Treatments Using a Donor
For many people, starting a family can involve exploring options like intrauterine insemination (IUI) using donor sperm or in vitro fertilisation (IVF) with donor eggs and sperm. At Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic, our Cambridge, Norwich and Wickford clinics offer expert treatment in a welcoming, caring environment. We’re here to guide you and help you feel supported as you take each step toward parenthood.
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
Donor treatment: how does it work?
Starting a family isn’t always straightforward, and sometimes the support of a donor can help make parenthood possible.
At our clinics in Cambridge, Norwich and Wickford, we offer a full range of donor treatments, including IUI using donor sperm and IVF with donor eggs and sperm.
Our innovative donor programme welcomes altruistic donors (those who donate to someone they don’t know) as well as egg and sperm sharers, helping us maintain a strong donor bank despite the UK shortage.
From your very first appointment, a dedicated donor coordinator will guide you every step of the way – helping you find the right match, explaining availability and answering your questions.
Treatment with donor eggs can offer hope to many people who might otherwise struggle to conceive. For some, it provides the best chance of starting or growing their family with the support of compassionate care and expert treatment.
When might treatment with donor eggs be recommended?
Using donated eggs can offer a hopeful path to parenthood if:
- You’ve experienced premature (early) menopause and no longer have periods
- Your ovaries were affected by cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- You were born without functioning ovaries due to a medical condition
- Your ovaries aren’t responding to fertility medication
- You have a high risk of passing on a genetic condition
- Your ovarian function has naturally declined with age
How does it work?
At Bourn Hall, we aim to match you with donated eggs as efficiently as possible through our egg-sharing programme and the generosity of altruistic donors. Egg sharing allows women undergoing IVF to donate some of their eggs anonymously while reducing the cost of their own treatment. You also have the option to use eggs from someone you know.
Once the donated eggs are fertilised with your partner’s sperm or donor sperm, the resulting embryos are transferred to your uterus after treatment to prepare the womb lining. This usually happens between day 2 and day 5 of embryo development, followed by a pregnancy test. If positive, we’ll arrange a pregnancy scan about three weeks at one of our clinics.
We highly recommend specialist counselling for donor egg recipients. At Bourn Hall, we offer a choice of experienced counsellors to support you throughout the process.
Treatment with donor sperm can make it possible to have a family when using a partner’s sperm is not an option. It offers a safe and effective way to begin your journey to parenthood with the support of our experienced team.
When might treatment with donor sperm be recommended?
Donated sperm can be a helpful option if:
- You’re not producing sperm due to cancer treatment, a vasectomy or an injury
- You carry an inherited health condition that could be passed on to a child
- You’re a single woman or in a female same-sex couple
- You have male fertility issues, such as a low sperm count
How does it work?
Our sperm bank is supported by generous donors and our sperm-sharing programme, which means there’s no waiting list for donor sperm at Bourn Hall.
Sperm sharing allows men undergoing IVF to donate some of their sperm anonymously, helping others while reducing the cost of their own treatment. You also have the option to use sperm from someone you know.
In a standard IVF cycle at Bourn Hall, donor sperm is used in our laboratory to fertilise your eggs. All donor sperm is carefully screened and stored before being approved for treatment.
One or two embryos are then transferred into your uterus between day 2 and day 5 of development. After the transfer, there’s a short waiting period while your body begins the early stages of pregnancy.
Around 10–14 days later, you can take a pregnancy test. If your pregnancy test is positive, we’ll schedule an ultrasound scan around 20 days later at one of our clinics.
In some situations, using both donated eggs and sperm offers the best chance of starting or growing your family. In these cases, embryo donation may be the right option for you.
When might treatment with donor embryos be recommended?
Embryo donation may be suitable if:
- Both egg and sperm quality have been affected by surgery, cancer treatment, menopause or an inherited condition
- You have an inherited disease and want to avoid passing it on to your child
We recommend specialist counselling for anyone undergoing donor embryo treatment. At Bourn Hall, our experienced counsellors are here to offer guidance, reassurance and emotional support every step of the way.
How does it work?
Our specialist team will work closely with you to create a personalised treatment plan that prepares your body for the donated embryo transfer. Wherever possible, we aim to match the characteristics of the embryo donors with yours, helping the experience feel as personal and positive as possible.
Every embryo donor at Bourn Hall receives counselling before giving consent, ensuring they are fully informed and comfortable with their decision to help someone else become a parent.
What happens next?
You’ll take medication to prepare your uterus for embryo transfer and attend monitoring appointments at one of our clinics, including ultrasound scans, so we can choose the best timing for your treatment.
When the donated embryos are ready, they’ll be carefully thawed and one or two will be placed into your uterus using a fine catheter – the same simple, comfortable process we use for all embryo transfers.
