Bright Expectations, the private egg donor program offered by Southern California Reproductive Center (SCRC), gives couples with female factor infertility the option of having a child who has 50 percent genetic identity to the couple; that is, the child is created with the male partner’s sperm and a donor’s eggs.

To login or register for our donor database, click here.

Note: intended parents must be an SCRC patient in order to access our donor database.

Should I use an egg donor?

To determine whether using an egg donor is the appropriate choice for you, you first need to make sure you know the actual cause of your infertility. That starts with getting a correct diagnosis.

Why might my fertility specialist recommend using an egg donor?

If you do not have eggs that will successfully fertilize and result in a healthy pregnancy due to various medical conditions or simply because of your age, your fertility specialist may recommend using an egg donor.

Egg donation is a viable infertility treatment for women with any of the following conditions:

  • Diminished ovarian function due to ovarian cysts
  • Cancer of the ovaries or other ovary disease
  • Lacking ovaries
  • Compromised egg or embryo quality
  • Poor ovarian response to fertility medications
  • Diagnosed or suspected of genetic disease
  • Family history of genetic disease

Egg donation has also been shown to be a successful treatment for women who have had multiple IVF (in vitro fertilization) cycles and failed to achieve a pregnancy.

Egg Donor Instead of a Surrogate?

For many women, the satisfaction of being able to carry a child to term is why they choose an egg donor instead of using a surrogate.

The SCRC Egg Donor Program

SCRC’s private egg donor program, Bright Expectations is a full-service egg donor agency specializing in matching intended parents with the right donor. We work closely with all parties every step of the way to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible.

Finding the Right Match

Once you contact us, we will consult with you about what you are looking for in an egg donor and begin presenting you with donor profiles that are tailored to your needs.

Profiles include biographies, education information, health history, family history, and, of course, photos. We pride ourselves on offering comprehensive portfolios that give you a good sense of each candidate.

We know that selecting a donor is a big decision, so we encourage you to give us feedback to help us match you with your ideal candidate.

At this point, we will also discuss any questions you may have regarding the egg donation program, including the estimated costs, success rates, timeline, and next steps.

Breaking Down the Process

As a potential egg donor recipient, you will undergo a series of basic fertility tests and a thorough medical history examination, after which your fertility specialist will advise you as to whether egg donation is appropriate for you as an infertility treatment.

The following is a brief description of the significant procedures involved in the egg donation process, which we will discuss in greater detail once you’ve decided to proceed with the program.

The Evaluation Cycle

Before the egg donation cycle begins, we will perform a “trial run” to establish the proper dosages of estrogen and progesterone that your body needs for a successful pregnancy. We’ll give you an orally administered, natural estrogen called Estrace® in gradually increasing dosages over a 10- to 14-day treatment period. Your blood estrogen levels will then be measured. Next, an ultrasound is performed to determine the thickening of the uterine lining, which is necessary for successful implantation of the embryo. After the full evaluation cycle is completed — usually a four to six week process — your SCRC fertility specialists will know how to most effectively prepare your uterine lining for the actual fertilization cycle.

The Egg Donation Cycle

You will begin this process by taking estrogen. This is followed by your egg donor starting her medication. Ultrasounds and blood tests will be performed on a periodic basis to ensure that your uterus is ready for the embryo transfer. A sperm specimen is then given by your partner on the same day that the donor’s eggs are retrieved. At this time, the IVF procedure will be performed to fertilize the donor eggs. Typically, you will begin taking progesterone on the same day.

About five days following IVF and the start of progesterone therapy, the developing embryos are transferred to your uterus. Your first pregnancy test is administered approximately 12 days after embryo transfer. If the pregnancy test is positive, you will continue taking estrogen and progesterone for two additional months, after which the developing baby’s placenta will produce the appropriate hormones necessary to carry the pregnancy to full term, allowing the hormone therapy to be discontinued.

Getting Started with SCRC’s Egg Donor Program

If you are considering utilizing an egg donor, a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation with one of our physicians at one of SCRC’s offices is the first step. For your no-obligation consultation, call (866) 312-0771, or click here to contact us. Our fertility consultants will be happy to assist you with any questions you might have.

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