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The Medical Process for Parents
How Are Embryos Created?
To create embryos, the donor eggs will be fertilized by sperm in a lab – either that of the parent or a sperm donor – and monitored for growth.
Fresh eggs are fertilized using conventional IVF methods and can immediately begin the embryo development process.
For frozen egg donations, the recipient parents decide when the eggs are thawed. Once the eggs are ready, they are fertilized via an IVF technique called ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) in which a needle is used to inject sperm directly into the egg.
The fertilized eggs are then cultured over the next 5 days, with approximately 30% to 50% successfully developing into blastocysts. The embryologist may conduct pre-implantation genetic testing to assess chromosomal abnormalities and, if desired, determine the gender of each viable blastocyst.
Typically, one blastocyst is selected for the embryo transfer procedure, and the rest are vitrified for future use.
Get Started With Everie
With Everie, the traditional model of “frozen egg bank” and “fresh egg donor agency” is upended in favor of a more inclusive approach. Our egg donor program allows our recipient parents to choose for themselves which donation option is better for their unique path to parenthood and we support them every step of the way.
Whether you decide that fresh or frozen egg donation cycles are the right path for you, you can count on our industry-leading expertise and our team's warm, attentive care. We are dedicated to the success and well-being of your expanding family and are here to empower you with all the information and resources you need.
Using Frozen Eggs for IVF
Although both fresh and frozen egg donation cycles yield consistently successful outcomes, most recipient parents need more information about the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process before deciding.
In particular, the topic of using frozen eggs for IVF—how it works, how successful it is, and what benefits it may offer—frequently arises during this decision-making period.
Fortunately, advancements in reproductive technology have narrowed the viability gap between fresh and frozen eggs, making either choice an effective, reliable option for growing a family. We cover the differences between using fresh and frozen eggs for IVF below and share why frozen eggs may be the right choice for some recipient parents.
What Is the Difference Between Using Frozen Eggs and Fresh Eggs?
Both fresh and frozen eggs will go through the IVF process—the main difference is the matter of when.
Fresh egg donations
Eggs are fertilized within hours of the egg retrieval procedure and developed into blastocysts, a group of rapidly dividing cells that will become embryos over the next 5 days.
Prior to egg retrieval, the egg donor and recipient parent (or gestational carrier) can choose to synchronize their menstrual cycles using medication for the embryo transfer, or the embryos created can be frozen for future use.
After embryo transfer, it will take 9 days to confirm that the now-embryo has successfully implanted and the gestation period has begun.
Frozen egg donations
Eggs are frozen in a process called vitrification after retrieval and cryogenically preserved until the recipient parents are ready to grow their families. Once the parents wish to proceed, the eggs are carefully thawed and fertilized with a process called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Once eggs are fertilized, the 5-day blastocyst development period begins.
Once the blastocysts are ready, the embryos can be transferred into the recipient’s (or gestational carrier's) uterus. It will take 9 days to confirm that the now-embryo has successfully implanted and the gestation period has begun.
Does IVF Work Better With Fresh or Frozen Eggs?
Advancements in cryogenic preservation have greatly increased the viability of frozen eggs, giving them live birth success rates that rival those of fresh eggs.
Vitrification quickly freezes the eggs into a glass-like substance—an advantage over the previous “slow cooling” method that risked ice crystals forming inside the eggs. With vitrification, around 90% of the eggs will remain viable after thawing.
Although fresh eggs have slightly higher success rates, it is important to remember that recipient parents receive all the eggs produced in a fresh egg donation cycle, whereas frozen eggs usually come in cohorts of 6. A greater number of eggs can give parents more options and, therefore, a higher chance of bringing home a baby.
That being said, a large-scale 2022 research study found no significant difference in the reproductive outcomes of fresh and frozen donor egg cycles. Those similarities included fertilization rates, viable blastocyst rates, clinical pregnancy rates, and live birth rates.
What Is the Benefit of Using Frozen Eggs?
Frozen eggs may be the better fit for recipient parents who desire more flexibility and control over the timing of their family building.
Recipient parents do not need to wait for frozen eggs to be retrieved or fertility cycles to be coordinated. Nor do they have to experience the frustration of a donor cycle being delayed or canceled due to poor egg retrieval or other unforeseen circumstances.
