Donor Programme
Having IVF treatment with donor eggs or sperm at one of our East of England clinics, including those in Cambridge, Norwich and Wickford, could help you achieve your dreams of parenthood.
Become a Donor
Becoming a donor is an incredible way to help others create the family they’ve always dreamed of. In the UK, one in six couples face infertility challenges, and your generosity can offer them the chance to experience parenthood.
If you’re a woman aged 18-35, in good health, with no family history of hereditary illness, becoming an egg donor can make a life-changing difference. With a national shortage of donors, many women face long waits for treatment, and your donation could help make their dream of having a family come true.
For men, sperm donation is just as impactful. Men aged 18-45 in good health can help others start their family journey while receiving compensation for their time. Sperm-sharing is also available to reduce IVF costs while helping others achieve their dream of parenthood.
Becoming an egg donor can be a rewarding experience and is one of the most generous gifts you can give. The reasons someone becomes a donor vary, but one thing they all share is a desire to help others achieve their dream of having a child.
An estimated one in six IVF treatments involve egg donation – but there is a national shortage of egg donors. As a result, many women who need donor eggs face a stressful and anxious wait to become a parent before a suitable donor is found.
The gift of egg donation and egg-sharing can help make other people’s dreams of creating their own family come true.
Bourn Hall are proud to offer the opportunity of Shared Motherhood, which is a wonderful way for you to share the experience of pregnancy as a couple, as well as have the option to help others create their very own family too.
The standard Shared Motherhood process involves both partners undergoing scans, appointments and a stimulation process, with one partner going through the IVF process to produce eggs. These are then fertilised with your donor’s sperm in the embryology laboratory, before the embryo is transferred into the womb of the other (female) partner to carry the pregnancy.
If you’re unsure about who will provide eggs and who will carry the pregnancy, we would advise both of you to have the following tests:
- Blood test to measure your ovarian reserve
- Blood tests to determine your thyroid levels
- Internal scan to check your uterus and ovaries.
Once you’ve both had positive results from these tests, you will have an extended consultation to discuss and plan your treatment.
Typically, treatment costs from £13,500, including donor sperm costs. We will provide you with a more detailed quote following your consultation.
Egg and Sperm Sharing
If you are eligible to participate in our egg or sperm sharing programmes you can reduce the cost of your own treatment, whilst helping others whose only chance of parenthood is through donor treatment. We are able to offer a reduced price IVF package to egg and sperm-sharers.
Worried you might not be able to afford fertility treatment? Our cost-effective options might help you.
At all our Bourn Hall clinics in the East of England, including those in Cambridge, Norwich and Wickford, we offer a host of ways to help with the funding of your fertility journey.
Our egg-sharing programme means you can receive our Egg-Sharer IVF treatment package to significantly reduce the overall cost of your own treatment, whilst helping others through the donation of some of your eggs.
Fertility treatment often results in the production of more eggs than you need. These could be used to help another woman who needs donated eggs to conceive a child.
Surrogacy
In some cases, potential parents need the help of another person to carry and deliver their baby for them – a process known as surrogacy.
We were the first clinic to offer IVF treatment with surrogacy to both heterosexual and same-sex couples; the first IVF surrogacy baby was born in 1989. Our experienced team will guide and support you throughout the process.
You will have IVF treatment to create your own embryos, which will be transferred to the uterus of your chosen surrogate host. She then carries the pregnancy and gives birth. Donor sperm or donor eggs can also be used in surrogacy treatment. One of the commissioning parents must be genetically related to the baby, so donor embryos cannot be used.
You may already have a friend or relative who has agreed to be a host. If this is not the case, please note that it is illegal in the UK to advertise for surrogates, and fertility clinics are not allowed to find a host for you. However, you may be able to find help through the agencies that work in this field.
Your stories
Hear from our patients as they share their paths to parenthood.
“I needed help to face a future without children”
“I didn’t know how I was going to carry on living the rest of my life feeling…
We are here to support you
At Bourn Hall your wellbeing is our priority, and this goes far beyond your fertility treatment.
We understand the frustration and distress that can sometimes be overwhelming during fertility treatment, so we encourage a holistic approach to your emotional and mental health. Engaging with our specialist advisors and counsellors is always encouraged and we run a Fertility Support Group for those who wish to share their experiences. We provide tailored nutritional support during fertility testing and we also promote a positive lifestyle approach throughout, including the benefits of being outdoors with nature.
Be reassured, we are here to help. Through all aspects of your journey, we will guide and support you, and give you all the information you need to help make your dreams come true.
We provide world-class support throughout the fertility journey.
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 excellence in fertility treatment
Our 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, including fertility tests and treatments, and get the answers to any questions you might have.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions answered. Find clarity on every step of your fertility journey.