IVF with donor sperm - a guide on how to get pregnant

Cryos

Julie

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<h2><span class="display-3">What is IVF with donor sperm?</span></h2>
<p>IVF with donor sperm is a method of <a title="Read more about aritificial insemination" href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/infertility-and-artificial-insemination-all-you-need-to-know/">artificial insemination</a>. used to help couples and singles fulfil their dream of a child. In IVF, the eggs are retrieved and fertilized with sperm from a donor. Hopefully, the fertilization creates one or more embryos, which then are transferred back into the uterus where it can grow into a pregnancy.</p>
<h3><span class="display-4">Who is IVF with donor sperm relevant to?</span></h3>
<p><a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/ivf-treatment-for-lesbian-couples/">IVF with donor sperm is often used by lesbian couples</a> that have tried <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/iui-treatment-how-it-works/">IUI treatment with donor sperm</a> without success. Lesbian couples often start with IUI treatment as it is less invasive and expensive. However, if no pregnancy is obtained, IVF treatment is often recommended as the next step. In cases where the woman struggles with female infertility caused by conditions like PCOS or endometriosis, IVF with donor sperm can be recommended for single women or heterosexual couples.</p>
<h3><span class="display-4">What is the difference between reciprocal IVF and IVF with donor sperm?</span></h3>
<p><a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/reciprocal-ivf-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-work/">Reciprocal IVF</a> is a method of artificial insemination similar to IVF with donor sperm. The difference is that reciprocal IVF only can be used by lesbian couples, as the eggs from one partner are retrieved and fertilized with donor sperm before being transferred to the other partner's uterus.</p>

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<h2><span class="display-3">What is the price of IVF with donor sperm?</span></h2>
<p>The price of IVF with donor sperm consists of two factors: the treatment and the donor sperm. Here below, you can see examples of how much each round of treatment costs and the price of <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-buying-sperm/">buying donor sperm</a> for treatment.</p>
<h3><span class="display-4">Prices for IVF treatment</span></h3>
<p>The price of IVF treatment in the UK starts at 5000 GBP per cycle. The price of IVF can vary from one fertility clinic to another depending on the treatment packages available at the different clinics. Therefore, we recommend you research the financial options at potential clinics before choosing.</p>
<h3><span class="display-4">Prices for sperm donors</span></h3>
<p>At Cryos, the <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/how-to/how-to-order-donor-sperm/prices-and-payment/">cost of donor sperm</a> for one round of fertility treatment starts at EUR 110 (VAT not included). This is the price of IVF-ready donor sperm from a <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/how-to/how-to-choose-a-sperm-donor/id-release-or-non-id-release-sperm-donors/">Non-ID Release Donor</a> with a <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/how-to/how-to-choose-a-sperm-donor/sperm-donor-profiles-basic-or-extended/">Basic Profile</a>.</p>
<h3><span class="display-4">Financial support</span></h3>
<p>Before you start the treatment, we recommend you research whether your insurance makes you eligible for fertility treatment in the public healthcare system, as it often helps reduce the total cost of IVF treatment.</p>
<h2><span class="display-3">How to get started on IVF with donor sperm</span></h2>
<h3><span class="display-4">Choosing a fertility clinic</span></h3>
<p>The fertility clinic is an important part of your treatment, as they will be a valuable resource on your journey towards parenthood. Finding a fertility clinic is easy - but finding the right clinic can be hard if you do not know what to look for. Two of the most important things to be aware of when looking for a fertility clinic are the transportation time from your house to the clinic and whether they have passed the inspection reports. If you need help <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/things-to-consider-before-choosing-a-fertility-clinic/">finding the right fertility clinic</a>, follow this link to our blog post on the subject.</p>
<h3><span class="display-4">Choosing a sperm donor for IVF</span></h3>
<p>With more than 1.000 donors available on the Cryos website, you may find it difficult to navigate between the choices. We wanted to create a guide that helps you find a donor, as we know how overwhelming it can feel. In the guide, you will find examples of what to consider when <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/choosing-a-sperm-donor/">choosing a sperm donor</a>. Follow the link to find the guide.</p>
<h3><span class="display-4">Step-by-step guide of IVF with donor sperm including an example of the process</span></h3>
<p>The process of IVF treatment with donor sperm is very similar to the process of regular IVF treatment with a partner's sperm. The only difference is whether the sperm comes from a partner or a donor. Watch the illustration of an IVF treatment below or continue reading to learn more about each step.</p>