Instead, the eggs are immediately available when the parents are ready to move forward with their family building. The recipient parent (or gestational carrier) will still need to prepare for the embryo transfer with medication, but she does not need to worry about synchronizing her cycle with the donor’s. This makes coordinating the procedure much more straightforward for the recipient parents.
How Does IVF With Donor Eggs Work?
IVF using an egg donor includes the following steps:
Prior to the egg retrieval procedure, the egg donor will take fertility medications to stimulate the production of multiple eggs. She will then undergo a short ultrasound-guided egg retrieval procedure.
Egg Retrieval
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Fresh eggs and thawed frozen eggs are fertilized in a laboratory setting and developed into pre-embryonic cells called blastocysts over the course of 5 days.
While fresh eggs can be fertilized using traditional IVF methods, frozen eggs sometimes require a specialized approach called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Vitrification can harden the egg’s outer walls, making it difficult for the sperm to penetrate them. ICSI resolves this by injecting one sperm into each egg with the help of a microscopic needle.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
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Once your embryologist has selected a viable blastocyst, the embryo transfer can take place. During this procedure, the blastocyst is injected into the recipient’s uterus – either the recipient parent or a gestational carrier – in the hopes that it will implant and begin her pregnancy.
The recipient will continue their medication regimen and take a blood test after 9 days to confirm whether the implantation has succeeded.
Should you wish to expand your family further, any remaining blastocysts can be vitrified (frozen) for later use.
Embryo Transfer
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What Is a Good Number of Eggs Retrieved for IVF?
Typically, 10 to 20 eggs (or more) will be retrieved during an IVF egg donor cycle. However, your egg donation cycle type will determine how many eggs you receive. Fresh egg recipient parents receive all the eggs retrieved in a donation cycle, while frozen egg donations are usually divided into cohorts of 6.
How important is the number of eggs for IVF? Quantity gives recipient parents more opportunities to grow their family now and in the future, but quality gives them their best chances at a healthy, successful pregnancy and baby.
This is why Everie offers a one-blastocyst minimum guarantee per batch of 6 frozen eggs. If the eggs are thawed, and none develop into a viable blastocyst for embryo transfer, we will provide you with another 6 eggs at no extra cost.
How Do I Find an Egg Donor for IVF?
For some recipient parents, their egg donor may be a family member or friend, but for most, she is someone they have yet to meet but who will become an important part of their fertility journey.
When you are looking through our donor database, our egg donors share in their own words why they are donating their eggs. You can view photos and videos of them to help you form that personal connection. Not sure how to narrow down your list? We outline some of the most important egg donor selection criteria to help you find your best fit.
Once you’ve found your ideal egg donor, you will see if there is a mutual match between you. If they are comfortable disclosing their identify, this can happen through a call or meeting, or through your own personal statement about who you are and why you want to grow your family.
If both of you say “yes” to working with each other, you can then move forward in the IVF process.
As a modern fertility program, Everie’s database includes both fresh and frozen egg donors.
Each woman has gone through a rigorous screening process, including physical and psychological assessments, evaluations of their personal and family medical history, and genetic testing for inheritable health conditions.
Once you have chosen your egg bank, one of the most meaningful parts of your journey begins: the search for the woman who will contribute half of your baby’s biology!
What selection criteria should you be looking for in an egg donor? Think about what is most important to you. Examples could include:
How Do I Find an Egg Donor?
Genetic carrier status If you or your partner is a carrier for a condition such as cystic fibrosis, you may wish to choose to exclude donors from consideration that share your same genetic carrier statuses.
Physical appearance/Ethnic background Do you want your children to look like you or share specific ethnic or physical characteristics?
Similar values Does the egg donor share your values? Are you on the same page regarding the big issues or what a relationship between you would look like going forward?
Personality Your child may inherit more than physical attributes from your egg donor. Watching a video profile or scheduling a call with prospective donors may help guide your decision.
Donor type and relationship What kind of relationship do you want with your egg donor? If the egg donor doesn’t want to be identified, are they open to disclosing some of their information when your child comes of age?
IVF Using an Egg Donor
Using an egg donor for IVF opens up additional possibilities for recipient parents to grow their families. How does the process work? We outline each stage in the IVF journey below, including donor selection, using fresh egg donation vs. frozen eggs from donor banks, and embryo creation and transfer.
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