg IVF, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence, at a pace that feels right for you.
What happens next
Start your donor egg IVF journey today
Taking the next step with donor egg IVF can feel significant, but you don’t have to work it out alone.
Our team will listen to your story, answer your questions and help you understand what treatment could look like for you.
Flexible Pricing Options
To help make your treatment affordable and achievable, we offer fixed price treatment package options and a variety of finance solutions for patients looking to spread all or part of the cost of their treatment.
Explore our prices
Discover our prices and finance options, making treatments more accessible for you.
Book a 15 minute Discovery call
Schedule a Discovery call to find out which tests and treatments are right for you.
Fertility funding partners we work with:
Our IVF success rates
At Bourn Hall, you can be assured of the best chances of having a baby within the shortest possible time. If you are under 35, you have a 72% chance of falling pregnant within one year.
*Data from 2025
If you are under 35, you have a 72% chance of falling pregnant within one year.
If you are 35-37 years old and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have a 64% chance of getting pregnant within one year.
If you are a female aged over 40 and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have about a 50% chance of getting pregnant within one year.
Success rates by age
At Bourn Hall, you can be assured of the best chances of having a baby within the shortest possible time. If you are under 35, you have a 72% chance of falling pregnant within one year.
*Data from 2025
Younger than 35
If you are under 35, you have a 72% chance of falling pregnant within one year.
35 to 39 years old
If you are 35-37 years old and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have a 64% (58% for 38-39 year olds) chance of getting pregnant (pregnancy seen on scan) within one year.
40+ years old
If you are a female over 40 and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have about a 50% chance of getting pregnant within one year.
Support at every stage
As one of the UK’s top fertility treatment centres, our values ensure we put our patients first.
Passion
Adaptability
Commitment
Teamwork and Collaboration
Our fertility milestones
1978
The world's first IVF baby
1980
Year founded by IVF pioneers
25000
Babies born through Bourn Hall
Patient reviews
Genuine experiences from real patients. See why so many trust us with their fertility care.
“We went to an open evening at Bourn Hall Wickford and came away feeling really positive about the place. The staff were really friendly and the presentation was clear about the statistics regarding success rates and live birth rates; their data was very transparent. We came away feeling like we would really be looked after.”
Katy and Leigh are parents to Charlie after IVF
Patient 2023
“We chose to make an appointment at Bourn Hall Wickford because of the favourable reviews. When we got there and met the staff they were just so lovely, making us feel welcome and explaining to us what tests would need to be done and what our options were; we just thought ‘yes, let’s get the ball rolling!”
Jess and Fran are mums to Nathan after IVF with donor sperm
Patient 2023
Patient stories
Our patients are at the heart of everything we do, and we are always inspired by the success stories they have to share. Hear directly from our previous patients as they share their unique journeys to parenthood.
April & Giacomo’s Fertility Journey: Overcoming Male Factor Infertility Challenges
April and Giacomo’s journey to parenthood was filled with uncertainty, waiting, and emotional challenges, but throughout it…
From Challenges to Joy
Every fertility journey is different, and for Kim and her husband, the path to parenthood brought both…
Sophie’s Journey to Motherhood: Becoming a Solo Mum with Donor Treatment
At Bourn Hall, we’re privileged to support people on every path to parenthood. Today, we’re sharing Sophie’s…
Upcoming fertility events
Join our experts at a range of events including support groups, webinars and open evenings.
Learn more about the options available to you, from fertility tests to treatments, and find answers to any questions you might have.
Related information
If you qualify for NHS-funded fertility treatment under the NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board, our fertility diagnostic pathway is the same as the services offered by your local NHS hospital but with much shorter waiting times and in an environment dedicated to fertility services.
Our male couples fertility testing package includes semen analysis tests for you both, a free 30-minute consultation with our fertility nutritionist and a private consultation.
We offer fertility health and wellbeing packages at our clinics in Cambridge, Norwich, Wickford, or at home. Our male package includes a semen analysis, a free 30-minute consultation with our fertility nutritionist, and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results.
Our female couples fertility testing package includes options to provide you both with results on your fertility. These include AMH blood tests for ovarian reserve; TSH to assess your thyroid stimulating hormone; an ultrasound scan; and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results.
Our female package includes the option of AMH blood tests for ovarian reserve; TSH to assess your thyroid stimulating hormone, an ultrasound scan; and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results. Additionally, we include a free 30-minute consultation with our fertility nutritionist to provide you with nutrition and lifestyle advice.
For heterosexual couples, our female and male fertility testing package includes the option of semen analysis; AMH blood tests for ovarian reserve; TSH to assess your thyroid stimulating hormone; ultrasound scan; and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results.
Once you’ve made the decision to extend your family, even thinking that you might have a fertility issue can be stressful. And for a man, the thought that your sperm might not be in tip-top condition is definitely a cause for concern.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions answered. Find clarity on every step of your fertility journey.
Donor eggs are fertilised with sperm in a laboratory to create embryos. If an embryo develops and is suitable for transfer, it is placed in the womb, where it may implant and lead to pregnancy.
Yes. If you have a healthy womb and pregnancy is considered safe for you, you may be able to carry a baby conceived using donor eggs. Your fertility specialist will discuss your individual circumstances and suitability for treatment.
Using donor eggs can bring a range of emotions, from hope and excitement to uncertainty. Counselling gives you space to explore your thoughts and consider what donor conception may mean for you and your future family.
All egg donors undergo thorough screening before they can donate. This includes health assessments, a review of medical and family history, genetic screening and infection screening to help protect everyone involved in treatment.