The Measure of an Egg Donor Agency How should one measure the success of an egg donor agency? On the face of it one might say, “Well, it must be the number of pregnancies achieved!” “Is it?” Is the number of pregnancies achieved not the result of more factors than an egg donor agency can take credit for? After all, the fertility clinic and doctors and their treatment prescribed, the age of the donor and her fertility screening, the quality and quantity of the sperm used to fertilise, the ability of the uterus to facilitate the growth of the embryo. These are all factors that must be optimal in order to achieve pregnancy. The fact is that all egg donor agencies are governed by certain criteria that ensure donors are viable as fertile egg donors. These factors include egg donors being between the ages of 18 and 35, having a certain and optimal BMI and being screened before an egg donation cycle is undertaken. These factors result in all agencies being created equal as regards the ac...

Egg Donation - A Happy Ending For those women whose “partners look at them and they fall pregnant” the use of donor eggs may seem completely absurd. It’s a case of “If you have never walked in someone’s shoes don’t judge them,” and often it’s a complete ignorance, as is the case when you are dealing with a choice you would never have to make. The reality is that, for those increasing woman who, without the use of donor eggs would never be able to experience motherhood, egg donation is the greatest gift of life. The need for donor eggs is on the increase, as infertility becomes a widespread in a sentence that does not discriminate. Our fast paced lifestyles; stress, cancer and delaying having children are all factors that can result in a woman’s ovaries not functioning to produce viable eggs for fertilisation. For these woman an egg donor is a last resort and a gift of life. The world of fertility brings fulfillment and joy to couples via egg donation, or surrogacy. In South Africa we a...

Babies via egg donation & the importance of the birth mother Epigenetics is a new (well to some of us!) buzzword in the field of egg donation for conception. Essentially Epigenetics refers to factors outside the gene, such as a cell's exposure to hormones or genetic variations that can modify a gene. Such factors can change what is ultimately expressed; they can change a phenotype i.e.: they can alter what an organism looks like as a consequence of the interaction of its gene AND the environment. In terms of conception via egg donation that environment begins with the womb of the birth mother. Some examples include hormone and reproductive factors in a woman that may influence the chances of breast and ovarian cancer. These factors are believed to be linked to a woman's exposure to estrogen and progesterone and their effects on cell differentiation in the breast that occur during pregnancy. Conventional science has historically linked cell behaviour to the genes present. La...

Egg donation in South Africa is indeed legal and legislated as Chapter 8 of the National Health Act (Act no 61 of 2003) Gamete donation is regulated by The Policy Committee of the South African Society of Reproductive Science and Surgery. The 2008 Guidelines for gamete donation provides the latest recommendations for clinicians involved in assisted conception using gamete (egg) donors. Egg donation in South Africa is anonymous which allows the recipient parents to choose whether to reveal the details of their child’s conception. For psychological and to ensure optimal egg quality, only donors between the ages of 21 and 34 can be recruited by egg donor agencies. There are no requirements in South Africa for an egg donor registry to be kept and the child’s birth certificate details the names of the recipient parents. It is important for intended parents planning egg donation in South Africa to choose a reputable egg donation agency – one that works with the leading fertility clinics in S...

Anyone going through egg donation IVF is focused on one thing... falling pregnant and having that little miracle. One thought which you are definitely NOT having at this time, is the planning of your (possible) next child! If you are lucky enough to have twins or perhaps additional embryos that can be frozen then planning for a second, biologically related sibling does not require too much though. However, experience has taught us that so often when parents do return to us to secure the same donor for a genetically linked sibling, it’s often too late. Donors may decide to cease donating at some stage prior to when you plan and require the donation of that donor for another child. There are no ways to guarantee that your donor will be available when you are ready and require her again. One way in which you can secure her eggs before you require them, is egg freezing. Egg freezing is now available in South Africa and is an option for the upfront planning of a second biologically related ...

South Africa – Dream Destination for Egg Donation & IVF Couples or individuals in need of egg donation have the following requirements: World class fertility clinics with world class success rates; a wide choice of available and well-screened egg donors; affordable IVF and donor matching costs and for most…a beautiful and sought after holiday destination. Look no further than South Africa and Gift ov life, a foremost South African Egg Donor and Surrogacy Agency. What should Recipients to Egg Donation look for in choosing an agency to work with? We recommend that you choose an agency that: - Offers a wide choice of available egg donors – Gift ov life has 50+ donors who are available for you to view on line. You may also request detailed profiles of donors on line. - Provides you with a Detailed Donor Profile that reveals the extent to which the donors have been screened – Gift ov life egg donors complete an extensive questionnaire: 98 different medical conditions are scr...

South Africa – Destination for Australians seeking Egg Donors Australian egg donation laws have resulted in South Africa becoming an attractive destination for couples seeking Egg Donation. The legal process involved in Australian egg donation is complex; this coupled with the fact that donors cannot be compensated for their donation has resulted in a shortage of donors. Furthermore the egg donor's details are required to be noted on the birth certificate, which for many intended parents is not an option. If an Australian couple wishes to advertise for an egg donor hey must first seek permission from the Health Ministry. Gift ov life is South Africa’s foremost fertility agency offering Egg Donation and has seen an increased and increasing number of Australian recipient parents visiting its branches in Johannesburg and Cape Town for egg donation services. The reasons are clear. Egg Donation in South Africa requires anonymous donation for egg donors and recipients. Egg Donors also r...