An illustration of the proces you go through when receiving IVF treatment

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<h3><span class="display-4">Step 1 of IVF treatment</span></h3>
<p>When you start IVF with donor sperm, the first step is to take fertility medication that stimulates the process of egg maturation. Normally, only one egg matures during the woman&rsquo;s fertile period, but with fertility medication, it is possible to retrieve multiple eggs, thus increasing the chances of success.</p>
<h3><span class="display-4">Step 2 of IVF treatment</span></h3>
<p>Once the eggs have matured, egg retrieval is performed by a fertility doctor using a small needle while the woman is under sedation. The procedure will typically take place 36 hours after the trigger shot.</p>
<h3><span class="display-4">Step 3 of IVF treatment</span></h3>
<p>After the eggs have been retrieved, a laboratory employee prepares the eggs for fertilization in a petri dish. Sperm from a donor are then placed together with the eggs, hopefully leading to fertilization.</p>
<h3><span class="display-4">Step 4 of IVF treatment</span></h3>
<p>If a sperm cell manages to fertilize the egg, an embryo is formed. The embryos must grow in an incubator for 3-5 days until they have developed sufficiently.</p>
<h3><span class="display-4">Step 5 of IVF treatment</span></h3>
<p>If one or more embryos have developed sufficiently, a fertility doctor transfers one successfully developed embryo into the woman's uterus. Hereafter, a pregnancy hopefully occurs, and the treatment is successful. If more than one embryo develops sufficiently, the excess embryos can be frozen and stored for another attempt or siblings.</p>

Woman having an ultrasound after IVF treatment

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<h2><span class="display-3">Success rates for IVF with donor sperm</span></h2>
<p>Just like any other type of fertility treatment, the success rate for IVF with donor sperm depends on factors such as age, lifestyle, and BMI. Age is one of the most defining factors, in terms of success rates. According to <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22457-ivf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">studies</a>, the success rate for IVF treatment is:</p>
<ul>
<li>Women younger than 35: 46,7 %</li>
<li>Women from 35 to 37: 34,2 %</li>
<li>Women from 38 to 40: 21,6 %</li>
<li>Women from 41 to 42: 10,6 %</li>
<li>Women at the age of 43 and older: 3,2 %</li>
</ul>
<p>The positive sign regarding IVF treatment is that studies show an increase in the overall percentage of embryos resulting in a live birth. The improved success rates could be a case of different factors, such as improvement in the medical and laboratory techniques, more focus on lifestyle changes, and improved diagnostic capabilities.</p>
<p>If you want to read more about increasing fertility, follow the link to our blog post <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/how-to-increase-chances-of-getting-pregnant/">12 tips on how to increase your chances of getting pregnant</a>.</p>
<h2><span class="display-3">Risks of IVF treatment with donor sperm</span></h2>
<p>Before starting IVF with donor sperm, you should be aware of the risks and complications linked to the procedure. Some of the most common risks of IVF with donor sperm are:</p>
<ul>
<li>Side effects from the medications used during treatment, such as mood swings or headaches.</li>
<li>Ectopic pregnancy, where the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, causing severe bleeding, and the embryo cannot survive. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention.</li>
<li>Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) occurs when the ovaries overreact to the medications used in IVF. Symptoms may include severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath.</li>
</ul>
<p>If you want to learn more about the risks and complications associated with IVF treatment, we recommend you contact your fertility doctor.</p>

A fertility doctor fertilizing an egg for IVF treatment

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<h2><span class="display-3">Resources for people in fertility treatment</span></h2>
<p>At Cryos, we want to help and inform our customers to provide the best possible journey towards parenthood. During fertility treatment, it is important to focus on your mental health as well. Follow the link to our blog post containing <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/tips-to-increase-your-mental-health-during-fertility-treatment/">4 tips to increase your mental health during fertility treatment</a>. Fertility treatment is like a rollercoaster and you will experience a lot of ups and downs. We have tried to help you by creating blog posts relevant to each stage of the process:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/guide-to-tell-your-friends-and-family-about-going-through-fertility-treatment/">Guide to tell your friends and family about going through fertility treatment</a></li>
<li><a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/how-to-cope-with-infertility/">10 tips for dealing with the stress of infertility</a></li>
<li><a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/what-to-do-after-your-fertility-treatment/">What to do after your fertility treatment</a><br><br></li>
</ul>

<h2><span class="display-3">Frequently asked questions about IVF with donor sperm</span></h2>
<h3><span class="display-4">Is IVF more successful with donor sperm?</span></h3>
<p>It is difficult to establish whether IVF with donor sperm has a higher success rate than IVF treatment with a partner's sperm. But, when <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/blog/getting-pregnant-using-a-sperm-donor-in-the-uk/">using donor sperm</a>, there is no doubt that the sperm is high-quality, which may lead to an increase in success rate.</p>
<h3><span class="display-4">How to get IVF with a sperm donor?</span></h3>
<p>The first step of IVF with a sperm donor is to find a fertility clinic and discuss your options with a fertility doctor. After the visit, you can begin looking for the right <a href="/en-gb/dk-shop/private/find-donor/search-sperm-donors/">sperm donor</a>.</p>
<h3><span class="display-4">How can I get pregnant with donor sperm?</span></h3>
<p>If you want to get pregnant with donor sperm, the first step is to find a fertility clinic. Once you find the right clinic, your search for a donor can begin. After choosing a donor and ordering the amount of straws needed, the treatment can begin.</p>