After the embryo transfer is complete, there’s a short waiting period of around 15 days. After this, you can take a pregnancy test to see if the treatment has been successful. If it’s positive, we’ll arrange a pregnancy scan about three weeks later at one of our Bourn Hall clinics to confirm and check your pregnancy.
Where do donated embryos come from?
At Bourn Hall, donated embryos come from patients who have completed their families after successful fertility treatment. During their own journey, they may have had extra embryos frozen for the future. Once they meet the criteria for donation, they can choose to give these embryos to help someone else achieve their dream of becoming a parent.
Who can benefit from donated embryos?
Donated embryos can be a pathway to parenthood for persons who need both egg and sperm donations. They are especially helpful for those who cannot conceive through other methods or with just one type of donation, such as when both egg and sperm quality or availability are a challenge.
Become a Donor
Becoming a donor is a generous gift that can truly change lives. In the UK, one in seven couples face fertility challenges, and your donation could give them the chance to experience the joy of parenthood.
Egg donation
If you’re a woman aged 18–35, in good health and with no family history of hereditary illness, your donation could help someone start or grow their family. With a national shortage of donors, your gift could make all the difference.
If you’re having IVF, you can also donate any additional eggs not used in your treatment. By egg sharing, you can reduce the overall cost of your fertility treatment.
Sperm donation
If you’re a man aged 18–45 and in good health, donating sperm can help others begin their family journey. You’ll receive compensation for your time, and you can choose to take part in sperm sharing, which can also reduce the cost of your IVF treatment.
Meet the Donor Team
Dr. Chhaya Prasannan-Nair
Consultant Gynaecologist and IVF Specialist
Dr. Chhaya Prasannan-Nair is a dedicated IVF specialist with over twenty years of clinical practice in Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Reproductive Medicine. She previously worked in various NHS hospitals for more than 20 years and is currently the Lead clinician for Donation and Surrogacy at Bourn Hall in Cambridge. Her clinical expertise encompasses all aspects of assisted conception, including IVF, ICSI, ovulation induction, and fertility preservation.
Dr. Chhaya Prasannan-Nair is known for her empathetic approach, clear communication, and dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes for her patients.
What happens next
Why choose us for your treatment using a donor?
Starting treatment with donor eggs, sperm or embryos is a big step. At Bourn Hall, we’ll be by your side at every stage. Our innovative donor programmes help reduce waiting times, and your dedicated donor coordinator will guide you from your very first appointment.
Every donor is carefully screened to the highest standards, and our experienced team combines advanced treatment with genuine care. Counselling and emotional support are available whenever you need them, helping you feel confident and supported on your journey to parenthood.
Book your fertility treatment using a donor today
If you’re ready to take the next step towards building your family, our friendly team is here to help. Whether you need donor eggs, sperm or embryos, we’ll guide you through every stage with expertise and compassion.
Book your consultation today and start your journey with Bourn Hall.
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.
Yes – you can use sperm from someone you know as well as from our anonymous donor bank. Your chosen donor will go through the same screening process as all donors, and once the necessary health checks are complete, the sperm can be used in treatment.
Families who would like more than one child with the same donor can reserve sibling sperm from our bank for future treatment, within the legal family limits set for each donor.
Our team will guide you through this process, explaining the regulations, helping you plan ahead and making sure everything is arranged in line with UK law so your family-building journey is both smooth and legally compliant.
Yes – if you have a known donor in mind, we can arrange all the necessary tests and follow the standard donation process to ensure everything is safe and compliant.
Eggs can be reserved for siblings in the same way as sperm, as long as this remains within the legal family limits.
At Bourn Hall, we have our own state-of-the-art egg bank, allowing us to match you with a suitable donor quickly. We’ll explain the legal aspects, outline what is expected from donors, recipients and donor-conceived children, and offer counselling with one of our specialist counsellors to support you through the process.
When treatment is carried out through a licensed UK clinic, the legal parent or parents will be you and your partner. The donor has no legal rights or responsibilities.
Thanks to our donor programmes, there’s no waiting list for donor sperm at Bourn Hall. We can also arrange treatment with sperm from a known donor if you prefer. You’ll be able to choose from donors based on physical characteristics, blood group and treatment type, and we can reserve enough samples for up to five treatment cycles, giving you flexibility and reassurance for your family planning.
We provide non-identifying information about the donor, along with a goodwill message written for the child. If your child wishes, they can request identifying information once they turn 18, in line with UK law.
Using a sperm bank is a significant step, and reassurance around safety, consent and care is an important part of the process. In the UK, sperm banks operate within regulatory standards set by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which govern screening, storage and how donor sperm is used.
Reputable services also focus on open communication and a respectful approach, prioritising both physical and emotional patient needs. At Bourn Hall, sperm donation and donor treatments are managed with transparency and sensitivity, so patients feel supported as they move through each stage.